The Plymouth weekly Democrat. (Plymouth, Ind.) 1860-1869, 1860-12-13
Synopsis of the Presidents Message.
Washington, Dec. 4.

agricultural, aud other material prosperi-
ties, of the couHtry, the President asks
why is it, then, that discomfort now SO
extensively prevails, and the union of the
States, which is the source of ali these
blessings, is threatened with Obstruction?
The long continued and Incorporate in
reference of the Northern people with The
question of slavery in the Southern States
has at length produced its natural effect.
The different sections of the Union are
now arrayed against each other, and the
time has arrived so much dreaded by the
Father of his Country. when hostile geo.
graphical parties have been formed. This
does not proceed solely from the claim. on
the part of Congress. or the Territorial
Legislature. TO exclude slavery from tie
Territories, nor from The efforts of the
Fugitive Slave Low, but the Immediate
peril ARISES from the incessant and violent
agitation of the slavery question through.
out the Northern States for the last quar-
ter of century, which has produced It's
malIgn ihtluence on the slaves, and in
spired them with vague notions of eedom
Hence sense of security no longer exis' :
around the family alter. The feeling OF
peace at home has given place 20 appre-
hension of sivil instruction. Many a
matron throughout the South re;ires at
night in dread of what may bcfal herself
and children before the morning. Should
this apprehension Of domestic danger ex-
tend and intensity itself, until it shall per-
wade the masses of the Southern people.
then disunion will become inevitable -
preservation is the first law of nature
and no political union, however fraught
with blessings and benefits in all other
respects, can long continue, if the neces-
sary consequences be to render the homes
and fresides of nearly half the parties to
it perpetualy aud hopelessly insecure
Sooner or later the bonds of such a Union
must be severed. 1t is my conviction that
this fatal period has not yet arrived.
After referring to the unceasing agita-
tion against slavery at the North for the
last twesty-6ve years, both by the press
and the people, and asserting that the tim,
Of Congress is occupied with violent
speeches on this never-ending subject, he
remarks: how easy would it be for the
1
question forever and restore peace and har.
mony TO this Distracted country. which
can be done by letting the slave State:
alone aud permitting them TO manage
their own State affairs, as they only are re-
sponsible before God for slavery existing
among them, and with which the Noy.i
has 10 more righ. to interfere than viii
;he similar institutions in Russia or Brazil
and the President still relies on the gooc
sense and forbearance Of the people. IL,
alleges 1t Is out of the power of any Pres
iden, to accomplish but little, which lead.
him to observe that the election of any o
our fellow citizens 20 the office, of Presi
dsrt does not In itself afford great caus,
for dissolving the Union. The late elec
tion having been held ia strict conformity
with the provisions of the Constitution
does not Justify a resolution to destro,
this very Constitution. Reason, justic,
and regard for the Constitution, all requit
that We should wait for some overt ans
dangerous act OH the part Of the President
elect before resorting to such remedy
Mr.. Buchanan refers to the fact that the
Presidents province is not TO make bu
to execute the laws. 1t is slleged. as on
cause for Immediate secession, that I'll,
Southern States are denied equal right
with the other States in the common terri
tory; but by what authority are these de
MED? Not by Congress. which has neve
passed. and l believe never will pass, an,
act to exclude slavery from these terri
tories, an | certainly not by the Supremt
Court, which has soiemnly decided tha
slaves are property, and like all othe
! property, their owners have right t,
take them into the common territories ant
hold them there under the protection O
the Constitution. The anticipation thu.
Congress may pass law obnoxious. is u,
good reason for dissolution The presi
, dent reasserts the power of Congress owe
property in the Territories, and the sacre,
rights OF property are recognised by the
Constitution. The most palpabIe violation
of constitutional duty which has yet beor
committed, consists in the acts of diferen
States legislatures to defeat the execution
of the Fugitive Slave law. 1t ought to b.
J remembered, however, that for these act
neither Congress or any President cal
Justly be held responsible, having beer
passed in violation Of the Federal Constitu
/ ton. They are. therefore, null and void
1t will be the duty Of the next President
4 as 1t has been my own. to act with vigo
in executing the Fugitive Slave law
against the confirmed enactment Of Stat,
| legislatures; We are net to presume il
= advance that he will violate his duty
which would be at war with every princi
pie of fjustice. Let us wait for the over
(, act. The Fugitive Slave law has beer
| carried into effect in every contested cas-,
since tie commencement Of the presen
I. administration. Let us trust that tn,
State Legislatures will repeal their un
constitutional and obnoxious enactment.-
Unless this shall be done withou. pnneces
sary delay. it is impossible for any human
power to save the Union; and the South
ern States have right to demand this ac
f ofjustice from the Northern States. Shoul.
this be refused, the injured States. afte
having first usod all peaceful means to OBJ
tain redress. would be justified in revolu
tionary resistance 20 the Government O