The Arkansas Banner

Message of Gov. French of Illinois.

On the subject of federal relations the Governor holds the usual patriotic and praiseworthy language of the Free State democracy:

Since the meeting of the last general assembly, the whole Union has been agitated by conflicting opinions upon the subject of slavery. An entire session of Congress has been mainly spent in earnest efforts to calm the excitement, by appropriate measures of adjustment, and to maintain the integrity of the Union. The statesman and patriot, casting aside the guise of partisan warfare, cordially united to devise measures to calm the angry differences, and preserve the country from the dangers which fearfully menaced it. A fearless and disinterested devotion to the Union, and the constitution, at length triumphed, in the adoption of a series of measures, which, if faithfully observed, will contribute to the restoration of harmony, and ultimately silence the dangerous controversy which has caused so many anxious misgivings and apprehensions in the mind of every true lover of his country. The spirit of conciliation which runs through the great measures of compromise, will be recognised by the people of Illinois, and the constitution, with all its compromises and the laws passed in pursuance of it, will be faithfully observed, adhered to, and obeyed, as the only means of restoring and preserving harmony, and enabling the States, united, to move onward towards that great and mighty destiny which can only be lost by madness or folly.