The Camden journal. [volume] (Camden, S.C.) 1836-1851, December 06, 1850, Image 2
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PRESIDENT'S MESSAGE.'.
t "
Fellow Citizens of the Senate ?
, and o f the House of Representatives.
Being suddenly called, in the midst of the last
session of Congress, by a painful dispensation
of Divine Providence, to the responsible station
which I now hold, I contented myself with such
communications to the Legis.ature as the exigency
of the moment seemed to require. The
country was shrouded in mourning for tiie loss
of its venerated Chief Magistrate, and all hearts
were penetrated with grief. ? Neither the time
nor the occasion appeared to require or to justify,
on my part, any general expression of political
opinions, or any announcement of the
principles which would govern me in the discharge
of the duties to the performance of which
I had been so unexpectedly called. I trust,
therefore, that it may not be deemed inappro
priate, if I avail myself of this opportunity of
the re-assembling of Congress to make known
my sentiments, in a general manner, in regard
to the policy which ought to be pursued by the
Government, both in its intercourse with foreign
nations, and in its management and administration
of internal affairs.
Nations, like individuals in a state of nature,
are equal and independent, possessing certain
rights, and owing certain duties to each other,
arising from their necessary and unavoidable relations
; which rights and duties there is no
common human authority to protect and en
force. Still, they are rights and duties,binding
" in <innccinni>o ;inrl in hminr
Ill ? P- I
there is no tribunal to which an injured party
can appeal but the disinterested judgment of
mankind, and ultimately the arbitrament of the
word.
Among the acknowledged rights of nations is
that, which each possesses of establishing that
form of government which it may deem most
conducive to the happiness and prosperity o!
its own citizeus, of changing that form, as circumstances
may require; and of managing its
internal affairs according to its own will. The
people cfthe United States claim this right for
themselves, and they readily concede it to others.
Hence it becomes an imperative duty not
to interfere in the government or internal jx>licy
of other nations; and although wo may
sympathize with the unfortunate or the oppressed,
every where, in their struggles for freedom,
ourprboiples forbid us from-taking any part in
such foreign contests. We make no wars to
promote or to prevent successions to thrones;
to maintain any theory of a balance of power,.
or to suppress the actual government which any
country chooses to establish for itself. We instigate
no revolytious, nor suffer any hostile military
expeditions to be fitted out in the United
States to invade the territory or provinces of a
friendly nation. The great law of morality
ought to have a national, as well as a personal
and individual application. We should act towards
other nations as we wish them to act towards
us: and justice and conscience should
form the rule of conduct between governments,
instead of mere power, self-interest, or the power
of aggrandizement. To maintain a strict
neutrality in foreign wars, to cultivate friendly
relations, to reciprocate every noble and generous
uct, and to perform punctually and scrupulously
every treaty obligation?these are the
dudes which we owe to other States, and by the
performance of which we best entitle ourselves
to like treatment from them: or if that, in anv
case, He refused, we can enforce our own rights
with justice and a clear conscience.
In our domestic policy, the Constitution will
bo my guide; and in questions of doubt, 1 shall
look for its interpretation to the judicial decisions
of that tribunal, which was established to
expound it, and to the usage of the Government,
sanctioned by the acquiescence of his country.
1 regard all its provisions as equally binding.?
In all its parts it is the will of the people, expressed
in the most solemn form, and the cou6titutcd
authorities, are but agents to carry that
will into effect. Every power which it has
granted is to be exercised for the public good ;
but no pretence of utility, no honest conviction,
even, of what might he expedient, can justify
the assumption of u??y power not granted. The
(1 Allienrrn?nf firiri
jsuwuia uuutcum upvu. uiu v 4 ?* *? ,
their distrihutiun to the several departments, are
as clearly expressed in that sacred instrument
as the imperfection of human language will allow
: and I deem it my first duty, not to question
its wisdom, add to its provisions, evade its
requirements, or nullify its commands.
Upon you, fellow-citizens, as representatives
of the States and the people, is wisely devolved
the legislative power. 1 shall comply with my
duty in laying before you, from time to time,
any information calculated to enable you to discharge
your high and responsible trust, lor the
benefit of our common constituents.
My opinions will be frankly expressed upon
tho leading subjects of legislation; and if, which
I do not anticipate, any act should pass the two
Houses of Congress which should appear to me
n. .... ............ ?i ,i.?
mi^uiioiiiuiiuimi) ui on r<ii luaviiniviii ?mi iiiu
just power of other departments, or with provisions
hastily adopted, and likely to produce
consequencesinjuriousHnd unforeseen,! should
not shrink from the duty of returning it to you,
with my reasons, for your further consideration.
Beyond the due performance of these constitutional
obligations, both my respect for the legislature
and my sense of propriety will restrain
n>e from any attempt to control or influence
your proceedings. With you is the power, the
honor, and the responsibility of the legislation
of tlie country.
The Government of the United States is a
limited Government It is confined to the exercise
of powers expressly granted, and such
others as may be necessary for carrying those
rv/tii'neo in^A Sifftwif nnil if 1C ??! *111 (liil/ie mm <il<
pedal duty to guard against any infringement
on the just rights of thu States. Over the oh.
jects and subjects intrusted to Congress, its legislative
authority is supreme. Hut here that
authority ceases, and every citizen who truly
loves tire Constitution, and desires the continuance
of itsoxistence and its blessings, will resolutely
and firmly resist any interference in those
domestic affairs, which the Constitution has
clearly and unequivocally left to the exclusive
authority ol the States. And every such citizen
will also deprecate useless irritation among
the several members of the Uuion, and all reproach
and crimination tending to alienate one
portion of the country fro.n another. The beau- !
ly of our system of Government consists, and '
i s safety and durability must consist, in avoid- |
ing mutual collisions, and encroachments, and !
in the regular separate action of all, while each j
is revolving in its own distinct orbit
The Constitution has made it the duty of the
President to take care that the laws be faithfully
executed. In a Government like ours, in
which all laws are passed by 11 majority of the
representatives of the people, and these representatives
are chosen lor such short periods,
that, any injurious or obnoxious law can very
soon be repealed, it would appear unlikely that
anv great numbers should be Ibuud ready to resist
the execution of the laws. Hut it must be
borne in mind that the country is extensive,
that there may be local interests or prejudices
rendering a law odious in one part, which is
not so in another, and that the tiiouirhtiess and
inconsiderate, misled hv their passions, or their
imaginations, may be induced madly to resist
such laws as they disapprove. Such persons
should recollect that, without law, there can he
no real practical liberty; that, when law is
trampled under foot, tyranny rules, whether it
appears in the form of a military despotism or
of popular violence. The law is the only sure
protection of the weak, and the only ellicient
restraint upon the strong. When impartially
and faithfully administered, none is beneath its
protection, and none above its control. You,
gentlemen, and the country may bo assured,
that to the utmost of my ability, and to the extent
of the power vested in me, I shall, at all
times, and in all places, take care that the laws
he faithfully executed. In the discharge of this
duty, solemnly imposed upon me by the Constitution,and
by my oath of office,!shall shrink
from no responsibility, and shall endeavor to
meet events us they may arise, with lirtnness,
as well as with prudence and discretion. * * *
I am happy in being able to say that no unfavorable
change in our foreign relations lias
taken place since the message at the opening
of the last session of Congress. Wo are at
pence with all nations, and we enjoy in an
eminent degree the blessings of that peace, in
a prosperous and growing commerce, and in
all the forms of amicable national intercourse.
The unexampled growth of the country, the
present amount of its population, and its ample
means of self-protection, assure for it the
respect of all nations; while it is trusted that
its character for justice, and a regard to the
rights of other States, will causo that respect
to be readily and cheerfully paid.
A convention was negotiated between the
United States and Great llritain in April last,
for facilitating and protecting the construction
of a ship canal between the Atlantic and Pacific
Oceans, and for other purposes. This instrument
has been ratified by the contracting
- t 1
parties, the exchange 01 ratincauous mis ia.cu
efFected, am] proclamation thereof has been duly
made.
In addition to the stipulations contained in
convention, two other objects remain to be accomplished
between the contracting powers.
First, the designation and establishment of a
free port at each end of the canal.
Second, an agreement fixing the distance
from the shore within which the belligerent
maritime operations shall not be carried on.
On these points there is little doubt that the
two governments will conic to an understanding.
The company of citizens of the United States
who have acquired from the State of Nicaragua
the privilege ot constructing a ship canal between
the two oceans, through the territory of
that State, have made progress in their preliminary
arrangements. The treaty between the
United States and Great Britain, of the l'Jth
of April last, above referred to, being now in
operation, it is to be hoped that the guaranties
which it offers wilj be suilicicnt to secure the
coinpletiun of the "work with all practicable ex
petition. It is obvious that this result would
bo indefinitely postponed; ii* any other than
peaceful measures, for the purpose of harmonizing
conflicting claims to territory in that
quarter, should bo adopted. It will consequently
be my endeavor to cuaso any further
negotiations on the part of this Government,
which may l>o requisite for this purpose, to be
so conducted as to bring them to a speedy and
successful close.
Some unavoidable delay lias occurred, arising
from distance and the diflieuliy of intercourse
between this Government and that of
Nicaragua, but, as intelligence has just been
received of the appointment of an Envoy Extraordinary
and Minister Plenipotentiary of that
| Government to reside at Washington, whose
arrival may soon l?o expected, it is hoped that
* ? * mi t i *
no lurtlicr uiipeunueuis win ue experionccu in
tlic prompt transaction of business between
the two Governments.
Citizens of the United States have undertaken
the connexion of the two oceans by means
of a Railroad across the Isthmus of Tchuantc,
pec, under grants of that Republic. It is uu.
derstood that a thorough survey of the course
of the comuiunication is in preparation and
there is every reason to expect that it will he
prosecuted with characteristic energy, especially
when that Government shall have consented
to such stipulations with the Government of
the United .States as may he necessary to impart
a feeling of security to those, who may
imhark their pr?|>erty in the enterprise. Ne'rnfi'itimiK
;iri> nt-tld'ni" fur till? arcnmnli JimiMil
of tli.it object, and a hope is confidently otitcrtaini'd
that, when the Government of Mexico
shall become duly sensible of the advantages
which that country cannot fail to derive from
the work, and learn that the Government of the
United States desires that the right of sovereignty
of .Mexico in the isthmus shall remain unimpaired,
the stipulations referred to will he agreed
to with alacrity.
]>y the last advices from Mexico it would appear,
however, that that Goverumsnt entertains
strong objections to some of her stipulations
which the parties concerned in the project of!
the railroad deem necessary for their protec-:
lion and security. Further consideration, it is '
hoped, or some modification of terms, may, yet!
reconcile the differences existing between two
Governments in this respect.
Fresh instructions have recently been given
to the Minister of the United States in Mexico,
who is prosecuting the subject with promptitude
and ability.
Although the negotiations with Portugal*
for the payment of claims of citizens of tiie Uuited
States against that Government, have
not yet resulted in a formal treaty, yet a proposition
made by the Government of Portugal
for the final adjustment and payment of those
claims,, has recently been accepted on the part
of the United States. It gives me pleasure to
say that Mr. Clay, to whom the#negotiation on
the parr of the United States had been entrusted,
discharged the duties of his appointment
with ability and discretion, acting always within
the instructions of his Government.
It is expected that a regular convention will
be immediately negotiated for carrying the a- j
greement between the two Governments into |
effect. * * * *
I refer you to the report of the Secretary of j
the Treasury for a detailed statement of the fi- !
nance.
The total receipts into the Treasury, tor the
year ending 30th of June last, were forty seven
million four hundred and twenly-ouo thousand
seven hundred and forty-eight dollars and ninety
cents, (847,421,748 1)0.)
The total expenditures during the same period
were forty-three million two thousand one
hundred and sixty-eight dollars and ninety
cents, (813,002,108 90.)
1)3- the 19th section of the act of 28th January,
1817, the proceeds of thy sales of the public
lands were pledged for the interest and principal
of the public debt The great amount of
these lands subsequently granted by Congress
for military bounties will, it is believed, very
nearly supply the public demand for several
years to come and but little reliance can, therefore
1)0 placed 011 that hitherto fruitful source
of revenue.
Aside front the permanent annual cxpendi
tures, which have necessarily largely increased,
a portion of the public debt, amounting to eight
million seventy-five thousand nine hundred and
eighty-six dollars and fifty-nine cents (?8,075,080
50) must he provided for within the next
two fiscal years, ft is most desirable that these
accruing demands should be met without resortiug
to new loans.
All experience has demonstrated the wisdom
and policy of raising a large-portion of revenue
for the support of Government from duties
on foods imported. The power to lay these
duties is unquestionable, and its chief object, of
course, is to replenish the treasury. But if, in
doing this, an incidental advantage may be
gained by encouraging the indastry of our own
citizens, it is our duty to avail ourselves of that
advantage.
A duty laid upon an article wnien cannot ne
produced in this country?such as tea or coflee
?adds to the cost of the article, and is chiefly
or wholly paid by the consumer. But a duty
laid upon an article which may be produced here
stimulates the skill and industry of our own
country to produce the same article* which is
brought into the market in competition with the
foreign article, and the importer is thus compelled
to reduce his price to that at which the
domestic article can be sold, thereby throwing
a part of the duty upon the producer of the foreign
article. The continuance of tiiie process
creates the skill, and invites the capital, which
finally enable us to produce the articlu much
cheaper than it could have been procured from
abroad, thereby benefiting both producer and
consumer at home. The consequence of this
is, that the artisau, and the agriculturist, are
brought together, each affords a ready market
for the produce of the other, the whole country
' .iii
OCCOmes prosperous ; auu mo iiuimy m pi uiiuoo
every necessary of life renders us independent
in war as well as in peace.
A higher tariff can never he permanent It
will cause dissatisfaction and will he changed.
It excludes competition, and thereby invites the
investment of capital in manufactures to such
excess, that when changed it brings distress,
bankruptcy and ruin upon all who have been
misled by its faithless protection. What the
manufacturer wants, is uniformity and permanency
that be is not to be ruined by sudden
changes. Hut to make a tari If uniform and permanent,
it is not only necessary that the law
should not he altered, but that the duties should
not fluctuate. To effect this, all duties should
should be specific, wherever the nature of the
article is such as to admit of it. Advalorcm
duties fluctuate with the price, and offer strong
temptations to fraud and perjury. Specific duties,
on the contrary, are equal and uniform in
-11 .....I ..II tin mu unci odor ;t ?frnn?r in.
<111 |>U<W>, ...... ... .....vc, ....... a ...
dncement to I lie importer to bring the best arlicle,
as he pays uoniore duty upon that than
upon one of ioferiurquality. 1 therefore strongly
recommend a inodilication of the psesent
tariff", which has prostrated some of our most
important and necessary manufuctures, and that
specific duties ho inijiosed sufficient to raise
tlie requisite revenue, making such discrimination
in favor of the industrial pursuits of our
own country as to encourage home production,
without excluding foreign competition. It is
also important that an unfortunate provision in
the present tariff* which imposes a much higher
duty upon the raw material that enters into our
iimiinlMetiires than unoit the manufactured arti
?" * " -J ?
cle, should lie remedied- * * *
There being no mint in California, I sun infirmed
that the laborers in the mines are compelled
to dispose of their gold dust at a large
discount. This appears to be a heavy and unjust
tax upon the labors of those employed in
extracting this precious metal; and 1 doubt not
you will be disposed, at the earliest period possible,
lo relieve them from it by the establishment
of a mint. In the mean time, as an assayer's
olliee is established there, I would respectfully
submit for your consideration the proprioty
of authorizing gold bullion, which lias been
assayed and stamped, to be received in payment
of (invermiiciit duos. 1 cannot conceive
that the treasury would sutler any loss by such
;i proviso, wliicli will at once raise bullion to its
par valui', and thereby savo (il l am rightly informed)
many millions of dollars lo tin* laborers
wliicli are now paid in brokerage to convert
this precious metal into avalilahlc funds. Tins
discount upon their heard earning is a heavy
tax, ."lid every eHnrt should he made by the
(iovernmeuL to relievo them from so great a
burden.
More than three-fourths of our population are
engaged in the cultivation of the soil. The
commercial, manufacturing, and navigating interests
arc all lo a great extent, dependent on
the agricultural, jt is, theiefore, the most important
interest of the nation, and has a just
claim to the fostering care and protection of the
Government, so far as they can he extended
consistently with the provisins of the Constitution.
As this cannot be done by the ordinary'
modes of legislation, I respectfully recommended
the establishment of an Agricultural Bureau,
to he charged with the duty of giving to
this leading branch of American industry the
encouragement which it so well deserves. In
view of the immeuse mineral resources of our
country, provision should also he made for the
employment of a competent mineralogist and
chemist, who should he required, under the direction
of the head ofthe bureau, to collect
specimens of the various minerals of our country,
and to ascertain, by careful analysis, their
respective elements and properties, and their
adaptation to useful purposes, lie should abo
be required to examine mid report upon the
qualities of different soils, and the manures best
calculated to improve their productiveness.
By publishing the results of such experiments,
with suitable explanations, and by the collection
and distribution of rare seeds and plants,
with instructions as to the best system of cultivation,
much may be done to promote this
great national interest * * *
The annexation of Texas and the acquisition
of California and New Mexico have given increased
importance to our Indian relations.?
The various tribes brought under our jurisdiction
by these enlargements of our boundaries
are estimated to embrace a population of one
hundred and twenty-four thousand.
Texas and New Mexico are surrounded by
powerful tribes of Indians, who are a source of
constant terror and annoyance to the inhabitants.
Separating into small predatory bands,
and always mounted, they overrun the country,
devastating farms, destroying crops, driving
off whole herds of cattle, and occasionally
murdering the inhabitants or carrying them into
captivity. The great roads leading into the
country are infested with thorn, whereby trav^1!
n i* * a roitflunwl in-trrtmol n-iirntiC onr]
U'lII^ I tliutl WAliCIIICIJ Ulill^VM/UOj UiiU
immigration is almost entirely arrested. The
Mexican frontier, which, by the 11th article of
the treaty of Guadalupe Hidalgo, we are bound
to protect against the Indians within our border
is exposed to these incursions equally witii our
own. The military force stationed in that
country (although forming a largo proportion
of the armmy) is represented as entiioly inadequate
to our own protection and the fulfilment
of our treaty stipulations with .Mexico. The
principal deficiency is in cavalry, and I re-commend
that Congress should, at as early a period
as practicable, provide for the raising of one
or more regiments of mounted men.
For further suggestions on this subjected
others connected with our domestic interests,
and the defence of our frontier, I refer you to
the report of the Secretary of the Interior and
of the Secretary of War. * *
I am gratified in being able to state, that the
estimates ot expenditure for the navy in the ensuing
year are less, by more than one million
of dollars, than those of the present, excepting
the appropriation which may become necessary
for the construction of a duck on the coast
of the Pacific, propositions for which are now
being considered, aud on which a special report
may be expected early in your present session.
There is an evident justness in the suggestion
of the same report, that appropriations for
the naval service proper should be separated
from those for fixed and permanent objects, such
as building docks and navy yards, aud the fixtures
attached; aud from the extraordinary objects
under the care of the Department which,
however important, are not essentially naval.
*
At the close of the last fiscal year, the length
of the inland mail routes in the United States
(not embracing the service in Oregon and California)
was 178,072 miles; the annual transportation
thereon 40,541,423 miles; and the annual
cost of such transportation ?2,724,420.
The increase of the annual transportation
over that of the preceding year, was 3,097,354
miles, and the increase in cost was ?312,410.
The number of post oilices in the United
States, on the first day of July last, was 18,417
?being an increase of 1070 during the preceding
year.
The gross revenues of the Depaitnient for the
fiscal year ending June 30th, 1850, amounted
to ?5,552,971 IN, including the annual appropriation
of ?200,000 for the franked matter of
the departments,and excluding the foreign postages
collected for and payable to the British
Government.
The expenditures for the same period were
|S," ?11.1 iir > 4 <> l : r .1 f
io?leaving a uaiuiicu 01 revenue
over expenditures of $.*$40,018 O.j.
1 am happy lo find that the fiscal i'<jfklitinii of
tho Department is such as to just?f) io Postmaster
(Jenoral in recommending the reduction
of our inland letter postage to three cents tho
single letter when prepaid, and five cents when
not prepaid. Ho also recommends that the
prepaid rate shall l>o reduced to two cents whenever
tho revenues of the Department, after tho
reduction, shall exceed its expenditures by more
than live per cent for two consecutive years;
that the postage upon California and other letters
sent by our ocean steamers shall ho much
reduced; and that the rates of postage on newspapers,
pamphlets, periodicals, and other printed
matter shall he modified, and some reduction
thereon made.
it cannot. iKMimiiticti uiai 1110 proposed reductions
will, lor the present, diminish the revenues
of the department. It is believed that the
deficiency, after the surplus already accumulated
shall be exhausted; may ho almost wholly
met, either by abolishing the existing privileges
of sending free matter through the mails, or by
paying out of the Treasury to the l'ost Office
Department a sum equivalent to the postage of
whieh it is derived by micIi privileges. The last
is supposed to be the preferable mode, and will,
if not entirely, so nearly supply that deficiency
as: to m.'ilti1 niiv further appropriation that may
he found necessary so inconsiderable as to form
no obstacle lo tin* proposed reductions.
I entertain no douht of the authority of Congress
to make appropriations for leading objects
in that class of public works comprising
what are usually called works of internal improvement.
This authority I suppose to he derived
chiefly from the power of regulating commerce
with foreign nations, and among lie
States, and the power of laying and collecting
imposts. Wh^re commerce is to be
carried on, and imposts collected, there
must be ports and harbors, as well a3 wharves
and custom-houses. If ships, laden with valuable
cargoes, approach the shore, or sail along
the coast, light-houses are necessary at suitable
points for tiie protection of life and property.
Other facilities and securities for commerce
and navigation are hardly less important;
and those clauses of the Constitution, therefore,
to which 1 have referred, have roceived
from the origin of the Government a liberal
and beneficial construction. JSot only have
light-houses, buoys, and beacons been established.
and floating lights maintained, but har
hors have bee11 cleared ami improved, piers
constructed, and oven break waters for the
safety of slopping; and sea walls to protect
harbors Iron) being filled up, and rendered useless,
by the action of the ocean, have beerv
erected at very great expense. And this eon-struction
of the Constitution appears the more
reasonable from the consideration, that ii' these
works, of such evident importance and utility,,
are not to be accomplished at all. By the a^doption
of the Constitution the several States:
voluntarily parted with the power of collecting:
duties of impost in their own ports; and it Unot
to be expected that they should raise money,
by internal taxation, direct or indirect, for the
benefit of that commerce, the revenues derived
from which do not, either in whole or in part,
go into their own treasuries. Nor do 1 per
ceivc any difference between the power of Congress
to make appropriations for objects ol this,
kind on the ocean and the power to make appropriations
for similar objects ou lakes and
rivers, wherever they are large enough to bear i
on their waters an extensive traffic. I
The magnificent Mississippi and its tributa- I
ries, and the vast lakes of the north aud the \ M
northwest, appear to me to fall wiltbin the ex- \M
ercisc of the power, as justly aud as clearly
as the Ocean aud the Gulf of Mexico. It is a H
mistake to regard expenditures judiciously made H
lor these objects as expenditures for local pur- H
poses. The position, or site of the work, is
necessarily local; but its utility is general. A
ship canal around the falls of St Mary of less 1
than a mile in length, though local in its con- "
struction, would be national in its purpose and
its benefits, as it would remove the only obstruction
to a navigation of more than a thousand
miles, affecting several States, as well as
our commercial relations with Canada.
So, too, the Jlrealcwater at the mouth of the
Delaware is erected, not for the exclusive benefit
of the States bordering on the bay and river
of that name, but for that of the whole coastwise
navigation of the United States, and to &
considerable extent, also, of foreign commerce.
If a ship be lost on the bar at the entrance of
a southern port for want of sufficient depth of
water, it is very likely to be a northern ship;
and ita steamboat he sunk in any part of the
Mississippi, on account of its channel not having
been properly cleared of obstructions, it
may be a boat belonging to either eight or ten
States, I may add as somewhat remarkable,
that among afi the thirty-one States, there is
none that is not, to a greater or less extent, 1
bounded on the ocean, or'the Gulf of Mexico, ;
or one of the great lakes, or some navigable ri- I
ver. . \
In fulliling our constitution du'ies, feilow- J j
citizens, on this subject, as in carrying into ef- jj
feet all othor powers conferred by the Consti- (I
i.nion, we should consider ourselves as delibe- I
rutin? and nctin? for one and the same coun- I
^ O 4 H
try, and boar constantly in mind, that our regard fl
and our duty arc due, not to a particular part 1
only, bat to the whole. fl
1 therefore recommend that appropriations I
be made for completing such works as have been 1
already begun, and for commencing such others |
as mav soeui to the wisdom of Congress to bo
of public and general importance.
It was hardly to have been expected the series
of measures passed at your last session, with view
of healing the sectional difference which had
sprung from the slavery and territoral {question,
should once have real'zed their beneficial pur osc.
AH mutual concession in the nature of a compromise
must necessarily be unwelcome to men rf extreme
ooininn. And though without such concessions
our Constitution could not have been formed
and cannot be permanently sustained, yet we have
seen them made the subject of bitter controversy
in both sections of the the Republic. It required
many months of discussion and deliberation to se>
r e r*?
cure me concurrence oi a iii?juni_v i?i v;"iis'"o ,
iheir favor. It would be strange if they had been
received with immediate approbation bv people
and States, prejudiced and heated by the excitin r
controversies of their representatves. I believe
those measures to have been required by the circum
.anceand condition of the country. I he'ieve
they were necessary to allay asperities and animosities
that were rapidly alienating one section of
the country from another, and destroying t) ose I
fraternal sentiments which are the strongest sup- 1
ports of the Constitution. They were adopted in 1
the spirit of conciliation, and for the purpose of con- I
ciliation. I believe that, a great majo-ity of our I
fellowcitizenr sympathize in that spirit, and that I
nurnose, and in the main sppove, and are pre- ^
pared, in all respects, to sustain these enactments.
I cannot doubt tiiat the A m irican people, hound
together by kindred blood and common traditions,
still cherish a paramount regard for the Union of H
their fathers; and that they ate ready to rchukc any fl
attempt to violate its integrity, to disturb the com- M
promises on which it is based, or to rcsis the laws H
which have been enacted under its authority.
The series of measures which I have alluded to are
regarded by nic as a settlement, in principle and
substancc-a final settlement, of the dangerous arid
exciting subjects which lliey embraced. Most of
these Eubjets. indeed, are beyond your reach, as the.
legislation which dis|>osed of litem was, in its character,
t.nal and irrevocable. It may be presumed;
from the opposition which they all eucountered that H
none of tliosc measures was free from imperfec-. H
tions, but in their mutual dct>eudeiire and connec-.
tion they formed a system of compromise, the most V
conciliatory, and best for the entire country, that M
could be obtained fiom conflicting sectional inter
osts and opinions.
For this reason I recommend your adherence to 1
the adjustment established by those measures, un 1
til time and experience shall demonstrate the ne- J
cessity of further legislation to guard against eva.
eion or abuse.
By that adjustment we have been rescued from
the wide and boundless agitation that sumunded
us. and have a firm, distinct and Ic^al ground o
rest upon. And the occasion, f trust, will justify
me in exhorting my countrymen to rally upon and
maintain that ground as the best, if not the only
means, of re#torihg peace and quiet to the country
and maintain inviolate the integrity of the Union.
k