The Athens post. [volume] (Athens, Tenn.) 1848-1917, 1856-03-21
NOMINATION OF MIR. FILLMORE.

The nomination of Mr.. Fillmore for re-
election to the Presidency upon the pla,forn
81 ms antecedents affords an opportunity fol
The moderate men of all parties to unite II
doing honor to one who has proved hmst II
heretofore, so eminently worthy of the conf
dcnce reposcd in him by the American peo
pie.
Though brought forward rs the condidat,
of the American party, we incline TO the be
lief that Willard Fillmore will be found II
Fact the candidate of the Nation. The actor
OF The Nominating convention was but III,
expression of the popular will, for no othe
American Statesman, whose name has thu,
far been mentioned in connection with III,
Presidency, shares so largely in the popular
regard. We consider il, therefore. as less mr.
act OF courtesy than Of necessity. In honornc
Mr.. Fillmore the Convention honorcd itself
and is justly entitled TO the meri, of rescuinc
its party from that certain defeat which Womb
assuredly have followed had any other person
been chosen.
The platform in which the people of the
United States can have most confidence ia r
platform Of men, subordnating their acts tc
the provisions Of the Federal Compact. All
Others are mere paper fy.traps. The rcputa
ton OF the individual for ability, honesty, and
nationality, is far safer ground to rest upon
than fifty wordy declarations Of PRINCIPLES
which may be tortured to express the most
opposite meanings. If tho whole term of n
mans life has proven him worthy to be
trusted, there is no need to exact pledges
from such man. Knowing what his duty
is we may rest assured he will perform it,
guided only by the rule of right and the die.
tates OF his own conscience. If, on the other
hand, a man Of splendid abilities, but WANTING
IN good principles, is nominated to office, he
will not hesitate to make any pledge which /.
demanded of him by his party, and will breal,
it afterwards with equal nonchalancc, if il
suits his purpose so to do.
1t marks return to n healthier political
condition when platforms are ignored, and
the candidate bases his claim to popular sup.
port on the ground of his former services, and
of his acknowledged virtues. There is .
simple grandeur thus assumed, which Is wor.
thy alike of the man himself and of the nation
to which he appeals.
In placing Willard Fillmore before the
people, simply upon his own merits, the
American nominating Convention has acted
wisely. There is nothing in his past life but
what is honorable and praisewortly. No stain
rests upon his private character, no JUS. re-
proach upon his public acts. He is empha,
caly national man, and is emnently descry.
ing of the estimation in which he is held.
80 The New York Journal of Commerce
an able and Influential democratic sheet, re
marks upon the nomination of Fillmore ond
Donnelson:-
"lhe National Convention of Know Noth
ngs have done well, all things considered
they have adopted new platform, which
although IN some respects inferior to the old
one, nevertheless distinctly endorses the pr;n
clple OF popular sovereignty in the Terrific
rles, ms embodied in the Nebraska Law, and
declares the right ola Territory to admission
into the Union whcnVer it has population
enough for one Representative to Congress
On both these points, they hold position
antagonistical TO TIE Black Republicans
The nomination Of Willard Fillmore is the
best they could have made; and that of An
drew J. Donelson is not bad. Mr.. Fillmore
is thoroughly national, and when in the Pres
identlal chair on former occasion, gained
the confidence of the whole country, always
excepting the abolitionists and their coadiu.
tors. lie will command large vote, but
whether sufficient to carry him in, remains to
be seen. This will depend very much npon
the character of the Democratic nominee vet
to be designated.