The Empire County argus., 1856-08-09
speech Of Millard Fillmore at Albany.

whelming demonstration of cougratulaton and wei.
come almost deprives me of the power of speech
Here, nearly thirty years ago, commenced my po-
liical career In this building first saw legisla-
tive body in session, cheers. but at that time it
never catered into the aspirations of my heart that
should ever receive such welcome as this in the
capital OF my native State. [Cheers.
1,u have been pleased, sir, to alude to my former
services, and my probable course if should be again
called to the position of Chief Magistrate OF the
nation. Appause 1t is not pleasant to speak OF
ones self, yet trust that the occasion will justify
me in briefly alludng to one or two events connected
with my last administration Cheers. You all
know that when l called to the Executive chair
by bereavement which overwhelmed the nation with
grief that the country was unfortunately agitated
from one end to the other upon the alexciting sub
jet of slavery. Is was then, sir, that felt it my
ouy to rise above every sectional prejudice, and look
to the welfare OF the whole nation. Applause.
was compelled, to certain extent, to overcome
ongchershed preudices, and disregard party claims.
lGreat and prolonged applause. But in doing this,
sir, 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 harmonizng
thosa difficulties. Applause. There were at that
time, noble, independent, high-souled men, in both
houses OF Congress, belonging to both political par
ties of the couutry-Whigs and Democrats-who
spurned the character of selfish party leaders, cheers
and rallied around my administration in support Of
the great measures which restored peace to agta
ted and distracted country. Cheers, By the
blessings of Divine Providence, our efforts were
crowned with signal success (cheers, and when I
left the Presidential chair the whole nation pros
porous and contented, and our relations with all
foreign nations were OF the most amicable kind
[Caeers.
The cloud that hung upon the horizon was dissi-
pated; but where are we now? Alas threatened
at home with a civil war. and from abroad with
rupture of peaceful relations. l shall not seek
to trace the causes of this change. These are the
facts, and it is for you to ponder upon them.
"Of the present administration have nothing to
say. appreciate the difficulties of administer
ing this government, aud if the present Executive
and his supporters have with good intention and
honest hearts, made mistake | hope God may for
give them as l do. Loud and prolonged applause
But if there be those who have brought these calam-
tiles upon the country for selfish ambitious Objects
it your duty ellowcitzens, to hold them to strict
responsibility. (Cheers)
The agitation which disturbed the peace of the
country in 1850, was unavoidable. 1t was brought
upon us by the acquisition of territory, for the
government Of which it necessary to provide
territorial administrations. But it is for you to say
whether the present agitation, which distracts the
country and threatens with civil war, has not been
reckesSy and wantonly produced by the adoption of
measure to aid in personal advancement 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 confess frankly, sir that
fear il is in danger. say nothing of any particu-
lar section, much less Of the several candidates be-
fore the people presume that they are all honor
able men. But, Sir, what do we see? An exasper-
ated feeling betwe n the North and South, on the
most exciting Of all topics, resulting in bloodshed
and organized military array.
But this Is not all, sir. We see political party,
presenting candidates for the Presidency and Vice
Presidency selected for the first time from the free
States alone, with the avOw.d purpose Of electing
these candidates by the surages OF one part of the
Union only to rule over the whole United States.-
Can it be possible that those who are engaged in
such measure can have seriously reflected upon the
consequences which must inevitably follow in case of
su cess ? (Cheers) Can they have the madness or
the folly to believe that Southern brethren would
submit to be governed by such Chief Magistrate
" Would he be required to follow the rule prescribed
by those who elected him in making his appointments
Ii man living south of Mason and DXon's line be
not worthy to be President Vice President, would
it be proper to select one from the same quarter as
one of his Cabinet Council or to represent the nation
in a foreign country? Or, indeed, to collect the
revenue administer the laws of the United States
If not, what new rule is the President to adopt in
selecting men for Office?
These are serious, but practical questions, and in
order to appreciate them fully it is only necessary to
turn the tables upon ourselves. Suppose that the
South having majority of the electoral votes should
declare that they would have only shareholders for
President and Vice President; and should elect such
by their exclusive suifrages to rule over us at the
North. Do you think we would submit to it? No,
not for moment (Applause And do you be-
leve that your Southern brethren are less sensitive
on this subject than you are, less jealous of their
Inbt btc \ do 1ot,1
tell you that you are mistaken. And therefore, you
must that if this sectional party succeeds it leads
inevitably to the destruction of this beautiful fabric
reared to our forefathers, cemented by their Blood
AMI bequeathed to as priceless inheritance.
te you, my friends, that | speak warmly on this
subject, for feel that are in danger l am deter
mined to make clean breast of it. will wash nv
hands of the consequences, whatever they may be
and tell you that we treading upon the brink of
volcano that is liable, at any moment, to burst
forth and overwhelm the nation | might, by soft
words, hold out deusve hopes and thereby win votes
but never consent to be one thing to the North
and another to the South. ! should despise myself
if l could be guilty of such evasion. (Tumultuous
app ause.) For my conscience would still ask, with
the dramatic poet
=" Is there not some secret curse
Some hidden thunder red with immortal wrath
To blast the wretch who owes his greatness
To his country's ruin?" (Cheers)
81 had rather be right than be President" EN-
thusiasttc and prolonged cheers.)
=, 1t seems to me impossible that those engaged in
81