Democrat and sentinel. [volume] (Ebensburg, Pa.) 1853-1866, 1860-12-12
The President's Message.

The Message of President Buchanan which was
read 10 both Houses of Congress on Tuesday
of last week, is so long that We have not room
20 lay it before our readers. Like all of his
State papers. it proves him to be clear and
forcible writer, profound and fareseeing
statesman and pure Patriot. Its sentiments
are entitled to, and doubtless will receive the
unqualified endorsement of every friend of
the Union, North and South. Its language
is temperate, but firm and decided, and is
calculated to allay, instead of increasing the
secession excitement in the South.
After few appropriate Introductory obser-
vations, the President at once proceeds to call
the attention of Congress to th per;lous po-
.ition in which the Union is now placed, and
to lay before them his views with regard to
the right of State to secede from the Con-
federacy. He very correctly attributes the
unhappy state of affairs which now exists to
the long continued and Incorporate Interfe-
rance Of the Northern people, with the ques-
.ion of slavery in the Southern States. which
has lead to the formation of sectional parties
so much dreaded by the father of his country.
He thinks the impending dagger does not ar
ise entirely, from the claim on the part of
Congress or the Territorial Legislatures of
the right to exclude slavery from the terrific
ries. He says:
These evils might have been endured by the
South without danger to the Union, (as Others
have been, } in the hope that time and reflection
might apply the remedy. The immediate peril
arises not so much from these causes as from
the fact that the incesSant and violent agitation
of the slavery question throughout the North
for the last quarter of a century, has at lenghth
produced its malign influence on the slaves, and
inspired them with vague notions of freedom.
Hence sense of security no longer exists around
the family altar. This feeling of peace at home
has g ven place to apprehensions of servile in
surrection- Many matron throughout the
South re.ires at night in dread of what may be-
fall herself and her children before the morning
"Should this apprehension of domestic danger
whether real or imaginary, extend aud intensity
itself until 1t shall pervade the masses of the
Southern people, then dsunion will become in
evitable. Self preservation is the first law of
nature, and has been implanted in the heart of
man by his Creator for the wisest purpose; and
no political union, however fraught with bles-
sings and benefits in all other respects, can long
continue, if the necessary consequence be to rem
der the homes and the fresides of nearly half the
parties to it habitually and hopeleSsy insecure
Sooner or later the bonds of such Union must
be severed. 1t is my conviction that this fatal
period has not yet arrived; and my prayer to
God is that He would preserve the Constitution
and the Union throughout all generations.
"But let us take warning in time, and remove
sthe cause of danger. 1t cannot be denied that
for five and twenty years, the agitation at the
North against slavery in the South has been in
cessant. In 1885 pictorial hand bills, and in
A,rn cir ulsta
throughou the South, of a character to excite
the passions of the slaves; and, in the language
of General jackson, 'to stimulate them to in
surrection, and produce all the horrors of a ser
vile war;" This agitation has ever since been
continued by the public press, by the proceed
ings OF State and county conventions, and by
abolition sermons and lectures. The time of
Congress has been occupied in violent speeches
on this never ending subject; and appeals in
pamphlet and other forms, endorsed by distin-
guished names, have been sent forth from this
central point; and spread broadcast over the
Union.
How easy would it be for the American peo-
pie to settle the slavery question forever and to
restore peace and harmony to this distracted
country.
"They, and they alone, can do it, All that is
necessary TO accomplish the object, and all for
which the slave States have ever contended, is to
be let alone, and permitted to manage their do
mestic institutions in their own way. As sover-
eign States, they, and they alone. are response
bic before God and the world for the slavery ex-
listing among them. For this, the people of the
North are not moro responsible, and have no
more right to interfere, than with similar insti-
.utions in Russia or in Brazill.- Upon their good
sense and patriotic forbearance confess / still
greatly rely. Without their aid, it is beyond
the power of any President, no matter what may
be his own political proclvties. to restore peace
and harmony among the States. Wisely limited
and restrained as is his power, under the Const-
tuition and laws. he alone accomplish but lit
tie, for good or for evil, on such momentous
question"
he ten states. that he does not regard the |