The Athens post. [volume] (Athens, Tenn.) 1848-1917, 1852-12-24
LETTER FROM MIR. FILLMORE.

Just after the action of the Wing National
Convention of Baltimore was made known
some gentlemen of Lexington (Ky) wrote q
letter to Mr.. Fillmore, assuring him that the
result had not in the slightest degree impair.
ed their confidence in him, or their interest in
his success now and hereafter. The follow.
ing is the Presidents reply:
WASHINGTON, August 9, 1852.
Gentlemen:-YOurle letter Of the 25th of
June came to hand on the 30th ult., and
avail myself Of the first leisure moment to
express to you my grateful acknowedg dgments
for the unexpected and l fear, undcserved
honor which you have done me.
Were la prominent candidate for the place
which now occupy, or were just entering
upon the discharge Of its high and response
BILE duties, | might suspect the motive that
dictated so ilattering an estimate of my merits.
But your letter is addressed to one who is
about to retire from the political world
whose sands are so nearly run that he has
neither honors nor emOlument to bestOw.-
Under such circumstances, however may dis
trust my own deserts, am not at liberty to
doubt the sincerity of your motives.
When, therefore, | recognise, as l do,
among your signatures some old and endear-
ed friends, and many distinguished names
which Kentucky has long delighted to honor,
| cannot suppress the grateful emotions of
my heart ut receiving such Il ilattering tcsti-
monial from so distinguished and disntcrest-
ed Il source. While lcannot feel that de-
serve all the encomiums which you have been
pleased to bcstow upon my efforts to serve
the country, yet can truly say that | have,
regardless Of all consequences to myself,
endeavored to promote its true glory by sus-
tanning its Constitution in all its parts, and
by impartially executing all laws passed in
pursuance oft; by recommending only such
measures MS thought would promote the
pable men for Office; by dealing justly with
all nations and "torming entangled alliances
with none;" exacting nothing from the weak
but what was clearly our due, and yielding
nothing to the strong which they had not u
right to claim; and need hardly add, that
cannot feel otherwise than highly gratted to
learn from 50 intelligent portion of my
felIow-citizcns that, in their opinion, these
efforts to serve my country have not been al
together in vain.
But, gentlemen, this free will offering Of
yours has an additional value in my estima-
ton from its locality. lis from the friends
and neighbors of the amcntcd Clay, whose
tomb is bedcwcd with nations tears. Such
a tribute from such source could not fail to
stir the deepest emotions Of the heart, and
bring with it Il thousand tender rccollections
of the ilustrious dead. He was my friend.
He was the friend of his country. His ashes
now rest in your midst, but his fame fills the
earth. confess that appreciate your COM
munication the more highly because it comes
from men who have long been his daily COM
panions listened to his soul-stiring eloquence,
and imbibed his noble sentiments of patri-
Otism.
Next, in my estimation, to the approval of
my own conscience, is the enlightened appro
baton Of those whom have endeavored to
serve, and shall cherish this distinguished
mark of your confidence and esteem, to my
latest breath. 1t shall add renewed zeal to
my efforts for the brief remainder Of my term,
and cheer my hours Of solitude when retire
to the shades of private life.
have the honor to be your friend and
fcllow-citizcn, MILLARD FILLMORE.