The Cadiz Democratic sentinel. [volume] (Cadiz, Ohio) 1854-1864, 1861-02-06
Message of the President
10 hs Senate and Hou SC Of Representative Of
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NHCsStaBc I-EeSlucht
10 As Senate and Hou &c Of Representatives Of t's
Unite5 States: [
deem it nv duty to submit to Congress
series oiresolutions adopted by the legislature
of Virginia on tbe 18th inst, having in view a
peaceful settlement OF the exciting questions
which now threaten this Union. They were
delivered to me on Thursday, oath inst, by an
ex President, who has len his digni6ed and hon.
ored retirement in the hope that he may render
service to his country in this its hour of need.
These resolutions, it will be perceived, ex-
tend an invitation to all such States, whether
slayeholding or non -slayeholding as are willing
to unite with each other in an earnest effort to
adjust the present unhappy difficulties in the
spirit in which the Constitution was originally
formed and consistently with its principles, so
as to afford the people of the slayeholding
States adequate guarantees for the security of
their rights, to appoint commissioners to meet
on the fourth day Of February next, in the city
OF Washington, similar commissioners appoint
ed by Virginia to consider and ifpractcable, a.
gree upon some sort of adjustment. ei3 ai hs
1 confess hail this movement on the part Of
Virginia with great satisfaction From the past
history of this ancient and renowned Common
wealth, we have the fullest assurance that what
she has undertaken she will accomplish, ifil
can be done by able, enlightened, and perse-
vering efforts. 1t is highly gratifying to know
that other patriotic States have appointed COM
missioners to meet those OF Virginia in council.
When assembled, they win constitute body
entitled IN an eminent degree to the confidence
ofthe country. ~ sfs@2I' '- 'i-l h5.W sii
| fhc federal assembly OF Virginia have also re-
Solved "that ex president Tyler is hereby ap-
pointed, by the concurrent vote OF each branch
! OF the general assembly, commissioner to the
President of the United States, and Judge John
Robertson is hereby appointed, by like vote,
a commissioner to the State of South Carolina,
and all other States that have seeded, or shall
secede,w Instructions to respectfully request
the President Of the United States, and the au.
thorities Of such States, to agree to abstain,
pending the proceedings contemplated by the
action of this general assembly, from any and
all acts calculated to produce acollision ofarms
between the States and the Government of the
United States. laA AiH oHE ..'W le4a9-s
However strong may be my desire to enter
into such an agreement, / am convinced that
! I do not possess the power. Congress, and
Congress alone, under the war .making power,
can exercise the discretion OF agreeing to abb
stain from any and all acts calculated TO pro-
duce collision Of arms between this and any
usurpation for the Executive to attempt to re-
strain their hands by an agreement in regard
to matters over which he has no constitutional
control. If he were thus to act, they might
pass laws which he should be forced to obey,
though in conflict with his agreement. sa1ts
| Under existing circumstances, my present ac-
tua power is confined within narrow limits. -
1t is my duty at all times to defend and protect
the Federal property within the seeding States
SO far as this may be practicable, and especially
to employ the constitutional means to protect
the property Of the United States, and to pre-
serve the public peace at this the seat of the
Federal Government. If the seeding States
abstain from any and all acts calculated to pro-
duce collision OF arms, then the danger so
much to be deprecated win no longer exist
Defence and not aggressio has been the policy
Of the Administration from the beginning. NJ
But whilst can enter into no engagement
such as that proposed, cordially commend To
| Congress, with much confidence that it viii
meet their appreciation to abstain from passing
any law calculated to produce a collision ofarms
pending the proceedings contemplated by the
action of the general assembly OF Virginia, i
am one of those who will never despair OF the
Republic. yet cherish the belief that the A
merican people will perpetuate the union Of the
States on some terms just and honorable for
all sections Of the country. 94* 'a 'a f'
| trust that the mediation Of Virginia may be
the destined means under Providence Of ac-
complshing this inestimable benefit.
Fl Glorious as are the memories of her past his
tory, such an achievement, both in relation tc
her own fame and the welfare Of the whole
country, would surpass them ALL r rFaf -at
JAMES BUCHANAN.
| WAsulNGToN Cry, January 28, 1861.