The daily union. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1845-1857, 1848-09-01
MIR. FIllmore's Abolition Platform.

1t is of course well known that Mr. Fillmore is one of
the most ardent and ultra potectonss in the country
and that in fact to him, the chairman OF the Committee
of Ways and Means in the 27h Congress, belongs more
perhaps, than to any ese the paternity of the Black
Tariff of 1912. We have noticed also, in the southern
journals, good deal of discussion to Mr. Filmores
position in relation to the question of abolition. The
southern wing press has made many efforts to represent his
opinions being moderate this vital point, to
ene him to southern support. In this discussion, we
have for ourselves thus far taken very little part But the
information contained in the following letter, which,
with its enclosure, have just received is far too
important and, may say alarming both to the South
and to every lover of federal Union to be for
ment withheld from the public eye 1t will be seen by
these documents that early 1888, Mr. Fillmore, in
formal letter, placed himself distinctly on the abolition
platform in relation to all the grave questions then in
agitation in relation to slavery, and that he unconddion
ally avowed himself favor Of the abolition of slavery
the District of Colxmbia This position he has
changed And this is the man whom southern wings
are called upon to elevate in place of YIN. o. But
Ter to the vice presidency and to clothe with the power
of the casting pote in the Senate, in which body the
saueholdng and .slavehoding votes at this mo-
ment eractly tied!
fact We invoke to it the serious attention of every
southern man, whether of the wing of the democratic
party But we will detain our readers no longer from
the language of Mr.. Fillmore himself:
BUFFALO, August %, ls4s.
To the Editor of the Union:
DEAR SIR: In 1888 Mr.. Fillmore the wing candidate
for Congress in this districts and such addressed
by committee of the ant-slavery society of this county
send you copy of hi. letter in reply, which was pub
RrHa
1888 think in it Mr. F. distinctly defines his position,
and he has changed in the least from what he then
was.
The publication of this may be useful any rate
the country through become possessed of Mr. F's
Very truly, your obelient servant.
BUFFALO, Oct. IL, 1885,
SIR Your communication of the 10Th instant, chair
man of committee appointed by g The An Slavery So
cisty of The County o. Erie" has just hand You
solicit my the following interrogatories:
lst Do You believe that petitions Congress the sub
ec of slavery and the slave trade ought to be received
read and respectfully considered by the
the people!
Union, under any circumstances long slaves held
therein I?
3D. Are you in favor of Congress exercising all the
stitutona power IL possesses abolish the internal slave
trade between the States
4th Are you in favor of immediate legislation for the alb
clifton of slavery in the District of Columbia 7
| am much engaged, and have time into an
argument explain length my for my opin
ion shall therefore myself for the present. by
answering LII your interrogntories in the AFFlRMA
TIVE, and leave for future occasion extended
dscusso the subject.
would however, take this occasion say, that in thu
frankly giving my opinion, would desire to have
understood in the of pledge. At the tim,
that seek DISCUSSES, but freely give my sentiments
any subject of interest those for whose suffrages
candidate opposed give any pledge that shall de
prive hereafter of all discretionary power My owl
character be the guaranty for the general
OF my legislative department On every important subjec
bound deliberate before act, and especially
legislaorto possess myself Of ali the information and lis
ten every argument that be adduced by my
cates, before give final vote. If stand pledged
particular of action to be responsible
agent but become mere machine. Should sub=equen
events show beyond all doubt that the had become
pledged pursue ruinous my constituents and dis
graceful to myself, have alternative. opportunity
for repentance, and there is power absolve
my obligation Hence the Improperly not to say absurd
ty, in my view, of giving pledge
am aware that you have not asked any pledge, and
believe know your sound judgment and good to-
well think you desire any such thing was, however
any the part of Others tina
have felt it my duty say thus much on this subject
am, respectfully, your most obedient servant
| WILLARD FILLMORE.
nlxo.r,