The Jeffersonian Democrat. [volume] (Chardon, Ohio) 1854-1865, 1861-02-01
Another Special Message from the
President

Tho sutjoined Special Message from tho
President was laid before Congress on Mon.
day. Tho position of the Administration is
certainly cnvclopod in mystery. which every
word and act of Mr.. Buchanan only in
crenscs Has the Administration any policy?
If so, what III Th, last Message, ,divcstod
of unnecessary vorbiagc, would read about
as follows: My sympatbos and associations
nro with tho traitors, but. however strong
may bo my desire 10 ontor into an agreo.
mcnt with them, | have no Constitutional
power to do 80. In fact, can do nothing
OF myself. Congress may prescribe course
for mo 10 follow, but | hope it will not
under existing circumstances mover
despair Of tho Republic. Lot us studously
abstain from any and all acts calculated to
produce collision OF arms botwoon this aud
and arg other Government, o." and ro!y
firmly upon Divine Providence, and al may
yet 10 we'll in spite of us
To The Senaie md Heuse Of Representatives
Of The United Stdtrs:
deem It my duty to submit to Congress
a series of resolutions adopted hy tho Leg
isluturo OF Virginia, on tho l0,h instant.
having in view tho peaceful scttlomont of
tho existing questions which now thrca on
the Union. They were delivered to mo on
Thursday tho 24th inst. bv cx President
Tyler, who has loft his digniliud and hon.
cred retirement in tho hope that ho may
rondor service to his country in this its hour
of peril These resolutions, it will DO per-
covnh, extend an invitation to all such
States. whether saveholding or non. slave
holding, as arc willing to unite with Virginia
in au earnest effort to adjust tho present
unhappy controversies in the spirit in which
tho Constitution was originally formed. and
consistently with it's principles, so as to
afford to tho pooplo Of the slavehoding
States adequate guarantees for the security
of their rights. to appoint Commissioners to
meet. on tho 4ih day Of February next, in
tho City of Washington, similar Commis.
sioncrs appointed by Virginia, to consider
and if practicable agreo upon some suitable
adjustment.
conrcss I hail this movement on the
part of Virginia with great satisfaction -
From the past history of this ancient end
renowned Commonwealth, wo havo the
fullest assurance that what sho has uudor.
by ablo. enlightened and pcrsovoring efforts.
1t is highly gratifying to know that other
patriotic States have appointed and are
appointing Commissioners to moot those of
Virginia in council. When assembled thsy
will constitute body entitled in an op,inent
degree to tho confidunco of tho country.
Tho General Assembly of Virginia has
also resolved that cx.Prcsident John TYLER
is horrby appointed by tho concurrent vote
of each branch Of tho General Assembly n
Commissioner to tho President of the u s.
and Judge JohG Roberts is hereby appointed
by ike vote, q commissioner to tho State
of South Carolina and other States that
have seeded or shall sccndo, with instruc.
tons respectfully to request the President
of tho uGted States and tho authorities of
such Statos to ngreo to abstain, pending the
proceedings contemplated by tho action OF
this General Assembly. from anv and all
acts calculated to produce n collision OF
arms between tho States ahd tho govern.
mont Of tho United States.
However strong may DO my desire to OIL
tor into such an agreement, | am convinced
that do not possess the power. and Con.
gross alono under tho war making power
can exercise tho discretion of agreeing to
abstnn from any and all acts calculated to
produce collision OF arms between this
and any other Government. 1t would thcro
foro DO an usurpation for the executive to
attempt to restrain their hands by an agree.
mont in regard to matters over which ho has
no constitutional control. If no woro thus
to act they might pass laws which he should
bo bound to oboy though ia conflict with
his agreement under existing circumstances.
My present actual power is confined within
iIs t. &,
times to doicnd and protect the public prop.
erty within tho socoding States SO far as
may bo practicable, and especially to employ
tho constitutional means to protect tho
property of tho United Staies and to
preserve tho public peace at this, tho seat
OF the Federal Government. Ii tho seeding
States abstain from any and all acts caIcu.
lated 10 produce a collision of arms, then
tho danger so much to DO deprecated will
no longer exist.
Defence and not aggrC ssion las boon tho
policy of tho Administration from tho be-
ginning. but whilst can entor into no such
engagement as that proposed, l cordially
commend It 10 Congress, with much conf
dcncc that 1t will mcot thoir appreciation to
abstain from passing any law calculated to
produce collision Of arms pending tho pro-
ceedngs contemplated by tho action of tho
Genoru Assembly of Virginia. | am ono OF
those who never despair of the Republic.
| yOt cherish tho belief that tho American
people will porpetuate tho Union of the
States on somo terms nst and honorable
for all sections of tho country. | trust
that tho mediation Of Virginia may 10 the
destined means under tho providence of
God Of accomplishing these incstimabo
benefits. Glorious as arc tho memories OF