Bedford inquirer. [volume] (Bedford, Pa.) 1857-1884, 1860-01-06
PRESIDENTS MESSAGE.
READ IN q. S. SENATE, TUESDAY, ,DEGEM
BER 27TH, 1859.

tatt0g cltt<eRS 81 ne HtRGtetqhd 7oNss Or Repre-
our deep and heartfelt gratitude is due to that
Almighty Power which has bestowed upon US such
yari ;i and numerous blessings throughout the past
year. The general health Of the country has been
excellent hargests have been unusually pleDti-
jui, aLi prosperity Sstes throughout the land. In
deed, Notwithstanding dement's we have much
reason believe from the past events in history
thai we nave eDl6yed the protection of Divine Pro-
violence ever since our origin a nation. We have
been eSposedsto many threatening and alarming
difficulties in our progress; but each successive
occasion the impending cloud has baen dissipated
at tine momeu! il appeared ready to burst upon our
hcad, and :he danger to our institutions has passed
sway. May We ever be Under the Divine guidance
and protection.
Whlst it is the duty of tie President :,from time
10 time TO give to Congress information of the state
OF the Union, snail rot refer in detail to the
cent sad and bloody occurrences at IIarpers Ferry.
Still, il is proper to observe that these events,
however bad aud cruel in themselves, derive their
chief Importance from the apprehension that they
are bat symptoms of an incuFaDle disease in the
public nIind, wllilh may break out in still more
dangerous carAges, aud terminate last in an opan
war by the North TO abolish slavery in the South
Whilst for myself entertain such apprehension,
they ought TO afford solemn warning us all to
beware OF the approach of danger.. Oar Union is
stake CT such inestmabe value as to demand our
constant and wa:c1ini vigilance for its preservation.
In this view, Let me implore my countrymen, North
and South, to cultivate the ancient feelings of
tua forbearauce and goodwill towards each Other,
and strive TO allay the dsmon spirit of sectional
hatred and strife alive in The land. Tilis ad-
Yice proceeds from the heart of an old public func-
tioaary whose service commenced in th: last gener
alton, amel5 .le wise and conservative statesmen
of that day, now yearly all passed away, and whose
first and dearest earthly wish is to leave his eolnry
Tranquil. prosperous, united and powerful.
w e ought TO reflect that in tlis age and especially
In this country. there IS incessan fax and reux
Of public op.aion. Questions which in their day
assumed most threatening aspect, have now near
~ gonc from the memory of men. Ihey are ssyol-
canoes burnt out, and on the lata and ashes and
EqGalid ecoriR ei old eruptions grow the peaceful
olive, the cheering vine, and the sustaining corn. -
Such, il my opinion. viii prove to be the fate of
the present SECTIONAL excitement, should those who
wisely appiy the remedy. continue always to
c9afac their efforts within the pale of t.ia Constilu-
tOu. IL ghs eaEFse Be pursued iiie existing gifa-s
tfon On tie subject domestic slavery, like every
Thing hu'ulrs will ave its day and give place to
other aad less thleltcuing c0ntrt versics. Public
opinion In tllS country IS all powerful, and when it
reaches dangerous excess upon any question, the
good sense OF the people will furnish the corrective
sad Lrng it lack within safe limits Still, 20 hasten
this suspicious result, at the present crsi ought
10 remember tnat every rational creature must be
presumed to intend thz natural cunseq lenges of
Iis teachings. Those who announce abstract
doctrines sGbYersivo If tie Constitution and the
UnioI must not be surprised should their heated
partsAns advance step further, and attempt by
to carry these doctrines into practical eli ct
Il this view OF the subj set it ought be for
gotten that, however great nay have been the
political adv ant:IgeS resulting from the Union to
every portion of our common country, these would
IL prove TO be nothing should the time ever ar
rive when they cannot he ci,ioyed without serious
danger to the personal safety of The people of ff
ln members OF the couiederacy. Ii tine peace of
the domestic reSide throughout these States should
ever 0e invaded--f the mothers of families within
this extensive region should be able to retire to
rest at night withou. suffering dreadful appgehen-
tiOns of Nhat may be their own .tc and taat g {
their sndrtn before the morning-it would be vain
20 recount 20 such people the political benefits
which result to them from the Union. Self-preser-
vation the first instinct OF natures and therefore
any state of society in which the sword is all the
tine suspended over tbs bands Of the people, must
at est become int0lerabie. But l indulge in 10
such gloomy iorebodiEgs. On the contrary firmly
believe hat the events at HGrper's Ferry, by
ing the people to pause and rcd=ct upon the possible
peril 10 Eleic cherished institutions, will be the
ne2Bs, Under Providence, Of ailayine the existing
excitement and prereltng future outbreaKs q 4
similar character. They will Iesolvc that the Con-
StliulIoD and the Union shall be endangered by
rash counSeis, knowing that should the 'silycr
cord be ioosed or tbs golden bowl BE- broken :
q the fountain, human power could never reunite
The scattered aud hostile Fragments.
cordially congratulate you uison the fina settle
neLt by The supreme CoJit of the United States OF
Ire question OF slavery il The Territories, which
lad pres, ntc al aspect truly formidable at the
commencement oi ny administration. The right
has been established cf every citizen TO take his
property OF any kind, intending slaves, into the
common Territories belonging equally all States
Of the Concderacy, ana tc have it protected there
under the Federal Cons titution. Neither Congress
nor territorial legislature nor any human power
las any authority annUl or impair this vested
right. The supreme judicial tribunal OF the
try, which is L coordinate bench OF the Govern-
merit, hss sanctioned and affirmed these principles
OF constitutional law, so manifestIy just thenl-
s,yrS, and 80 well calculated to produce peace an1
harmony among the States. Il is striking proof
Of the sensc OF justice which is inherent in our pco
pie that The property in slaves has never been dis,
Lurbed 10 my KnoT!cGge, IN any of the Territories.
Even throughout the late troubles in Kansas there
Las not been any attemi: as am ere holy inform
cd, TO interfere, IA single instance, with the right
Of the master. Had any such attempt been made,
the judiciary would doubtless lave afforded an
adequate remedy. Should they fail TO do TINS
bereafter if will tnen be time enough to strengthen
their hands by further legislation Had IT been de-
ided that either Congress the territorial eglSla-
i,tuTe possess the power to annul or impair tbe
yght TO property in slaves, the evil would be lntoi'
eTaUe In the latter event, there would be struS-
&c !or majority Of the members OF the legs stature
1t each successive election, AID The sacred rlsh's
Of yIcperty held under the Federal Constitution
world 1epend for the time being on the result
Tht cgtatiou would thus &c rendered incessant
whilst the territories coalition remained, and its
baUeful Influence would keep alive . dangerous ex-
elcinent among tne people oi tue seferai ciateS,
Thus las the status oi Territory, during the in
tcruediato period from It's first settlement until 1t
shall become : State, been rregOcably fixed by the
fua decision oi the Supreme Court. Fortunate
has this bees for the prosperity oi the Territories,
as well is Ire tranquility Of the States Now,
Migrants FROM ihe North and the South, the East
ard tho Wes viii meet il the Territories on corn
Non platform, llaying brought with them mat
EP'cies ui ptop~g.y eest aisptei, in th0ir own
epiHiCn u p.5mota ih1if wei:are. From natural
causes he .ry question will in each scan
virtually stie l:seii; and before the Territory is
EFoparsd tDy admission Z State into tAe Ugion