The republic. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1849-1853, 1852-07-01


lin discharge of implied obligation, which T.
every man assumes upon uniting with POLITICAL
party, which is to yield to the will of majority OF
those with whom he acts.
have the honor to be, your friend and obedent u
servant, WILLARD FILLMORE.
WAsHINeToN, June 10, 1852.
ITO the PREsiDESr Of the National Wing Conven- {
tom
Sir This communication will be presented TOT
[you, and through you 10 the delegated wisdom of
THE Wing party over which you preside, by the 9
Hon. George r.. Babcock, who represents in your
body the Congregational district in which reside
trust that shall be pardoned by the conven-
|tion for adverting briefly to the which !
|have pursued, and the causes which have induced
Iit, a means Of explaining why have selected
this time and mode of making this annunciation.
All must recollcct that when was suddenly &
land unexpectedly called to the exalted stationR 4
which now occupy, by the death of my lamentedx
land illustrious predecessor, there crisis in
Jour public affairs full of difficulty and danger
The country was agitated by political and section
|al passions and dissensions, growing out of the +
slavery and territorial questions then pending, Is
land for which Congress had yet been able to 4
|agree upon no measure of compromise and adjust
Gment.
The Union itself was threatened with dissoIu- :
1prehenslon to the future. In that feeling partici
lpated most profoundly. The difficulties and dan
3gers which surrounded us were calmly but anxious
2ly surveyed. l wac oppressed by sense Of the +
agreat responsibilities that rested upon me, and
{cerely distrustcd my ability to sustain them in al
manner satisfactory and useful to the country
But was bound to make the attempt; and to do itT
with any hope of success felt it necessary to dis
card every personal consideration, and devote my
aself to the difficult task before me with entireY
4singleness of heart.
To prepare and strengthen myself for this task
| endeavored to lay aside, far practicable,
every merely selfish considerations; to Danish from
/ my mind every local sectional prejudice; and1
to remember only that was American citizen,
and the magistrate of the American Republic, |
bound to regard every portion and section of i'll
with equal justice and impartiality. That might
do this the more efTsctually. resolved within my
3sef not to seek election.
Thus prepared, entered upon the discharge of
my official duties with determination to do everyf
3hng in my power to aid in the settlement of thosei
dangerous controversies Fortunately for our ia
vored country, majority in both Houses Of Con-
gress, rising above mere party and persona! con
siderations, nobly and periodically devoted them
selves to the great work of pacihcation. The con
stitutional advisers whom had called to my aid i
and to whose fidelity, talents, and patriotism ]
the country is chiefly indebted for any benefit i'll
may have received from my Administration, with
unanimity aud zeal worthy Of every common
dalton, cordially gave their countenance and in
8huence to the legislative department in perfecting
and adopting those healing measures of Compro-
misc, to which, upon their passage, felt bound, by
evcry consideration ofpublic duty givemy official
approval. These laws being enacted, my consti-
tutional duty was equally plain, to stake care that
They toere fully erecutfd." But this found the
most painful of all my official duties. Neverthe-
less, resolved to perform it, regardless of all con-
&scquences to myself; and in doing So determined
to know North and no Southland no friends|
but those who sustained the Constitution and lave
and no enemies but those who opposed them.
The gratifying result of this policy is before you
! and the country. The angry strife which for al
ainie threatened to array State against State, and
4brothcr against brother, and deluge happy and
with fraternal Blood and desoatc il with fire andI
3sword, has fortunately passed away. The surging
#billows Of sectional agitation Gained and the
public mind is fast settling down into its accustom
ed channels. and will soon renew its wonted devo.
ton TO the Constitution and the Union.
Awaiting myself of this happy change hnd de-
termined, when the present Congress met, to an
nounce to the public, in my annual message, myI
previous resolution not to suffer my name to GOMEZ
before the National Convention for a nomination. II
accordingly prepared paragraph to that effect,
but was finally persuaded to strike it out lest i'll
: might have an unfavorable influence upon theI
then pending election in Virginia. After that
had passed, concluded to withdraw my namcI
10y published address to the people, and pre-
Apared one accordingly; but this coming to thef
knowledge of some of my friends, they represented
to me that my withdrawal at that time, would notI
,ply opbop mi ~ of 81
which deemed essential to the peace and vel
fare of the country, but would sacrifice many!
Friends who had stood by my Administration inI
the dark and perilous crisis through which il hads
r. 90 recently passed The first was appeal to my
patriotism, and the second to my gratitude. II
could resist neither, and therefore yielded therl
request, and consented that my name should re
4 main where it was. until time should show, as II
presumed it would that ts further use could mel
+ Their benefit them nor the cause which all hadI
: so much at heart. II was, however, distinctly un
xdcrstood that could not to any efforts
Etc procure n nomination, but if one were frecyi
land voluntarily rendered., should not be at liberty
Ito decline it,
The embarrassing question presents iscf, +
who is TO determine when the use of my name can
no longer benefit my friends, common cause?
To to decide this myself, in advance OF the
convention, without consultation with those who'd
have so generously sustained me- might BIO deemcdA
by them unjust. To consult them is utterly i'm
practicable, and TO suffer my name to go into ~
contest for the nomination is contrary to my origi
nal intention, and utterly repugnant to my feel I
1ings. have, therefore, without consultation With
Iany one, felt Justified in assuming the responsible
lily of authorizing and requesting MIR. Babcock, \
either before after any vote may be taken in the
convention and whenever he shall be sat!ied that
II have discharged my duty TO my friends and the
country, to present this letter, and withdraw my
name from the consideration of the convention.
trust that my friends will appreciate the neces
|sity which compels Inc to act without consulung&
ithem. / would chcerfuly make any personal sac e
rihcc for their sakes or for the good of my ooun
TRY; but have nothing to ask for myself yielded1
with sincere reluctance to their cntreatics to suffer
py name to remain before the public possible &
candidate. know that it placed me in false pc q
sition. foresaw that it would subject me the r
base imputation of seeking nomination, and OF =
using the patronage of the Government to obtain :
it, and then to the notifying taunts from the
Of b,v tod