The Empire County argus., 1856-10-11
Mr.. Fillmore and a Pacific Railroad.

Pacific Railroad The american prcfaces the letter
as follows:
1t received by the last steamer and its publ
cation delayed up to this time with the view of pre-
senting simultaneously with it the letter which called
it forth the only copy of which is in the possession
OF Mr. Skinker who has been for some time absent
| it the mountains. That gentleman not yet having
returned, we are unwilling to keep the letter from the
public, and accordingly publish it this morning, ull-
accompanied with the letter to which it is reply
AS far as we, ourselves, are concerned, we needed
no further assurances of Mr. Fllmcres soundness up
this great question than those contained in the en-
tracts from his messages to Congress- which may be
seen at the head of our editorial columns. We be-
ieve that better pledges could be expected at his
hands than the solemn recommendations which he has
successivey made, after mature delberation to the
legislative councils of the country But, that it may
not be charged that he has since changed his opinions
on the subject, we are content to make assurance
doubly sure" with our readers.
Mr.. Fillmore has frankly stated to us in q private
letter. that he would prefer not to see this letter pub
liShed as he has a great aversion to appear to be
seeking support by answering interrogatories on par
tcular subjects or from particular localities" The
public will appreciate the true dignity of this sen
ment, and recognize it well worthy of the source
from which it comes Had not Mr. Filmores posi-
ton Oh this question been so hagrany misrepresent
tasifed in regard to it, we would not do him the APP
parent injustice which we do, in seeming to re-
cognlze any necessity for caechsing great states
man and patriot like him, in relation to matter
with which the public history of the country has
thoroughly identified him.
But we will not further keep our readers in sus-
pense to the contents of the letter. 1t is as fol-
lows:
BUFFALO, n. Y, August 30th, 1856.
7 +boL 10, %, u,Iol, +lo
receipt Of your letter of the 4th inst. in which you
inquire whether my sentiments remain the same in
reference to internal Improvements by the General
Government and especially with reference to Rail-
road to California, as they were in $50 when sent
my first annual Message to Congress.
In reply to your inquiry, permit me to state, that
have invariably refused to pledge myself to any par
tcular course OF policy in OF my election to the
Presidency My past life is the only guaranty which
| can give for my future conduct. But l have no
hesitation in saving that | have seen no cause to
change my sentiments on the subjects of your nqui.
ry and consequently they remain the same as they
were when penned my annual Message to Congress
in 1850.
l am, gentlemen, your obedient servant.
MILLARD FILLMORE
Messrs. JOIN SKINKER, G. w. WHITMAN. JAMES
ALLEN, w. w. UProN, Sacramento. California.
The following extracts from his Messages, contain
Mr.. Fillmores views of the Importance of some ac-
ton in the direction of Pacific Railroad. The ac-
companying extract from Gen. Tayors Message of
l649 we publish, as explanatory of portion Of the
matter following. Read Fmores sentiments in
$780," and as reiterated in 1852:
"Thc great mineral wealth of California, and the
advantages which its ports and harbols and those OF
Oregon afford to commerce, especially with the islands
of the Pacific and Indian Oceans and the p0puUus
regions of Eastern Asia make it certain that there
will arise i'll few years, large and populous connu-
mites on Oh our western coast 1t therefore becomes
important that line of communication, the best and
most expeditions which the nature of the country will
admit should be opened within the territory Of the
United States from the navigable waters of the At
lantic, the Gulf Of Mexico, to the Pacific. Opin-
ion as elected and expressed by two large and re-
spectacle conventions lately assembled at ST. Louis
and Memphis points to IL RAILROAD, as that
which, il practicable, will best meet the wishes and
wants Of the country. ETtrad from the A1nual
Message Of President Taylor, delUered December
Att, lS49.
1.-THE unprecedented growth of our territories on
the Pacific, in wealth and population, and the con-
sequent increase of their social and commercial rea
Ons with the Atlantic States seem to render it the
duty OF the government to all its constitutional
power to improve the means of Intercourse with
them The importance of opening a line of COM
munication the best and most expeditions of which
the nature of the country will admit between the
valley of the Mississippi and the Pacific, was bro't
to your notice by my predecessor, in his annual mes
sage; and, the which he presented in favor
of the measure still exist in full force, beg leave to
call your attention to them, and to repeat the recon-
mendations then made by him."-Ertract from the
Fua Annual Message Of President Fillmore, delev-
cred December I'd, 1892
In former messages | have among other things
respectfully recommended to the consideration OF
Congress the proprety and necessity of further legs
aton for the establishment of land offices for the
sale of the public lands in California and the Terrific
ry of Oregon; for the construction of road IRON
the Mississippi Valley to the Pacific Ocean, etc
Without repeating the reasons for legislation on
these Subjects which have been assigned in my for
mer messages, respectfully recommend them to your
favorable consideration. ."-Eatract from the Third
annual Message Of Mr.. Fillmore, Delivered Deem
ber 1852.
Here now is one Presidential candidate, in regard
to whose position on the subject of Pacific Rail-
road there is no room for doubt. Fillmore is COM
mtted by his official acts in favor of the road and
looking back after lapse of four years, upon those
acts he to change sentiments then eX-
pressed. From one of the other candidates we have
an empty electioneering Pledge from the third, we
have not even SO much-but haze his thirty years
political career and the history of his party, before
us, and they pledge James Buchanan body and soul,
to an uncompromsing hostility to the construction of
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