The daily union. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1845-1857, 1856-08-07


to be ee-soiers let refer to tho letter Of The Hon
Samuel A. Smith, which speaks IN stronger language than
can showing that Mr. Fillmore appointed but free
soilers 10 Office at the North
4 WAsuSoroS, June 7, 1851.
DEAR srR received your letter time since aud was
the time investigating the subject which yUu refer In
Tennessee, well North Carlua Of tho principal
charges against the present democratic administration Is
made b the present supporters Of Fillmore President Of
the United States This charge against President Pierce,
though unounded yet coming from tue source does has
led me To examine carefully the POLITICAL rather sectional
views Of the appontees Of Mr. Fillmore during bis prosden-
tal term.
This has been work Of no little labor and has required
time which accounts for tho delay in answering your
letter.
Upon this investigation | find the following facts
Fret, Every maq appointed to any important omsg w
Mr. Fillmore while President, whose residence was north o
Mason and Dixons line including three members OF his cab
net FREQ soils and in favor oI the Wimot pioyh9
Second. Ore Of the leading mewbers OF his cabinet the hon
Ihomas Ccrwin, OF Ohio Secretary Of tho Treasury was
prominent abUilionMt.
Third Every one II the appontees before referred to- who
had taken public position the slavery question was
known the meo his appointment be In favor Of the
prohibition u slavery in tho Territories
office by Mr. Fillmore, who had previously been appointed
lists.
Fifth. President Pierce has appointed to office since
he nauguraod who, in the Of 1867 and at the
time of his appointment believed by him to stand
the national democratic platform OF 1852, which expressly
sSn to G the s'''o on the
Sixth The difference therefore, in this respect between
have appointed some freesoers to Office without KNOW
edge Of the fact that they such at the time Mr. FIJI
mores appontees in the northern States were all ireeso
ers and known be such the time of their appointment
have made this examination and comparison with no view
ponmens to Office and the distribution of executive patron
age small matters when compared with the great principles
shall do Mr. Fillmore full justice in the coming canvass for
his conduct while President and shall not deny to him the
credit of executing faithfully the laws of the country have
the time make this investigation to show the g-
norance the inconsistency, the nsincerty OF his support
present administration is the untounded charge Of he ap
pointment of free. soilers to Office"
Excuse the brieiness oil TINS letter. . ,,,rm,r
Yours truly, 5. A. SMITH.
Hon. H. M. SHAW
Looking, Mr.. Chairman at the antecedents of Mr. Fill
more the character bis administration, and his appoint
office it would that the last national coun-
Gil of the American party repealed the platform adopted
but year since to suit the man whom
should be their nominee for President The party IN the
South fought the last battle the twelfth section Wha
advantage they gained in that contest was by the I'M
position they practised upon the people OF the South as
have already shown in my remarks that subject Inc
convention which passed the twelfth section met IN june
1855 that which repealed it in February, 1856 Just
think OF party changing its platform of principles IN elght
months Well sir the abolitionists in the national coun-
Gil, February told their brethren OF the South naV
they he South had not succeeded on the twelfth section
that they had tried 1t and failed and that they of the
NOrh) could not succeed unless the twelfth secuon was
stricken They insisted its repeal Their southern
brethren kicked little, but it was repealed The know
nohngs from the South said that the council hhd no fgh
to dictate platform of principles Notwithstanding the
constitution of the party lodged that power in the coun-
ell That is a of no consequence sir for the nom
mating convention which few days afterwards, and
composed Of nearly all the who composed the na
onal council endorsed its action on the PLATFORM and not
only did that sir but admitted the delegates headed by
the gentleman from Pennsylvania Mr.. EDE, who voted
here through thick and thin for Mr. BANKS for Speaker
d gstes who represented that part OF the American party
of Pennsy who had repudiaed the twelfth section
whilst it part Of the creed. The southern delegates
protested but finally see them coming in aud bending
to the dclaon of the anti slavery delegates swallowing
oF frvalt eubgr
doctrine and helping in the nomination OF Fillmore ana
Donelson.
Mr. Chairman the repeal Of the Missouri Compromisc
voted for by the entire South in Congress with one OF
exceptions. The Kentucky delegation in both houses
voted for IL; il sustained in every election at TIC
South single county could have been carried oy the
know nothngs OF my they denounced the repeal
Of the Missouri Compromises and yet sir after their cleo
on turnng their backs upon Their pledges endorsing thn
repeal, hey met In Philadelphia and adopted platform
the thirteenth section Of which declares opposition y tho
reckless and unwise policy OF the administration
ss shown in eopening sectional agitation oy the repeal o.
the Missouri Compromise Yes, sir these men who owe
their present position here their unqualified appreciation
the repeal Of the Missouri Compromise meet IN national
council and Join 10 denouncing IT. On TINS secaon enu
the repeal Of the twelfth section Of the platform OF 1882
Mr. Fillmore nominated; and the southern men VINO
support him have registered edct against thcmSeve2
But let look into this seventh section, adopted IN
lieu OF the twelfth section and Its rottonness The
seventh section says:
"The recognition Of the right Of the naveborn and nat
urazed citizens Of the United States permanently residing
Y
laws and TO regulate their domestic and social affairs IN their
mode subject only the provisions of the federal con
sution with tho right of admission into the Union when
they have the requisite population Tor one representa-
tive 10 Congress Proridcd, aOuy,, That none but those
who are citizens Of the United under the constitution
thereof and who have fixed residence In any such
Territory ought participate in the formation OF cons
uton in the enactment Of laws, for said Territory or
State"
Can you find anything in that about slavery Not
once does the important word appear Not an ota about
the Kansas Nebraska bill But In the whole platform
docs Tho IN
thirteenth section, which have commented upon, de-
nouncing the repeal Of the Missouri Compromise.
Then sir In the opinion Of this American party tho re-
peal Of the Missouri Compromise wrong. II " was
wrong repeal IL IL is right TO restore IL The South on
dorsed the repeal Mr.. Fillmore opposed TO 1.-THE
platform Of the party upon which he stands denounces IT,
Tine South, then and Mr. Fillmore, enupodes How,
sir can the South support hm2 tell you Mr. Chairman,
that the present is the time when tho Souh will sane
ton any double dealing this subject She must have
square the Kauas question She despises the man
who would believe the repeal Of the Missouri Compromise
wrong and strike for It's restoration She believes that
the principles Of the Kansas and Nebraska bill will not Dc
fairly tested under administration beaded by man
that was opposed TO its To speak out pain
sir believe and Of opinion, that the southern people
believe that Mllard Fillmore would not do justice TO the
South in this important counexion Can any on this
floor from the South who s supporting him for the pres-
dency give the position Of Mr. Fillmore this sub
iect7 viii some southern know-nothng tell what Mr.
Fillmore would do with bill restoring the Missouri Compro
mise? pause for reply There answer BY your fall
ure things from The South this question
you have placed yourselves In the position Of recommend
ing man for the presidency your people, Of whose
opinions this vital subject you know nothing You arc
cnlpable Of the charge OF going IL blind in alarming
ess He would sign bill restoring the Missouri COmpro-