The Hillsborough recorder. [volume] (Hillsborough, N.C.) 1820-1879, 1860-01-04
PgsslDnNWrs MMsSAEE;

and House Of Representatives.,
Oar deep and heartfelt gratitude IS due
to that Almighty Power which has bestowed
upon US suci varied and numerous blessings
throughout the past year. The general health
Of the country has been excellent; our har.
vests have been unusually plentiful, and
smiles throughout the land. In
deed, Notwithstanding our dement's, we have
much reason to believe. from the past events
in our history, that we have enjoyed the spe-
cial protection Of Divine Providence ever
since our origin as a nation. We have been
exposed to many threatening and alarming
difficulties in our progress but on each sue
cessive occasion the impending cloud has
been dissipated at the moment il appeared
ready to burst upon our head. and the dan.
ger to our institutions has passed away. May
we ever be unier the divine guidance and
protection
| Whilst IS the duty of the President from
time TO time to give to Congress information
Of the state OF the Union," | shall not refer
il detail TO the recent sad and bloody occur
renee at Harper's Ferry. Still, il Is proper
to observe that these events. however bad
and cruel in themselves, derive their chiel
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 and terminate
at last in an open war By the North to abolish
slavery in lie South. Whilst. for myself,
entertain no such apprehension. they ought
TO afford solemn warning to US all 70 be-
ware Of the approach Of danger. Our Union
is stake of such inestimable value as TO de-
mand our constant and watchtul vigilance
for its preservation. In this view, let me
mplore my cOuntrymen, North and South,
to cultivate the ancient feelings Of mutual
fprbearanee and goodwill towards each 9th
CIR, and strive % allay the demon spirit o.
sectional hatred and strife now alive IN the
land. This advice proceeds from the heart
Of an old public functicnary whose service
commenced in the last generation, among the
wise and conservative statesmen OF that day,
now nearly all passed away, and whose hrst
and dearest earthly wish IS TO leave his coun-
try Tranquil, prosperous, united, and power
erful.
We ought 10 reflect that in this age, and
especially in this country, there is an inces-
SAINT flux and refux of public opinion. Cues
tiOns which in their day assumed most
/ threatening aspect, have now nearly gone
4 from the memory OF men. They are vol.
canoes burnt out. and on the lava and ashes
and squalid scoria Of old eruptions 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
excitement, should those who wisely seek TO
apply the remedy, continue always TO con
fine their Efforts within the pale of the Con-
stitntiou. II this course be pursued, the ex.
isling agitation on lie subject Of domestic
slavery. like everything human, will have ~
day and give place to other and less threat
ening controversies. Public opinion in thu
country is all-powerfpl. and when it reaches
dangerous excess upon any question, the
good sense Of the people will furnish the cor
rectiye and bring It back within sale limits
Still. 10 hasten this auspicious result, At TN
present crisis, We ought 10 remember tina
every rational creature must be presumed t
intend the natural consequences Of his owl
teachings. Those who announce abstrac
doctrines subycrsiye Of the Constitution ant
the Union. must not be surprised should ihei
heated partisans advance one step further
and attempt by whence TO carry these doc
trines into practical elect. In this view 0
the subject II ought never to be forgotteI
that. however great may have been the 20
iiical advantages resulting from the Unlol
10 every portion Of our common country
these would all prove TO be as nothing shoul
the time ever arrive when they cannot b
: enjoyed without serious danger 10 the per
; .onal safety 81 the people Of fifteen member
vf the Cpniederacy. u the peace 81 the d.
nestle Preside throughout these States shout
ever be inyaded-if The mothers Of familIe
within this extensive region should not b
able to retire 10 rest at night without suffer
ing dreadful apprehensloas OF what may b
their own fate aud that Of their children be
lore the morning-it would be vain 10 re
count to such people The political benefit
which result To them from the Union. Sell
preservation j. the first instinct 81 nature
: aud therefore any state Of society IN whie
the swpfd Is an the time suspended over Oh
heads nl the people, must az last becom
intoIefablr. Bul indulge IN no such gloom
fnreDad.hgs. Dn the contrary, ! firmly b.
liese that the events az Ilarpers Ferry, ,
causing tile people u pln.e anil reflect npa
! tie possible peril TO their cherished instit'
r OF AIiafing the existing excitement and pr
tent.ns future ogibreaks Of a similar ehara'
? Ter. They will resolve that the Constitute
aud the Union shalt mol be endangered
J rash cn1n.els. knowing that, should q
.tlken churd BE- loospd 81 lie golden bowl
j broken AZ the fountain, human pow
]. er could never rrunite The scattered aud ho
: tile fragments.
{ cordially congratulate yoa upon the Ga
4 settlement 3, the >npreme Court Of the Tn
: Ted states d the question Of slavery in q
Z Territories, ~hieh lad pft.enfed az aspe
. - tr1ly formidable al tie commencement
mt administration. HE right has been Z
4. isblIshed 81 every citIsu 10 take his pr
{, perry u any Kind, inelnaing slaves, into q
camnon Territories belonging equally to .
/. tie state. Of the C0hIejefaey, aud TO ha
l il protected there undef the Federal Consi
2 tuition. Neither Congress nor a territori