Weekly standard. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1858-1865, 1860-01-04
PRESlDENT'S MESSAGE.
Ellou.ci;tisens Of the Senate


var, and numerous blessings throughout the past
wear. The general health of the country has been
excellent our harvests have been unusually plentl-
full 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 have enjoyed the special protection
of Divine Providence ever since our origin as ma
ton We have been exposed to many threatening
and alarming difficulties in our progress; but on
each successive occasion the impending cloud has
been dssipated at the moment it appeared ready to
burst upon our head and the danger to our nstitu-
tons has passed away May we ever be under the
divine guidance and protection!
S Whilst it is the duty of the President from time
to time to give to Congress information OF the state
of the Union" shall not refer in detail to the re-
cent sad and bloody occurrences at Harpers Ferry
Still it is proper to observe that these events how
ever bad and 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 cut in still more dangerous
outrages and terminate at last in an open war by the
North to abolish slavery in the South. Whilst, for
myself entertain no such apprehension, they ought
to afford solemn warning to us all to beware OF the
approach of danger. Our Union is stake OF such
inestimable value as to demand our constant and
watchfu vigilance for its preservation In this view,
let me implore my countrymen North and South,
to cultivate the ancient feelings of mutual forbear-
" the demon spirit of sectional hatred and strife
i've in the land. This advice proceeds from
of an old public functionary whose ser
ned in the last generation among the
.vative statesmen of that day, now
no. vay, and whose first and dearest
earth, re his country tranquil, pros
porous, ul.
We ough. this age, and especial
" in this couh Hessant iiux anu r.
fux of public o. which in their
day assumed mos, ct, have now
nearly gone from the IN. They are
"yefcanoes burnt out, ALI lava and ashes
and squalid scorie of old eruL 5 grow the peace
full olive the cheering vine and the sustaining corn
Such in 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 conne their efforts within the pale of the cons
tuition. If this course be pursued, the existing ag-
taton 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 in this country is apowerful, and when it
reaches dangerous excess upon any question, the
good of the people will furnish the corrective
and bring it back within safe limits STILL to hasten
this suspicious result at the present crisis we
ought 70 remember that every rational creature
must be presumed to intend the natural consequent
ces of his own teachings. Those who announce alb
stract doctrines subversive of the Constitution and
the Union must not be surprised should their heat
ed partisans advance one step further and attempt
by violence to carry these doctrines into practical
effect In this view of the subject it ought never
to be forgotten that however great may have been
the political advantages resulting from the Union to
every portion of our common country, these would
all prove to be as nothing should the time ever ar
rive when they cannot be enjoyed without serious
danger to the personal safety of the people of fif-
teen members of the confederacy. If the peace of
freSida fhrouphout fheSa Statpc chOud
ever be invaded-if the mothers of families within
this extensive region should not be able to retire to
st at night without suffering dreadful apprehen-
ons of what may be their fate and that of
-Ieir children before the morning-it would be vain
to recount to such people the political benefits
which result to them from the Union. Selfpreser-
walton is the first instinct of nature; 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 intolerable. But I indulge in no
such gloomy forebodings. On the contrary, | firmly
believe that the events at Harpers Ferry by caus-
ing the people to 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 a
similar character They will resolve that the Con-
stitution and the Union shall not be endangered by
rash counsels knowing that, should 1.-THE silver
cord be loosed or the golden bowl be broken y
at the fountain" human power could never reunite
the scattered and hostile fragments.
cordially congratulate you upon the final settle
ment 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
mencement of my administration. The right has
been established of every citizen to take his property
of any kind, including slaves, into the common Ter
ritories belonging equally to all the States of the
Confederacy, and to have it protected there under
the Federal Constitution. Neither Congress nor a
territorial legislature nor 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 sanction
ed affirmed these principles of constitutional law
so manifestly just in themselves and so we'll calcula-
ted to promote peace and harmony among the States
1t striking proof of the of justice which is
inherent in our 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 l am
credibly informed to interfere, in single instance
with the right of the master. Had any such attempt
been made, the judiciary would doubtless have af
forded an adequate remedy. Should they fail tc
lis hereafter, it will then be time enough tc
CITIZEN their hands by further legislation. HaG
n decided that either Congress or the terrific
rial legislature possess the power to annu or impair
the right to property in slaves, the evil would bt
intolerable. In the latter event. there would be {
struggle for majority of the members OF the legs
hture at each successive election and the sacred
rights of property held under the Federal Constitu
til would depend for the time being on the result
The agitation would thus be rendered incessan
whilst the territorial condition remained, and it
baneful influence would keep alive dangerous ex
citement among the people Of the several States
Thus has the status of Territory, during the in
termedate period from its first settlement until il
shall become State, been irrevocably fixed by tn
final decision of the Supreme Court. Fortunate ha
this been for the prosperity of the Territories, al
well as the tranquility of the States Now, emf
grants from the North and the South, the East ant
the West, will meet in the Territories on common
platform, having brought with them that species o
mote their welfare. from natural causes the slave
ry question will in each ease soon virtually settl
ITSELF and before the Territory is prepared for ad
mission as State into the Union this decision on
way or the other, will have been foregone conclu
slon Meanwhile the settlement of the new Terrific
sry will proceed without serious interr,ption and it