Year: 1861

to seoedo from the Union. or throw of its led
erd obligations at pleasures also declared my
opinion 90 5e that, even # that right existed end
should be exercised by any State in tho Confeder-
acy, the Executive department of this Governments
had no authority under the Constitution to recog-
nizo its validity by acknowledging the indepehi:.
euce Of such State. This left me no alternative as
the chief executive officer under the Constitution
Of ;he United States, but to collect the public rev.
enues ard protect the public property, so fer as
this might DO practicable under existing laws.
This is still my purpose. NY province is to exc
cute, no; to make the lawa. IL belongs 10 congress-
exclusively to repeal modify, or enlarge their
pro7siono to meet e2igencies as they occur.
possess no dispensing power l certainly had no
right to make aggressive war on any State, and
am perfectly satisfied that the Constitution has
wisely Withheld that power even from Congress-
Rut the right and the duty Of her military force
defensiyely, against those who resist the federal
officers in the exercise Of sheir legal functions and
against those who assail the property Of tue fed
eral government, is clear and undeniable But
the dangelou9 and hostile attitude Of the States
towards each other has already ;ranscended and
cast into the shade the ordinary executive duties
already provided for by law, and has assumed
such vast aad alarming proportions as to place
the sui ject entirely ebove and beyond executive
control. The fact cannot be disguised that we ara
in the midst Of great revolution. Therefore,
commend the question to Congress- as the only
human tribunal under Providence possessing the
power to meet the existing emergency. To them
exclusively belongs the power to declare war, or
to authorize tho employment of military fOrso
in all cases contemplated by the Constitution, and
they alone possess the power 10 oil the
grievances that might lead to war, and to secure
peace and union to tlis distracted country. On
them, and on them alone, rests the responsibility.


The Uuiou is sacred trust left by Revolu.
tionary fathers to their descendants and never did
any other people inherit SO rich legacy. /. has
rendered us prosperous in peace and Iriumphant
in war. The national flag has aoated in glory
over every sea. and under its shadow American
citizens have found protection and respect in all
lands beneath the sun If we descend to consid-
eFalions Of purely material interest when, in the
b;.,erl .Gf-vlt sizI,, cSEfefSrOc ASsen held
together ~ sucti Strong ties Ci ffsEsal INTEREST,"
Each portion Of n2is depeutCet upon all, and all
upon each portion, for prosperity and domestic
security Free trade throughout the whole sup
plies tho wants o! one with the productions Of
another, and scaters Eealth everywhere. The
great planting and farming States require the aid
Of the commercial and Navigating States 70 send
their productions domestic and foreign markets,
and furnish the naval power to render their trans
portatons secure against all hostile attacks.


Should the Union perish in the midst Of the
present excitement we have 2lreaI had a sad fore
taste of the uniyersal suffering which would result
E. al, al 10
gere in every part of the Union, and would be
quite as great, to say the least in the Southern as
in tho Northern States.


The greatest aggrayation of the evil aud that
which would place US in she most unfavorabls
light, both before the world and posto.ity, is as
am firmly convinced, that the secession movement
has been chiefly based upon n,isapprehensioh q.
the South of the sentiments Of the majority in sew
eral Of the Northern States. Let the question bo
answered from the political assemblies TO the bal
lot box, and the people themselves would speedily
redress the serious srcTGnces which the South
haze suffered. But in Heavens name let the tri-
al be made before we plunge into an armed conflict
upon the mere assumption that there is no ether
alternative. Time is great conservative power.
Let Us pause at the momentous point, and afford



tunity for reflection. Would that South Carolina
had been convinced of the truth before her nrecip'
itate action. therefore appeal through ycu ID
the people Of the country to declare in their might
that the Union must and shall be preserved By all
constitutional means. l most earnestly reoom'
mend that you devote yourselves to the question;
how can this be accomplished in peace? All other
questions when compared with this, sink into in
significance. Tho present is no time for pRllia-
tiyes. Prompt action is required. delay in
Congress to prescribe or recommend distinct and
practical proposition for coneaOn may drive us
t. a point from which it will be almost possible
to recede, a common ground on which cOnclia-
tion and harmony may be produced Is surely not
unattanablo The proposition to compromise by
letting the North have exclusive control Of the
territory above q certain line, aud to give South
ern institutions protection below that line, ought
to receive universal appreciation. 10 itself, in
deed it may not be entirely satisfactory but when
the alternative is between reasonable concession
on both sdes, und destruction Of ihe Union, il is
an imputaton on the patriotism of Congress to as.
sort that its members will hesitate msment--
Even now the danger is upon US, In several States
which have not yet seeded the forts, arsenals and
magazines of the United States have been sieEed.
This is by far the most serious step which has
been taken since the commencement Of the tronb-
les. This public property has long been left with
garrisons and troops for it's protection, because
no person doubted its security under the flag Of
the country 10 any State Of the Union. Besides
our small army has scarcely been sufficient to


guard our remote frontiers against Indian inaur-


sions Tho seizure Of this property from all az


pearanees, has been purely aggressive and mol IN


ressianeo to any attempt to coeree State or


States to remain in the Union. At the begiuuing


of these unhappy troubles determined that no


act of mine should increase the exctemen' ia ott-
or section Of the country. II the political conflict


80 % and in civil war IL il nv daterminad nur.