Richmond daily times. [volume] (Richmond [Va.]) 1850-1853, 1852-03-02
MIR. FILLMORE.

MIR. FILLMORE.
The Wings of Tennessee, Kentucky and Ma
ryland have already, through State Conventions
declared their preference for Mr.. Fillmore as
the Wing candidate for the Presidency, and
there can be but little doubt that their example
will be followed by the Wings of every other
Southern State So far as this State is concern
ed, we hazard nothing in saying that Mr.. Fill
more is the first choice of nine-tenths of the
Wing party. The Wings of the South cannot
but be sensible that Mr.. Fillmore has incurred
the deadly enmity of the free-soil and abolition
factions Of the North by the high national
ground which he has taken with reference to
the Slavery question, and the manly firmness
and consistency with which he has maintained
it, 1t rarely happens that public officer, &C.
cupying high position and calledon to act I'M
der difficult and trying circumstances givesen-
tire satisfaction to his political friends. but Mr.
Fillmore, although a Northern man, has sue
ceeded in winning the complete confidence and
respect of the Southern wing of his party, and
it would be difficult to point out one act of his
administration which does not command their
entire appreciation.
Under these circumstances he is Justly enti-
tied to a renewal of their confidence, and we
are pleased to see that they are ready and anA-
ious to bestow it. The abandonment of Mr.
Fillmore in the present emergency would be an
act of political ingratitude of which we believe
the Wings of Virginia to be wholly incapable, and
which we are satisfied, they have never contem-
plated for moment. No considerations of tenn
porary expediency could furnish the slightest
justification of such step. IF we of the South,
shrink from the support of the few Northern
statesmen who have patriotism and moral firm
ness enough to breast the tide of anti-slavery
fanaticism in the free States, the day will soon
come when not an arm will be lifted in our de-
fence in that quarter. The Northern man who
dares to treat with respedt the compromises Of
the Constitution, and holding himself aloof from
the pernicious factions of the day, to maintain
a national position with reference to the subject
of slavery, exposes himself to a fearful storm o.
prejudice and obloquy at home. This has beer
the fate of President Fillmore. No politician
of either party, north of the Potomac, is more
opHOXlOuS lldn lie, nOC only 10 Tie aDOHblOnlSts
proper, but to that larger class constituting, we
fear, a majority Of the people of the free States
who without assuming the name of abolition
asts, hold the institutions of the South in deadly
adherence, and look upon every Northern MAJ
as traitor to his section who shows DISPOSE
ton to respect our Constitutional rights. Mr.
Fillmore has forever forfeited the favor of sucl
Northern Wings as belong to this class, and we
trust that in the National Convention for nomi
mating a Wing candidate for the Presidency, the
Southern delegations will remember the fac
and testify by unanimous and cordial vote il
his favor their high sense of the self sacrificing
magnanimity which has courted political mar
tyrdom in the fearless discharge of public duty
We are far from desiring to disparage the
claims of the other two distinguished men
General Scott and Mr.. Webster,) whose
names have been suggested by their respective
friends in connection with the Wing nomina,
ton. We would not be understood to intimate
chat these gentlemen are unworthy the support
of Southern Wings. But Mr.. Fillmore is the
incumbent Of the Presidential office, and hay
sng proved himself in every way worthy of the
station, we think that his claims are entitled to
take precedence of theirs. He is our first choice
for President, and we have deemed it our duty to
declare our preference frankly and without re-
serve.