Lynchburg daily Virginian. [volume] (Lynchburg [Va.]) 1852-1861, 1856-07-28
Mr., FILLMORE ON the slavery Ques
flam.


Mr.. Fillmore ON the slavery Ques-
ton.
A. the Democratic papers Of the South are just
noe very busily engaged in reproducing the same
old .tereotyp-d oha,ees which they rung upon
Mr.. FILLMORE in ls4s. and which the people OF
the south then repudiased as calumnies, II
may be well enough for to republish the follow
ing:
ALBANY, y. Y, July 81, is4s.
Hon. John Gsyle-Dsar SIR I'll have your letter OF
the 10th instant but my official duties have been 80
pressing that | have been compelled 10 neglect ny
private correspondence. ! had also determined ID
write no letters for publication bearing upon the con-
test in the approaching canvass But as you desfe
some information for your own qualification In re-
card to the charges brought against me from the
South. on the slavery question, have concluded 10
state briefly my position
While was IN Congress, there much agitation
ON the right Of petition Ny votes will doubtless he
found recorded uniformly In favor OF 1t The rule
upen which acted was that every citizen presenting
respectful petition 10 the body that the consitution
had the power TO grant refuse the prayer OF H. was
entitled 10 be beard and therefore the petition ought
70 be received aud considered fright and re soma.
HE the PRAYER OF II should not be denied think all
nv votes. whether the reception OF petitions or
TIE consideration of resolutions will be found TO he
consistent with this rule.
I have none Of my Congress ona documents here.
they being at my former residence In Buffalo, havs
acress to any papers or memoranda TO refresh m.
recollection but think at some time while in Con
Qress took occasion TO state in substance my views
on the subject of slavery in the States Whethert the
remarks were reported or not am unable to say bn
the substance was that regarded slavery as an evil
but enc with which the national government has
nothing to do that by the Constitution OF the Unite
States the whole power over batquestion was ycste
in the several States where the institution was toe
rated II they regarded II ms blessing, they had
constitutional right to enjoy It, aud II they regarde'
il as an evil they had the power and knew best hos
to apply the remedy. did not conceive that Con
gress had any power 1t, or was in any way res
ponsible for its continuance in the several S'a'cs
where II existed have entertained no other scnti
ments on this subject since examined II sufficiently
10 form an opinion, and doubt not that oil my acts
public and private will be found In accordance with
this
have the honor to be your obedent servant
MmLARD FILLMORE.
Since this letter was written. NIr. FILLMORE has
been elevated to the Presidential Chair, which he
occupied for three years. He came into power in
the midst Of storm. And his FIRST Efforts were di.
r~c,ed 10 giving quiet TO the country aud securing
the rights Of The South. How well be succeeded
the American people know and the Compromise
Measures If 1880 fully attest. He now pledges
hin self that his former administration shall be III"
polar stxr To direct his future course, Il there
man in all this broad republic who desires any high
or or better guarantee ltthere is, we should like
to see him and know something of his antece-
dents. That be- is the man FOR the present cli
sis, no impartial patriot IN all America will pre-
tend TO deny--and that If elected he will restore
L. 20 a,,at md al .ka ifu.
tiona rigts Of all sections. every intelligent and
unprejudccd man believes.
In refutation Of the epeeifo charge revivid
from the rubbish OF As, aud ased upon the prao
ticaIly reoantrd Erie letter If 30 that Mr.. Fill.
more believed in the power If Congress to abol.
ish The slave trnde between the states. and was in
favor O! the exerci,e Of that power, we publish
the following ie,,cr frum him to the Hon James
Brooks. vt New York:
ALBANY, Sept. 18th ls4s
Dear Sir--l returned this morning FROM the IVES,
and have yours of the 10th in which YOU say that
has been charged in the Richmond Enquirer that |
hold il TO be within the power of Congress to inter-
ferc with break off the transportation removal or
disposal OF persons held as slaves, from one slave
holding State to another.
| am not aware that this question has ever been
discussed in Congress ever presented Tor the
consideration of the Supreme Court of the United
States before i84l In that year the celebrated case
from Mississippi was decided and Mr. Justice Mclean
gave elaborate opinion on this point in which the
Chief Justice concurred. He came TO the conclusion
that the constitutional power this matter was
vested in the several States and not in Congress So
far as my knowledge extends, this opinion carried
conviction to every unprejudioed mind and the oues-
ten considered settled. At any rate, this was
my own opinion then. and have seen no cause to
ehaDgeit since Should do SOL should not hesitate
TO declare il.
You wiz therefore perceive that you did me no in
justice in representing to your friend that these were
my sentiments.
| write in haste amid the pressure of official du-
ties, out. remain truly yours.
WILLARD FILLMORE
Jas. Baoogs, ESQ.,