Weekly national intelligencer. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1841-1869, 1852-07-03
PRESIDENT FILLMORE.

and wishes in conncxon with the late Nominating
Convention at Baltimore, and disclose his whole
course and the motives which influenced him, in re-
gard to becoming candidate, from the time he
succeeded to the office of President by the death of
General TAYLOR We confess that we have pc
rused these letters of Mr.. FILLMORE with increased
respect for the rectitude of mind, the singleness,
honesty, unse6shnes and exclusive regard for duty
and principle which seem to have directed his ac-
tons in all his public trusts and such, we are COM
dent will be the effect of the perusal of the letters
on every unprejudiced mind :
WASHINGTON, JUNE IL, 1852. y
Hon. GEORGE r. BABcoCK, Delegate to The National WAg
Convention from Me Buffalo District, NJ Y
My DEAR SIR To You, as personal and political
FRIEND representing my old Congressional district which
has never deserted betrayed me- desire now to make
last request and that is, that you present to the pre-
siding officer of the Convention for nominating candidates
President and Vice President whenever you may deem
proper the enclosed letter withdrawing my name from
the consideration Of that Convention.
In determining what is proper time to comply with
this request you will consider only the which we
engaged and the reasonable claim which my friends
may have to the Of my name for its advancement
!
for the cause wish distinctly understood that ask
thing for myself and you viii therefore decide this ques
ton wholly regardless Of any real supposed wish of
mine.
That my friends to whose solicitations have yielded
in this matter may not be preudiced by my withdrawal
have not thought it proper disclose this intended act
to any person but yourself lest it might be said that
SO doing had not acted in good faith those who have
thought my essential to the success of the Wing
cause You will therefore perceive that the responsibility
is with you and with you alone to keep the whole pro-
found secret until the proper time shall arrive present
my letter to the Conventions and Of this with full con-
dence in your prudence and wisdom constitute you the
sole judge.
On the hand, you will be careful guard against
any premature act disclosure which might embarrass
my friends and give them just of complaint WHILE
the other, you will suffer my to be dragged
into contest for nomination which never sought
do not SEEK and would not take if rendered but in
discharge of implied obligation which every
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 obedien servant
WILLARD FILLMORE.
WASHINGTON, JUNE TO- 1852.
TO The President Of the National Wing Convention:
SIR This communication win be presented to you and
through you the delegated wisdom of the Wing party
which you preside by the Hon. GEORGE r. BABcocK
who represents in your body the Congressional district
in which reside.
trust that shall be pardoned by the Convention for
advertng briefly to the which have pursued and
the which have induced it, of explain
ing why have selected this time and mode Of making
this annunciation.
All must recollect that when was so suddenly and
unexpectedly called to the exalted station which
occupy by the death of my amented and lusrous pre-
decessor there crisis in public affairs full of
difficulty and danger. The country agtated by po-
ca and sectional passions and dissensions growing out
of the slavery and Territorial questions then pending and
for which Congress had yet been able agree upon
measure of compromise and adjustment.
The Union itself threatened with dissolution and
patriots and statesmen looked with apprehension to the
future In that feeling participated profoundly
The difficulties and dangers which surrounded
calmly but anxiOusly surveyed, was oppressed By q
sense Of the great responsibilities that rested upon
and sincerely disrusted my ability to sustain them in
manner satisfactory and useful to the country. But
was bound to make the attempt and to do with any
hope of success felt it necessary to discard every per-
sonal consideration and devote myself to the difficult task
before with entire singleness Of heart
To prepare and strengthen myself for this task,
deavored to lay aside far practicable every merely
selfish consideration, Danish from my mind every local
sectional prejudice and to remember only that was
American citizen, and the magistrate Of the American
Republic bound regard every portion and section Of
with equal justice and imparalty. That might do this
the eectualy resolved within myself not to seek
o reelection.
Thus prepared entered upon the discharge Of my Of
fetal duties with determination to do every thing in
my power to aid in the settlement Of those dangerous
controversies Fortunately for our favored country,
majority in both Houses Of Congress- rising above
party and personal considerations noby and patrotca
ly devoted themselves the great work of paci6caton
The constitutional advisers whom had called to my
aid and whose fidelity, talents and patriotism the
country is chiefly indebted for any benefit it may have
received from my Administration with unanimity and
zeal worthy of every commentator cordially gave their
countenance and influence to the legislative department
in perfecting and adopting those healing measures Of
compromise to which, upon their passage, felt bound by
every consideration Of public duty, to give my official
approval These laws being enacted my constitutions
duty was equally plain TO take that they rere faith
fully erecusd But this found the most painful Of all
my official duties Nevertheless, resolved to perform it.
regardless Of all consequences to myself and In doing
So determined to know North and no South, and no
friends but those who sustained the constitution and laws
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 time threat
ened to array State against State and brother against
brother and deuge our happy land with fraterna blood
and desolae Il with fire and sword has fortunately pass
ed away The surgng pillows of sectional agitation
Gained and the public mind is fast settling down into