Staunton spectator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1849-1896, 1856-05-14
MIR. Fillmore and the Nomination.

MS opponents than from any eAPecaIioh vi
their part that he would pursue that course, and
in fact has embodied strong acknowledgment
Of the apprehension that his position as the only
conservative candidate before the country en-
dangered the success Of their own schemes
The Hon. G. S. Haven, the late law partner OF
Mr.. Fillmore, and now a member OF Congress
from his district has addressed letter to the
Boston Traveller, in which he disposes of this
false report, and exhibits Mr.. Fillmore in light
that will still more endear him to the country:
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES,
Washington, April 80, 1860
Nv Dear Sir.-Your letter of the 2Sth instant,
containing quotation from some Boston paper,
has Just been handed to me at my seat. will
answer it before Law it down. The quotation
is MS follows: at is now conceded that Mr.
Fillmore will decline the nomination OF the A
merican party. I learn from what | consider
good authority that he has written to his friends
in New York that he is not an American IN
the party sense of that word, that he cannot ac-
cept the nomination. that as soon as he ar
rives in New York he will make his decision
known"
I have not seen the paper from which you
make the extract, but have seen much slil i
nonsense in circulation in the Anti American
press Surprising the sensible men OF the coun-
try knew fully how to appreciate 1t, no one mas
taken occasion to reply to 1t.
The circulation ofsthese reports seems to be
about half the stocl~in trade OF the Democracy
of the South, and approximates to the entire as
sortment of the Republicans and Abolitionists
Of the North.
These extreme men make parade of issues
with each other, on purely sectional questions,
but upon this subject they look into each others
eyes with mutual sympathy and satisfaction.
They believe in common if they ,an drive
from the field the man who is standing in the
very midst of the great American masses-of
the people Themselves distinguished from
the politicians and intriguers for place, that their
work in the coming campaign will be more than
half completed, that the winds of dscord and
sectional strife will again be let loose, and the
cry will then again be raised, that the constltu-
ton is ''an iU-considered compact'-"an afro
cious bargain, and that the time has come 10
''let the Union slide"
NV dear sir, the wish of of these men is IA
ther to the thought, and they will be disappont-
ed in their calculations.
Mr. Fillmore was not nominated to decline
His nomination was the result of the delibera-
lions of as intelligent, warm-hearted, cool-head-
ed. discreet, and patriotic a body Of men as has
met in this country since the convention that
framed the Constitution.
Mr. Fillmore will not decline He has not
so informed me in terms it is true; but were he
to decline, he would prove 4 traitor to that SEN
timent in the country, which so nobly, so gene
rously sustained him in the very trying times of
his previous administration, and to those just
and comprehensive American sentiments, which
calculate and insist upon exact justice to every
section of our common country, with oil It's d.
versifed institutions, interests, prejudices and
pursuits.
The great American heart sustained him in
that former administration, upon which he en-
tered amidst difficulties, perils and sectional
strife. He carried it on from the necessities OF
the case, with the appointees OF his predecessor
and not with men of his own selection, save his
cabinet in which, for obvious reasons, change
was necessary, without casting any impntation
on those not retained, and save also very llml-
ted number less than dozen think, that sell
respect compelled him to change, in his own
State
That administration brought peace, quiet con-
tentment and satisfaction to the whole country
Our foreign relations were maintained on high,
honorable and American grounds In all our
domestic affairs things subsidized into acquies-
cence, satisfaction and approval Sectional
strife dared not show its head, and the territori-
al acquisitions, that came with the peace, then
| lately concluded, were placed under civil gov
crnments that were satisfactory to all
The government when he handed it over to
his successor, was bright, we'll oiled, lubricated,-
and in complete running order; whether the emo
gineer in charge since that time has kept it so,
or whether he has let it become rusty and decay
ed or has switched the engine and entire train
off the track, let the nation declare.
Mr.. Fillmore has not yet received official adj
vice of his nomination-he had not, at least, on
the 31st of March, when at Florence; but in a
| letter from there of that date, to me, after re-
greeting the nece sity of so carly a nomination,
and that the choice had not fallen upon another,
he saws. II am fully prepared for any sacrifice
which it may be necessary to make, and any
responsibility it may be necessary to take"
! His original intention, when he went abroad,
| included visit to Russia. / suppose he is in
st. Petersburg now, and will be home between
the middle and latter part of June. He can
then speak for himself.
| have given You my own information and be-
lief and briefly my reasons for it. This is forti-
fed by his declaration in another place, since
his nomination, where he said, II am determin-
ed to sink or swim, live or die with my friends
Our cause is lust, for it is the cause of our com
mon country and every part of it, and we ought
to triumph but if we fall, we shall at least have
the consolation of knowing that we are engaged
in a righteous callsc and deserved success" As
tbe outlines of the future become more apparent,
YOU will be able to judge whether am correct
or not in believing that the American masses,
the great middle classes-men who love their
\ country for its own sake, and not for the spells
of ofice-will rally openly to his standard and
marx him as the man of their choice.
You know quite as well rs do, how much
4 confidence is to be put in the Republican and
abolition cutlery of the men of that class, at the
North. who swear they hold the destinies of the
country in their breeches pocket but who show
on every popular test, as in the late elections in
Rhode island and Connecticut, at Albany, &C.,
&c. that they now number about one vote in e.
| leyen of the entire masses of the country and
are growing '.small by degrees and beautifully
less"
AS have no political secrets or opinions that
I am unwilling the world should see, if it desire,
have no wish to prevent you from showing
this to your friends
1 have written in the midst of debate in the
House. and have not time to read over but am
Very truly, yours, D. u. HAVEN.
F. W. PREsCoTT, BrooEllne.
TRAe1cAL AFFA1R.-An afIray occurred at
Wizards Hotel, Washington city, on the 9Th,
| in which P. T. Herbert member OF Congress
from California, shot and killed an freshman