Democratic banner., 1848-10-02
Mi.1ard FialmOre am AbO.iuOnisI.


wing candidate for the Vice Presidency
and the records quoted to sustain the
charge. 1t would be- a work of snperero-
CATION to enter into a labored argument to
convict Fillmore of abolitionism, when his
supporters, many of them, admire him for
that reason, and his defenders here are so
lame in their efforts to acquit him, while
the wings of the South would hardly touch
him with a pair of fre-tongs.
Mr.. Fillmore has recently addressed a let
Ter to Gov. Gsylo, of Alabama, which is
claimed BY the adhesive wings ofthe South
as evidence of his soundness upon this ques-
|tion. He here attempts to offer evidence.
in his W behalf, now that he is a candid
ate for the SURFACES of Southern men, BY
pleading that he uniformly voted, while a
member of Congress, to sustain the sacred
right of petition, All abolitionist voted to
sustain what they considered the sacred
right of petition but will Mr.. Fillmore's
votes prove nothing more2 He voted g.
gainst the Atherton resolution, which de.
clared that Congress had no power over
Slavery in States or Territories; and was
intended to shield the South against the en-
~croachments of those abolitionist who were
so clamorous for the right Of petition. In
1888 he voted against a motion to "consid-
er and report' upon. a petition that had
been received to establish international re-
lations with the negroes Of St. Domingo.
In the session of 1889 he voted against the
suspension of the rules Of the House to enter
tain a series Of resolutions offered by Mr.. Wise.
defining the powers of Government over the
subject Of slavery, and denying Congress the
power to impose upon any State the abolition OF
slavery, as a condition Of its admission into the
Union. And immediately thereafter be voted
Ito suspend the rules to entertain a preamble and
resolution offered by Mr.. Slade, declaring the
selling of slaves from one State to another to
be ian outrageous violation of hdAan rights.
and a disgrace to the country" Here was abo-
l~itionism in these votes of the deepest die.
We might instance other votes. the true test
lof a mans political faith, but deem it super4u-
Gus. We give below, however, a letter, writ
item by himself, when he had not the Vice Presi-
ldency in expectancy, that will brand him so
Ideep that his association with the Southern
slave-hnlder will be but a poor salve. The
Questions which he enumerates and nswers,
were directed to him by the Anti Slavery So
1ciety of New York, in 1888, when he was a
candidate for Congress. He was in taror Of
the in,n,sdiate abolition Of slavery in the District
of Columbia. His letter is plain and there is
no escaping it. Read! read!!
FurrALo, Der. II, 1888.
SIs: Your communication of the 10th
instant, as chairman Of a committee sp-
I~pointed BY "7he Anti- Slavery Society Of
'lMe Counfy@ Erie," has just come to hand.
'lYou solicit my answer to the following in
terrogaiories:
LIST. Do you believe that petitions to
Congress on the subject Of slavery and the
slaye.trsde ought to be received, read, and
respectfully considered by the representa-
tives of the people?
I'd. Are you opposed to the annexation
of Texas to the Union, under any ciscum-
stances, so long as slaves are held therein:
Sd. Are you in favor Of Congress exer'
cisine all the constitutional power it posses
ses, TO abolish the internal slave trade be-
tween the States?
4th. Are You in favor of immediate leg
tIislation for the abolition Of slavery in the
district of Columbia? '
I am much engaged, and have no time tt
enter into an argument, or to explain a
length, my reasons for my opinion. shall
therefore, content myself for the present
by answering ALL your interrogatories il
the AFFIRMATIVE, and leave for some
future occasion, a more extended discus
sion Of the subject. ...-
I would however, take this occasion to
say, that in thus frankly, giving my opinion
would not desire to have it understood in
the nature of a pledge. At the same time
THAT | sIeekno disguise, but freely give my
, sentiments on any subject Of interest, te
those for whose suffrages ! am a candid
ate, / am opposed to giving any pledge tina
shall deprive me hereafter Of all discretiona'
I#. V ! -