Belmont chronicle. [volume] (St. Clairsville, Ohio) 1855-1973, 1856-09-04
From the Daily ssrs,orian, 18th inst.


Shaffer on Fremont and Fillmore.
Below will be found sharp and racy let
ter, written by Chauncy Shaffer, Esq. of
New York, who is now here, vindicating
imseH from the charge IOf having "gone
bach" to the support of Fillmore.
SARATOGA SPRINGS, Aug. IA, 1856.
U. DUKs, Esq.-My Dear Sir: I have
Just received, by way of New York City.
your note of the 9th inst, inclosing the fol-
lowing extract from TIL: Hhaca Citizen, to
wit:
COMING BAcK.-Chauncy Shaffer, who
was one of the most pfAminent boilers from
the Philadelphia American Convention, and
who has been stumping the river counties
in this State at the Fremont meetings, has
! returned to the hearty support of Fillmore
and Donelscn. Mr. Shaffer is an eloquent
speaker, and was District Attorney in New
York City. He belongs TO the Methodist
Church, and his recent conviction that Mr.
Fremont is Roman Catholic, is the reason
why he withdraws his support from the Re-
pub!icans He has candidly examined all
she evidence, for and against which has ap-
peared, and has looked closely into the state
ments of Fulmer, and the opposition agains'
them, and declares that the evidence in
favor of him being p apist is conclusive
for which reason he carnot support him."
| You assure me that the above is ProdLc-
ing an impression in your sregion, and desire
me 10 inform you whether it is true or not.
| answer that i, is sheer fabrication-a a
"Roorback'' That no further mischief may
occur from the circulation of that article, ]
i'll set the matter of my preference OF
candidates right at once.
In the first place, was not prominen,
OF other "boller from the Philadelphia A
merican Convention" Twas not a delegate
to that Convention. There were reasons
why should no; be a delegate. had tou
much to do with undoing the work of a
previous Council in Philadelphia assembled
too much to do against the slave PrOpagan-
d:sts at Binghamton las: August, and was
too little inclined to see Americanism sold
out to be considered safe man to go to
Philadelphia.
staid at home against my will, admit.
Moreover, that Convention was not an "A
mercan" convention.
As far as the North was concerned, it
was Silver-Gray Wing Convention; as
far as the South was concerned, it was a
Convention for the Propagation OF Human
Slavery, and the result was the nominatio n
of two men, one of whom glories in being
the owner of hundred slaves; and the 9TH
er (Mr. Flllmore) in being most subser-
Went instrument Of the Slave Power, as is
manifestly proved by his course while act
ing as President of the United States; also
by his speeches made during his Southern
tour in pursuit of a denomination, as well
Us by his notification speeches at Albany
| and elsewhere on his return from his visit to
the Pope.
Hence the leading Silver Gray newspa,
pers of the North Gncluding The NsW York
Erpress) claim Mr. Fillmore as the regular
Wing nominee for Presidency, while the
South claim him as the champion Of South
ern rights, (meaning the extension o. hu-
man Slavery by the action of the General
Government,l while Mr.. Fillmore, to justify
the claims of the South, in effect says,
Elect me, or the Sonth, that loves me SO
well, shall not remain in the Union"
As an American, am not bound by the
action of that Convention; rather. let me
say, cannot submit to be bound by its c.
ton, any more than can my brethren OF
Massachusetts,, of Connecticut, and of every
New England State. The American party
of Massachusetts, in solemn council assem-
| bied, has declared for Mr.. Fremont, and
nominated electors favorable to his cleo
ton, and so las the State of Connecticut
and SO will all New-England do, (tor New
England has history,) and so will the A
merican party of this State act; excepting
always a portion of the Slver-Gray portion
of that party. The latter portion will stand
by Mr. Fillmore, notwithstanding he "Eas
adopted the leading principles of the plat
form,'' the seventh section of which COM
mits the American party to Slavery exlen-
sion under the guise of squatter sovereignty
because this "portion of a portion" came
into the order with the design of retrieving
the fallen fortunes of Mr. Fillmore, as is
proved by the attempted ostracism of the
lberal-minded men of the Order, and by
the threats preceding and accompanying
the Phiadel phia Convention, that in the
event of George Laws receiving the nomi-
nation for the Presidency, they, with the
Whig party proper. would nominate an out
anc- c-out American Wing, (meaning Mr.. Fill
more, presume), and also by letters now
in existence, and which, hope, will yet be
published.
| have not returned to the hearty sup
port of Fillmore and Donelson," nor will
do any act or thing tending to sanction the
outrages Of Pro-Slavery, Notification Bord-
er Ruffians, who in addition to their out
RACES in Missouri and Kansas, of themselves
sufficient to turn the cneek Of darkness pale
have, from 1852 until now, wrested the high
powers of the nation from their Legitimate
purpose, to the strengthening of the Slave
OHgarch.
There are other objections to my support
ing Mr.. Fillmore. founded upon the fact
stated by the Caiztn, that belong to the
Methodist Church.
The church owes Slavery no particular
good will, for Slavery has rent that church
in twain; has imprisoned women for teach
inr the slave to read the Bible, and has
sought in every way to destroy that church,
as being the opponent of Slavery most to be
feared. Let facts speak. Last Winter a
a minister oi the Methodist Church, in Mis-
souri,, was arrested while in the pulpit by a
gang of men (who. if they live will prob
ably vote for Mr.. Fillmore. who "antonly
and falsely charged him with hcrse-stealing;
and, without allowing him time to pat on
his overcoat, mounted him on horse, drove
him some seventeen miles (the weather be-
ing intensely cold), threw him into cheer
less ROOM, without fire, there left him to die,
and there he died,
NV informant is Bishop Of the Metno-
dist Church, and spoke of his own knowl-
edge.
Anotber instance. The Raw Mr. Wiley