Grant County herald. [volume] (Lancaster, Wis.) 1850-1968, 1860-12-08

After aiIuulHg 10 the great COiulbclCldis
agricultural and other material properties
of the country, the President asks why is
lit, then, that discomfort so extensively pre-
walls, and the union of the States, which is
1.-THE source OF all these blessings, is threat
ened with destruction? The long-continu-
ed and Incorporate Interference Of the
northern people with the question Of slay-
cry in the Southern States, has at length
! produced is natural effect. The different
sections of the Union are now arrayed
against each other, and the time has arriv-
ed so much dreaded by the Father of his
Country, when hostile geographical parties
have been formed. This does not proceed
solely from the claim on the part es.Gon-
gress or the Territorial Legislature to =
clude slavery from the Territories, nor from
the efforts of the different States to defeat
the execution fthe fugitive slave law. but
the immediate peril arises from nicessant
and violent agitation of the slavery ques-
ton throughout the North for the last
quarter OF century, which has produced
its malign influence on the slaves, and in
spired them with vague notions of freedom ;
hence a sense of security no longer exists
around the family altar. This feeling OF
peace at home has given place to apprshe::
sions of seryile Instruction. Many mat
ron throughout the South retires at night
in dread Of what may befall herself and
children before the morn.
Should this apprehension OF domestic
danger extend and intensity itself until it
shall pervade the masses of the Southern
people, then disunion will become inevitable.
Self-preservation is the first law of nature,
and no political union however fraught with
blessings and benefits in all other respects,
Ican long continue, if the necessary conse-
Iquence be, to render the homes and fire.
sides of nearly half the parties to il
habitually and hopelessly insecure. Soon
er or later the bonds Of such union must
be severed. 1t is my conviction that this
fated period has not yet arrived.
! After referring to the incessant agitation
against slavery at the North for the last
twenty-five years, both by the press and the
people, and asserting that the time Of Con-
! gress is occupied with violent speeches on
the never-ending subject.
He remarks how easily would IT be for
the American people to settle the slavery
question forever, and restore peace and har-
mony to the distracted country, which can
be done by letting the Slave States alone
and permitting them to manage their own
State affairs, as they only are responsible
before God for slavery existing among them,
and with which the North has no more
right to interfere than with the similar in
situations in Russia or Brazil. And the
President still relies on the good sense and
forbearance of the people. 1t is alleged
that it is out Of the power of the American
President to accomplish but little, which
Head him to observe that the election Of any
of our fellow-citizens to the office of Presi-
dent does not in itself afford just cause for
dissolying the Union. The late election
having been held in strict conformity with
the provisions of the Constitution, reason,
Justice and regard for the Constitution re-
Iquire that We shahwait for some overt and
dangerous act on the part of the President
elect, before resorting to such a remedy
| Mr.. Buchanan refers to the fact that the
Presidents province is not to make but TO
execute the laws. 1t is alleged as one cause
for immediate secession that the Southern
States are denied equal rights with the 9TH
or States in the common te, ritory. But by
what authority are these denied Not by
Congress, which has never passed, and
believe never will, pass any act to exclude
slavery from those territories; and certain
" not by the Supreme Court, which has
solemnly decided that slaves are property,
and like all other property, their owners
have a right to take them into the common
territories and hold them there under the
protection of the Constitution.
The anticipation that Congress may pass
some obnoxious Law is no good reason for
dissolution.
The President reasserts the power of
Congress over property in the Territories,
and the sacred rights of property are re-
served by the Constitution. TIE most pal
pable violations of Constitutional duty
which have yet been committed, consist in
the acts Of different State Legislatures to
defeat the execution of the fugitive slave
Law. It ought to be remembered, howey-
er, that for these acts neither Congress nor
any President can Justly be held .esponsi-
bic, having been passed in violation Of the
Federal Constitution. They are, therefore,
null and void. 1t will be the duty of the
next President, as it has been my own. to
act with vigor in executing the fugitive slave
law against confirmed enactments Of State
Legislatures. We are not to presume in
advance that he will violate his duty, which
would be at war with every principle OF
justice. Let us wait for the overt act
The fugitive slave law has been carried
into execution in every contested case since
the commencement Of the present Admin
istration.
| Let us trust the State legislature viii re-
peal their unconstitutional and obnoxious
enactments. Unless this shall be done
without unnecessary delay, it is impossible
for any human power to save the Union;
and the Southern Statos have right to
demand this act Of justice from the North
ern States. Should this be refused, the