Cleveland morning leader. [volume] (Cleveland [Ohio]) 1854-1865, 1860-12-05

Federal Government. II Is manifest that
this is not among the specific and enumer-
ated powers granted 10 Congress, and II is
equally apparent that It's exercise Is not
necessary and proper for carrying into
execution any one Of these powers.
The President declares that 70 make war
upon q State is at variance with the spirit
Of the Constitution, and after having con-
quered q State how are We 10 govern it,
We could not govern Il BY despotio power
nor could we By physical force compel its
people 10 elect Senators and Representatives
and perform ell the duties appertaining to
an independent State. The fact is that our
Union rests upon public opinion and can
never be oemented by the blood Of It's citi-
sens shed in civil war. If Il cannot live In
the affections Of the people Il must one day
perish. Congress possesses many means Of
preserving It by Cancellation, but the sword
IL not placed in their hands 10 preserve it
by force. But may l be permitted solemn
ly to invoke my o~ountrymen TO pause and
deliberate before they determine to destroy
this, the grandest temple which has ever
been dedicated TO human freedom since the
world began. Il has been conseorated by
the blood Of our fathers, by the glories Of
the past by the hopes Of the future -
The Union has already made US the
most prosperous, and ere long viii,
t. preserved, render us the most
powerful nation on the face of the earth. In ev-
cry region Of the globe, the title OF Amerlcan cit
izen 4 held In the highest respect, and when pro
nounced in a foreign land il causes the hearts Of
our countrymen TO swell with honest pride. Sure
ly when we reach the brink of the yaWing abyss,
We should recoll with horror from the fatal
plunge. By such a dread caiastrophy the hopes
Of the friends Of freedom throughout the world
would be destroyed, and a long nighto Of despot
ism would enshroud the nation. Our example
for more than eighty years would not only be
lost but would be quoted as q conclusive proof
that man Il unfit for self government
The slavery question like everything will have
its day. / firmly believe that IL has already reach
ed and passed the eliminating point, but IL in the
midst of the existing excitement the Union
shall perish, the soil may then become insepera-
Bile Congress can do much 20 avert Il by prOpo-
sing and recommending TO the legislatures Of the
several States the remedy o~rexisting evils which
the Constitution has itself provided for its own
preservation.
The President proposes that his explanation
amendment to the Constitution be adopted by
Congress for the final settlement Of the true CON
s~truction Of the Constitution on three special
points. An express recognition Of the right Of
property in slaves In the States where It now ex-
lists, or may hereafter exist The duty Of protec-
ting this right in all the common territories thrO'-
out their territorial existence and until they
snail be admitted Is States int the Union, with
or without slavery as their Constitutions may pro
scribe. A like recognition OF the right Of the
master TO have his slave who has escaped from
one State 70 another, restored and delivered up
to him, and o fthe validity of the Fugitive Slave
Law, enacted for this purpose, together with q
declaration that all State avs impairing or de-
feating this right. are violations of the Constitu-
ton, and are Consequently null and void.
Such an explanatory amendment would, IL is
believed, forever terminate the existing OLSEN
tons, and restore peace and harmony among the
States.
The President then discusses our foreign rela-
tiOns. Our relations with Spain have been com
pticated by the refusal of the Senate to ratify the
Convention for the adjustment Of the Cuban
claim, so called. He reiterates his recommends
ton for the acquisition of Cuba by a fair pur-
chase.
With the exception Of Mexico our relations
are generally of q satisfactory character
In relation 70 Kansas, he says the desperate
band recently ssembled under a notorious out
law in the southern portion of the Territory to
resist the execution Of the laws, and to plumber
the peaeeable citizens will, I doubt, not be speed
lily subdued and brought TO justice.
he recommends a Pacific Railroad; cOngratu-
lates the country upon the apparent and diminu-
ton Of the slave trade, and the extinction OF the
hllibustering excitement; and in view of the
restitution in Kansas, recommends to Congress
that if any constitutional measure of relief can
be devised the subject should be duly considered.