Lynchburg Virginian. [volume] (Lynchburg [Va.]) 1829-185?, 1850-07-18
THE LYNCHBURG VIRGINIAN,
TowNLEy. SHIELDS Il co. prop,ietors
LYNCIHURG. JULY 1850.
WILLARD FILLMORE.

|
tionist. Mr.. Fillmore, as all Northern men and
many southern, depricatcs the existence of slave.
", and. IN the language of General Cass s'pravs
for its abolition" But he may do this, and vel
not be identified with that class OF Northern zeal
OILS, known as Abolitionsts. To this class of men
Mr. Fillmore is utterly deestable. They are his
traducers, his opponents, his Jealous foes. But
notwithstanding all this, Mr.. Fillmore is still
classed with Abolltlonists. We shall ask in
vestgation of the basis Of this classification.
Upon the 3lst July, 1918, Mr.. Fillmore adj
dressed letter 10 the Hon. John Gayle. This
letter was regarded during the canvass, rs strong
proof OF the abolition bent Of Mr.. Fillmore mind.
! In fact, II was the reliable Argument brief
examination will prove the fasitv of the conclu-
slons dedueed by the Democratic party, from this
! letter The exposition of the views of the Hon
Mr.. Fillmore, made in this letter are briefly sum
med up: lie advocates the right ofpetition, leav-
ing the acceptance rejection Of that petition OPP
! tonaty with the Congress; he expressed his be-
! llel IN the evil tendency of slavery but expressly
| asserts that II is question with which the gem
eral government has nothing 10 do, believing that
the Constitution gave all power over that question
! To the States, IN Their sovereign capacity This
latter doctrine Is the theory taught by that great
and enthusiastic champion of Southern Rights,
John G. Calhoun
The votes of Mr.. Fillmore are objected to. II
has been alleged that he voted against certain
resolutions, known as the Athcrton Resolutions
winch were passed, on the 1Ith and 18th of De-
cemocr 1888. These resolutions declare the I'M
conshlntonallty OF leglSlatlng upon the question
OF slavery, by the general government: denounce
all attempts to abolish slavery in the District
OF Columbia, or to interfere with it in the terrific
RES; express themselves adversely to the reg.
ulallon, through the medium of Congress- of the
international sIave-iradc; and provide for the re-
lusal OF all abolition petitions That Mr.. Fillmore
did vote against these resolutions, we do not de-
ny, but their history is sufficient exponent of his
course. they were resolutions concocted in a
Democratic caucus and presented to the House
OF Representatives by Mr.. Anterior, of New
Hampshire, as the representative of that caucus
Mr. Atherion, in presenting them made an ex-
Plaha'ory speech, and in conclusion, moved the
previous question. Mr. Wise, now the champi.
on OF Virginia Democracy, denounced the reso
| lutlonS and asked that the South be heard This
was refused. Messls Williams, of Tennessee:
Stanley OF North Carolina and Underwood OF
heh,ucky' asked to be excused from voting, all
OF which requests were refused. Mr. Bell, OF
tennessee, moved an adjournment of the House.
that the resolutions might be printed and read by
.ne members before voting. This was voted down.
MT 'ehlief, OF Maryland, positively refused to
So'e upon 'he resolutions, without having an OPP
! aoie man have voted for these resolutions under
'hesc circumstances Yet Mr. Fillmore is de-
houhced Tor not supporting these resolutions,
sprung upon INN, and that, too when every OPP
Pol'unliy ior examining them was denied him.
hut me charge against Mr. Fillmore is moi fully
Soostantated. The first of these resolutions, de-
eIarng 1t unconstitutional for Congress to lcgislae
II upon the question of slavery, received his vote
Against ne remainder MIR. Fillmore voted But
auhlV'lhg the Supposltion, that Mr. Fillmore voted
uoWh the ent're series he was only refusing to
icho himself 10 a party scheme presented, as is
coheluSiVely shown by its history for party pur-
poses.
But to proceed. Democratic arguments upon
'he charges against Mr.. Fillmore, when taken
} separately may condemn him. But if we con-
"'', t1eSe arguments, we will ascertain that they
contain ther own rcfutation. In the case lust
disposed OF, Mr.. Fillmore was an aboliGonst, be.
cause lie refused to give Mr. Atherton an un quail
,,'ea support. But as the scene dcepens, 1T appear,
,nal Mr. Fillmore is an Abolitionist, because
democratic purposes see fit 10 make him So On
the lth and 18th of December, 1888. MIR. FIJI.
more refused support 10 Mr.. Atherton. This re
'uSal Constitutes a charge against him. On the
.eA' Gay, Mr.. Fillmore was the coadjutor of Mr.
A,helion' The fact that he was such, forms an
o'her charge. On the 18th Of December, 0he
next day. Mr.. Wise asked for a suspension OF
rules to enable him to offer resolutions pertaining
10 slavery ana petitions, against which Mr. Fill
more voted. 1t was but the day previous, that the
iionSe mad passed resolutions upon these very
i questions, To which Mr.. WiSe's resolutions per
famed Therefore to suspend the rules for the
entertaining Of Mr.. WiscS resolution. was silly
waste OF time.
on the @Sth of January, 1910, Mr.. Fillmore
'o'fu against that provision, known as the Dist
rue, the effect OF which was to exclude the re-
'eplon OF all abolition petitions. But when we
remember that the reception of abolition petitions
ana favorable action thcreupon, are two distinct
lungs MI Fillmore does not stand convicted bv
this vote
we now turn to some of the evidences of Mr..
fhlmoro $ Soundness. A letter, written by the
Hon Henry Clay, and dated Ashland 18Th Sep
'emoer 1913 contains plain assertion, to the
effect, that Mr. Fillmore is not an AboIitionist.-
MI NlaN IN the same letter, stated, that he serv-
ed IN the extra session ofIS4l, upon a committee
with Mr. Fillmore, and hence enioyed great on
portunlueS to learn his opinions upon questions
ct national polity.
he North has never associated Mr. Fillmore
WIN tne abolition party. On the Goth of June.
io4'' MIR Giddngs, in a Free Soil Conventions
+ denounced the course pursued by MIR. Fillmore
III congress. James Brooks, Of New York, one of
'he leaders OF the .Ndtional Whg party always
d Trend to The Constitution and a strong North
ern Toe OF the ahoIitonisIs having heard rumors
Which he knew TO be untrue. addressed A letter
10 Mr.. Fillmore, intormino him of the circulation