Year: 1859

yellow CITIZENS OF TIE SENATE


AND HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES,


Our deep and heartfelt gratitude is due to that
Almighty Power which has bestowed upon us such
varied and numerous blessings throughout the past
year. The general health of the country has been
excellent; our harvests have been unusually plen-
tiful, and prosperity smiles throughout the land
Indeed, Notwithstanding our demerits, we have
much reason to believe from the past events in our
history, that have enjoyed the special protection
of Divine Providence ever since our origin ma
tion. We have been exposed to many threatening
and alarming difficulties in our progress; but on
each successive occasion the impending cloud has
been dieeipated at the moment il appeared ready
burst upon our heads aud the danger to our inst u
tions has passed away. May we ever be under the
divine guidance and protection.


THE nARPER's FERRY RAID.


Whilst It is the duty OF the President "from time
70 time to give to Congress information Of the state
of the Union' shall not refer in detail to the
cent sad and bloody occurrences at Harpers Ferry.
Still it is proper to observe that these events, how
ever bad and cruel in themselves, derive their chief
Importance from the apprehension that they but
syrpptoms of an incurable disease in the public
mind, which may break out in still more dangerous





the North to abolsh slavery in the South. Whilst,
Cor myself, entertain no such apprehension, they
ought to afford solemn warning to us all to be-
ware of the approach of danger. Our Union is
stake of such inestimable value as to demand our
constant and watchful vigilance for its preserva-
tion. In this view, let me implor my countrymen,
North and South to cultivate the ancient feelings of
mutual torbearance and good will towards each
other and strive to alay the demon spirit of sec
tonal hatred and strife now ave in the land. This
advice proceeds from the heart of an old public
functionary, whose service commenced in the last
generation, among the wise and conservative
statesmen of that day, now nearly all passed away,
and whose first and dearest earthly wish is to leave
his country tranquil, prosperous, united and power
full.


We ought to reflect that in this age, and especial
" in this country there is an ncessant ux and re-
f]ux of public opinion. Questions which in their
day assumed most threatening aspect have now
nearly gone from the memory of men, They are
"yocanocs burnt out and on the lava and ashes
and squald scora of old eruptions grow the peace
full olive, the cheering vine, and the sustaining
corn" Such, in my opinion, will prove to be the
fate of the present sectional excitement, should
those who wisely seek to apply the remedy con-
tinue always to conne their efforts within the pale
Of the constitution. II this course be pursued, the
existing agitation on the subject Of domestic
slavery, like everything human, will have its day
and rive place to other and less threatening con-
troyersies. Public opinion in this country is
all powerful, and when it reaches dangerous
excess upon any question, the good sense of
the people viii furnish the corrective and bring
IN hoata
picous result at the present crisis, we ought to re-
member that every rational creature must be pre-
sumed to intend the natural consequences OF his own
teachings. Those who announce abstract doc
tnes subversive Of the constitution and the Union
must not be surprised should their heated partsans
advance one step further, and attempt by violence
to carry these doctines into practical effect. In
this view OF the subject it ought never to be forgot
ten that however great may have been the political
advantages resulting from the Union to every por-
ton of our common country, these would all prove
to be as nothing should the time ever arrive when
they cannot be enjoyed without serious danger to
the personal safety of the people of fifteen members
of the confedcracy. If the peace Of the domestic
resido throughout these States should ever be in.
vaded-i the mothers Of families within this extern
sive region should not be able to retire to rest at
night without suffering dreadful apprehensions Of
what may be their own fate and that of their children
before the morning-it would be vain to recount
20 such people the political benefits which result
10 them from the Union. Selfpreservation is the
first nstinct Of natnre and therefore any state of
society in which the sword is all the time suspend
ed over the heads Of the people must at last
become intolerable. But indulge in no such
gloomy forebodings. On the contrary, firmly be-
leyc that the events at Harpers Ferry, by causing
the people to pause and reflect upon the possible