The Cecil Whig. [volume] (Elkton, Md.) 1841-current, 1856-07-05
})olitilol.
IMPORTANT SPEECH
OF MIR. FILLMORE.


EX-Prcsitcnt Fillmore was handsomely re-
ccytd last week at all the towns along the
North River, on his route from New York
city to Buffalo. At Albany he made speech
of considerable sgniiicanc in reply to an adj,
dress from the Mayor. We make the follow
ing extracts:
1--WE see political party presenting can
dida tes for The presidency and vicc-prcsilcn-
cy selected for the first time from the free
States alone, with the avowcd purpose of
cecting these candidates by srfIrages of one
part Of the Union only, to rule over the whole
United States. Can it be possible that those
who are engaged in such measure can have
seriously reflected upon the consequences
which must inevitably follow in case of sue
cess! (Chec,s.) Can they have the mad
ness or the folly TO believe that our Southern
brethren would submit to be governed bv
such a Chief Magistrate! (Checrs.) Would
he be required to follow the same rule pre-
scnhcd by those who elected him in making
his appointments If a man living south of
Mason and DiXon's Line be not worthy to be
President or iccprcsldcnt, would it be pro-
per to select one from the same quarter as
ono Of his cabinet council. or to represent the
nation in foreign country? Or, indeed to
collect the revenue, or administer the laws of
the United States! lfnot, what new rule is
the President to adopt in selecting men for
office that the people themselves discard in
selecting him! These are serious but practl-
cal questions, and in order to appreciate them
fully it is only necessary to turn the tables
upon ourselves. Suppose that the South
having majority Of the electoral votes
should declare that they would not only have
Shareholders for president and vice president
and should elect should such by their suf-
frageS to rule over the North DO YOU think
we would submit to it No, not for a
mcmcnt. (Applause.) And do you believe
that your Southern brethren are less sensitive
on this subject than you are, or less Jealous
of their rights? tremendous Checring.) If
you do, let me tell you are mistaken. And
therefore you must see that If this sectional
party succeeds, it leads inevitably to the de-
siluction Of this beautiful fabric reared by
our forcfathcrs, ccmented by their blood, and
bequcathcd to us as priceless inheritance.
tell you, my friends, that speak warm
" on this subject, for feel that we are in
danger. am determined to make clean
breast of it. will wash my hands of the
consequences, whatever they may be; and
tell you that we are trcadng upon the brink
of Il volcano, that is liable at any moment to
burst forth and overwhelm the nation.
might, by soft words, hold out dclus,ve hopes
and thereby win votes. But can nerer con-
sent 10 be one thing 10 The North and another to
The So"'h. | should despise mysclrir could
be guilty of such evasion. rumultous APP
clause. For my conscience would still! ask
with the dramatic poet
is there not some secret curse
Some hidden thunder red with mortal wrath
TO blast tn owretch who owes his greatness
TO his countrys ruin ~ lChees
In the language Of the lamentcd, i'm MOI tai
Clay Il had rather be right !han be ProSi,
dent" Enthusiastic and prolonged cheers. |
1t seems to me impossible that those en-.
gagged in this can have contemplated the
awful consequences Of success. If it breaks
asundcr the bonds of our Union. and spreads
anarchy and civil war through the land
what is it less than moral treason ? Law and
common sense hold a man responsible for the
natural consequences Of his acts, and must
not those whose acts lead to the destruction
Of the government be equally held responsible?
Applause. And let me also add, that when
this Union is dissolved it will not be divided
into two republics or two monarchics, but
broken into fragments, and at war with each
other.