Lynchburg daily Virginian. [volume] (Lynchburg [Va.]) 1852-1861, 1856-04-09

Hx.pre.iden, FILLMORE in Louisville


MORE to the citizens Of Louisville. in acknowledge
ment Of the honors and Inequalities. with which
he was received in that city. The Journal says
IL has full report Of his speech. but is induced
TO withhold IL. in obedience to what II understands
| 10 be the wish OF Mr.. Fillmore whoi Is anxious
TO strip his tour through the South Of every ap-
pearance Of political object. The summary pub
lisbed will be read with grent interest, and re-
caiyed with full confidence, as nm honest and
frank avowal Of the motives which controlled his
conduct while at the bend Of the government
Fortunately for him, what he had 10 say was not
In the nature Of defense traversing the drift OF
history. and the current of public opiuion-bnt
corresponds with the conclusions Of all unpre.
JUDGED minds. and aoeords with tho established
judgment Of the times. To the people who love
MuLARp FILLMORE because he discharged faith
fully and nob1y the high trusts which fell into
his hands--because. entertaining the prejudices
| of n section he acted with the courage and patri.
otism Of national man. an American because
elevated to the pinnacle of earthly grandeur, he
bore his bonors meekly-theso avowals OF the
principles that guided his administration, and tho
feelings that prompted his course, will come with
all tho convincing virtue derived from the fact
that they fell from the lips of man, who, though
much trusted and strongly tempted. has never
| betrayed nor deceived them.
! Mr. Fillmore said. on rising. that he felt ex-
ceedngy embarrassed in heins called on, Tor
the first time in his life to address an audience
ike tho one before him aud that he sincerely
hoped that there was no '.chiel" present "takin"
notes. but that what he should utter should be
forgotten with the occasion. He was sat a loss
to understand what motive could have prompted
such great and unexpected expression of re-
gard on the part Of the citizens of Kentucky. If
he were in the actual possession Of tho power
which it was once his fortune To WELD.
again seeking that position. he might see an ob
lect for such manifestation, but here ] an said
he. neither holding nor seeking office, with moth
ing MS private or public man. which, in my own
estimation. should call forth such testimonial as
this. To nothing. said he, can attribute it but
n real Kentucky hospitality, which seeks an OBJ
ject, whether worthy or not. aud lavishes upon
that object its own generosity.
Mr.. Fillmore said that II was his misfortune to
DO. without his solicitation, and certainly against
his wishes called to the administration OF the
government. He had not even sought the nom
nation for the Vice Presidency, and none could
be more surprised than | @ when he learned that
he was nominated II was only ten hours before
General Tayor's death that he had any thought
knowledge came upon him like peal of thunder
from n oenr sky. lie felt wholly unprepured for
the great responsibilities about to devolve upon
him. Though he had been for many years
politician, he could say TINT tho only slecpless
night he ever passed, on account of political anx-
iety, was that on which Gen. Taylor died. His
sleeplessness arose from his deep feeling Of the
weight OF the duties Unexpectedly devolycd upon
him. He reviewed during the hours of that
noht hi avn ot,ninna n nd his nyu life IIo ,yns
sensible that he had drunk in with his mothers
milk and cherished from his own youth up II
feeling, even eudce, against slavery. lle
cndeavored to look upon this whole country, from
the farthcst corner of Maine to the utmost limits
Of Texas, rs bat ono Countryside country that
had given him birth. lie saw in the gathering
clouds in the North and in the South n storm
which was likely tosoverwhom him, and, he fear
ed, his country also, but he took the constitution
and the laws rs his only guide.
He well knew, that by SO doing. he must lese
the friendship # many prominent men of the
country, especially in his own State and enooun.
ter their reproaehes, but To him this was moth
ing. The man who can look upon crisis with
out being willing to offer himself upon the altar
OF his country is not fit for public trust. On the
night of Gen Taylors death. the members of his
cabinet presented to me their designations. |
declined to look at them, first, because ] deemed
il respectful TO the honored dead ihut | should
not consider by what means | should carry on
the government until he decenty inferred;
and secondly, because this avalanche of resrsn.
sihity had fallen upon mo unprepmod. | dcsi
rod at | asst few hours 10 reflect on what it was
my duty to do Here was n cabinet selected ty
Gen. Taylor several of them my personal friends,
whomi would do anything in my power to serve
short of endungering the peace OF my country
! knew, however. that their policy was not such
Ms could approve. | saw that the executive
power of the government, and the Legislative
were in opposition 10 each other. aud that while
this state of things continued peace could never
be restored
Tho question therefore presented itself to me,
shall | retain this cabinet select new one
The latter course was adopted; but you can
scarcely conceive the difficulties OF the position
in which this decision placed me. When onr
Presidents arc elected, they have three or four
months before taking their offices. 10 select men
suited to act AS head. OF departments but this dn
| ty came upon the in halfa day. ! requested the
members of the Taylor cabinet to stay Thirty
days and 10 give me an opportunity TO look arount
and select their success sors; but they respectful
| ly declined. Thus, while the storm was coming
! up in the North and in the South.i was suddenl,
called to administer the government without
cabinet, and without time to select one; but, THINK
God not long in this situation. | VIII.
80 fortunate as to obtain II cabinet, the member,
Of which ana myself always agreed in opinion
and in all acts, we acted together. In that cub
net your own honored Kentucky was honorabl,
represented. Still, said MIR. Fillmore, the great
difficulty remained. The question arose, what
was t. be DONE
In Texas and New Mexico. civil war threat
ened. Texas made Preparations to take posses
sion of portion ct New Mexico. He fcIti hi,
duty To maintain the laws Of his country. One
of the laws required that the people OF the Terrific
~ of New Mexico should be protected. As