The republic. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1849-1853, 1850-10-23


OF the devoted friends and champions Of the
union OF the States and the rights of the States,
mink that none deserves more highly the gratitude
OF the American people than President Fillmore.
lie has ever been known one OF the old fas honed
school OF Wings, school whose creed had in it
nothing OF section, and whose practice never
dishgured by low trickery and INSCRIPTIONS po-
hncal gambling. Asa man. MIR. Fillmore has ever
been sing ularly Tree from ambition pTeferring the
honest rewards Of his aborious profession to poli-
cal distinction, and having neither the disposition
nor the interest TO court the popular favor Never
theless, his exalted character and commanding
talents repeatedly extorted from his fellow citizens
OF New York. the unsolicited bestowment of re-
sponsibe public trusts, and he always fulfilled those
trusts with fidelity, industry, and efficiency,
which won for him the unbounded confidence and
respect of the people of his State.
There has of late sprung up, in the Wing ranks
OF New York, party which 10 with the Wings but
not OF them. IL Is party which covets for itself
the appeation Of democratic and progressive, but
has no love for the simple and conservative idea
implied in the words Republican and Whig. This
party is composed Of those who practically hold
that the end sanctifics the means and that there
fore, to attain success, party should not hesitate
to sacrifice principle and honor. This faction has
long looked with disgust upon the unbending hon
esty of the Wing party-upon its conservative
spirit ts allegiance TO principle and its opposition
TO the spirit of territorial ACKNOWLEDGMENT. "See
how the Democrats do things is the constant ex-
clamation of these Democratic Wings. awe must
fight the devil with fire." is their idea of properly
conducted political contest Expediency with them
avowedly supplies the place of principle, and tact
the place of conscience. II is this faction which
bends the knee to foreign votes, while it is ready
the same time to swap off foreigners for free
groes; which would burn down Convent, sing the
tie Deum at Cathedral, as interest might dictate;
which would not permit prohigacy, seduction, or
drunkenness, 10 disquaiily man for the highest
office and the fullest enjoyment of their confidence,
but which processes to be horror-struck at the sin
and iniquity of African slavery To such faction
this Mr.. Fillmore docs not belong, and it is to
his immortal honor that he is the object of their
SANDER and hate.
was a candidate for the Vice Presidency he was
assailed by the southern Democratic press
Abolitionist of the darkest dye. Whether the
charge arose from ignorance, or the usual reckless
ness Of political excitement, it was generally cir
culated though altogether without foundation
Mr.. Fillmore had been ever national man, neither
counting slavery nor anu-slavery support. The
southern Wings understood his position, and had
full faith in his upright and reliable character
And how nobly has his administration realized
their most sangune hopes and exploded the
charges brought against him by his enemies. Com
ing to the Presidency at period when the deepest
clouds and darkness rested upon the preservation
of the national Union, when there appeared no cal
walton for the rights of the South, and civil war
was laundering at the door, he had scarcely been
seated a month in his position when national turn
felt in the affairs of the country, and the clouds
began to break from the stormy horizon. Under
Lis Administration, and with his sanction, mea-
sures have been passed which secure the rights of
ALL and give satisfaction to the conservative
Of both parties in every section. The attempt to
interfere with slavery in the District has been tri
umphantly overthrown; the Wilmot proviso has
been abandoned by the North, and fugitive slave
law, shaped by southern members, and stringent
and searching in its provisions that no loophole is
left for evasion. and possibility of resistance has
received the official appreciation of Willard Fill
more.
No but with an eminently national
heart great nerve, and immovabc self possession,
could have pursued the course so intrepidly fol-
lowed by Mr. Fillmore. True, indeed, ne has done
injustice to the North, and for that honor
him the more, because the man who is false to his
own section cannot be true to any other. But ne
has done justice to all under the Constitution; and
the southern man who thinks that easy task,
scarcely appreciates the difficulties of Mr.. Fill
nores position. 1t is just about easy it would
be for a southern President to sign the Wilmot
provso-to put his name to bill abolishing slave
~ in the District of Columbia, and his veto to a
fugitive slave bill. President Fillmore has but done
lis duty, yet he did il in the face of tempest at
home which required more elevated courage than
10 face the leaden hurricane of battle Honor, all
honor, 10 the pure patriot, the great moral hero,
the noble Wing gentleman of the olden time, who
now fills the chair of the Presidency.