The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1856-07-23
S.r.r., scro~rs, Reply 10 George Law

General scroegS neply 20 I'',s.1o
DEAx Sn-Yours Of the Sd instant Is .o6&.
previous to which, however, had the received,
readinp il in the NEW YORK HERALD pteasure Of
business engagements have hinde Unavoidable
I was somewhat surprised
my communication Of the Md your answer to
marked and intended Y =. = 18Th ult, which was
p the nsw "1pnssr ~ oo%un published
tended for reyie Iaat, and not y INV means in
;n NO forms' ~ before the pu, ase- was written
terms as o. a manner. but WI 8 coached in such
len1a.s and, as l believed, a, .ssraIIs srsn n
e"nadence, and ! expectedt' a. = Sus time would
rs ,S your answer in like osrsaaence Hut instead
private iesr t nnvs ms As che susCt matter of
the psOprety or improp yssii G; dseas.so1. Upon
here to pass judgmep y r nrens ,sd ~ ssv
M" ;oncs,ra tha xxety to give to the public, at
thay shonia snnno cDefit If his views "a TO whom
70 extenuste III a for the Presidency, may tend
pleased TO de-, sd However, since You have been
ppon have as sper yourself so fully In the manner
ion of the 70 your Anericanism, and in vindcs.
none YOU colitical course you have entered upon,
,dpnf win not consider II impertinent in me to
hing, ne same zaede Of ocmmuni eating some
,nnts Areply; and az do not propose a ne sspaper
we 0~ersy it will end, on my part at least as be
mus all further discussion OF the subject In this
fhthe first place, permit to say there is no differ
snce Of opinion between as TO the policy Of Mr..
rierce's administration, nor as to that which 10
likely to characterize Mr.. Buchanans, II elected
President.
Regarding Mr.. Fillmores late administration, no
man can with truth and fairness, declare that II was
in anywse partial to any section Of the country, or
that 1t controlled influenced by the interests
ofany institution peculiar to any mere section OF
it. Candid men and its true history be ar testimony
to the contrary.
Your allegation that when President Of the
United States, he (Mr Fmore) was certainly sub
ordinate TO the slave power betrays q reckessness
of truth which is painful in degree with the emnence
of its source. The only evidence of this broad and
grouDdless assertion is, that the Fugitive Slave lay
bears the signature of Willard Fillmore, as Presi.
dent of the United States" Now, everybody who
has any knowledge of the history of the passage of
that law knows that il was embraced in what Is
termed the compromise measures of lS50'-that at
the time OF their passage crisis existed in the
country only equalled by the present in danger to
the safety ana continuance Of the Unon-that those
measures approved, under the circumstances by
the greatest AMI best men In the land, without re.
gard to section or partythat their passage restored
peace and harmony to the country, which must have
been perpetual had it not been for the unhallowed
interference with the Missouri compromise by North
ern men--that the Fugitive Slave law was held to
be constitutional by the legal advisers of President
Fillmore, who we're the best in the land-that that
law has also been held to be constitutional by high
judicial tribunals of the country, and yet remains
unnecessarily assailed in that regard-and that in
particular it was the policy nay, cardinal doctrine
of the party which was instrumental in making Mr..
Fillmore President that it was nexpedient for the
President of the United States to exercise the veto
| power; the policy of the democratic party admit
ting of its use only when the enactment was hastily
and inconsderately done, or clearly unconstitutional
So far as Mr.. Fillmores sentiments were concerned
it is well known that they were not in accordance
with some OF the principles of that law, but no one
will pretend that the mere sentiments Of an indvi-
dual would authorize him, as a ruler of free peo-
ple to exercise the will of their representatives
q veto power. That would be the contamination of
tyranny. Mr.. Fillmore could not do otherwise, I'M
der the circumstances, than sign that bill. And as
an evidence that the country generally approved
that law, and still approves it, although it
has features which are Objectionable to many,
yet no effort has been made since its enactment to
repeal it. II was not serious issue in the Presi.
dental election In 1852 and 10 whatever extent it
was, it was efectually ignored such by the result
OF that election. And its repeal, even modifca-
ton does not now enter anywhere into the present
contest as the policy Of even the republican party
In speaking OF those compromise measures it is
well 70 remember that they embraced the admission
Of California free State whereby q majority Of
free States was secured. So much for Mr. Fimore's
"entire subserviency TO the slave power.
AS TO Mr.. Filimore's Americansm, you and
have some knowledge" am happy 10 say. know
that he voted tor the nominees on the American
State ticket in 1854, and for those designated as
Americans on the county ticket here. know that
Mr.. Fillmore became a member Of the American
Order in January 1855 aud that he still is member
Of that Order, and you have known IL, too for you
have been informed OF by those who knew IT, Mr..
Fillmore, by his votes his acts, and in his inter.
views with his friends gave proof Of his attachment
70, and Identification with che American party and
it's principles, previous TO his leaving for Europe
and since his return he has unequvooaiiy avowed in
public his connection with the Order. aud his ed.
herenee 10 the party. And the American people
may rest assured that IL they choose him for their
President, he viii guard them and their country's
great interests with yglant and soil .itoGs patriot
ism which can be equalled only by the object Of II
The Crescent City matter il the last that should
he urged against Mr.. Fillmore as exemplifying his
apathy or indifference 20 American interests cspc.
ciay by one who was chief actor and most de- DIV
interested in the affair. The real motives OF such
covered over by too thin pretence not 10 be de-
tected. However unsatisfactory the finale Of that
affair may have been to those who were interested
in the vessel and in certain hidden schemes which
were then and stil are believed to have been con
necfed with H. there can be no doubt that the couu-
try approved Of the course OF President FIJI more in ~
lation 70 the whole Of IT, Nothing bat the latent aui.
mostly Of On individual who was intimately connec.
ted with and deeply concerned 10 that ailir caused
by summary check OF hs unwarranted a ss1mp-
ton and arrogance, could ever have distorted Mr..
FllmOfes action IN the Crescent City affair into a
reflection on his Anne ricanism, or suggested il az
proof OF his carelessness regarding The rights u
an American citizen.
n Mr.. Filimore's administration was not charac-
terized by rash and bold enterprises ~ doubtful pro-
pretty by schemes projected 20 benefit favortee or
tive Of the age In which live Il vas characterized
BY dstnterested patriotism, scrupuions regard Tor
the interests OF the whole country, the advance nent
OF IFS pride and greatness, OF science and beneyo.
lence, OF civilization and human ffeedom-yes human
freedom-of which The preservation Of shs Union
y the palladium, which adorns The history of the
time and will render MS lns.rious whilst the
history Of the country remains. IT. BY this material
progress, be meant the steady and wholesome al.
yancement Of the American people a. q nation in
population, wealth. happiness and power, then Mr.
fillmores administration did do something for "ma
terisl progress for during II the nation did advance
In population wealth, happiness and power. III u
be representative 81 tie age in which we live for
the highest Executive officer In the land 70 be juat 10
all, n regard the consultation ard enforce the
laws, then Mr.. Fillmofes administration was
representative Of the age in which we live"
FOR all candid men must admit that he was lust
TO all, that he regarded the constitution. and
caused the laws 70 be faithfully enforced. ANY
other material progress" Is not wanted BY the
american people az this time nor do they wish their
President 10 represent the In viii II they lire-