Staunton spectator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1849-1896, 1853-03-02
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WEDNESDAY, MARCH >. 1853.
The Fillmore Administration.

On Friday next, the lth of March, the present
Executive Of the United States will retire from
Office. and the reins Of Government will lie taken
No BIZ new and untried hands. We are not dis
posed to condemn the Incoming administration III
advance, but will ehdeayor to judge 1t candldly--
at all times giving due credit when We eau non
estly approve It's measure; but the occasion s"g
rests a few remarks in reference to the adj
ministration now about to expire, expressive OF
sentiments which We entertain in common with
vas, number, if not majority, OF the people OF
the United States.
Fo, nearly three years President FILLMORE
has been at the head Of the Government
During this time he encountered an unusual
number Of trying difliculties--that they were
wisely and periodically treated is even now gen
orally admitted. These various questions lnvolv-
ed matters Of the utmost importance to the coun-
try, and required a clear head and honest heart
Cor their MANAGEMENT Had there been any weak
ness or yacllatiou or want of fidelity on the part
oS the Executive. we would inevitably have been
involved in most disastrous troubles. But PreSi-
dent FihbMoRE has brought us s2lely through
them all-his manly common sense and tirmness
of resolution and integrity of purpose being found
equal 10 every emergency Without pretense OF
senius, he has always exhibited just that power OF
intellect with the occasion demanded; without
noise or display he has consistently kept the even
tenor Of his way, doing his whole duty, but Off
cousy attempting nothing more; without swag-
gering about ''54 40 or fight," "the whole of Or
egon or none," and seeking to browbeat other ma
tons, he has fully maintained the honour and III
,erests of his own country. At times during his
administration, he has been the object OF vlrulent
uarty ASSAULT but at the close of it., he stands uni
yersally admitted to be honest man and the wis
dom of his policy has extortcd Communications from
his political foes While then others pay their lul
some tribute of praise to the rising sun, we turn to
the setting luminary, and offer TO 1t our humble
NEED Of gratitude and admiration.
But although the President is entitled to the
chief credit of good administration, occupying the
place of chief responsibility, his advisers and help
ers shonld not be overlooked, Indeed, in nothing
has the discretion of President FILLMORE been
more manifest than in the selection Of his Cabinet
couusellors. 1t has been his good fortune to gath
or around him as Cabinet officers some OF the Wis
est and best men of the country. WEBSTER, and
EVERETT, and CRlrrENDEN, and CoRwIN, and
GRAHAM, and KENNEDY and others, compose a
constellation of statesmen such as has rarely been
witnessed in this country. To have been one OF
such a body is enough to satisfy very high am
bition but our distinguished tellowcitizen, the
Secretary Of the Interior has superior grotitca-
tion.-He has ably and faithfully discharged the
arduous duties of his office and stood the test OF
severe partizan scrutiny. He will soon return TO
the comparative obscurity OF his former residence,
and take his position as private citizen, bat he
viii enjoy the satisfaction of having acted well his
part in the place he has left even though no other
honours await him.