The Ottawa free trader. [volume] (Ottawa, Ill.) 1843-1916, 1861-03-09

ting them to take or reject propositions
originated by others not especially chosen
for the purpose, and which might not be
precisely such as they would wish either
to accept or refuse 1 understand pro-
posed amendment to the Constitution,
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
states including that of persons held to
service.
To avoid misconstruction of what have
saio' depart from my purpose not to
speak OF particular amendments so far as
to say that holding such a provision IN
now be implied constitutional law I 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 the terms for the separation of the
States. The people themselves alone can
do this if they choose but the Executive
as such has nothing to do with it. His
duty Is to administer the present govern
ment as it came to his hands, and to trans
NIT it unimpaired by him to his successor
Why should there not be patient conf
dence in the ultimate justice Of the PEG
pie. Is there any better or equal hope in
the world. In our present differences is
either party without faith in the right
If the Almighty Ruler Of nations, with
this eternal truth and justice, he on your
side of the North or on yours of the South
that truth and justice will prevail by the
judgment Of this great tribunal, the great
American people. By the frame of the
Government under which we live this
same people have wisely given their pub
lie servants but little power for mischief,
and have, with equal wisdom, provided for
the return of that little to their hands at
very short intervals While the people
retain their virtue and vigilance. no adj
ministration or any extreme wickedness or
folly can very seriously injure the govern
ment in the short space of four years.
Ny countrymen, one and all, think CALM
| " and well upon this whole subject No
! thing valuable can be lost by taking time
, If there be an object to hurry any of you
| in hot haste to step which you would
never take deliberately, that object will
/ be frustrated by taking time, but no good
| object can be frustrated by it; such Of you
/ as are dissatisfied, still have the old Con.
stitution unimpaIred; and on the sensi
I tive point the laws Of your own from fran
[ ing under it by the new administration
[ they will have no immediate effect to
change II II were admitted that YOU who
are dissatisfied hold the right side Of dis.
/ pute; there still is no single reason for
precipitatc action. Intelligence, patyot-
/ ism, christianity, and a firm reliance on
/ him who has never yet forsaken this f.
vored land are still competent to adjus,
( in the best way all our difficulties. In
/ your hands my dissatisfied feilow-country-
men and not in mine is the nomentous
( Issue Of civil war The government will
. not assai! you. You can have no conflict
without being yourselves the agCressor
/ y ou have no oath registered in heaven &c
I destroy the government while ! shall have
/ the most solemn one 10 preserve, protect
I and defend ! am 10th to close. We are
not enemies, but friends. We must not
I be enemies Thoagh passion NAV be- hair
strained i, must not break our bonds o.
action. The mystic chords of memory
stretch from every battle field and patrio:
grave to every living heart and hearth
stone all over this broad land. will again
swell the chorus OF Union when again
/ touched. as surely they viii be by the bet
ter angels OF our nature.