The Sumter banner. [volume] (Sumterville, S.C.) 1846-1855, 1850-07-24
MI. Fiilnore'g slava,v on,n;a,.

/
since Mr FILLMoRE's elevation to thu
fr0osidency, number of papers, both Nortt
ana sonth, have re-publisiied two letters
purPortI11g to be on tho slavery question
written BY him, and first published bv hi,
friends, during the canvass for the Presiden
cy, III lSls, These letters arc supposed /,
furnish conclusive evidence that he is moi
tllcr an aboliiionist nor u free sojler g AR
FILLMORE" says the Nep York Suuda,
Times, sin common with both northerl
and southernm mon, is opposed TO slavery il
the abstract; but on the cardinal points q
invading the constitutional rights of tho
south nc rs entirely sound. There is no.
tile slightest foundation to believe that h.
is in the least tinctured with abolitionism
or free soil. In letter to Mr.. GAYLE, d,.
ted Jn'y3l, ls4s, he says he regards slave
| ry rs ancvil, but one with which she ma.
f'ona1 gprernmem had noihing to do;" and
adds that he docs not believe that "Con.
sress mar any Pouer orcr it," On the SUD-
Jccs OF The slave trade between the states,
he said, September 13, 19iS-"T'he con.
S'"ho'ml power orer Htis matter is rested in
me sereral STATES, and mol in Congress-
THIS IS the opinion Of the south, and on
this head all is as safe as can be expected %
The Charleston Courier evidently hopes
much from his course 1t concludes a
brief sketch of his life thus
"Ihc more fortunate the career Of this dis
tinguished citizen and statesman, the great
cr his debt OF gratitude his country and his
iod and the deeper his responsibility to
both, for the future destiny of that country
which has SO rewarded and honorcd him.
Let 1t then be his patriot and his religious
duty TO pour oil on the troubled waters, by
| the support of measures of concilia,ion-
let him regard himself as the instrument
OF Pro incncc to compose the mighty and
perllous strife which now shakes the nil
lars of th, republic-lct him forget party,
section, self-and go only for "hls country;
his whole country and nothing hut his
country -Lkr HIN BOLDLY DO JUSTICE TO
THE SoUTH AND THUS GIVE pERrETuITy TO
THE UNloN-and lie will indeed earn tho
patriots undying famc-the present gcncr-
call him "blessed"-and millions, vet nm.
horn, will hymn his grateful praise. II wns
hc glory Of Washington TO CREATE THE
Ux1oN-no higher incentive can be atjor,.
cd to human ambilion-no nobler reward
to patriot hopes. Immortality awaits him,
If he will but bend his head to receive the
crown-wc leave the potent charm, the
mighty spell, to work ont its ausiMcious re-
tn - iInt IE,. r 1
the good of mankind"
Now let us turn to the letters them
serves and sec if there is anything in them
to justify the hopes OF the Courier, or the
assertion OF the Times ",hat ho is not in
the least tnctured with abolitionism or free
soil" We will take up the letter bearing
the latest date first because it is the least
important. 1t isas follows:
ALBANY, Sept. 13, 1913
De- ~ 81 returned this morning from
the 4 q sgS lt...:e yours of the 10th, IN
the Ric, aoiia oinas if ,ha, koI eftGe L to be- m
Within ,vSs power of Congress to interfere
with or break,offthe transportation, remov-
al, or disposal Of persons held as slaves,
from one slaveholdng State to another
am not nwarc that THIS question has
ever been discussed in Congress, or was
ever presented tor the consideration Of the
Supreme Court of the United States before
1911. In that year the celebrated case
from Mississippi was decided, and Mr.. Jus
ticc Mcl.ean gave al elaborate opinion on
this point, in which the Chef Justice con-
CURED. He came to the conclusion that
the constitutional power over this matter
was vested the several States and not IN
Congress. SO far rs my knowledge en-
tends, this opinion carried conviction TO
every unprcjudtcch mind, and the question
was considered settled. At any rate this
was my own opni"n then, and have seen
no cause 10 change it since. Should do
so, shall nothesitatc To declare il.
You VIII therefore perceive that YOU did
me no injustice in representing To your
friends that these were my sentiments.
lwrltc in has.c, amid the pressure oi otli-
cial duties, but remain truly yours.
MiLLARD FILLMORE.
Now what is there in this letter which
the rankcs, abolitonist may not have writ
ten. VAN BuHEI, Hale, SEWARD, CHASE
"''' VI titltl tcicNt, VI
can believe, tha, Congress has anv power,
under the Constitution, "to Interfere with,
or break oil, the transportation, removal,
or disposal of persons held as slaves, from
one slave holding State 10 another" And
whose opinion docs Mr.. FILLMORE cite in
support of the position that Congress has
no such powcr-thc opinion Of Mr.. JusTIcF
Mcl.EAH Of Ohio, are nvowed free soiler.-
! This letter proves nothing one way or the
o,her. 1t merely states an opinion, which
I every body cntcr,anS, upon a constitution.
| al question.
/ The other letter was written in reply to
/ orc from 1ouy GAYLE of Alabama inform.
! ing Mr.. FILLMORE that the Southern
/ Democratic papers were asserting that he
was an aboltionsi." Ii is as follows:
ALnANyN. y. July 81, lSIS.
/ Hos. JouN GAyLE.-p,ur Sir have your
letter of the 18th instant, but my official dutc'
/ have been 80 pressing thai have been compel
/ led to neglect my private correspondents. had
/ also determined In write 10 letters tor pubhcn
! lion bearing upon the contest III the approach
ltNt