Richmond enquirer. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1815-1867, 1856-05-27
Is FILLMORE A BLACK REPUBLICAN 2
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IMPORTANT TESTIMONY.
The following letter is interesting, because OF the
information it supplies in regard to Mr.. Fillmores
acceptance of the Know-Nothiug nomination. II
is infinitely interesting, however, as an authen-
tic exposition of Mr.. Fillmore's opinions on the re-
peal of the Missouri restriction.
The lines in italics admit Of no equivocal con
struction. They are equally pointed and positive in
declaring Mr.. Fillmores opposition to the repeal OF
the Missouri restriction and in pledgng him to its re-
storation What else can be meant by "bringng back
the country to its old conservative positonl" And
this result Mr. Fillmore proposes to accomplish by the
nstrumentality Of the american party" ",he only
efficient centre which the opponents of the Kan
sas Nebraska Bill can rally, and organise for the re-
.soration Of the Missouri Compromise.
Now, this is genuine Black -Republicanism. Nobo-
dy can deny it. Mr.. Fillmore and the "Americau
Party" aim at the same end which Seward and the
Black. Republicans contemplate; the difference be-
tween these leaders aud parties being simply differ
ence of opnon as to which is the most deficient CEN
ire" on which to rally and organize an opposition to
the principles OF the Kansas Nebraska bill.
II will not do to say that these Mr.. Kennedy's
| and not Mr. Fillnores sentiments. Mr.. Kennedy
puts the words into Flmore's mouth, aud declares
that they express his opinions. Kennedy has right
TO speak for Fillmore. He is Fillmore's confidential
friend aud accredited agent But, in TRUTH he i'm
niles that is matter of notoriety and universal con-
cesson, that Fillmore occupies the position assigned
him in this letter:
HON. JOHN r. KENSEDY's LETTER on Mr.. FlLLMoRE's
ACCEPTANCE.
BALTIMORE. May 8, 1856.
MY Dear Sir-In answer to your Inquiry as TO the
acceptance of tho nomination by Mr.. Fillmore, can
only say that am in daily expectation OF hearing
from himself upon this subject forwarded 10 MN
about the middle of March, the letter OF the Commit
tee apprsing him of the proceedings OF the fhlladei-
phia Convention, and soon after duplicate. nave
as vet received communication from INN IN reply.
attribute this to the fact OF bis having set out ior
the north of Europe, and the delay incident 10 the
transportation Of letters to him OH his route OF travel
| | have no doubt however, Of his acceptance, ann
have no hesitation in repeating to you what saiu
few weeks ago to some of the members 0. me AMER
can State Convention at Greensborough, North caro-
lima, that formal letter of unqualified acceptance
may be confidently expected at an early day.
Ii may Le, indeed, that Mr.. Fillmore, having re-
| ceiyed the announcement of the committee at the
moment of his return from the Continent to England.
NAV defer his answer until he arrives here himself
but upon the question of his acceptance, you may as
your friends there ie 70 reason to dorht that II
will certainly be given Mr.. Fillmore is too deeply
impressed with sense Of his duty to the country to
shrink at such time as hs from high responsibility
cas- upon his political position. He is aware that his
past service, in period of great embarrassment and
formed the principal inducement to the call which
has lately been made upon him by the Convention in
| Philadelphia. He would not be the man he has
proved himself TO be- if from any fear Of contest or
consideration of personal ease, he should decline
summons which go strongly addresses itself 10 his
patriotism.
| / kuo,r and so do ror, ,it, ,caat profound regret
Mr. FhIore mated lie action of tie present admins
J y.yI,,, yJ AZ IrypII
| and dangerous discussion on slarery by the abroga-
| ton of lie compromises of 1850, and rih I The
peai Of the old Missouri Compromise. Hetoresa~, an
,rhat has been sadly reuitscd more erasper"ted
qgHqtiou of sectional STRIFE and Mcrense! G,SscuHy,n
tie ray of necced sarh-ent "ad Gor ''hen the ms
chisf sas ;5sn d0'. kaog mt re ho'f 0"h strong
fa,h 10 Tie american party as r. oE cBset'cc cen.
ire yn,a rhick Tie ,n,eitgent DIsOtlc trisndS q
the Union may be raliicd and organ-sd, ruth coed
hone of bringing back the country TO as Id conserrd-
,tre position rh rcfeere 10 '"hapPy disssns,oa
lie condes in the loyalty OF that party ~ the Union
its devotion to the constitution, its true estimate of
the national sentiments of the people, and its deter
minaton to maintain position which Qhal enable It
To check the excess of ssotiQn IN both extremes of
North and South, he cophdes in these presenting
basis upon which oil sound and earnest friends of
peace constitutional supremacy may be united in
| the administration OF the government,
The virulence With which this party Ia assailed Just
! now by the two sntagonslio organizations which
have entered the field against it, is al acknowledge
nen Of its strength aud proof Of their fears. Each
of them have their own serious for thinking
it texpedient to spread the opinion that Mr.. Fillmore
means to Decline or ought to he withdrawn from the
canyRs9.
His prospects,, nevertheless, are better than any
man who eau he brought against him. In the South
| | give him Delaware, Maryland North Carolina,
Kentucky and Tennessee, as certain Louisiana and
Missouri think, will also give him their votes Vlr-
sinia and Georgia he may carry, and even MISSISSIPPI
ri, though do not count on them. You can estimate
his strength in the South better than can. vi the
West carnct sgeae siIce 90 mitch depends there
. upon future Developments.
/ have recently returned fom Journey through
several of tbs Southern States, and with pleasure OBJ
served, while there, that the American party were
wisely calling into their service, candidates for
their electoral tickets and for other responsible trusts
the worthiest and most distinguished citie kn9wn
and approved for their coresryGtisn, without respect
to their centect,oa With tho party through any tOr
but looking oaly to their iu6ues with the party in
! sent,laent and opluion-they giving broader and
more ju.t foundation to their power politi-
cal body
hope that this course will be adonted consra.!y
and the objections Of ene:,e7 siieLced, by showing
that in Ike ropnstion ct Mr. Fillmore the American
organization has advanced from the character and
position of an order into that of great political par.
ty large enough to embrace every friend of the Uni.
on and the Constitution and strong enough to con-
centrate power that will be soG6 SRie 10 protect
and perEe;uate boti. Very truly yours,
JOHN p. KENNEDY.
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