ever to be overlooked.

The last, perhaps the greatest, of the prominent sources of discord and
disaster supposed to lurk in our political condition was the
institution of domestic slavery. Our forefathers were deeply impressed
with the delicacy of this subje ct, and they treated it with a
forbearance so evidently wise that in spite of every sinister
foreboding it never until the present period disturbed the tranquillity
of our common country. Such a result is sufficient evidence of the
justice and the patriot ism of their course; it is evidence not to be
mistaken that an adherence to it can prevent all embarrassment from
this as well as from every other anticipated cause of difficulty or
danger. Have not recent events made it obvious to the slightest
reflectio n that the least deviation from this spirit of forbearance is
injurious to every interest, that of humanity included? Amidst the
violence of excited passions this generous and fraternal feeling has
been sometimes disregarded; and standing as I now do befo re my
countrymen, in this high place of honor and of trust, I can not refrain
from anxiously invoking my fellow-citizens never to be deaf to its
dictates. Perceiving before my election the deep interest this subject
was beginning to excite, I believed it a solemn duty fully to make
known my sentiments in regard to it, and now, when every motive for
misrepresentation has passed away, I trust that they will be candidly
weighed and understood. At least they will be my standard of conduct in
the path before m e. I then declared that if the desire of those of my
countrymen who were favorable to my election was gratified "I must go
into the Presidential chair the inflexible and uncompromising opponent
of every attempt on the part of Congress to abolish slavery i n the
District of Columbia against the wishes of the slaveholding States, and
also with a determination equally decided to resist the slightest