Burlington free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1827-1865, 1861-01-18

president BUcHANAN's LAST MESSAGE
The Presidents special message of the
9th, was of no practical value whatever. lie
mOurns over the unhappy state of things,
to so bad a pass-that we are really IN a state
of revolution, that the Forts and arsenalS OF
the Government have been seized without any
provocation, that Congress ought to declare
in its might THAT the Union must and shall
be preserved by all constitutional means. y
lie throws all responsibility on Congress,
does not recommend a solitary thing to be
done, except 10 get up Compromise, assign
| ing all territory above a certain line "tO the
exclusive control of the North" and "to
give Southern institutions below that line
protection. He submits the S. Carolina
| Commissioner S letter of Dec. %, and his
answer. lie don't believe there is ground
for apprehension that ''the peace of the Dis
trct VIII be disturbed before the 4th of
March next, but says that any rate he shall
preserve it.
lie regrets to sag that matters, instead OF
becoming better are worse-and hope is di-
minished.
Abiding to the condition Of South Caro-
lima. he says there is no other alternative,
but to collect the revenue, and protect the
public property as far as practicable under
existing laws.
His duty is to execute, and not to make
the laws. The right and duty to use the mil
itarY and naval force against..thOse who ille-
galY resist the Federal Government, are
clear and indisputable. But the present state
of things is beyond the executive control.
We are in the midst of 4 great revolution,
and he recommend to Congress to act in
the present emergency.
To Congress is reserved the power to de-
clare war, redress grievances that might lead
to war, and restore peace TO the country.
On them rests the responsibility. After eu-
logizing the blessings conferred by the Union |
he says, should it perish the calamity will /
be as severe in the Southern as in the Nor /
thern States
The secession movement is chiefly made on
a misapprehenson as to the sentiments of
the majority, in seycra! Of the Northern
States.
Let the qaestion be transferred from the
political assembly to the ballot box. The
people will redress the grseyance. In Heay-
ems name let the trial be made before we
plunge into the assumption that there Is no
other alternative.
Let US have reflection. Would that South
Carolina had reflected. lIa appealed to
Congress to say IN their might, 1.-The Union
shall and must be preserved, - by all Consti-
tutonal means.
He recommends Congress to devote them
selves to prompt action with a view to
peace.
The division on the line of 5000 is sug-
gested rs calculated to produce an adjust
ment. 1t is an imputation on members to say
they will hesitate for a moment. The danger
is on US. Ia several of the States forts and
arsenals have been taken by aggressive acts,
Congress should endeayOr to give the difficult
ties PEACEFUL solution. He states the rea-
sons why he refrained from sending troops to
Charleston harbor, believing this would have
furnished the pretext, if not the provocatien,
IN the part of South Carolina, for aggression.
to Major Anderson; he says that
officer could not before he left Fort Moultrie
have held that post IS or GO hours.
He had warned his countrymen Of its
Danger. He felt that the duty was faithfully
but imperfcctiy performed. He was cor-
'cous he meant well for his country.