American union. [volume] (Morgantown, Va. [W. Va.]) 1855-1859, 1856-07-12
MR., FILLMORE'S SPEECH
Ar ALBANY, N. =.


Nc -
Mn. MAYos AND FzrIowscnrzr,ta,
This overwhelming demonstration
of congratulation and welcome, almost
deprives me of the, power Of speech
Here, nearly thirty years ago, com.
menccd my political career. In this
building first saw legislative body
in session, cheers but at that time it
never ent cred into the aspirations of
my heart that l should ever receive
such welcome as this in the capitol of
my native State. Cheers.
You have been pleased, sir, to allude
to my former services, and my proba-
BILE course if should be again called to
the position of Chief Magistrate of the
nation. CApplause.] It is not pleas
ant to speak Of ones SELF yet I trust
that the occasion viii Justify me in
briefly abiding to one or two events
connected with my last administration.
[Cheers.] You all know that when 1
was called to the executive chair by
bereavement which overwhelmed the
nation with grief, that the country was
unfortunately agitatcd from one end to
the other upon the all exciting subject
ofslavery. 1t was then, sir, that / felt
it my duty to rise above every section
al prejudice, and look to the welfare of
the whole nation. Applause.
was compelled to certain extent
to overcome long cherished prejudices,
and disregard party claims. Great
and prolonged applause. But in do
ing this, sir, L did no more than was
done by many ADLER and better men
than myself. I was by no means the
sole instrument, under Providence, in
harmonizing those difficulties. Tap
plause.] There were at that time no
BILE, independent, high-souled men. in
both Houses Of Congress, belonging to
both the great political parties of the
country-Whigs and Democrats
spurned the character of selfish party
leaders cheersl, and rallied around
my administration in support of the
great measures which restored peace
to an agitatcd and distracted country.
Cheers BY the blessings of Divine
Providence, our efforts we're crowned
with signal success cheers, and when
l left the Presidential chair, tho whole
nation was prosperous and contented,
and our relations with all foreign ma
tlons were Of the most amicable kind.
Cheers.] ....-
The cloud that hung upon the hori-
Zon was dissipated but where are VIC
now? Alas Threatened at home
with civil war, and from abroad with a
rupture of our peaceful relations. /
shall not seek to trace the causes of
this change. These are the facts, and
it it is for you to ponder upon them.
Of the present administration I have
nothing to say, and can appreciate the
difficulties of administering this gov
eminent; and ifthe present Executive
and his supporters have, with good in
tention and honest hearts, made a
mistake, | hope God may forgive them
as do. Loud & prolonged applause. !
But, if there be those who have brought
these calamities upon the country for
selfish or ambitious objects, it is your
duty, fcllow-citizens, to hold them to q
strict responsibility. [Chcers.l
The agitation which disturbed the
peace of the country in 1850, was una
voidable. 1t was brought upon us by
the acquisition of new territory, for
the government of which it was neces-
sary to provide Territorial Administra-
tons. But it is for you to say wheth-
er the present agitation which distracts
the country and threatens us with civ
il war, has not been recklessly and
wantonly produced by the adoption of
a measure to aid in personal advance
ment rather than in any public good.
Cheers
Sir, you have been pleased to say,
that | have the Union of these States
at heart. This, sir, is most true, for
if there be one object dearer to me than
any other, it is the unity, prosperity,
and glory of this great Republic; and
L confess frankly, sir, that fear it is
in danger. say nothing of any par
ticular section, much less of the several
candidates before the people. / pre-
sumo they are all honorable men. But,
sir, what do we see? An exasperatod
feeling between the North and the
South, on the most exciting Of all to-
pics, resulting in bloodshcd and organ
lied military array. XIV