Bedford inquirer. [volume] (Bedford, Pa.) 1857-1884, 1861-01-18

MESSAGE on THE PRESIDENT.

which threatened the existence OF the UuIOn.
| expressed my opinions freely concerning the
original causes of these dangers, aud recon-
mended such measures as / believed would
have the effect of tranqulizng the country,
and saving it from the peril in which it had
been needlessly aud most unfortunately inrolv-
ed. Thuse opinions and recommendations DO
not propose now to repeat. My own conVic-
tons upon the whole subject remain unehsng-
ed The fact that great calamity was i'm
pending over the mutton, was even at that time
acknowledged by every intelligent citizen. 1t
had already made itself felt throughout the
length and breadth of the land. The ueses-
sary consequences of the alarm thus produced
were most deporable. The imports fell off
with rapidity never known before, except 10
time OF war, in tho history of our foreign com
merce. The Treasury was unexpectedly left
without the means which it had reasonably
counted upon to meet its public engagements,
trade was pArslyzed, manufactures were stop.
ped, the best public securities suddenly sunk
IN the market, every species of property de-
preclated more less, aud thousands of poor
men, who depended on their daily labor fol
their daily bread, were turned out of employ
ment. l deeply regret that am not able to
give yon sny bfornat ton upon the State of
the Union which is more satisfactory than
what | was then obliged to communicate. On
the contrary, matters are still worse at the
present time than they were. When Congress
met, strong hope parVaded the whole public
mind thai some smisASle adjustment Of The
subject would be speedily made by the Repre-.
sentAaVes or tie States and of the people,
which might restore peace between iae con-
hIetlug sections Of the country. That hope
has been diminished by every hour of DELAY,
and as the prospect of bloodless settlement
fades away, the public distress becomes more
aud more aggravated. As au evidence of this
It Is only necessary to say that the Treasury
notes authorized by the act of the 18th of De-
eember last, we're advertised according TO law
aud that no responsible bidder offered to take
any considerable sum at par, at lower rate of
interest than IL per cent. From these f.cts il
appears that, in government organized like
Curs, domestic strife, or even well grounded
fear OF eivll hosilities, is more dsstructiye to
our public and private interests than the most
formidable foreign war.
la my annual message / expressed the con-
vlction, which have long deliberately held,
And which receut reflection has only tended to
deepen and cophrm, that 90 state has the right
W It's own act, TO sccede from the Union, or
throw of its Federal allegiance at pleasure
also declared my opinion to be, that, even ii
that right existed, aud should be exercised be
any State Of the Cunfederacy, the Executive
department OF the Government has no author
lty, under the Constitution, TO recoguize its
validity, by acknowledging the independence
oil such Stats.
This left me no alternative as the Chief Ex
ecutiVe ofhccr under the Constitution Of the
GnIted States, but 70 collect the public rcye-
Que, aud protect the Publlc property so far as
tals might De practicable under the existing
laws. This is stili my purpose. Nv province
Is to execute not to .ulake laws. II lel,,ns.
to Congress exclusively to repeal, modify or
enlarge thelr provisions to meet the exigencies
as they occur. possess no dispensing power.
certainly have no right to make an aggres-
sIve war upon any State, and / am perfectly
satisfied that the Constitution has wisely with.
held that power oven frem Congress. But the
right AID duty to use the military force defen-
slsely against those Hho resist the Federal of
heers 10 the execution oil their legal functions.
and against those VINO assail the property of
the Federal Goyernlnent, is clear aud unfisui.
able. But the dangerous aud hostile attitude
OF Ststcs towards each other has already far
transcribed aud cast into the shade the ord,
nsiy Executive duties already pro yided for By
Law, and has assumed such vast and alarming
proportions as to place the subject entirely
above aud beyond the Executive control The
fact cAnnot be disguised that we are in the
midst OF a great Re7olutiou 10 all its yari-
Gus bearings, therefore, | commend the oues- |
ton TO Congress IS the only human tribunal
under Providenee possessing the power to meet
the existing emergency. 10 them excluslVely |
belongs the power TO declare war or authorize
tue employment of the military force in all |
uses contemplated by the constitution. and |
they alone possess the power 10 remove the
grievances which might lead to war, and secure
peace aud union tc this distracted country |
On them, and gu them alone, rests the resoou. !
slbiIity.
The Unlon is a sacred trust lefl by our Rev. |
Customary fathers to their descendants, and
never dld any other people inherit so rich |
legacy. 1t has rendered us prosperous in |
peace aud triumphant in war. The national
tag has foated with glory over every Sea-
Under Its shadow American citizens have found |
pro!eetion and respect D all lands beneath the |
sun. If We descend TO Considerations of pure
iy material interest, when, in The history OF ali
tune, has Confedsracy been bound together |
with such strong ties of mutual iDteres,a-
Each peIiioa OF 1t iE dependent on all, aud al !
upon each portion for prosperity aud domestic
security. a tree trade throughout the whole
supplies the wants OF one portion from the
productions OF another, and soatters wealth
everywhere. The great planting and farming
States require and commercial navigating
StItes send their productions to domestic aud
foreign markets, anu furnish naval sower 10
render their transportation secure against all |
hostile attacks. Should tho Union perish in
The midst OF the present excitement, we have /
already bad . sad foretaste of the universal |