The Middlebury register. [volume] (Middlebury, Vt.) 1850-1882, 1852-06-09
The Presidency Mr.. Fillmoro-The
Administration

tanned in the editorial columns of the
freesoil papers and the letters of their
Washington correspondents. These at
tacks proceed upon the assumption that
the President is seeking to be made the
candidates of the wing party, and that
the influence of the executive office has
been employed to procure the selection
of delegates to the national convention
known to be in favor of his nomination
The allegation is well known to be gra-
tuitous and without the least foundation,
and by no persons better than those who.
to subservc an unworthy purpose. have
put it in circulation. Such a line of
conduct, on the part of Mr. FILLMORE,
is Uncomfortable by those who are famil-
lar with his character. 1t would be re-
pugnant to his feeling, as well as incon-
sistent with the whole tenor of his pub
lie life. lie has never sought political
preferment On the contrary, his uni
form reserve and dclicacy in relation to
Office have always been proverbial I'm
til within a few months past, he was de-
termined not to be candidate for the
Presidency He was maffectedly desi-
rous to retire from political life at the
end of the present term, and he rcluc-
family waived his design to announce the
fact. at the earnest solicitations of his
friends. There was no concealment a.
bout his feelings on his part, and while
it was matter of regret to those who had
marked the able and patriotic manner
in which he had conducted the govern
ment, the reasons by which he sustained
his purpose to retire from the field com
manded respect, although they did not
carry conviction as to their real weight
and Importance He therefore yielded
to their entreatics abandoned his de-
termination to withdraw, and consented
to place himself at the disposition Of the
party, indifferent to the result, SO far as
he was personally concerned, and only
anxious to merit the appreciation of his
coutrymen by faithful and discreet
discharge of the high duties of his office
Let us glance briefly at the position
which Mr. FILLMORE occupies, and the
manner in which the administration has
been conducted since he entered the
White House
Every one is familiar with the state
of events at the period when General
TAYLOR died The country was convul
sed by questions bearing upon the rela
tive institutions of tue different sections
of the Union. A fierce spirit had beer
engcndered civil war was almost i'm
pending. \ dissolution of the confcdc
racy was spoken of within and outside
the walls of Congress as foregone con
clusion Who can ever forget that darl
and gloomy period
1t was at such time, when the low
ering clouds of civil strife were fast ri
sing in the horizon of oar political exis
tence, that Mr. FILLMORE suddenly ant
unexpectedly found himself called upon
to assume the position of Chief Magis
trate of the Republic. Under ordinary
circumstances the position is one of vas
responsibility, for the exercise of talent
of the highest order, of frmness, homes
ty and patriotism How much greater
was the task when surrounded by tn,
difficulties which then encompassed it,
Since that period time has sped it
fight, and in what position do we nov
find the country Peaceful, prosperou
and happy. In our foreign policy. not
outstanding that many trying question
have arisen. the honor of our flag ha
been upheld. while at the same tim
peace and amity have been preserved
There never was a period in our histor
when our citizens could look with NOR
pride upon that glorious flag. the embler
of liberty, wherever it is thrown to tn
breeze. In our external affairs, the frr
and upright course which the Executiv
has observed, has quoted agitation an
restored harmony. The execution of tn
laws has been just and impartial, and tn
honesty of the government in carryin
them out has not been questioned. An
= the effect of this has been to compel {
. ven the political opponents of the admir-
Y istration, with but few exceptions, to pa
e it that generous need of praise, whic
n its honesty, ability, and purity entitle
it toreceive, and reflect honor upon it fc
h deserving.
T. Taught by bitter experience the in
f portance of selecting an upright and tru
+ man to fill the Office of Vice Preside n
in case of any accident occurring to til
Y President, the Convention which nom
: mated that gallant old soldier, Gen. Ia
LoR, were determined not to fall int
the error of lS40 and therefore selectc
Wing, of tried capacity and purity
WILLARD FILLMoRE-as an associate u
on the TAYLOR ticket And good eau
l. have they and the country for congrat
lation for so doing When the VIII
:. Convention, representing the Wing pa
l. ty of this broad Union, selected Nj
FILLMORE. they felt assured that if I'll
n DEGREES of Providence should throw Il
:. responsibilities of the Presidency upC
Il him, the country would have nothing
q fear. The result has realized their mo
% sanguine anticipations
Perhaps in no feature of Mr.. FIJI
MoRE's administration has he more poiu
eddy displayed the qualities of his min
and the complete fitness of his charact
n for the position he occupies, than in d
, manner in which he has conducted hin
= self towards those of the Wing part
who not only have ungenerously assail,
his administration, but in many insta
e ces have personally assailed himse
% lie has never permitted his privategriC
II to enter into his official acts To hi
G. all Wings have been alike-he has know
Or no distinction of friends or enemies. TIL
{, this generosity has not been responds
IL to may be true-that he has all aloi
r. evidenced il is bowever bevon0 n doul