Wilmington journal. [volume] (Wilmington, N.C.) 1844-1895, 1851-10-10
Mr. Flllmore,s Buffalo Letter.


A garbled copy of letter written by the President
in 1883 having long been in circulation designed to
represent him in false light on the questions to
which it refers, happy in being able to pre-
sent to the public copy of that letter III an unmu
tilaed form It will be seen that the entire commu-
nication places the Presidents views, even at the
date in question, in an altogether different aspect
from that which it has been made to bear by the
publication of portion of the letter, shorn of its
ry material qualifications and explanations. VIII
the presses which have heretofore published the let
ter in garbled form have the manlness to publish
the following complete and authentic version of it I?
Republic.
BUFFALO OCTOBER, 1888.
SIR: Your communication of the 18th inst, as
chairman of a committee appointed by 1.-The Anti
Slavery Society of the county of Erie, has just come
to hand. You solicit my answer to the following in
terrogatories
First Doyou believe that petitions to Congress
on the subject of slavery and the slave trade ought
to lie received read, and respectfully considered by
the representatives of the people!
Second Are you opposed to the annexation of
Texas to this Union, under any circumstances, so
long as slaves are held therein?
Third Are you in favor of Congress exercising
all the constitutional power it possesses to abolish
the internal slave trade between the States
Fourth Are you in favor of the immediate le-
gisation for the abolition of slavery in the District
of Columbia q
am much engaged and have no time to enter in
to an argument 10 explain at full length my rea-
sons or my opinion | shall therefore content my
self tor the present by answering all your nterrOga
tories in the affirmative, and leave for future
occasion extended discussion of the sub iect-
wonl, however, take this occasion 10 say that, in
thus frankly giving my opinion, would not desire
n I understood q nIpdGP
the time that | seek disguses but freely
give my sentiments on any subject OF interest to those
for whose suffrages am candidate | am opposed to
giving any pledges that shall deprive hereafter
of all discretionary power. My own character must
be the guarantee for the general correctness of my
legislative department. On every important subject
am bound to deliberate before act. especially as
legislator to possess myself of all the information
and listen to every argument that may be adduced
by my associates, before ! give final vote. If |
stand pledged to particular of action, |
cease to be responsible agent, but become mere
machine Should subsequent events show, beyond
all doubt, that the course had become pledged to
pursue was ruinous to my constituents and disgrace
full to myself have no alternative, opportunity
for repentance, and there is power to absolye
from my obligation. Hence the nlproprety, not to
say absardty in my views of giving pledge.
I am aware that you have not asked any pledge,
and believe know your sound Judgment and good
sense too we'll to think you desire any such thing 1t
the part of others, that have felt it my duty say
thus much on this subject.
am, respectfully your most obedient servant.
WILLARD FILLMORE.
w. Mills, Esq, Chairman &c.
We publish the above Buffalo Letter. as reques-
ted by the Republic. Our attention has been called
to it by finding it in the Wilmington Herald of Sat
urday, in another column of which paper we notice
the following eulogium Mr.. Fillmore:
s'And then there is FILLMORE, for whose nomination
we devoutly pray. SO able, pure unblemshed, tenn
perate, cool and resolute statesman Jealous of the
National honor and ambitious for the general good
he deserves be the standard bearer of tie party
devoted to the cause of law and order and good gov
eminent. An endorsement by the Convention is due
to his eminent public worth"
We can only say that there is no accounting fol
tastes We are struck perfectly dumb. We have
not another word to say. (" Ma conscience !"