The western Democrat. [volume] (Charlotte, N.C.) 1852-1870, 1860-01-03
PRESIDENTS MESSAGE.

Almighty Power which has bestowed upon such
varied and numerous blessings throughout the past
year. The general health of the country has been
excellent; our harvests have been unusually plent
full, and prosperity smiles throughout the land In
deed notwithstanding dement's, have much
to believe from the past events in our history
that we have enjoyed the special protection Of Di
vine Providence since origin nation.
We have been exposed to many threatening and
alarming difficulties in progress; but each
successive occasion the impending cloud has been
dss pated at the moment it appeared ready to burst
upon our head. and the danger to our institutions
has passed away. May we ever be under the divine
guidance and protection
Whilst it is the duty of the President "from time
to time to give to Congress information of the state
of the Union" l shall not refer in detail to the
cent sad and bloody occurrences at Harpers Ferry.
STILL it is proper to observe that these events, how
bad aud cruel in themselves, derive their chief
Importance from the apprehension that they are
but symptoms of an incurable disease in the public
mind, which may break ont in still more dangerous
Outrages and terminate at last in open by
the North to abolish. slavery in the South. Whilst
for myself, entertain such apprehension, they
ought TO afford q solemn warning to all to beware
of the approach of danger. Our Union is stake of
such inestimble value to demand constant and
watclful vigilance for its preservation. In this
view, let me implore my cOuDtrymen, North, to cul-
tivate the ancient feelings of mutual forbearance and
good will towards each other, and strive aay the
demon spirit of sectional hatred and strife now alive
in the land. This advice proceeds from the heart
menced in the last generation, among the wise and
conservative statesmen of that day. nearly all
passed away, and whose first and dearest earthly
wish is to leave his country tranquil, prosperous,
united, and powerful.
We ought to reflect that in this age, and especial
1y in this country there is incessant fux and re-
fux of public opinion. Questions which in their
day assumed a most threatening aspect, have now
nearly gone from the memory of men. They are
volcanoes burnt out, and on the lava and ashes
and squalid scoria OF old eruptons grow the peace
full olive, the cheering vine, and the sustaining
Such. i'll my opinion, will prove to be the fate Of
the present sectional excitement. should those who
wisely seek to apply the remedy, continue always to
confine their efforts within the pale of the Consttu-
ton. If this course be pursued. the existing agta-
ton on the subject of domestic slavery, like every
thing human. will have its day and give place to
other and less threatening controversies Public
opinion i'll this country is powerful. and when it
reaches dangerous excess upon any question the
good sense of the people will furnish the corrective
and bring it back within sufe limits. Still. TO has
ten this suspicious result, at the present crisis we
ought to remember that every rational creature
must be presumed to intend the natural consequent
ces of his own teachings. Those who announce
abstract doctrines subyersive of the Constitution
and the Union, must not be surprised should their
heated partsans advance one step further and at
tempt by violence to carry these doctrines into
practical effect. In this view of the subject it
ought to be forgotten that, however great may
have been the political advantages resulting from
the Union to every portion of common country
these would all prove to be as nothing should the
time arrive when they cannot be enjoyed it'll
out serious danger to the personal safety the peo-
pie OF fifteen members of the cOnfederacy If the
peace of the domestic fireside threu ghout these
State should ever be invaded-if the mothers of
families within this extensive region should be
able to retire to rest at night without suffering
dreadful apprehensons of what may be their own
fate and that of their children before the morning
it would be vain TO recount TO such people the
political benefits which result to them from the
Union. Selfpreservation is the first instinct of
ture; and therefore any state of society in which
the sword is all the time suspended over the heads
of the people must at last become intoerabie.
But indulge in no such gloomy forebodings. On
the contrary, firmly believe that the events at
Harper's Ferry, by causing the people pause
and reflect upon the possible peril To their cherished
institutions, will be the means under Providence,
of allaying the existing excitement and preventing
future outbreaks of similar character. They
will resolve that the Constitution and the Union
shall not be endangered by rash cuunscls, know
ing that should 1.-the silver cord be loosed or the
golden bowl be broken at the fountain" human
power could never reunte the scattered and hostile
Fragments
cordially congratulate you upon the final settle
by the Supreme Court of the United States of
the question of slavery in the Territories. which
had presented an aspect so truly formidable at the
commencement of my administration. The right
has been established of every citizen take his pro-
perty of any kind, including slaves, into the com
mon Territories belonging equally to all the States
CT the ana 10 have IL protected
under hcFedera stitution Neither Congress nor
Il territorial Legislature any human power has
any authority to annul or impair this vested right.
The supreme judicial tribunal of the country, which
is coordinate branch of the Government has sane
toned and affirmed these principles of constitutions
law, 50 mauifesty just in themselves, and well
calculated to promote peace and harmony among
the States. 1t is striking proof of the of
justice which is inherent in people, that the
property in slaves has never been disturbed, to my
knowledge, IN any OF the Territories. Even
throughout the late troubles in Kansas there has
not been any attempt, as am credibly informed. tn
Interfere in u single instance, with the st of the
master. Had any such attempt been made, the
Judiciary would doubtless have afforded adequate
remedy. Should they fail to do this hereafter, it
will then be time enough to strengthen their hands
by further legislation. Had il been decided that
either Congress the territorial legislature possess
the power to annul impair the right to property
in slaves, the evil would be ntolera BILE. In tho lat
ter event, there would be struggle for a majority
of the members of the legislature at each successive
election and the sacred rights of property held
der the Federal Constitution would depend for the
time being on the result. The agitation would thus
be rendered inccssant whilst the territorial cnndi-
ton remained, and its banpful influence would keen
alivo dangerous excitement Among the people OF
the several States.
Thus has tho status of Il Territory. during the in
termediae period fron its frat settlement until il
shall become State, been irrevncaby fixed by the
final decision of the Supreme Court. Fortunate
has this been for the prosperity of the Territories
as well as the tranquility of the States, Now, emf
grants from the North and the South tie East and
the West. will meet in the Territories com