The republic. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1849-1853, 1852-05-14
speech Of In. Hon. Msr.d,th p. GENTRY.

speech OF the Hon. Meredith II. Gentry,
Dslivusd at the Great Fillmore Meeting at the
Chinsss Building IN the City Of Nsto York, May
10, 1852.
The Chairman of the meeting introduced to the
assembiage the Hon. NJ. P. GENrRy, Representa-
tive in Congress from Tennessee, who was received
with deafening shouts Of applause; and silence
having been attained, MIR. G. addressed the meet
ing in substance az follows:
FELLow-C CITIZENS OF New YoRK: am exceed
ingly happy to meet SO large an assembly Of my
fellow citizens OF this great metropolis. and am
truly proud Of having the honor Of addressin z
them upon such an occasion. This enthusiastic
demonstration abundanly refutes the Islander
which has been 30 industriousy circulated at the
Capitol, that Willard Fillmore, the son Of New
York, had no friends here "A voice "There are
thousands in the street who cannot get into the
hall Let us adjourn to the street! Adjourn ad-
journ" II was decided, however. by vote, to
remain in the hall; and Mr.. Gentry proceeded. !
am truly happy, gentlemen, to see these evil
dences OF the popularity here at home Of that dis.
tinguished son Of New York who, with SO much
honor to himself and benefit to the country, now
fills the office Of Chief Magistrate Of the Republic;
and can assure you, in return, that your Wing
brethren OF Tennessee, and the Southern States
generally, were never more united in their pre-
ference Of Presidential candidate than they are
for Willard Fillmore [Great cheering Not be-
cause he has administered the Government Sec
onally, in favor Of southern interests but because
u
the whole country, North and South; because his
Administration has been marked by patriotism,
wisdom. prudence and judicious statesmanship.
Fellow-citizens, Presidential election under
our Constitution is at all times important event.
involving much more than the mere question
whether this or that distinguished citizen shall be
chosen Chief Magistrate; whether this or that
political party shall achieve party triumph. For
years past Presidential election has been con-
strued to involve decision by the people, upon all
pending political questions, whether relating to
the domestic or foreign affairs of the country and
hence every thoughtful statesman looks to each
recurring canvass for the Presidency with a pro-
found solicitude, rising far above mere personal
preferences or partisan partialities-a solicit
tude inspired by the conviction that each re.
curing canvass for the Presidency by it's effects
upon public sentiment, and tho political morals Of
the people, stamps it's consequences permanently
upon the future policy and destiny OF this great
Republic. New Causes have come into existence,
which Will lmpart augmented Importance TO the
next and all future Presidential elections. Events
OF great magnitude have occurred within the last
few years Of our history. The vast boundaries Of
the Republic have been so extended az to embrace
acquisitions greater in territorial extent than the
most renowned nations Of the earth. The out
stretched wings OF our bird of liberty-our glorious
American Eagle-Dow extends from the Atlantic
to the ar-distant shores of the Pacific shetering
and protecting twenty five millions of people, who,
under Constitution which secures to all political
equality and the right TO worship God according
to the dictates of their own conscences, are happy
prosperous, and free. Applause. Commensurate
with the territorial expansion of our country has
been it's progress in other respects-in population,
in agriculture and manufactures, in commerce
and navi CATION, in education and internal improve.
ments, In power and patronage, in its revenues
and its expenditures. Into every of the thirty
one States which constitute this confederated
Union, the Federal Government extends its Bril-
arian arms, with patronage to dispense. and
honors and emoluments to bestow. The Republic,
and the States which compose it, have reached a
position OF power and grandeur which makes the
Offices and honors of the Federal and State
Governments more attractive objects of ambition
than herctoiore and as, under our republican sys-
TEN Of government, all these honors and emolu
ments all have an equal right 10 aspire to- thousands
OF ambitious men crowdng upon the theatre of
politics, eager to win honor and fame in the public
scrvce; and, organized into political parties, they
press forward to their objects with a reckless
eagerness which forgets to remember that the in
tcrests Of the Republic ought to be held paramount
contests to dangerous extremes. These are come
OF the causes that will impart to political sys-
TEN at the next, and all future Presidential cleo
tons, an intensity Of action calculated TO make
thoughtful patriots look to those quadrennial strug
giles with "fear and trcmbling''-with fear and
trembling, but not without hope, for cit is treason
to despair Of the Republic" Fellow -citizens these
remarks, though somewhat general in their char
acter, have seemed TO me 10 be not an inappropri-
ate introduction to discussion Of the question
which has brought together this large nssemblsge
OF the citizens OF New York. Tint question is who
ought the Wing party TO nominate as their candi.
date for President at the next election? answer
to that question, WILLARD FILLMORE. ICheersl
My friend (Mr. MarshalD has occupied 30 fully
all the ground necessary to be occupied this &C.
cason, that but little is left for me to saw never
theless, you will hear me, will proceed to give
some OF the reasons why, in my opinion, Mr.. Fill
more ought TO be nominated and elected President
at the next election. Voices: "Go on" ''ln the
street" Thousands are there waiting TO hear
you'll
And, after some delay, the meeting adjourned
to the stage in the street, when Mr.. E. BRooKs i'm
troduced the speaker to the vast multitude, who re-
ccived him with enthusiasm.
MIR. BaooKs said
Mr.. CHAIRMAN AND GENTLEMEs: | have the
pleasant duty Of introducing to you true West
ern Wing. He comes here from Tennessee, after
service OF twelve years or more in Congress, en-
dorscd the last time by 1900 majority-nay.
coming twice without any serious opposition. HE
name lie as well known 10 you, Wings, as that Of
your wives and children; for IL lie one of your
household gods, even Who has not heard Of
who does not know-MEREDITH p. GENTLY?
DIR. G.. then proceeded as follows:
Fellow-citizens, If you have the patience TO hear
me will proceed, as | was doing when we ad.
journed from the hall, TO give you some reasons
why we should go for Mr.. Fillmore. AZ a sout iern
man, addressing northern audience, l under
stand the delicacy OF the position occupy But,
that may justly claim tolerant hearing from the
North, think ] may claim TO be that man. I
have been in political life a considerable time; and
In the year 1899, the first spccch ever made in
Congress was in favor of admitting petitions for
the abolition OF slavery in the District Of Columbia
lCheers. This was called b some fanatical, and
was a fanatic; fanatic in my devotion to the
Union! tCheers.l ] saw that this ques.
ton which involved the safety of the Union.
saw that thousands at the North, who had no
faint OF abotionsm, were yet deeply interested in
this question, and its agitation seemed 20 me
TO present false issue between the North and the
South.
i contendcd that sound policy required the repeal
Of the rule which prohibited the reception and re-.
ference OF those petitions, because thousands OF
patriotic national men at the North believed that
rule TO be in violation OF the constitutional right of
petition, and, by refusing to repeal the rule, such
men as these were brought into seeming co opera.
ton with the Abotonsts; and thus those incendia-
rics received countenapce and rcspectability
which they could not otherwise have obtained.
When the question Of annexing Texas TO the Uni.
ted States was introduced into the politics OF the
country by President Tyler's treaty--althourh
had been In favor II that annexs alton although
the chief OF the Texan revolution had been a popu
lar chief magistrate Of Tennessee, and many Of
those who marched under his banner were Ten.