Vermont watchman and State journal. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1836-1883, 1851-06-19
A Good Letter from the Presi-
dent.

President Fillmore has declined the invitation
to visit Boston on the 4,h of July. His letter to
the committee will be read with interest by all,
and with pleasure, we hope, by most of our rea-
ders. Since it has become the fashion among
certain presses (which assume to be the partcu-
lar friends of the Administrator to sneer at an
ti-slavery sentiments, it is quite refreshing to find
that the President himself does not sympathise
with such friends.
WAsmVeroN, June Q, 1851.
Hon. Francis Brinicy, President Of the Common
Council Of the Cdy Of osion:
SiR,--When had the pleasure Of meeting
YOU and your associates of the Committee from
Boston. in New York. and you did me the honor
Of inviting me TO visit your city, and kindly ten
dered me on behalf of the Common Council, It's
Inequalities, fondly hoped that should be able
during the present month to accept your invita-
ton. But | regret to say that find 1t inconsist
ent with what deem my public duty to indulge
in this qualification; and therefore, while ] am
profoundly grateful for the distinguished honor
implied by the invitation, ! feel reluctantly COM
PEELED to decline 1t.
NV personal acquaintance in your city is but
slight but slight as 1t has been, il has LIFT many
pleasant recoliections, and | should have been
extremely happy TO have renewed and extended
1t at this time have long entertained u high
respect for the intelligence and patriotism Of the
great mass Of your citizens and recent events
have not impaired that respect. You have been,
and trust viii ever be, law-lovmg and law
abiding people. know that your devotion to
this great principle has had severe test, IN your
recent efforts TO execute the law for the return
of fugitive slaves Slavery, IN amy form is re-
pugnant TO your feelings and education, and the
fugitive naturally and inevitably cXctes your
deepest sympathies. Nothing but n stern sense
of duty, founded upon "a rational, solemn cOnvic-
ton, that a constitutional and legal obligation
must be obeyed, at any and every sacriiicecould
have insured the execution Of the law IN CAGE
like this But for myself | never doubted that
the law would ultimately triumph Good futh
is the foundation of all morality, and all social
security The free States had pledged them-
selves by the Constitution to the performance of
this duty. The Slave States had right to in
sist, and did insist, upon It's performance. There
was, then, no alternative but to break our faith,
forfeit our word of honor, and thereby tranple
the constitution Of our country i'm the dust and
run the hazards Of civil war; or else to admit
the obligation like honest true hearted men, and
do all IN our power to comply with it--siill hop
ing and trusting that in due time some mode
would be devised by those who have the constitu-
tional power TO abolish slavery. aud who are
most deeply Interested in It's fnel eXtncuon-'o
get rad of the evil without destroying the airest
fabric OF freedom that mortal hands have ever
raised, and 10 its ruins eXtinguishing the last
hope of humanity for self government, Permit
me to say that TINS government has cost Boston
too much to be given up or hazarded for slight
or trivial causes Some of the patriots of tine
Revolution sth lngsr among you-and the mon
umen,al pillar of your grateful recollection Of the
heroes who fell at Bunker Hill, would seem 10 be
mockery, ID their sons could so soon forget that
THIS Constitution cost the hearts blood of their
sircs.
Tint your citizens have act wisely and pat
riotically in sustaining the law, cannot doubt
Their conduct has been governed by the highest
sense Of moral and political obligations and for
tins noble example, | feel constrained, as the
Chief Magistrate, whose especial duty It is to
see that the laws are faithfully executed, to re-
turn the citizens of Boston my warmest acknowl-
edgemenis, sand should have been most happy
to have done this in person. were 1t consistent
with my official engagements to leave this city
With many thanks to you, and through you to
the citizens of Boston, for this kind invitation,
! have the honor to be,
Your friend and fellow citizen,
WILLARD FILLMORE.