The Winchester appeal. [volume] (Winchester, Tenn.) 1856-1856, 1856-04-26
Willard Fillmore.

| ~ - u idCl wei worthy W INSPIRE a.
spirit Of emulation among American
youth. that, with scarce any cxcep-
tons, the eminent men Of our country
have all been the architects Of their
own fortunes. 1T is true, said Henry
Clay, rep lying to the snecrs OF John
Randolph:'l was born to no proud pat
rImoniaI csatcD And it was iortu-
nate, no doubt, that he could not point
lack, with the eccentric lord oi TO.
anokc, o his boosted line oiancestors:
for in such u case, Henry Clay could
never have warmed his noble soul 10
the wants, the sympalhics, and the
feelings oTthe masses, or gained that
ascendancy in their hearts which cnti-
tied him TO be hailed as the 'Grea,
Commoner.'
1t is so in every case. The life OF
Willard Fillmore. the candidate Of the
American party for the Office Of Presi-
dent OF the United States, is another
triumphant vindication Of republican
institutions, as afording that cncour-
agemcnt and opportunity needed for
the iu'i dcyciopcIUouj ot the intellect
and talents OF The people. He, 100,
has risen ~ his own uAtrtious, to the
highest houor> in the Empire State
ana N tho Nation The story Of his
early career and his subsequent sue
cess, cannot be too often told to the
young men Of the Workshop and the
farm. 1t should be read at the fire.
side Of every hamlet in the land, and
the children be melted to initiate his
example.
Willard Fillmore was born at Sum
ner Hill, Cayuga County, New York,
on the 7th day of January, 1900. lie
was the son Of a farmer, and early ac-
customed to toll. At at an early age
he was sent from home 20 earn his
own support, and at twelve was plac-
ed with a clothier to learn the business
of dressing cloth. Soon after, he was
apprcnticed to a wool cardcr, with
whom he labored faithfully until he
reached the age Of nineteen and be-
came master 0this calling. Manyan-
ecdotcs are related of young Fillmore
during this interesting period OF his
life, showing him to have been early
animated by that indomitablc spirit
which ovcrcomcs all obstacles in
life, and that industry and pcrsever-
ance which are the surest guarantees
Of success. He was a great reader.
and literally trimmed the midnight
lamp throughout this hey day Of his
youth, in storing his mind with those
treasures Of knowledge TO which he
owes his subsequent greatness. 1t
may be hard for the reader who only
knows Mr.. Fillmore as the accomplish
ed statesman and finished gentleman,
remarkable everywhere for his pol
ishcd manners and fine sense to i'm
agine him pursuing his humble call
ing in the shop Of the mechanic, and
when his daily task is done, poering
t industriously over the example page
of knowledge by the feeble night lamp,
but such are the simple annals of the
first twenty years Of his life, and true
to the manly instincts Of his nature,
r Mr.. Fillmore never was ashamed to
; own his humble origin.
1t is usually the fortunate lot of ev-
cry young man Of genius, at the turn
ing point in his life, to have a patron,
who perceiycs his latent talents, and
assists him in finding their appropri-
e ate sphere. Henry Clay had such a
S patron, whose influence controlled his
4 exuberant enthusiasm and shaped the
flights of his youthful ambition. And
it was Judge Wood, ofCayuga, who
e became sponsor to young Fillmore, in
the study olhis profession as lawyer
lie persuaded him to accept u place
ID his Office, and generously betrayed
\ his expenses through regular course
OF legal study. We need moi say low
dcy otcdIy he applied himself to hi,
new studies. or how he rcquitcd the
$ generosity Of Mr.. Wood. by his re
markablr proficiency in The noble sci
cncr o.the law Suffice it 10 say la
he was competent to leave the office
;, in 1921. and proceed 10 Buffalo tC
!, complete bis studies. Having passrt
his examination. he became entitled
II to practice his profession in 1923. an'
opened an office in the town Of Auro
q ra. In 1927. he was admitted as al
attorney, and in 1929, as Il counscllo
= TO the Supreme Court. From that pc
. Rod. he has occupied very dlstin
guished position as Il member OF TIT
[. bar.
h He now began to be known in th
s, political world. In s2g~-s waschn
sen to a seat in the General Assemble
from Erie county. Heacqmted him
c selfof that trust TO the satisfaction O
1. his constituents. but IN 1880 he con
cluded to remove TO Buffalo, and ente