The Winchester weekly appeal. [volume] (Winchester, Tenn.) 1856-1856, 1856-07-12
MIR. Fillmore in Albany.

sptcCH Ill hlDdly NcW OfK, Wnen ne
was received there by the Mayor and
other citizens of the City. We want
it to be read by every one into whose
hands this paper may fall. Hand
it round-'tis heightened and can but
elicit the admiration even Of his po-
litical enemies:
Mr.. Mayor, and Fellow Citizens:
This overwhelming demonstration of
congratulation and welcome almost
deprives me ofthe power of speech
Here nearly thirty years ago COM
menced my political career. In this
building first saw a Legislative body
in session, (cheers) but at that time it
never entered into the aspirations of
my heart that | should receive such
welcome as this, in the Capital Of my
native State Cheers
You have been pleased, sir, to al
lude to my former services and my
probable course, if | should be again
called to the position of Chief Magis-
trate of the nation. (Applause.) 1t
is not pleasant to speak of ones self,
yet I trust that the occasion will justi-
fly me in BRIEFLY abiding to one or two
events connected with my last admin
istraton. (Checrs.) You all know
that when | was called to the execu.
tive chair by Bereavement which
overwhelmed the nation with grief,
thatthe country was unfortunately az
itated from one end to the other upon
the all exciting subject of Slavery
1t was then, sir, that felt it my duty
to rise above every sectional preju-
dice and look to the welfare of the
whole nation. (Applause) | was
compelled, to a certain extent, to
overcome long cherished prejudices,
and disregard party claims. Great
and prolonged applause.) But in do
ing this, sir, did no more than was
done by many ADLER and better men
than myself. was by no means the
sole instrument, under Providence, in
harmonizing those difficulties. Gap
plause) There were at that time no.
bic, independent, high-soued men, in
both Houses ofCongress, belonging to
both the great political parties Of the
country-Whigs and Democrats
who spurned the character of selfish
party leaders (cheers.) rallied around
my administration, in support of the
great measures which restored peace
to an agitated and distracted country.
By the blessings Of Divine Providence,
our efforts were crowned with signal
success, (cheers and when | left the
Presidential chair, the whole nation
was prosperous and contented, and
our relations with all foreign nations
were of the most amicable kind
(Cheers) The cloud that hung upon
the horizon was dissipated but where
are we now? Alas! Threatened at
home with civil war, and from abroad
with rupture of our peaceful rela-
tons. Ishall 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. and can appre-
ciate the difficulties of administering
this government, and if the present ex-
ecutive and his supporters have with
good intention and honest hearts.
made a mistake, hope God may for
give them as lido. cloud and prolong-
ed applause.) But if there be those
who have brought these calamities
upon the country, for selfish or ambi-
tious objects, it is your duty. fellow
citizens, to hold them to strict re-
sponsibility. (Cheers.)
The agitation which disturbed the
peace of the country in 1850 was una
voidable. 1t was brought upon US
by the acquisition of new territory,
for the govern of which it was necessa-
ry to provide territorial adminisitra-
ton. But it is for you to say wheth-
er the present agitation, which dis
tracts the country and threatens us
with civil war, has not been reckless
ly and wantonly produced byth adop-
ton of a measure to aid in personal
advancement rather than in any pub
lie 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 it is in
danger. say nothing of any partic-
ular section, much less of the several
candidates before the people. pre-
sumo they are all honorable men,
But, sir, what do we sect An exas-
perated feeling between the North
and South, on the most exciting of all
topics, resulting in bloodshed and or
| panized military array.