Boon's Lick times. [volume] (Fayette, Mo.) 1840-1848, 1848-07-15
WILLARD FILLMORE.

The history of Willard Fillmore, our can.
dida,e for Vice President, afford a useful
lesson as showing what may be accomplish.
ed in the face of the greatest obstacles, by
intellect, aided and controlled by energy,
perseverance, and strict integrity, in pub.
lie and private capacity.
His father Nathaniel Fillmore is the son Of one
OF like name who served in the French war, and
was true Wing Of the Revolution, proving his
devotion TO his country's cause by gallantly
fighting as Lieutenant under Gen. Stark, in the
battle OF Bennington. He was born at Benning.
ton, Vermont, in l771, and early in life removed
TO what is now called Summer Hill, Cayuga Co.,
New York, where Milard was born, January Z,
1900. He was farmer, and soon after lost all
his property by bad title 10 one Of the military
lots he had purchased. About the year 1902 he
removed to the town OF Sempronius, now Niles,
and resided there till 1909, when he removed to
Erie county, where he still lives cultivating a
small farm with his own hands, He was strong
and uniform supporter Of jefferson, Madison, and
Tompkins, and is now true Wing.
| The narrow means OF his father deprived Mil
lard Of sny advantages Of education beyond what
were afforded by the imperfect and i'll taught
scarce and dear, and at the age Of fifteen, when
more favored youths are far advanced in their
classical studies, or enjoying in colleges the benefit
Of well furnished libraries, young Fillmore had
read but little except his common school books
and the Bible. At that period he was sent into
the then wilds OF Livingston county, 10 learn the
clother's trade. He remained about four months
and was then placed with another person 10 pur.
sue the same business and wool cardng in the
town where his father lived. A small village
library that was formed there soon after, gave him
the first means Of acquiring general knowledge
throughout books. He improved the opportunity
thus offered the appetite grew by what it fed upon.
The thirst Of knowledge soon became insatiate,
and every leisure moment was spent in reading.
-Four years were passed in this way, working at
his trade. and storing his mind, during such hours
as he could command, with the contents OF books
of history, bograph and travels. At the age oil
10 ne fortunately made an acquaintance with the
late Walter Wood, Esq, whom many will res
member as one Of the most estimable citizens Of
that county. Judge Wood was man Of wealth
and great business capacity; he had an excellent
law library, but did little professional business
He soon saw that under the rude exterior Of the
clothiers boy, were powers that only required
proper development 10 raise the possessor to high
distinction and usefulness and advised him TO
quit his trade and study law. In reply TO the
objection OF lack Of education, means and friends
to aid him in course Of professional study, Judge
w. kindly offered to give him place in his Office
10 advance money to delray his expenses, end
wait until success in business should furnish the
means Of repayment The offer was accepted -
The apprentice boy bought his time; entered the
office Of Judge Wood, and for more than two
years applied himself closely 10 business and
study. He read law and general literature, and
studied and practised surveying.
| Fearing he should incur too large debt 10 his
bene(actor, he taught school for three months in
the year, and acquired the means Of partially sup
porting himself. In the fall of 1921 he removed
10 the county Of Erie, ard the next spring entered
law Office in Buffalo. There he sustained him
self by teaching school, and continued his legal
studies until the spring Of 1923, when he was ad
mitted to the Common Pleas, and commenced
practice in the village Of Aurora, where he re.
manned until 1880, when he again removed 10
Buffalo, and has continued 10 reside there ever
| since.
| His first entrance into public life was in Janu.
airy, 1929, when he took his seat as a member
from Erie county, to which Office he was re.elect.
ed the two following years.
His talents integrity and assiduous devorion to
public business, soon won for him the confidence
of the House in an unexempled degree. 1t was
common remark among the members. "il Fill
more says it is right, we will vote for it..
The most important measure Of general ma.
ture that come up during his service in the State
Legislature, was the bill 10 abolish Imprisonment
for Debt. In behalf of that great and philanthiopic
measure, Mr.. Fillmore took an active part. urging
with unanswerble arguments its justice and expe
diency, and as member OF the committee on tie
subject, aiding TO perfect its details. The portion
of the bill relating to Justices Courts was draft.
ed by him, the remainder being the work of the
Hon. John c. Spencer. The bill met with
fierce, unreenting opposition at every step Of its
progress, and to Willard Fillmore as much as 10
any other man, are we indebted for expunging
from the statute book that relic OF cruel, bar.
barous age, Imprisonment for Debt.
Such was the boy, and such is the man whom
the Wings present as their candidate for the Vice
President. In every station in which he has been
placed he has shown himself "honest, capable and
faithful 10 the Constitution. He is emphatically
one OF the people. For all that he has and is he
is indebted under God to his own ekerons. Born
to an inheritance Of comparative poverty, which
now, thanks to Wing policy, ore enjoyed by the
humblesl in the land. he struggled bravely with
difficulties that would have appalled, and crushed
a less resolute heart. Nobly has he won his lau>
Iels, aud long may he live to enjoy them.
FLoRIDA.-Gen. Cass has not the slight
est chance in Florida. The jacksonville
News and several other influential Locofoco
papers in that State denounce his nomina.
..