The republic. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1849-1853, 1852-05-12
New York Politics.

New York Politics.
We cut the following article from the Lock
port (N.~ W Journal, that our friends In the
South may see the grounds upon which Mr..
FILLMoRE is attacked at the North by the quasi
Abolition press protesting to be Wing. 1t is
hardly necessary to add that the assertion Of his
active exertion in procuring the passage Of the
Fugitive Slave law is entirely untrue. None
who know the scrupulous caution with which
Mr.. FILLMORE avoids interference in the APP
propriate duties Of Congress, except through his
public messages, will receive it with the least
degree Of credit. II SO happened that the sub
ject was before Congress when he came into the
Presidency. He had, therefore, no opportunity
to speak Of il in his message. His duties were
limited to the approval of the act when passed
by Congress, and the execution of it after il
became law. These duties he has faithfully
performed, and, for having done SO, now re-
ceives the INSCRIPTIONS condemnation Of the
Abolition Wing press Of the higher-law school:
"Ten delegates. equally apportioned from Nj
agara and Orleans counties, meet in convention at
Middleport to-day. to elect delegate to the Ma
tional Convention, to be held ut Baltimore ON the
10th Of June next. The only difference of opinion,
if any, likely to arise, is whether the delegate to
represent this district shall be favorable to the
nomination of WINFIELD ScorT, or the present in
cumbent, WILLARD FILLMORE. There are a few
facts, part of the history of Mr.. Fillmore's Ad-
ministration, which those who urge his name would
do we'll to consider-facts which will doubtless
have to be met after his nomination, If made; and
it would seem to be the part of wisdom to look them
N Nv md seq thor ~
sons why Mr.. Fillmore should not again be brought
before the people. In the first place. If nominated
Mr. Fillmore cannot be successfully defended from
the charge Of inconsistency.
effected Vice President as an uncompromising
enemy TO every concession in the Compromise
measures, Ia position sustained by him in almost
every political speech of his life,) when elevated,
through the infections Of Providence to the first
Office he became their most jealous derotee and ad.
vocate. It 10 notorious that the Omnibus bill, be-
fore the death Of General Taylor. was given up a.
lost by it's most ardent and sanguine friends and,
but for that unfortunate event, could not again have
been revived. The Executive influence was suf6-
cent to turn the scale; and the fault of Mr.. Fill
more was not SO much that he signed The Fugitive
Slave bill, that, through his influence as Presi
dent of the United States, that and kindred mea.
sures were presented for his signature.
midable of the objections that will be urged-is
not easily answered the special friends of Mr.
Fillmore would have believe. They tell US that IL
had long been Wing doctrine that the President
should not veto bill unless the ground of it's
being unconstitutional, but they fail to tell that
Mr. Fillmore, in his message, at the opening of the
very session in which the Fugitive Slave bill was
passed, unfortunately took to himself much great
latitude in the Of the veto power; so that this
explanation will not apply to him, however valid
with those who adhere to that principle. This il
the message referred to: If any act should pass
the two Houses of Congress schieh should seem TO
me TO be unconstitutional, enero0chmenf he
just potcers Of the cthU departments, or 10Th proof
'ions hastily adopted and likely to produce conse
7uences injtrious and unforeseen, should not |
'hrink from the duty Of returning Il to you soih |
ny objections
"We have not time, and it might not be deemed |
prudent. on the present occasion, to examine the
provisions of this law, and show |
how they override and totally disregard rights |
which every northern freemen has hitherto looked
upon as sacredly guaranteed by the Constitution |
If the United States. They had supposed that /
the right Of trial by jury''-"due process of /
aw"-"the rights Of people to secure their persons
against unreasonable seisures"-were not mere
nockery, but had meaning and significance. Ii
will b seen that Mr.. Fillmore Assumed 70 himselfl
he prersgative 10 judge of the constituionaity Of
he law, and to return a bill in case II contained
provisions hastily adopted, or likely to produce
Injurious and unforeseen consequences. Now, II IL
notorious that when this most obnoxious Of the
measures was passed, the House was
hot q deEberative body. DeIiberation was 81.
enced! The previous question, originally devised /
o curb the abuse Of too much debate, was, in this
;asc, perverted to stop all debate and those argu
ments that could not be met were choked down.
The floor was assigned to friend of the bill, who,
liter brief speech in palliation Of its enormities
moved the previous question--thus silencing by
orce instead Of convincing by argument. That
he execution Of this law in the free States would
cad TO injurious consequences, northern man
could fail to foresee. But We have already observed
hat the most formidable objection to Mr.. Fillmore
n this regard will be, not 90 much that the bill |
received his signature, a. that the passage of
of which that 10 one. was aided by Exc
,utive infuence-thus departing from . cardinal
Wing doctrine, recognised 90 such in every part /
II the Union, well as from principles taught by
Mr.. Fillmore from the commencement Of his poll
ical existence"
In connexion with the above, we append from
different sources statements and observations
growing out oil the appointment OF Wing dele
yates in the State Of New York. We give
hem partly as items Of intelligence, partly
hat our readers may be familiarized with cir
which at the present moment pos
less more than a merely local interest:
From the Nsp York Tribune.
Lewis Benedict was on Saturday chosen delegate
o the Wing National Convention by the Wings Of
Albany county. He was Gen. TayIor's postmas-
or at Albany, but removed soon after the acces-
ion Of Fillmore, Hall, and Ravens. He is rather
Inclined TO support Gen. Scott.
Up to this time, eight delegates have been cho-
en- 10 the Wing National Convention from 90
many districts in various sections Of our State.
liz.
Dist Co. Delegate. Residsncs.
2-Dutchess, &c. Edward p. Cowics. .Hodson.
4-Albany. Lewis Benedict. Albany.
5-Saratoga, &c. Edward Dodd. Argyle.
1-St Lawr'c, &c. Harvey DooIittle. ..Hcrkimer.
. -Oneids. ...... PaImcrv. Kellogg. Utica.
3-Jefferson, &c. WIN. l.. Esston. ). :. WATERFOWL