American union. [volume] (Morgantown, Va. [W. Va.]) 1855-1859, 1856-06-14
and his FORTUNES.

Believing that the proper course for
the American party, in making their
nominations for the Presidency and
Vice Presidency, would be to take up
NATIONAL mon, fresh from the people,
and consequently unencumbcred with
any political lantecedents, which might
involve them in the issues growing out
of former party action, Mr.. Fillmore
was not originally our first choice.
His subsequent nomination., however,
has induced us to examine into its ex-
pcdiency, under all the circumstances
Of the case, and we have been convinc-
cd that, perhaps, on the whole, the A.
merican party could not have made
less Objectionable selection. 1t is true
that during his former administration,
Mr.. Fillmore may have done things
calculated to make him some enemies;
but his errors, if indeed they were
such, did not involve principle, and
were, therefore, of secondary import
ance. The causes of disaffection, to
which we allude, were chiefly connect
ed with the distribution Of the public
patronage, never failing source of
complaint against the appointing pow
er; but, in no instance that we know
Of, has he been guilty of anything like
se!fshneSs as a politician. His fault
was, as alleged by some, that so far
from consulting his own wishes he suf-
fcrcd those around him, in whom he
placed entire confidence, to consult
their own personal views and supposed
individual interests, in appointing the
personnel of tho departments, or bu-
reaux, under their charge respectively.
To exercise the appointing power, is,
Of course, to give moro or less offence
to those Vho may not hare been select
red, and their immediate friends, and,
even should the appointments made be
unexceptionablc, it is to be expected
that those whose sclfestccm has been
wounded by failure, will be ready to
find fault with the selections made
BE this, however, as it may, there has
not been, nor could there be, any fault
found with the action of Mr.. Fillmore,
as President, on the score of principle,
or want of devotion to THE BEST IN
TEREsTs OF HIS COUNTRY, and HIS
WHOLE COUNTRY. 1t pleased an
all-wise Providence to call him to the
Presidential chair at moment when
the popular mind was in the greatest
agitation, upon subjects of the utmost
Importance, involving, among other
considerations, matters Of the most
vital consequence to certain sections of
onr great National Union. A single
misstep on his part, might have been
fatal to the confederation of independ-
ent soyereignties, of which our Ropub-
lie is constituted. 1t was not only ne
cessary to have the master minds Of
the country, such as Clay, Webster,
and others, now living, that might be
named, to give instructions hosD the
Ship Of State should be stcercd, but
also to have man at the helm whose
caution and perfect sclf-possession,
combined with unfinching 6rmness of
purpose, should guard against and a.
void, so far as practicable, approaching
Danger. Such man was MILLARD
FILLMORE, and his country can
never repay the debt of gratitude that
1t owes to him for tho services rendered
IN that hour of peril. 1t was in vain
that the hydra headed monster of fac
ton raised its head, determined to in
tlmidate and thus overcome the guar
dams of the public safety. SECESSION
On the one hand, and AvowED RESIST
ANcE TO the laws of the land upon the
other, seemed to gloat on the dcstruc-
ton of their common victim, this fair
Union, already struggling beneath their
deadly grasp. 1t was at q time such
as we describe, that tho "CLOTHIER
10Y" was placed at the helm, and
well did hc perform the fearful task
assigned to him. lie stretched forth
bis hand in all the majesty of the laws
and the billows Of finsubordination sank
INTO q perfect calm, beneath his mighty
ouch, while SECESSION hid its head a.
Dashed and ashamed.
1t is related Of Caesar that on one
occasion, he was passing over tho wa
':r when storm arose and the rowers
= tho boat in which he was, shrank
@ck paralyzed with fear. The oxcla.
%auon of the great man was "What
arrest thou, thou earliest Caesar aud