Brownlow's Knoxville Whig. [volume] (Knoxville, Tenn.) 1855-1861, 1856-08-30
IIEiR~NILLlDD FILLMORE (!
Fnlmoro's Speech ut Albany, N. y

! FILLMORE onierihlns those sentiments Nhich
every patriot would lkc to see animating the
Chief Magistrate Of the Republic, let him
rend the following speech by MilIaN Fillmore,
at Albany, on his way through that city. The
heart of tha whole country will trob rcspon.
siyc to such sentiments let every patriot
take hi- stand beside Mr. Fillmore on the
ground here taken by that gentleman, aud
peace and prosperity will soon DO restored to
the Union
Mn. MNoR ASp FELLow-CirHESs This
overwhelming demonstration Of conuatula,ion
and welcome almost depriyes me of the power
Of speech. Here nearly thirty years ago
commenced my political career In this build
ing first saw legislative body in session,
lchecrs but Mt thnt time Il never entered into
the aspirations Of my heart that should ever
receive such o welcome rs this IN the capital
OF my native State.
You have been pleased, sir To allude to my
former services and my probable course, " !
should again he called to the position Of Chief
Magistrate Of the nation. II is not pleasant
10 speak " ones self yet trust the occasion
will justify me In brcAy aluding 70 ono on two
events connected with my past ADMINISTRATION
You MI know that when was first called to
the Executive Chair by a bereavement which
overwhelmed the nation with grief, the ooun-
try was unfortunately ngitnted from one end
T. the otherupon the exciting subject Of slave
/ ry, Il was then, sir, that felt Il my duty 10
rise above every sectional prejudice and look
to the welfare Of the whole nation was
compelled ton certain extent, to overcome long
cherished p,jUdi,,s, and disregard party
claims
But in doing this, sir, lid no more than
was done by many ADLER and better men than
myself. was BY no means the sole nstru.
mcnL under Providence, in hamoniziug those
difficulties. There were NJ that time indepcn.
. dent high soulod men In both Houses Of Con-
grcS', belonging 10 both the great political par
tics of The country Wings and Democrats
who spurncd the character Of selfish party
leaders, and rallied around my administration,
in support Of the great measures which rcstor.
cd peace 10 our agitated aud distracted coun-
try BY the blessing of Divine Providence,
our efforts were crowned with signal success,
and when left the Presidential Chair the
whole nation was prosperous aud coutcntcd.
and our relations with an foreign nations were
! OF the most amicahe kind The cloud that
/ hung upon the horizon was dissipated, but
/ where are we now Alas Threatened nt
| home with civil war, nnd from abroad with
rupture of cur peaceful relations. | shall not
seek to trace the causes Of this charge, These
are the facts, and II is for you to ponder upon
them, OF the present administration have
nothing TO say | eau appreciate the dinicul.
ties Of administering this Government, aud il
the present Executive and his supporters have
with good intention md honest henrts, made u
mistake, hope God may forgive them as | do.
But II there be those who have brought these
calamniuo' upon the country, for selfish or
ambitious objects, 1t is your duty fellow ciu-
rens, TO hold them 10 strict responsibility.
The agitation which disturbed the peace Of
the country IN 1850 was unavoidable. II was
brought upon us by the acquisition OF new ter
ritory for the government Of which it was mo- .
oessary 10 provide territorial administrations
IL is for you to say whether the present agin.
ton which distpots the country and threat
ems US with civil war, has not been recRlqssly
and wantony produced by the adoption of
measure TO aid In personal advancement rather
than in any public good,
Sir you have been pleased to say that I.have
the union OF these States at hear,. in. sir.
Is most true, for II there be one object dearer
to me than any other, il is the unity prosperi.
ty, and glory Of this great Republics and con
fess frankly, sir, that ! fear it is in danger. |
say nothing Of any particular section, much
less Of the several candidates before the pco-
pie. presume they are all honorable men
But, sir, what DO we see! An exnsperate1
feeling between the North and the South, on
the most exciting OF all topics, resulting in
bloodshed and organized military array
But this is not al sir. We see political
party, presenting candidates for the presiden.
cy aud Vice Presidency, selected for the first
time from the free States alone, with the ayow-
ed purpose of electing these candidates by the
suiiruge' Of one part of the Union ouly to rule
over the whole United states. Can It be posi-
BILE that those who are engaged in such meas
ure can have seriously ronec ted on the cense-
quenccs, which must inevitably follow in case
Of success? Can they have the madness or
folly TO believe that our Southern brethren
would submit To he governed by such Chief
Mngstrnte' Would he be required to follow
the rule prescribed by those who elected him in
making his appointments II n man living
south of Mason and Dixon's line be not worthy
to be President or Vice President would il be
proper tn select one from the same quarter as
one Of his Cabinet Council, or to represent the
nation in foreign country? Or, indeed, to
collect the Revenue or administer the laws Of
the United States, II not, what new rule is
the President to adopt in selecting men for Of
fcel
These are serious, but practical questions,
and in order to appreciate them fully it is
only necessary to turn the tables upon them
selves Suppose that the South hayinga ma
jority of the electoral Votes should declare that
they would have only shareholders for PreH-
dent and Vice President, and should elect such
by their exclusive sufirages TO Sule over Us ut
the North. Do you think we would submit to
IL! No, not for n moment And do you be-
licve that your Southern brethren are less sem
sitvc on this subject than you are, or less
jealous Of their right! IL you do, let me tell
you that you are mistaken. And, therefore,
you mnst see that If this sectional party sue
ceeds, il leads inevitably to the destruction Of
this beautiful fabric, reared by our forciathers,
ccmcnted by their blood, and bequeathcd US as
n priceless inheritance.
tel you, my friends, that speak warmly
on this subject, for feel that We are in dan
ger. mn determined 10 make q clean breast
Of it, will wash my hands Of the consequent
ces, whatever they may he (; and ! tell you that
we are iieading upon the brink Of volcano.
that is liable at any momcut to burst forth and
overwhem the nation. | might by soit word,
hold out delusive hopes and thereby win votes,
but never eau consent 10 he one thing TO the
North aud another TO the south. | should de-
spisc myself if | could be guilty Of such eva
sion. For my conscience would still ask with
the dramatic poet
u. ther- not .oms secret curse
some hidden thunder red With immortal wrath
T. HAT the wretch who owes his greatness
To he country, ruin'7 Che.r,)
In the language Of the lamentcd. immortal
Clay" had rather he right than be presi
dent Enthusiastic aud prolonged cheers.
j. seems 10 me- impossible that those enga-
ged in this sectional agitation can have con
templated the awful consequences Of success.
II il breaks nsunder the bonds Of our Union
and spreads anarchy and civil war through the
land, what Is 1t less than moral treason -
And let me also add, that when this Union Is
dissolved, IL will not be divided into two re-
publics or two monarchies. but broken into
fragments each at war with the other.
But, fellow citizens, I have perhaps said all
that was necessary on this subject, and | turn
with pleasures to q less important but more
agreeable topic. II has been my fortune, dur
ing my travels in Europe to witness once or
twice the reception Of royalty, in oil the pomp
and splendor of military array, where the
music was given TO order aud the cheers at the
word Of command. But, for myself, ] prize
the honest spontaneous throb Of affection with
which you have welcomed me back to my ma
tive State above all the pageanis which royalty
can display. Therefore, with n heart over
flowing with grateful emotions, ! return you
thousand thanks and bid you adieu prolOug
ell applause.
TnE EAGLE oRAros,-Msj. Gus. Henry
b,s nn,s,ad tho ranvass HAVING mnda n hrii. .