The Hillsborough recorder. [volume] (Hillsborough, N.C.) 1820-1879, 1861-01-16
PRESIDE NT's MEssAGE-soUTH
CAROLINA.

10 the Senate and House Of Representatives.
AT the opening Of your present SESSION cali
ed your attention 10 the dangers which threat
ened the existence Of the Union, express
ed my opinion freely concerning the original
causes OF those dangers, and recommended
such measures as believed would have the
effect Of tranquilizing the country and saw
ing it from the peril in which il had been
needlessly and most unfortunately involved.
Those opinions and recommendations DO
not propose now to repeat. Ny own con-
victions upon the whole subject remain UNI
changed.
The fact that great calamity was impen-
ding over the nation was even at that time
acknowledged by every intelligent citizen.
II had already made itself felt throughout the
length and breadth Of the land. The neces-
sary consequences Of the alarm thus produce
ed were most deplorable. The imports fell
of with rapidty never known before, ex-
cept in time of war, in the history of our for
eign commerce; the Treasury was unexpec-
tedly left without the means which it had
reasonably counted upon to meet the public
engagements; trade was paralyzed manu-
features were stopped; the best public secu.
rites suddenly sunk ia the market; every
species of property deprecated more or less;
and thousands OF poor men, who depended
upon their daily labor for their daily bread,
were turned out Of employment.
deeply regret that am not able to give
you any information upon the state Of the
Union which is more satisfactory than what
i was then obliged to communicate. On the
contrary, matters are still worse at present
than they then were. When Congress met
strong hope peryaded the whole public
mind that some amicable adjustment OF the
subject would speedily be made BY the Rep
resentatiyes of the States and of the People
which might restore peace between the con-
flictiag sections of the country. That hope
has been diminished BY every hour Of delay ;
and. as the prospect Of a bloodless settlement
fades away, the public distress becomes more
and more aggravated. As evidence OF this it
is only necessary 70 say that the Treasury
notes authorized by the act Of 18th Decem-
Der last were advertised accordlng,to the law,
and that no responsible bidder offered to
take any considerable sum at par at lower
rate Of interest than twelve per cent.
From these facts it appears that, in Gov
ernment organized like ours, domestic strife,
or even a we'll grounded fear Of civil hostili-
tiles, is more destructive TO our public and
private interestssthan III. most formidable
foreign war.
In my Annual Message | expressed the
conviction, which have long deliberately
held, and shieh recent reflection has only
tended 70 deepen and confirm. that no State
has right BY is own act to secede from the
Union, or throw of its Federal obligations at
pleasure. also declared my opinion to be
that, even if that right existed and should be
exercised by any State Of the COnlederacy.
the Executive Department Of this Govern.
ment had no authority under the Constitu-
tion to recognise its validity BY acknowledge
ing the independence Of such State. This
left me no alternative, as the chief Executive
officer under the Constitution Of the United
States, but to collect the public revenues aud
TO protect the public property. 80 far as this
might be practicable under existing laws.
This Is still nv purpose. Ny province j.
TO execute, and not TO make the laws. Ii be-
longs to Congress exclusively 70 repeal, to
modify, or to enlarge their provisions to meet
exigencies as they may occur. possess no
dispensing power.
certainly had no right 10 make agrees
i've war upon any State: and am perfectly
satisfied that the Constitution has wisely
withheld that power even from Congress.
Bat the right and duty to use military force
defensiyely against those Who resist the Fed.
eraI officers IN the esecation Of their legal
functions. and against those who assail the
property Of the Federal Government, is clear
and undeniable.
But the dangerous and hostile attitude Of
the States towards each other has already FAR
transcribed and cast in the shade the ordi-
nary Executive duties already provided for
by law, and has assumed such vast and alarm
ing proportions a. 70 place the subject en-.
tirely above and beyond Executive control
The fact cannot b. disguised that We are in
the midst Of great revolution. Ia all is
various bearings, therefore. commend tbs
question 70 Congress. a. the only human tri.
bunsi, under Providence, possessing Inc pow.
er to meet the existing emergency. To them
exclusively belongs the power 10 declare war,
or 70 authorize the employment Of military
force in all cases contemplated BY the Con.
stitation. and they alone possess the power
70 remove grievances which might lead q
war, and TO secure peace and unioa 70 Til,
distracted country. On them, and on then
alone, rests the responsibility.
The Union Is a sacred trust left by on
Revolutionary fathers to their descendants
aad never did any people inherit 50 rich
legacy. Il has rendered Us prosperous ia
peace and triumphant Ia war. Tie nationa
fag has iioa'ed 10 glory over every sea. Un.
der its shadow american citizens have found
protection and respect IN all land. beneath
the sun. II We descend 70 considerations d
purely material interest. when, ia the hisio.
~ q all time, has Confectionery been bound
together by such strong ties Of mutual inter.
est. Each portion Of il Is dependent on
all. and all upon each portion, for prosperity
and domestic security. Free trade through.
out the whole supplies the wants Of one DOR.
ton from the productions Of another. and
scatters wealth every where. Tie grea,
planting aud farming States reuqira he aid