Richmond daily Whig. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1842-1861, 1856-10-27
Mr. Fillmore and the South.

Mr. FILLMORE and the South.
II any Southern msa of any party can assign
good and sufficient reason Wig be should not sup
port the election of Fillmore he has certainly Jailed
thus Gar 10 favor the public with it. We hsse yet
20 hear argument against his election worthy the
name. And yet with this fact boldly confessed by
all candid men, are still appealed to by the De-
mocratc press aud by Democratic orators 10 vote for
Mr.. Buchanan.
But for the besotted intolerance and bigotry Of
mere party We sincerely believe that all opposition
to Mr.. FILLMORE would speedily die out at the South
And why should it not. What rational objection
can be urged against hmg What has hs ever said
or done TO make Southern men distrustful of him
Is he not an experienced aud capable statesman
Is he not a weltried, stern, faithful and honest pa
triot? Is he not national in his feelings and his
principles, having equal regard for the North and
the South. for the East and the West? In short is
he not all that any frank and reasonable Southern
could desire him to be is he not eminently
conservative sound and reliable upon the sectional
issues which divide and agitate the country:
We put it to just and sensible men to say whe
ther truth would not compel them TO answer each
and all Of these questions in the affirmative We
know it is attempted, for factious and partisan
purposes, TO produce the impression that Mr.. Fill
cannot be safely relied upon in the emergencies
likely arise in the Of the next four years
administration Of the government But this attempt
has proved iruitless and vain; for the OF the
people being intelligent, patriotic, magnanimous and
just they lend no heed " such malignant and un-
scrupuous misrepresentation. They know that the
country, under the former administration Of Willard
FILLMORE, more wisely, impartially, pcss9
fully, prosperously governed, an that. should the
people again elevate him to the Presidency it is
tionai and proper to expect from him similar good
conduct ia The management Of our national affairs
They feel and know that the interests honor and
situations of the South, equally with the welfare of
all other portions and sections of the country would
be object his heart aud that no fanatca or
unjust assault upon them would even be tolerated
for moment while he possessed the power TO repsl
il. Such is the deep and earnest conviction resting
the minds of the Southern people in reference
the wish and determination Of Mr. Fillmore should
heb elected to the Presidency. They are therefore
in degree in any afraid to trust him with
the authority Of the federal government. On the
contrary, could the secret, heartfelt desire of the
Southern people Of all parties be known, have no
manner of doubt of their greatly Preferring Fillmore
TO any other in the Union, North or South
THIS fact being taken for granted why should not
the whole South rally 10 the support of Fillmore
administration, and triumph OF the Union over its
FOES
There is only one practical question for the eossi-
deraton Of Southern in the present canvass
and that is whether States shall be admitted in.
10 the Union in accordance with the wishes OF the
people Of the territories when they come TO form
their State constitutions. This principle is the dens
teal principle Of the ansas-Nebraska BILL rs We
understand ii and it is principle to which Mr.
Fillmore has given his hearty aud emphatic endorse.
ment In other words, he has declared II as his Tx
ed lrpose TO oppose and discountenance aBy and
all agitation which may have in view the repeal Of
the Kan sas bill and the restoration OF the Missouri
Compromise And this we told, is the great
test question Of the canvass Admitting il to he
so, IS not the position Of Mr. Fillmore in relation to
At entirely satisfactory We appeal TO the candor
ana PATRIOTISM OF Southern men TO say whether he
does not stand upon favorable ground 10 reference
TO this test measure as the most rabd and fAualj
cal Southern could desire What more indeed
can any sane man wish ? Or how could Mr. Fill.
more express himself IN terms more clear, direct
aud emphacy Surely it will not be contended that
Mr. buchanan II any sounder the Kansas bill than
Mr.. Fillmore. Both have avOwed their ntention of
Adherng 70 u aud Of carrying its principles in
good faith aud # Buchanan IS 10 be commended for
'"e PVSOh nc has tAhen ~ regard 10 IT, why should
not alSo Mr.. Film ore, who occupies precisely the
same posttiony
The South owes Mr.. Fillmore heavy debt of vro-
dtude Tor his impartial aud admirable administration
OF the government four years ago. TO him are we
indebted for ths Fugitive Slave Law and for the
compromise measures OF 1850 which meted out
equal justice TO all sections Of the Union banished
ciul STRIFE and discOrd, suppressed sectional agita
hon, And restored peace, confidence, prosperity and
happiness TO the Republic. For all these things We
are nnder obligations to his patriotism moderation.
hrtnness and wisdom. And should we not. nov
that we have Bttiag opportunity, repay what we
owe him even with usuryg In short, should we
not for all the sacrifices be has ~ dsinterestedv
and galsntly made w behalf, a. we'll a. for ,bs
sake Of the South md her great interests IN the fu
ture. requiie him by eIevatng him again 10 the
Presidency Of tie BcpublicS whas wiser or wor.
thier mao could possibly be selected Tor that dis
tngtIished and responsible siationg Who. than
Willard Fillmore, would more promptly and ciIeotu.
ally throw the shicd Of protection around Southern
rights ADD southern institutions or exercise more
watchfa supervision the interests aud honor Of
All Poripns Of tie o0uaTyI Nv. Bachsnan nigAt
give ~ good ana wholesome administration. bu,
ore cl'snces against H. and 10 elect him would At
bsa be Oely an experiment 10 Mr. Fillmore, how.