The Athens post. [volume] (Athens, Tenn.) 1848-1917, 1861-02-08
Presidents Message.
The President sent the following mes.
sage 10 CONGRESS on the 2Sth ult.;

d
Presidents Message.
The President sent the following mes
sage TO Congress on the 2Sth ult.:
10 Tic Senate and House Of Representatives.
Of Me United StateS deem it my duty
to submit to Congress q series of resolu-
tons adopted by the Legislature of Vir-
gnia on the 18th inst, having in view the
peaceful settlement of the existing ques-
tions which now threaten the UDion.-
They were delivered to me on Thursday,
the 9th inst, by ex President TYLER,
who has left his dignified and honored
retirement, in the hope that he may rem.
der service TO his country in this its hour
of peril.
The resolutions, it will be perceived,
| extended an invitation to all such States,
whether slaveholding or non-savehold-
ing, as are willing to unite with Virginia
in an earnest effort to adjust the present
unhappy controversies in the spirit in
which the Constitution was originally
framed and consistent with its principles,
so as TO afford to the people of the slave
holding States adequate guarantees for
the security of their rights; to appoint
Commissioners to meet on the 18th day OF
February next. in the city of Washing
ton. Similar Commissioners were APP
pointed by Virginia to consider, and, if
practicable, agree upon some suitable adj
justment.
confess hail this movement on the
part of Virginia with great satisfaction.
From the past history of this ancient
Commonwealth, we have the fullest as
surancc that what she has undertaken,
she will accomplish, if it can be done by
able, enlightened, and persevering efforts
1t is highly gratifying to know that other
patriotic States have appointed, and are
appointing Commissioners to meet those
of Virginia in council. When assem-
blcd, they will constitute body enti-
tied, in an eminent degree, to the con-
Gdence OF the country. The General
Assembly has appointed ex-President
Tyler, who is here, as Commissioner to
the President of the United States, and
also Judge John Robinson, by like
vote, a Commissioner to the State of
South Carolina and the other States that
have seeded, or shall secede, with in
structions respectfully to request the
President of the United States, and to
authorities OF such States, to agree to
abstain, pending the proceedings con-
templated by the action of this General
Assembly, from any and all acts calcula-
ted to produce u collision of arms be-
tween the States and the Government of
the United States.
However strong may be tho desire to
enter into such an arrangement, am
convinced that do not possess the pow
er, and Congress alone, under the war
making power, can exercise the discre-
ton of agreeing to abstain from any and
all acts calculated to prevent collision
OF arms between this and any other Gov
ernment. 1t would therefore be usur-
patton for the Executive to attempt to
restrain their hands by an agreement in
regard to matters over which he has no
control. If he were thus to act, they
might pass laws which he should be
bound to obey, though in conflict with
his agreement. Under existing circum-
stances my present actual power is con-
fined within very narrow limits. 1t is
my duty, at all times to protect and de-
fend the public property within the Sc
ceding States, as far rs may be practical
bic, and especially to employ the consti-
tutional means to protect the property
of the United States and to preserve the
public peace at this the seat of the Fed
eral Government. IT the seeding States
abstain from any and all acts calculated
to produce a collision of arms, then the
danger, so much to be deprecated, will
no longer exist.
Defence, and not aggression, have been
the policy of the Administration from
the beginning, but, whilst / can enter
into no such engagement as that pro-
posed. | cordially commend it to Con-
gress with much confidence that it will
meet their appreciation. to abstain from
passing any law calculated to produce
collision of arms pending the proceedings
contemplated by the action OF the Gen
eral Assembly of Virginia.
| am one OF those who will never dcs-
pair of the Republic. l yet cherish the
belief that the American people will per-
petuate the Union of the States on some
terms just and honorable for all sections
of the country. / trust that the media-
ton of Virginia will be the destined
means, under the providence of God, of
accomplishing this inestimable benefit
Glorious as are the memories of her past
history, such an achievement, both in re-
lation to her own fame and the welfare
of the whole country, would surpass them
all. JAMES BUCHANAN.
The consideration Of the message was
postponed till tomorrow.