The republic., 1851-03-17
From the Wilmington (DsI.) Journal.
Prcsident Fillmore.

The wisdom OF the Philade phia conve venton in NOM
mating Miard Fillmore for the Office of Vice Pre-
sident of the United States upon whom, if elected,
in the event Of the death of the Chief Magistrate
the responsible duties of the latter officer would de-
scend, has been confirmed by all the measures and
recommendations of the present Executive, from
the day on which he succeeded the lamented Tay-
lor up to this moment.
Warned by the treachery of one who had be-
trayed the confidence of his party, and by whose
treason, when placed in like position, they had
lost the fruits of well-ea victory. the Wings
in 1s4S looked for man in whose liberal patriotism
and inexibe loyalty to principle they could at all
times trus and the result thus far of their action
on that occasion, has more than demonstrated the
prudence of their choice. At period of unusual
element in Congress, and which, through the ef-
forts of northern and southern demagogues, was
spreading over the country-when faction and ia
naticism were almost running riot-when disunion
and secession were the common topics of discus
sion, and the people began to rely on the discretion
and determined will of General Taylor their only
deliverance from the fast thickening troubles-the
old hero died, leaving his successor to encounter
the peris Of storm which had yet shown little or
no sign of abatement. Without doubt, the veteran
soldier, had he lived, would have triumphed over
every difficulty, and by relieving the country from
tions and regard of his fellow ctizens but it was
decreed otherwise and in season of trial and un-
certainty TO our republican form of, government,
and amid the worst of party contentions-that cre-
ated by sectional dscord-Mr. Fillmore, in obe-
dicnce to the Constitution, assumed the honors and
burdens Of the Executive chair. In this exalted
post his acts and conduct, from the beginning, have
fully answered the expectations of his friends in all
parts of the Union, and, in some instances extort
ing the need of praise from those who opposed his
election Faithful to his public duties he has ably
and honorably discharged the obligations of his
high Office with increasing reputation, and in such
a manner that not even the opposition press,
always ready to blame and denounce on the most
trivial cause, can discover grounds for attacking
him. This is, inferentinlly, the highest compli-
nent that can be paid to public officer; nor is il,
in this case, negative praise, proceeding from the
omission to do any thing right wrong, for the
whole country knows that the President has not
concealed the motives by which he is guided in the
exercise of his authority, the principles which
have governed his Administration. His fret mes-
sage to Congress declared his purpose to be to soc
that laws were duly executed, and the Compromise
measures carried out in their intention and spirit
and, on the first evidence Of disposition to bid
defiance to these laws. he promptly did all that
he could do to quell disorder and lawlessness, at
the same uIne expressing himself willing to CO.
operate with Congress in any further legislation
that might be deemed necessary to compel obedi-
ence when ordinary means should fail to effect it;
thus doing all in his power to restore harmony and
peace to the country.
AS Wings, we have reason to be proud of our
President, and Of the distinguished men who COM
pose his Cabinet-men who have had long expert
ence in public affairs, and whose devotion to the
Union is proved by every act of their lives; but
did we want any proof Of their claim to the esteem
and support of all parties-as well as of the Whig
party-we have it in the testimony of Gen. Cass,
the great leader of the Opposition, who spoke, the
other day, in the Senate, follows
"This Administration has placed itself high in the
great work Of fpacifying the country and they have
received the need of appreciation from political
friends and political foes. partake of the same
sentiment"
stThis is a Whig Administration,
but that is no reason should not do them Justice
and do 1t with pleasure in this great matter Of
the salvation of this country, If l may 20 say"
Such evidence. coming from such a quarter, is
the best that be produced to sustain the course
Of the President and entirely dispenscs with theuse
of any partisan defence advocacy of the present
Administration.