The Woodville Republican. [volume] (Woodville, Miss.) 1847-1853, 1851-03-04
The Whig and Ar. Fillmore.

We have no disposition to conceal, OF
keep back, any opinions of Millard Fillmore
The letter which the Republican publishes,
and taunts us with not doing, first appeared
in the Union and wien republished IN the
Delta there was a paragraph 10 the enect
that its genuineness was not establsheu'
Nor is it yet made sure to us, but taking 1t
to be Millard Fllmore's, we are willing to
submit it with the comments 1t suggests.
la the first place, the answer is given in
haste, without explanation or comment.
Thereasons for his affirmative reply, might
so have,illustrated his views as to have dl-
vested them of any thing like sectional
appearanee. He Furthermore says that this
letter shall by no means, be guide TO his
,1ctiou il is not the criterion by which his
gotes are to be determined Granting even
that it is the expression OF his theore:ic
opinions, it goes nowise to show what would
be his course when called upon to act on
these vexed questions. He gives it out as
the first blush of an opinion, on the subjects
of interrogation. When called upon, as
legislator, to act, he would not do so with
out full and careful deliberation, without
patient hearing and attention 10 every argu-
ment of his associates. His future course
was to be determined by future develop
ments of fact and argument This is the
only pledge he would deign to give.
TO 90 no further, is not the interests Of
the South safe in the hands OF such man
Has not the South her quarrel Just: Are
4 her pretensions so unfounded, her position SO
unconstitutional as not to be safe when COM
mitted to the keeping of a man who is will
ling TO hear all in her behalf, and be deter
mined by it? But to take up the questions
separately. The first has reference only to
the right of petition, and we are proud to say
that Fillmore is the firm and consistent friend
of this bulwark of American freedom. 1t
was opposition to this right, when claimed
by the ahoitionists, that gave thems all the
moral and political force they ever had. The
constitution grants 1t, in broad and liberal
terms, and to oppose the right because the
subject matter OF the petition is objected to,
is leopardizing the right itself The aboli-
tionists have acquired what force they pos
sess because some unwise, but ardent friends
of che South gave them opportunity to rep
resent themselves as prosecuted, in being de-
MED right plainly granted under the con-
stitution.
The second question refers to the annexa-
ton of Texas, under any circumstances, SO
long as slaves are held there. Now if Fill
more was opposed to instrumentation OF lex
as, for any considerations, he must have an
swered this question in the affirmative. The
inference is false and unfair to suppose that
because he was averse to Texas being ad-
mitted into the Union, he was opposed to
slavery. Did not large portion OF South
erners and shareholders oppose the annexa-
ton of Texas, and did not Southern States
cast their votes against it! And shall whig
Or democrat say aught against Fillmore, be-
cause, in common with many at the South,
he was opposed to the acquisition OF terrific
nv under circumstances threatening danger
Did not many planters resist the union OF
Texas with the United States, for the very
sufficient reason that it would lessen, vastly,
the price of property in the Southern States
extend the growth of our great staple and
depreciate its value, The answer to the
second question exhibits Fillmore as opposed
to the annexation of'Texas, and no more.
The third question is, "Are you in favor
of Congress exercising all the constitutional
power it possesses, to abolish the internal
slave trade between the States " And to
this Fillmore says yes. He answers thea b.
olitionists that, certainly, he is in favor Of
Congress exerting all the power over slave
ry in the States it may, for u possesses none.
He has given, too, elsewhere, abundant ev-
idence that he would not interfere with the
rights of the South. In Congress he said,
."I disayow, most -anequivocally, now and
forever, any desire on my part to interfere
with the rights of what is termed the pro-
perty of the citizens Of other States" And
furthermore, in letter recently written to
an association in Raymond, in this State, he
heartily endorses the resolutions sent him by
that body, among which is this
Resolved, That Congress has no power
under the constitution, to interfere with the
institution of domestic slavery as it exists il
the States Of this Union and that therefore
We feel well assured that the Southern in
stitutions will never be assailed or moleste'
by Ian act of Millard Fillmore.
He also answers the fourth inquiry in tn
afhrmative and mark, it does not ask Of hr
Il nhe be in favor of immediate abolition
slavery in the District OF Columbia, but
ne be in favor of legislation TO effect thl
oolect gradually, and at some distant day
Rla ID manner consonant with the wlste;