Staunton spectator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1849-1896, 1860-01-03
PRESIDENTS MESSAGE
tizens Of the Senate and
House of RspresentGti
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House of RspresentatiOesf
Or dee, anu heartfelt gratitude is due Ito
Almi xhty Power which has bestowed uIlon
uch varied and numerous blessings through
the past year. The general health of The
uHtry has been excellent; our harvests have
een unusually plentiful, and prosperity smiles
ghous the land. Indeed, notwithstanding
pr dsmerit. we have much reason to believe
lem the past events in our history. that we have
Dyed the special protection of Divine Provi-
bee ever siace our origin as a nation. We
aye been exposed to many threatening and
Warming diflc iitles In our progress; but on each
nccessive occasionsthe impending cloud has been
aissipated at the moment it appeared ready to
burst upon ou. head, and the danger to our in
stitulions has passed away. May we ever be un-
der theJdivine guidance and protectionl
"a. Whilst it is the duty of the President sefrom
ime tSstime to give to Congress information of
he state of the Union," shall not refer 10 de-
tailito the recent sad and bloody occurrences at
Harper's Ferry. Still, it is proper to observe
that these events, however 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 out in still more dangerous outrages
lind terminate at last 10 an open war by the North
TO abolish slavery In the South. Whilst for my
self entertain no such apprehension, they ought
70 afford solemn warning to US all to beware
bf the approach of danger. Our Uuion is a stake
pf such inestimable value as to demand our con-
Ntantand watchul vigilance for its preservation.
In this view, let me implore my country,aen-
sNDrth. and South, to cultivate the ancient feel
sfpgs OF rltnal forbearance and goodwill to.
wa q ed. = er, and strive to allay the demon
sFis s5tse. 81 al hasred and strife now alive in
J. th6> and is advice sse5ss easrt
p9flic, ,functionary whose service COM
a., last generation. among the wise
feryative statesmen of that day. now
&C passed away, and whose first and dear
FtIly wish is to leave his country tranquil,
pefous, united, and powerful t<
teought to reflect that in this age, and espe-
yin this country, there is an incessant f1ux
srefiux of public opinion Questions wAich
aeir day assumed most threatening ASPECT,
We now nearly gore from the memory fmen.
aey are VOLCANOES burt out, and on the lava
I'D ashes and squalid scorie of old erup ions
grow the peaceful olive, the cheering vine and
the sustaining corn" Such, in my opinion, will
prove to be the fate of the present sectional ex-
citement, should those who wisely seek to aoply
the remedy, continue always to confne thei' eff
forts within the pale of the Constitution Iftllis
course be pursued, the existing agitation on the
subject Of domestic slavery, like everything hu-
man, viii have its day and give place to oher
and less threatening controversies. Public tpin-
ion in this country is all powerful, and whn it
reaches dangerous excess upon any question,
the good sense of the people will furnish thecor
rectiye and bring it back within safe limis.-
Still, to hasten this suspicious result at the ore
sent crisis, we ought to remember that ever ra-
sfonal creature must be presumed to intend the
natural consequences of his own teachings Tiose
whe announce abstract doctrines subversivs of
the Constitution and the Union, must not be sur
pri~ed should their heated partisans advanceone
step further, and attempt by violence to crry
these doctrines into practical effect In this view
of tile subject it ought never to be forgottenhat
however great may have been the political I'd
vantages resulting from the Union to every pr
<tion of common country, these would all
prove to be as nothing should tie time ever r.
rive when they cannot be enjoyed without Sc
rious danger 20 the personal safety of the peo,le
of fifteen members of the Confederacy : If the
peace OF the domestic firsside throughout these
States shonld ever be inyaded-if the mothers of
fai1ilies within this extensive region should not
he able to retire to rest at night without suffer-
& ing dreadful apprehensions OF what may be their
Nown fate and that of their children before the
prning- would be vain to recount to such
xople the political benefits which result to them
folh the Union. SAt-preservation is the first
Asrinet gof nature; and therefore any state of
&5ciety In which the sword is ali the time sus-
pended over the heads Of the peo, ust at last
BeD0sfSe atlA% But ing no such
o1ae:,sv o the .s..y, / f1aniy
n nsSSya egen. at Harper Ferry, by
casss II 81 sssople 10 PIE end reflect upoir the
possible peril to.their cherished institutions will
he the means, under Providence, of allaying the
existing excitement and preventing future out
t1reaks Of silnilar character. They will resolve
ID Jat the Constitution and the Union shall not be
hdangersdsAy rash counsels, knowing that
Mould athe silver cord be loosed or the golden
s 6wl be broken at the fountain humas
4 bower could never re-unite the scattered an(
aestile fragments.
i cordialIy congratulate you upon the final set
tletaent by the Supreme Court of The United Sta
tss Of Jle question of slavery in the Territories
+ which had presented an aspect SO truly formida
bic at the commencement OF my administration
The right has been established of every citzef
tdtake lis property Of any kind, including sla
Ses. into The common territories belpnging equal
Z IN to all tile States in the Contederacy. and to
have it protected there Under The Federal Con-
stifutlon. Neither Congress, nor a territorial
legislature, nor any human power has any au-
tIority t. annul or impair this vested right
The supreme Judicial tribunal OF the coantry.
which is : co-ordinate branch OF the Government
4S4ldS SalcWOH0u anu GiicSo vi
n nstitntlonsl law, so nanifestly just 10 themsel
% 5, and so well calculated To promote peace and
q sr.nony among the States. It isa striking proc
the sense OF Justice which Is inherent in our
sople, that the property in slaves has never beer
sturbed, to my know ledge, in any of the Ter
sitories Even throughoutlShe late troubles in
Kansas there has not been any attempt, as 1 am
fediblys Informed, TO interfere, in single in
tancey with the right OF the master. Had any
Ich attempt been made the Judiciary would
ubtless nave afforded adequate remedy
gould they lail 70 do this hereafter, it Wil then
ellme enough to strengthen their hEndS by fur
ser legislation. Had it been decided that eth
-Copgress or the terrlorial legislature posses.
.he power to asnul or impair the right to proper
IN ia slaves, the evil would be intolerable. In
- e latter event, there would be struggle for g
taiyflfy Of the members OF the Legislature al
lch successive election, and the sacred rights o
ioperty held Ander the Federal Constitution
ioufd depend for the time being on the result
Mhe agitation would thHs be rendered lncessan
- the territorial condition remained, and 1T
nj i6% ould keep alive dangerous
Auens the feopIe pi soc " err sta
t4s s, ! the -. rs Z farfitery3 siaFitiR :
Sdiate period troal ats first settlement un-
all become Sate, been irrevocablJ hx-
10 final decision OF the Supreme Court
te mas this been for the prosperity Of the
les, as we'll as the tranquility OF the States
migrants from the NORTH and the SaMh