ABSTRACT
Apprehension seems to exist among the people of the southern States that by the accession of a Republican Administration their property and their peace and personal security are to be endangered. There has never been any reasonable cause for such apprehension. Indeed, the most ample evidence to the contrary has all the while existed; there is much controversy about the delivering up of fugitives from service or labor. No person held to service or labor in one State, under the laws thereof, escaping into another, shall, in consequence of any law or regulation therein, be discharged from such service or labor, but shall be delivered up on claim of the party to whom such service or labor may be due. It is seventy-five years since the first inauguration of a President under our national Constitution. During that period, fifteen different and greatly distinguished citizens, have, in succession, administered the executive branch of the Government.
