Weekly standard. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1858-1865, 1861-03-13

tional Constitution amended. While make no re-
commendation of amendments fully recognize the
rightfu authority Of the people over the whole sub
ect to be exercised in either Of the modes prescri
bed in the instrument ITSELF And should, under
existing circumstances favor rather than oppose,
fair opportunity being afforded the people 70 act up
on it. will venture to add, that to me the Conven-
ton mode seems preferable in that it allows amend
ments to originate with the people themselves, in
stead Of only permitting them to take or reject pro-
positions originated by others not especially chosen
for the purpose, and which might not be precisely
such as they would wish to either accept or refuse
understand proposed amendment to the Con-
stitution, which amendment however, l have not
seen, has passed Congress, to the effect that the
Federal Government shall never interfere with the
domestic institutions of the States including that OF
persons held to service. To avoid misconstruction
of what have said, 1 depart from my purpose not
to speak of particular amendments, so tar as to say
that holding such provision to now be the implied
constitutional law, have no objection to its being
made express and irrevocable.
The Chief Magistrate derives all his authority
from the people, and they have conferred none upon
him to fix terms for the separation Of the States
The people themselves can alone do this, if they
choose. but the Executive, as such has nothing to
do with it. His duty is to administer the present
government it came to his hands, and to transmit
it unimpaired by him, to his successor.
Why should there not be patient confidence in
the ultimate justice of the people? Is there any
better or equal hope in the world? In our present
differences is either party without faith Of being in the
right? If the Almighty Rule Of nations, with His
eternal truth and justice, be ON your side OF the
North or on yours of the South that truth and that
Justice will surely prevail by the judgement Of that
great tribunal, the American people By the form
of the Government under which We live, this same
people have wisely given their public servants but
little power for mischief and have with equal Wis
dom provided for the return of that little to their
own hands at very short intervals While the people
retain their virtue and vigilance, administration
by any extreme of wickedness or folly, can very
seriously injure the Government in the short space
of four years.
My countrymen, one and all, think calmly and
we'll upon this whole subject. Nothing valuable
be lost by taking time. If there be an object to
hurry any of you in hot haste to a step which you
would never take deliberately that object will be
frustrated by taking time; but no great object can
he frustrated by it Such of you now dssatis-
fled, still have the old Constitution unmpaired and
the sensitive point the laws Of your own framing
under it; while the administration will have no
immediate power if it would. to change either.
Ifit were admitted that you who are dissatisfied
hold the right side in the dispute there still is no
single good reason for precipitate action. lnte!li-
gence, patriotism, Christianity, and firm reliance
on Him who has never yet fo-saken this land, are
still competent to adjust in the best way all our
present difficulties In your hands, my dissatisfied
fellow countrymen, and not in mine, is the momen-
tous issue of civil war. The Government will not
assail you. You can have no conflict without being
yourselves the aggressors You have no oath re-
gistered in Heaven to destroy the Government
while shall have the most solemn one to preserve,
protect and defend it.
| am loath to close. We are not enemies, but
friends. We must rot be enemies Though passion
may have strained, it must not break our bonds Of
affection. The mystic chords of memory, stretching
from every battlefield and patriot grave to every
living heart and hearthsone all over this broad land
will yet swell with the chorus of the Union, when
again touched, as surely they will be, by the better
angels OF our nature