The Bedford gazette. [volume] (Bedford, Pa.) 1805-current, 1860-12-14
PRESiDENT'S MESSAGE.

thecountry has been emnently prosperous in
all ITS material interests. The general health
ba. been excellent, our harvests have been a
bundaut, and plenty smiles throughout the
land. Our commerce and manufactures have
been prosecuted with energy and industry, and
have Welded IaIT and amll. returns. I0 shor;
no naiion in the tide OF iiGsa has ever presen-
ted a spectacIe'of greater material prosperity
.han we have done until within very recent
period.
,snsivrly prevails, acd the Union of the States,
which is the source of all these blessings, is
threatened with destruction The long-conlinu-
sd and incorporate interference ofthe Northern
peope with the question of slavery in the
Southern States has at length produced It's
natural effects. Thedfrrent sections Of the
Union are now arrayed against each
other, and the time has arrived, SO much
dreaded hy the Father OF his Country,
when hostile geographical parties have been
formed. have long toreseen, and often lore
warned nv countrymen OF the now impending
DANGER. This does not proceed solely from the
claim on the part OF Congress or the territorial
legislatures TO exclude slavery ffom the Terri
tories, nor from the efforts OF o. ftereGt Estates
10 defeat the execution OF the fugitlve-slave law
All or any Of these evils might have feen en-
dured by the South without danger TO the Union
las others have beer,) in the hope that time
and reflection night apply the remedy The
immediate peril arises not SO much from these
causes as from the fact that the lncessant and
violent agitation OF the slavery question
THROUGHOUT the North for the last quarter OF
century, has at length produced lis malign IN
fluence on the slaves, and inspired them with
vague notions OF freedom. Hence a sense OF
security no longer exists around the family al
tar. This feeling of peace at home has gwen
nlace 10 apnrehensions Of 5eTyie inSurrecIlon.
Many matron throughout the South reilres at
night in dread Of what may betaIl herself and
her children before the morning. Should TINS
apprehrnsion Of domestic danger, whether real
or imaginary extend and intensity Itself until
Il shall peryade the masses OF the Southern peo-
ole, then disunlon will become inevitable. Sell
g1rescryati0a IS the Gr, laDi al aainre- and has
been implanted IN the heart OF man by MS Gre
ator for the wisest purpose and no Polillcai
Un,on. however traught with blessings and ben
efls in all other respects, can long contlnue' Il
the necessary consequences be 10 render the
homes and frrslles OF nearly halIthe parties to
i ba5itually and hopeiessiy insecure. Sooner
or later ths ponds OF such Union must be sew
cred. Il is my conviction that this fatal period
has not vet arrived and my prayer to God IS
that He would preserve the Constitution ana
Union throughout all generations.
But lie; US take warning in tune, and remove
,be cause OF danger. Il cannot be denied that
for FIVE and twenty years, the agitation at the
Norrb AGAINST slavery IN the South has been m
cessant. In 1885 pictorial handb,Is, and IN
fammatory,aTpealS, were circulated ex'eoSi'eiY
tbrorohoul the South, of a character to excite
the passions OF the slaves; and, IN the language
ofGeUPra Jackson, ''tO stimulate them 10 lnSur-
rection and produce all the horrors OF srrviie
war" This agitation has ever since been con-
,inued by the public press, by the proceedings
ofS,a,sand county conventions, and by abo-
G,n sermons and lectures. The time OF Con-
vr.ss has been occupied IN violen, speeches on
tbre never-eajing subject and appeals IN pam
,hlet and Other forms, endorsed By distinguish
sd names. nave been sent forth from this cen
trail point, and spread broadcast over the u
nion.
How easy would It be for the American Peo-
nle 10 settle the slavery question forever, and
TO restore peace and harmony TO this distracted
country.
They. and they alone, can do It. All that ls
necessary to accomplish the objrc., and all for
which the slave States have ever commended, IS
10 be let alone and permitted 10 manage their
domestic institutions IN Their own way as
sovereign States, they, and they alone, are re-
soonsibIe before God and the world for the sla-
yery existing among them. For THIS, me 2eo-
ple of the North are not more responsible, ana
have no more right to interfere, than wilh slInI-
lar institutions in Russia or in Brazil. Upon
their good sense and patriotic lor5eaTance con-
Tess I still greatly rely. Without their aid, It
ia beyond the power Of any President, no mat
fer what NAV Or his own political procIIvItles,
10 restore peace and harmony among the States.
Wisely limited and restrained as IS his power,
under our Constitution and laws, ne alone can
ACCOMPLISH but little, for good or ior eVi', on
such a momsntous question.
And this brings me to observe that the cleo
ion ofany one Of our fellow-cltlzens to the oi@
Ace Of President does mol OF itself afford Just
rauss for dissolving the Union. THIS Is more
especjaIly true if his election has been effected
bya mere plurality, and not by majority, OF
the people, and has resulted from transient and
Temporary causes which may probably never
asain occur. In order to justify resort to rev.
eIutionafy resistance, the Federal Government
must be guilty of "a deliberate, PalPa9!', ana
dangerous exercise" Of power not granted by
the Constitution. The late presidential cleo
ton. however, has been held in strict confor-
rnlty with its express provisions. How, 'hen,
can the result Justify revolution 10 destroy
this very Constitution Reason, justice re-
gard for the Constitution, all require that we
shall wait for some overt and dangerous act on
the mart of ths President elect before resorting
to such remedy.
It's said. however, that the antecedenss OF
tho President elect have been suthcIent 10 JUS