The republic. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1849-1853, 1851-05-26
The President.

The President.
The PRESIDENT of the United States return
ed on Saturday to the seat of Government.
Our readers have been fully advised of the in
cidents of his tour, and are aware of the graft
flying reception that he has met with at every
point of his progress. The Uniform respect ap
kindness which have been extended to Elm.
even by men who differ in political opinions,
testify to the estimation in which his cha
racter and services are held by an appre-
ciating people. Ii is not too much TO say
that no Chief Magistrate ever entered upon
the discharge of his duties under more
painful and embarrassing circumstances. On
these it is not necessary to dwell-the
country is familiar with them. To deal with
these circumstances required courage of no or
binary character-frmness, decision, foresight,
liberality, patriotism. But, in the possession of
all these qualities, the PRESIDENT was adequate
to the exigencies in which he was placed-and
this we believe 10 be the universal judgment of
the country. Thus it happens that, even in
those sections Of the Republic where it was
supposed that his course would have proved
least acceptable, the praise Of patriotic intea-
lions and of high statesmanlike conduct has
been freely awarded to him. Everywhere
during his recent tour the voice of faetious dis
sent and opposition has been husLed, and there
has been no discord to mar the general harmony.
But the causes of difficulty and the dangers
Of disunion are not yet removed. There is
ample reason to believe that the PRESIDENT
will yet be called upon to exercise the qualities
which have already commended him to the
favor of the people. There is little reason to
doubt that SOUTH CAROLINA will make the ex-
pertinent of separate secession. There is no rea-
son to believe that the marauders who have con-
templated the invasion of CUBA will repose upon
the unavailng demonstrations that they have
hitherto attempted. tits certain that the combina
tions in the NORTHERN States, which have been
formed opposition to that provision Of the Con-
stitution which contemplaies the restoration of
fugitives from labor, will pursue their agita-
tions with renewed zeal and activity. The
coalition which has been consummated in Mas
sachusetts of the DEMOCRATS and ABOLITION
lists. TO consolidate united opposition to the
present Administration, will be attempted no
doubt in other northern States. The men
elected by this coalition to Congress will enter
that body pledged by the necessities of their
position to the reckless agitation of the slavery
question. To what extent this agitation may be
effectual in driving ALABAMA and MISSISSIPPI
into the ranks of SOUTH CAROLINA remains to be
seen. Obvious enough it is that this result will
not be prevented by any hollow and unmean-
ing professions of love for the Union and Con-
stitution, with which the CHAsEs, SUMMERS,
and RANToULs may think it decorous to cover
and embellish their seditious language and
their reasonable designs. Obvious enough it
is to all rejecting and reasonable men that no
such protestatlons can weigh feather against
the purposes which have been avowed by the
pledged to prosecute them.
In our judgment, then, Mr.. FILLMORE, in
his future career, is destined to as severe a
trial as that through which he has already
passed. He will have need of all the modera-
ton, equanimity, selfpossession, good sense,
and tranquil tenacity of purpose which he has
already displayed in degree so eminent. He
will have equal need Of the aid and support of
all good and patriotic citizens in enforcing the
execution of the laws and in maintaining the
integrity of the Union. Therefore it is that
we have seen with regret in some of the DEM
ocRATIc journals an attempt to shake the conf
dence of the country in his justice and nation
atty. If Mr.. FILLMORE is really liable to the
charge Of sectionalism, or of the want of
patriotic liberality to any institutions or
establishments of the country, who can claim
exemption from such accusatonsl Ia whom
can the South or the North confide, for the
due fulflment of all the Executive trusts
and duties, if not in the PRESIDENT, who has
been so often tried and in no respect found want
ing} IL men Of the North insist that the PREsI.
DENT shall regard every subject with northern
prepossesslons, and men of the South insist that
he shall view all subjects with southern eyes
how idle it is to talk of the efficacy of compro-
misses, Of mutual and reciprocal concession, Of
that stability and permanence to our institutions
which are to flow from the common surrender Of
extreme opinions We regard every attempt
therefore, to weaken the confidence Of either the
North or the South in Chief Magistrate who
has exercised his functions in obedience to the
Constitution, and who has pursued course Of
impartial Justice towards both sections Of the
country not only as unkind and unwise, but,