The River Falls journal. (River Falls, Pierce County, Wis.) 1857-1861, 1860-12-12
Synopsis of the Presidents
Message.

why is it then that discomfort now so ex-
tensiyely prevails, and the union of the
States, which is the source of all those
blessings, is threatened with destruction?
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 Un-
ion are now arrayed against each other
and the time has arrived, so much de-
plored by the Father of his Country
when hostile geographical parties have
been formed.
After referring to the incessant agita-
ton against slavery at the North, for the
last twenty-five years, both by the press
and the people, and asserting that the
time of Congress is occupied with violent
speeches of this never-ending subject, he
remarks, how easy would it be for the
American people to settle the slavery
question forever, and restore peace and
harmony to this Distracted country. This
can DO done by letting Slave States alone
and permitting them to manage their
ows State affairs, as they only are re-
sponsible before God for slavery existing
among them, and with which the North
has no more right to interfere than with
the similar institutions in Russia or
Brazil. The President still relies on the
good sense and forbearance of the people,
alleging it is out of the power Of any
President to accomplish but little.
This leads the President to observe
that the election ofany one of our fellow
citizens to the office of President does
not, of itself, afford just cause for disselv-
ing the Union. The late election hay
ing been held in strict conformity with
the provisions of the constitution, does
not justly a determination to destroy
this very constitution. Reason, Justice
and regard for the constitution, all re-
quire that We shall wait for overt and
dangerous acts on the part Of a Pres
dent elect, before resorting to such a
remedy.
The President reasserts the power of
Congress over property in the territories.
The sacred rights of property are secured
by the constitution.
The revenue still continues to be col
lected as heretofore at the custom house
at Charleston, and should the collector
resign, a successor may be appointed to
perform this duty.
1t is not believed that any attempt will
be made TO expel the United States from
its property there by force; but if in this
should prove to I've mistaken, the Off
GERS in command OF the forts have receiv-
ed orders to act strictly on the defence
In snch contingency the responsibility
for consequences would rightfully rest up
on the heads of the assailants.
In reference to recognizing seeding
State as an independent government by
the President, he says it would be a max
ed act Of usurpation on his part, and it is
his duty to submit to Congress the who'e
question, in all its bearings.
The President invoked his country
men to pause before attempting to de-
stroy the Union, which has conferred so
many benefits. He argues that Con
gress can do much to restore peace, by
proposing and recommending an amend
ment to the Constitution, for remedy
ing the existing evils. The true course,
he recommends, is to have an explanatory
clause or amendment, relating to the slave
ry question first, expressly recognizing
the right OF property 10 slaves in States
| where slavery now exists, or may here
after exist; second, the duty of protecting
such rights in all the tt rritories, until the
latter arc admitted as States into the
Union.
The President proposes that an ex-
| planatory amendment to the Constitution
be adopted by Congress, for the final
settlement of the true constructions of the
Constitution on these specific points,
| He proposes
First An express recognition Of the
rights of property in slaves in the
States where it now exists or may here
after exist.
Second. The duty of protecting the
rights of shareholders in the common ter
ritories through their territorial existence,
and until they shall be admitted as States
INTO the Union, with or without slavery.
Third. A like recognition of the right
of the master to have his slave, who has
escaped from one State to another, deliv-
cred up to him.
Fourth. The validity of the fugitive
slave law, enacted for this purpose, to-
gether with declaration that all State
laws impairing this right are violations
of the Constitution, and are consequent
ly null and void. a
Such explanatory amendments would
it is believed, forever terminate existing
discussion, and restore peace and harm
ony among the States.
| The President then discusses our for
eign relations. 1aa
Our relations with Spain have been
complicated, by the refusal of the Senate
to ratify the convention for the adjust.
ment of the Cuban claim so called.
| The President reiterates his recon-
mendation for the acquisition of Cuba by
a fair purchase
With the exception of Mexico our re-
lations are generally of satisfactory
/ character. g
In relation to Kansas the President