New Orleans daily crescent. [volume] ([New Orleans, La.]) 1851-1866, 1852-07-07
M dl4u w SGEN L.
MnLARp FILIMoRt
WASHINGTON, June 10, Is

louf iflena aud ob't seryt.
MnLARp FrLNtoRE
WASHINGTON, June 10, 1852.
| To the President Of the National FVhig Contention
sa--This communication will be presented to YOU and
through you to the delegated wisdom of the Wing party
which you preside by the Hon George r. Babcock
who represents in your body the Congressional district
which reside.
trust that shall be pardoned by the Convention for
ayeting briefly to the course which have pursued and
the which have induced it, means of explain
ing why have selected this time and mode of making
this anuunciation.
All recollect that when was so suddenly and I'M
expectedly called to the exalted station which oc-
cupy by the death of my lanened and ustrouS prede-
cesSor there was crisis in public affairs full of i-
Guilty ana danger The country was agtatrd by political
and sectional passions and discussions growngou OF the
slavery and territorial questions then pending for
which Congress had as yet been able to agree upon
measure Of compromise and adjustment
The Union itself threatened with dissolution and
patriots and statesman looked with apprehension to the
future In that feeling participated profoundly
The difficulties and dangers which surrounded us We're
calmly but anxiously surveyed l oppressed by a
sense OF the great responsibilities that rested upon me
and sincerely disrusted my ability to sustain them in
manner satisfactory and useful to the country. But
was bound to make the attempt, do it with any
hope OF felt necessary to discard every per
Sona consideration and devote myself to the difficult
task before ule with entire Siugleness of heart
To prepare and strengthen myself for this task en-.
deavored to lay aside as far as practicable every merely
selfish conseraonto Danish from my mind every local
or sectional preudice-and to remember only that was
an American citizen and the Magistrate the American
n
with equal Justice and impartiaty That might do mis-
the more eectualy resolved within myself not to seek
4 reelection.
Thus prepared entered upon the discharge of NV Of
hcial duties with determination to do in nv
power to aid in the settlement of those dangerous coptr
yerses. Fortunateyfo favored country majority
III both Houses OF Congress rising above mere marty and
personal considerations nobly and periodically devoted
themselves to the great work of pacifcation.
The constitutional advisers whom had called to my
AID ana to whose fidelity talents and patriotism the cou
Try is chiefly indebted for any benefit may have receiv
ca rom my administration with unanmity and zeal
worthy OF every commentator cordially gave their coun
enance and influence to the legislative department in
ecng and adopting those healing of compro
mise to which upon their passage bound by every
consideration of public duty to give my official approval
These laws being enacted my constitutional duty was
equally plain to take that they lre,e tqhpy frected
But inns found the most painful of all my official d-
ties. Nevertheless resolved perform it, regardless of
atconse1uenc"S to myself and in doing determined
to know no North and no Southland no friends but
those who sustained the constitution and lawsand no
enemies but those who opposed them
the gratifying result OF this policy before you and the
country The angry strife which threatened TO
array against State and brother against brother and
deluge happy land with raerna blood and aesolot
II with re and sword has fortunately passed away The
Sursng pillows of sectional agitation Gained and the
public mind is fast settling down into its accustomed
channels and will its wonted devotion to the
constitution and the Union
Awaiting myself of this happy change had determined
when the present Congress announce to the nubc
IN my annual message my previous resolution not to SUI
Ter my name TO come before the national convention for
accordingly prepared a paragraph to that
effect but finally persuaded strike it out lest it
might have unfayorable influence upon the the nand
ing election in Virginia.
After that had passed, L concluded to withdraw nv
lane by published address the people and prepared
'ne accordingly but this coming to the knowledge of
some of my friends they represented to me that nv with
travail at that time would only endanrer the perpet
ty OF those measures which deemed essential to the
1eace and welfare OF the country but would sacrifice many
friends who had stood by my administration in the dark
md perous crisis through which had recently passed
The first appeal my patriotism and the second IN
md
ID to their request and that my name should
naln where was until time should show, which pre-
umed it would that its further use could neither eppf
hem nor the which all had so much at heart
was, however, distinctly understood that could not
ohseht 70 use any efforts to procure nomination, but if
ne were freely and voluntarily rendered should be
It liberty to decline It.
The embarrassing question presents itself who is to
ctermlne when the ofmy name can no longer lpnrt
ny friends or the cause To assume to decide
his myself in advance of the convention without CON
ultation with those who have 50 generously nstainsd
e might be deemed by them unjust. To consult them
utterly mnracticablc. and to suffer my name to 20 into
contest for the nomination is contrary to my original in
entlon and utterly repugnant MY feelings [ have
hereforc without consultation with any felt justified
assuming the responsibility OF auhOrizn and request
~ F bSocock either before Or after any vote may be
aKen IN the convention and whenever he shall be salts
ed That have discharged my duty to my friends and
he country to present this letter and withdraw my name
rom the consideration of the convention.
trust that my friends will appreciate the necessity
hich compes to act without consulting them Iwoul
heerfuy make any personal sacrifice for their sakes or
- |
lySelt yielded with sincere reluctance to their entre;
eS to suffer my name to remain before the public nos
ble candidate knew that it placed me in a false posi-
on loftsaW that 1t would subject me to the base i'm
natlon OF seeking nomination and Of using the patron
&c Of the Government to obtain it. and then to the NOR
lying tauhts from the same malignant of having
zen defeated But, conscious OF my integrity. I
leertuly consented to encounter all this rather than
lat my friends should feel that Indifferent either to
ZEN or the cause and most happy to avail myself
t1ls occasion to return my sincere thanks and to ex
eSs INC grateful emotions Of my heart to those friends Of
country who have so generously and noby stood by
constitution and the Union during the periou scenes
rough which we have just passed My sincere prayer
that their country may cherish and reward them 40
r1ing to their merits
hope and trust my withdrawal may enable the Con-
htioh TO unite anonymously upon deserving
hduate one who II elected may be successful in
lining ana retaining the confidence Of the party to
lich he is attached than have been Divided al we
're upon my accession to the Presidency on questions
vital Importance it was impossible for me to pursue
lirse which would satisfy all have not attempted it
laye sought more anxiousy to do what right than
iat would please and shall feel disappointment at 2
ning that my conduct has in the estimation of ma l.
ty of the convention rendered me an unavailable can
late Butit should at all times be subject Of fecta
N to any that he has been enabled to serve his
untfy by sacrificing himself. This is consequence
lch neither he his friends have any cause to regret
d hope mine will view it in that light
or myself permit me to add have further aspra
ms l. feel that have enjoyed much of public 4
nors than deserved and shall retire from this
ilteu station with infinitely satisfaction than I
tered upon it, and with heart grateful for the conf
nee which my countrymen have reposed in me-grate-
FOR the indulgence with which they have received my
mble efforts to them anxious only that tbey
y be better served by my and that our elo
lis Union and free institutions may be perpetual
have the honor to be, sir. ~
Your fellow citizen and ob't serv't D
MtLLAhD FILLMORE. =
Inc following card explanatory of Mr. Babcock course
Withholding the Presidents letter from the conven-