The daily union. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1845-1857, 1852-07-01
Letter OF Mr.. Fillmore TO the President or the
National Wing Convention.


10 the President of he National Wig Convention.
Sin: This communication will be presented 10 YOU,
and through you TO the delegated wisdom OF the wing
party over which you preside by the Hon George r. Bah
cock VINO represents your body The congressional DIS
trust that shall be pardoned by the convention for
adyerDg briefly 10 the which have pursued, aud
the causes which have induced il, Of explain
ing why nave selected this Tune and mode oil making
this communication.
ALI musl reeoec that when was SO suddenly and un
expecedy called 10 the exalted station which now oc-
cupy by the death OF my amented and ustfious prede
eessor there crisis ia public affairs ful oil dim
Guilty and danger The country was agated by political
and sectional passions and discussions, growing oui OF
the slavery and TERRITORIAL questions then pending, and
for which Congress hid yet been able TO agree upon
no measure OF compromise and adjustment
The Union itself was threatened WIN dissolution, and
patriots and statesmen looked with apprehension 10 the
future In that feeling participated most profoundly
The difficulties and dangers which surrounded us
calmly but anxiousy surveyed. was oppressed by =
and sincerely disrusled my ability 10 sustain them in
satisfactory and useful TO the country. But
hope OF success felt il necessary TO discard every per
sonal consideration, and devote myself to the difficult
task before me with entire singleness of heart.
To prepare and strengthen myself for This task
deavored to lay aside far practicable. every merely
selfish consideralonto Danish from my mind every local
sectional prejudice-and to remember only that
American citizen, and the magistrate OF the American
republic, bound 10 regard every portion and section of il
with equal justice and impariality That might do
this The eectuay resolved within myself not to
seek a re. election
Thus prepared entered upon the discharge OF my Of
fetal duties, with determination TO do everything in my
power aid in the settlement of those dangerous
verses Fortunately Tor favored country, majority
in both houses OF Congress- rising above party and
personal considerations, nobly and periodically devoted
themselves TO the great work OF pacibcaon. The
stutional advisers whom had called to my aid and to
whose fidelity, talents, and patriotism the country is
chiefly indebted Tor any benefit it may have received
from my administration, With unanimiiy and zeal
worthy OF every commentator. cordially gave their
counenance and influence TO the legislative department
in perecng 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 constitutional
duty equally plain 10 stake that they faith
fully eIeeaed But this found the most painiul Of all
my official duties Nevertheless, resolved 10 perform
it, regardless OF all consequences to myself and in doing
80, determined TO know no North and no Southland
friends but those who sustained the constitution and
laws--and enemies bu, 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 Stale and brother ans
brother, and deuge happy land with ra!ernal blood
aud desolae with fire and sword has fortunately passed
away The surging pillows of sectional agitation
calmed and the public mind is fast settling down 10 its
accustomed channels, and will its woned de-
voon 10 the constitution and the Union.
Awaiting myself~oi this happy change, had deter
mined when the presen. Congress met, 10 announce to
the public IN my annual message, my previous resolu
ton not to suffer my 10 before the National
Convention for nomination. accordingly pre-
pared paragraph TO that effect, but was finally
persuaded to strike it out, lest il might have an
uniayorable influence upon the then pending election
in Virginia. After that had passed, concluded to with
draw my name by Published address TO the people, and
prepared one accordingly; but this coming TO the know
edge Of of my friends they represented that
my withdrawal, at that time, would not only endanger
the perpe!aty OF those measures which deemed es-
senta TO the peace and welfare OF the country but would
sacrifice many friends who had stood by my admnistra.
ton in the dark and penous crss through which il had
so recently passed. The first was an appeal 10 my pa
triotism and the second To my gratitude. could resist
neither and therefore yielded 10 their request and con-
sened that my should remain where il was, until
time should show, presumed it would, that lis further
use could neither benefit them nor the which all
had much at heart. 1t was however distinctly under
stood that could not consent any efforts procure
nom saton, but il one freely and voluntarily
dered should not be at liberty TO decline il.
he embarrassing question presents ITSELF who is
TO determine when the Of my can no longer
benefit my friends or our common cause To assume
TO decide tins myself, IN advance OF the convention,
without consultation with those who have generously
sustained me, might be deemed by them unjust. To
consult them is utterly impractcable, and 10 suffer my
name to go into contest for the nomination is contrary
to my original intention, and utterly repugnant TO my
feelings. have, therefore, without consultation with
any one, felt justified IN assuming the responsibility OF
authorizing and requesting Mr.. Babcock either before
or after any vote may be taken in the convention. and
whenever be shall be satisfied that have discharged my
duty TO my friends and the country TO present this letter
and withdraw my name IRON the consideration OF the
convention
trust tina, my friends will appreciate the necessity
which compels me 10 act without consulting them.
would cheenuly make any personal sacrifice for their
sakes Tor the good oil my country. but have nothing
TO ask for myself yielded with sincere reluctance TO
their entreaties 10 suder my remain before The
public as possible candidate. 1 knew that il placed
me IN false position. foresaw that il would subject
me 10 the base imputaon Of seeking nomination and
OF using the patronage OF the government 10 obtain IT,
and then to the mortfying iaunts from the mag
nant OF having beea defeated But conscious OF
my integrity, cheefuy consented TO encounter ali
tbs rather than that my friends should feel that was
Indifferent either 10 them the cause and am most
happy TO avail myself OF this occasion TO return my sin
cere thanks, and 10 express the grateful emotions OF nv
heart TO those friends OF the country who have so gene.
rously and nobly stood by the constitution and the
Union, during the perilous scenes through which we
have Just passed My sincere prayer is that their coun-
try may cherish and reward them according TO theil
merits.
hope and trust that my Withdrawal may enable the
convention TO unite harmoDously upon some more de.
serving candidaie-one who, il elected. may be more
successful in winning and REFINING the confidence of the
party TO which he is attached than have been Divided
as we were upon my accession 10 The presidency
tons oil vital importance, II impossible for me to
pursue which would satisfy all have moi at
tempted Il. have sought more anxously 10 do what
right than what would please; and shall feel no
disappointment at finding that my conduct has in the
estimation OF majority OF the convention, rendered me
unavailable candidate But Il should al all times be
a subject OF elicltailon 10 any man that he has been
is consequence which neither he his friends have
any to regret and hope mine will view il in that
light
For myself, permit me TO add, have further aspa.
tions. feel that have enjoyed much of public
bonors than deserved, and shall soon retire from this
exalted station with infinitely satisfaction than
entered upon H. and with heart grateful for the conf.
la.n IL -.