The south-western. [volume] (Shreveport, La.) 1852-1870, 1856-08-13
Fillmore,s Great ALBANY Speech.


Mr.. Mayor and Fellow -Cizens:-This overwhelm-
ing demonstration Of congratulatlon almost deprlyes
Of the power of speech Here nearly thirty ago
commenced my political career In this building
first legislative body III session, (eheers) but at
that time it entered into the aspirations OF my
heart that should ever receive such welcome this,
in the capitol of my native state. (Cheers.)
You have been pleased sir, to all1de to my former
services and my probable course if should be again
called to the position of of the naon
(applause 1t is not pleasant to speak Of ones self
vet trust that the occasion will justify me IN briefly
alluding to two events connected with my past
administration. You all know that when II was called
to the executive chair by bereavement which over
whelned the nation with grief, that the country was
unfortunately agitated from end to the other upon
the all exciting subject of slavery It was then, SIR
that felt Tiny duty to rise above every sectional pref
udice and look to the welfare of the whole nation, zap
plause) was compelled to certain extent to over
come long cherished pr$iudiees and disregard party
claims. (Great and prolongedapplause) 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 harmonizlng
those difficulties (Applause)
There were at that time, noble independent, high
souled in both houses OF congress, belonging to-
both the great political parties OF the eountry-whgs
and demoerats-who spurned the character OF selfish
party leaders, and rallied around my administration,
in support of the great which restored peace
to an agitated and distracted country By the bless
ings of Divine Providence, efforts Were crowned
chair the whole nation prosperous and centented,
and relations With all foreign nations We're OF the
most amicable kind, Cheers The cloud that hung
upon the horizon was dissipated; but where are we
now? Aas Threatened at home with civil war, and
from abroad with rupture of peaceful relations.
shall not seek to trace the causes Of this change
These the facts, and it is for you to ponder upon
them Of the administration have nothing to say,
and can appreciate the difficulties administering this
government, and if the present executive and his sap
porters have with good atenton and honorable hearts,
made mistake, hope God may forgive them as do.
But if there be those who have brought these caami
ties upon the country, for selfish ambitious objects,
it is your duty felIow-eitizens to hold them to strict
responsibility. (Cheers.)
The agitation which disturbed The peace ofthe coun
try, in 1850, unavoidable. TWAS brought upon
us by acquisition Of new territory, for the government
of which it was necessary to provide territorial admin
stratons BUTT is for you to say whether the present
agitation which distracts the country and threatens
with civil has not been wantonly produced BY the
adoption of measure to aid in personal advancement
rather than 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 object dearer to me than any other it
is the unity prosperity and glory of this great Repub4
lie; and confess frankly sir, that fear it is in dan
ger. say nothing Of any particular section, much
less ofthe several candidates before the people Ipre
sumo they are all honorable men. But, sir what do
SOUTH on the exciting of all TOPICS resulting in
bloodshed and organised military array.
But this is not all sir. We political party, pre-
senting candidates for the presidency selected for the
first time for the free states alone, with the avowed
purpose of electing these candidates by suages of
one part of the Union only to rule the whole Uni
ted States. Can it be possible that those who are
gagged in such measure can have seriously reflected
upon the consequences which must inevitably follow,
in case of success? (Cheers) Can they have the
madness the folly to believe that southern breth
would submit to be governed by such chiefmags-
trate? Cheers Would he be required to follow the
same rule prescribed by those who elected him in
king his appointments? If a man living south of Ma
sons and DiXon's Line be not worthy to be presi-
dent vice president woudt be proper to select
from the quarter of his cabinet council or
to represent the nation in foreign country? Or,
indeed to collect the revenue OF administer the laws
ofthe United States? If not, what rules is the
president to adopt in selecting for Office that the
people themselves discard in selecting him? These
serious but practical questions and in order ap
preclae them tuly Is only necessary to turn the ta
bles upon ourselves Suppose that the south having
majority of the electoral votes should declare that they
would only Observation-Disclosures for president and vice
president; and should elect such by their exclusive
surages to rule at the north. you think
would submit to it? No, not for moment. (Ap-
plause) And do you believe that your southern
brethren less sensitive this subject than You are
or less jealous of their rights? tremendous cheerng
If you do let me tell you that you mistaken. And,
therefore, you that if this sectional party sue
ceeds it must be inevitably the destruction Of this
beautiful fabric reared by forefahers cemented by
their blood, and bequeathed to US priceless in
heritance.
tell you, my friends, that speak warmly on this
subject, for feel that are in danger I am deter
mined to make clean breast of it. l will wash my
hands of the consequences, whatever they may be;
and tell you that we are treadlng upon the brink
of Volcano that liable at any moment to burst forth
and overwhelm the nation. l might by soft words,s
hold out delusive hopes and thereby win votes. But
! cannot consent to be one thing to the north and
another the south. should despse myselfif1 could
For my conscience would still ask with the dramatic
poet--
'sIs there not some secret curse
Some hidden thunder red with immortal wrath
To blast the wretch who owes his greatness
To his country's ruln!' Cheers.
In the language of the lamented immortal Clay
Il had rather be right than be president.
Enthusiastic and prolonged cheers)
It seems impossible that those engaged in this,
have contemplated the awful consequences of success.
If it breaks asunder the bonds OF our Union, and
spreads anarchy and civil war throughout the land
what is it less than moral treason? Law and common
sense hold responsible for the natural conse-
quences of his acts, and must not those whose acts
tends to the destruction OF the government be equally
held responsible? (Applause.) And let me alsoadd,
that when this Union is dissolved, it will not be di
vded into two republics or two monarehies but broken
into fragments and at war with each other
But fellow citizens, have perhaps said al that
necessary on this subject, and turn with pleasure tG
has been my fortune during my travels in Europe, to
witness twice the reception ofroyalty in all the
pomp and splendor of military array where the music
was given to orders and the cheers at word of com
mand. But, for myself prize the honest spontane
Gus throb of Affection with which You have welcomed
me back to my native State above all the pageants
which royalty can display. (Cheers.) Therefore,
with heart overilowing with emotion, return you
thousand thanks, and bid you adieu prolonged
applause9
->~Lr~~-~~~-~~~~o~-et~~0-.--
BEAR IT IN MrsD.-While Millard Fillmore
occupied the presidential chair, not disorga-
niser, north or south, received an appointment
to post of honor OF profit. The consequence
was, fanacism and disaffection were almost
starved out when he left the office. His sue
cessor, the soundest man in all the democratic
party, north, came in and layished the patron
age of the government upon aboljtionists, Sc
cessionists and freesoilers, and the Union is on
the brink of dissolution.
One Of Pierces first appointments was that
of Reeder, the prime instrument and author of