Southern sentinel. [volume] (Plaquemine, Parish of Iberville [La.]) 1848-1858, 1856-07-19
MR.. FILLMoRE's SPEECHES.


Under the above caption, the Balti-
more American of the Sd inst, has very
sound, true and just article to which we
invite the attention of the calm and dis
passionate reader:
1t has been the effort of political par
ties heretofore, when placing their eaudi-
dates forward on the Presidential course,
to reduce them as nearly as possible to
the condition of automats, and to strictly
discourage any action on their part not
provided for in the workings of the poll
ticaI machinery that is TO them the sole
guide of duty and inclination. Mr.. Blu
channan has committed himself openly
to this system of tactics, avowing that
though there were many things he, as Jas.
Buchanan, would liked to lave said, yet,
as the candidate of the Democratic party,
he was under the control of an iuexora-
bic necessity that bade him remain silent;
and again in his letter of acceptance, he
more formally recognizes this doctrine of
political retineuce, by declaring that he
would make no reply to inquiries as to
his opinions upon special topics of ma
tional interest, but refer all such inqui-
rers to the platform prepared by his party,
and upon which he had placed himself.
No doubt this course is polite, and in
Mr. Buchannn's case, will save him from
embarrassing questionings, a-trne answer
to which would have developed to what
an extent his real sentiments differed from
those he has endorsed for party purpo-
ses; but we cannot avoid comparing the
course of Mr.. Buchanan with that of MIR.
Fillmore, and pointing ont the difference
between the man who runs as the candi-
date of party united for the spoils whilst
divided upon almost every principle of its
political creed, aud the man whe, having
no sentiments he desires to hide or dis
guise, boldly and freely answers all in
quiries, avoiding no point where motives
of policy might indicate the value Of ST.
lence. but placing his opinion fairly upon
record, with the noble declaration that he
would rather be right than be President
The position of Mr.. Fillmore since his
return to this country, has indeed been
one which few men could have sustained
as well as he has. Though subjected TO
an am cunt of questioning. and required
TO reply constantly to speeches containing
alIusion to subjects which most candi-
dates would desire to avoid, he has never
for one moment hesitated, prevaricated,
or become embarrassed, either by the no.
yelty or the dangers of his situation. Act
ing upon the high rule of principle and
not from expediency, his sound sense,
ready determination, and quick apprecia-
ton, have enabled him in series of
speeches drawn forth ut random and
made under circumstances altogether pre-
Guiding preparation, TO declare the pur-
poses that would control his administra-
ton if elected, to indicate his opinion up
on vexed questions of sectional politics,
and TO inculcate sound, wholesome, ma
tional principles. His friends, amid these
dangers of receptions and rejoicings, have
had no occasion to blush for or fear for
him. The sound principles and native
good sense of the man have at once pre-
Guided all such sensations. He has said
not one word they could wish nnsaid and
omitted; nothing that they could desire
not to be said; on the contrary, he has
come forth from the trial more eudeared
to their regards as man, and more ele-
vated in their estimation as statesman
and patriot.
The Whig sentiment Of the country
has special right to be gratifed with the
opinions that Mr.. Fillmore with manly
frankness has declared to be those npon
which he goes into the canvass. They
have about them the true love of the uni
on, the broad nationality and real consa.I
vatism that ut all times challaV they are
pecs Of Wings.