Glasgow weekly times. (Glasgow, Mo.) 1848-1861, 1860-01-05
PRESIDENTS MESSAGE.
F.llow Citizens ofihe Senate


Our deep and heartfelt gratitude is dse
10 that Almighty Power which has bestOw-
ed upon US such varied and numerous bless
ines throughout the past year. The gener-
al health Of the country has been excellent;
our hsrvesis have been unusually plentiful,
and prosperity smiles throughout the land.
Indeed. notwithstanding our dement's, we
have much reason TO believe from the past
events in our history, that we have enjoy
ed the special protection Of Divine Provi-
dence ever since our origin asa nation
We have been exposed TO many threaten
ing and alarming difficulties in our prog
rssS but on each successive occasion the
impending cloud has been dissi pated at tie
moment il appeared ready TO burst upon cur
head, and the danger 10 our institutions has
passed away. May we ever be under The
divine guidance aud protection!
Whilst il is the duty Of The President
"Trem time 10 time TO give TO Congress IN
formation Of the state OF the Union,' shall
not fefer in detail 10 the recent sad and
bloody occurrences al Harper's Ferry
Still. it is proper II observe that these e.
vents, however bad and cruel in themselves
derive their chief Importance from the aP-
prehensien that they are but symptoms Of
an incursole disease in the public mind,
which may break out in sill more danger
Gus outrages and terminate at last in an open
war BY the North To abolish slavery in tbs
South. Whilst, for myself, | entertain no
such apprehension, they ought TO afford
solemn warming 10 us all TO beware Of The
approach Of danger. Our Union is a stake
oil such inestimable value as 10 demand our
constant and waichful vigilance for IFS pres
erva,inn. In this view, let me implcre ,ny
cnunirymen, North and South, TO cultivate
the ancient feelings OF mutual forbearance
and good v i'll towards each other, and strive
10 nllay the demon spirit Of sectional hatred
and strife now alive in the land. This ad-
wire proceeds IRON the heart Of an old pub
lie funciionsry whose service commenced
in the last generation among the wise and
conservative statesmen OF that dsy, now
nearly all passed away, and whose first and
dearest earthly wish is TO leave his coun-
try tranquil, prosperous, united and power
ful.
We ought 10 reflect thai in this age and
especially in this country, there is an inces-
sanl fux and renux of public opinion
Questions which in their day assumed 6
most threatening aspect, have now nearly
gone from The memory OF men. They are
volcanoes burnt OH, and on the lava and
ashes and sduald scoriae Of old erupions
grow the peaceful olive, the cheering vine
and the sustaining corn" Such in my O.
piuien, will prove 10 be the fate OF The pres
ent sectional excitement, shond those wht
wisely seek 10 apply the remedy, continue
always 10 conliBe their efforts within The
pale Of the Constitution. Ii this course b,
p,l, sued, The existing agitation on the sub
icct Of domestic slarery, like everything
human, will have lis day and give place &c
uher and less threatening controversies
Pnbllc opinion ia this country is all-power
full, and when it reaches dangerous excess
upon any question, the good sense OF The
people will furnish the corrective and bling
il back within safe limits. Still, 10 hasten
this auspIcinus result, at The present crisis
We ought 10 remember that every rational
creature must he presumed to intend the
natural consequences Of his own teachings
Those who announce abstract doctrines sub
yersiye Of the Constitution and The Union
fhusi mol he surprised should their heated
partiZans advance one step further. and al,
tempt by violence 10 carry those doctrines
into practical effect. In this view Of thu
subject il ought never 10 be forgotten that
however great may have been the poitica
advantages resulting from the Union 10 ev.
cry portion Of our common country, these
would all prove 10 be as nothing should the
time ever arrive when they cannot be en-
lived without serious danger 10 the person.
al safely of the people Of fifteen members o
tha conlederacy,
Ii the peace Of the domestic fireside
throughout these States should ever be IN
vaded-if the mothers of families within
this extensive region should net be able L
retire 10 rest al night without suffering
dreadful apprehensions Of what may b'
their own fate and that OF their children be-
fore the morning-it would be vain TO re
count to such people the political benefits
which result TO Them from the Union. Self
preservation is the first instinct Of nature
and therefore any state Of society in which
the sword IS all the Tina suspended oyel
t,ls heads of tbs people, must at last become
intolerable. But indulge in no such gloo
my forebodings. On the contrary, firmly
believe that the events at Harper's Ferry
by causing the people to pause and ,ehec
upon the possible peril 10 their cherished
institutions, will be the means under Prov
idsnee, Of alayIng The existing excitement
and preventing future outbreaks OF SINH
lar character. They will resolve that thu
Constitution and the Union shall not be en-
dangered by rash counsels, knowing that
should the "siiver chord be loosed or thu
golden bowl be broken at the !oun-
tain," human power could never reunite the
scattered and hostile fragments.
cordially congratulate you uron the fl
nal settlement by the Supreme Court of th.
United States, Of the question Of slavery il
the Territories, which had presented an as
pect SO truly formidsbls at the commence
rnent of my administration. The right ha,
been established of every citizen to take hi.
property Of any kind, including slaves, int
the common Territories belonging equally