The Athens post. [volume] (Athens, Tenn.) 1848-1917, 1856-04-18
MILLARD FILLMORE.
nuonnr and fame from no condition rise. h

of our country have all been the architects of
their own fortunes. at is true," said Henry
Clay, replying to the sneers Of John Randolph:
al was born to no proud Patrimonial estatel"
And it was fortunate, no doubt, that he could
not point back, with the eccentric lord of
Roanoke, to his boosted line of ancestors; for
in such case, Henry Clay could never have
warmed his noble soul 10 the wants, the
sympathies, and the feelings Of the masses, or
gained that ascendancy in their hearts which
entitled him to be hailed as the "Great Com
moner."
IT is so in every case. The life Of Millard
Fillmore, the candidate Of the American party
for the Office of President of the United
States, is another triumphant vindcation of
republican Institutions, as afiording that en-
enlargement and opportunity needed for the
full development of the intellect and talents
of the people. He, too, has risen by his own
unaided exertions, to the highest honots in
the Empire State and in the Nation. The
story of his early career and his subsequent
success, cannot be too often told to'the young
men of the workshop and the farm 1t should
be read at the fireside of every hamlet in the
land, and the children be melted to initiate
his example.
Nilard Fillmore was born at Summer Hill,
Cayuga County, N. Y, on the 18th day of
January, 1900. He was the,son of farmer,
and early accustomed TO toll. AT an early age
he was sent from home to earn his own sep.
port, and at twelve was placed with clotlier
to learn the business Of dressing cloth. Soon
after, he was apprenticed to wool car1er,
with whom he labored faithfully until hehad
reached the age of nineteen and became mas.
ter of his calling. Many anecdotes are relaied
of young Fillmore during this interesting
period of his life, showing him to have been
early animated by that indomitable spirit
which overcomes all obstacles in life, and that
industry and perseverance which are the sdrest
guarantees of success. He was n great reader,
and literally "trimmed the midnight lamp
throughout this hey day of his youth, in
storing his mind with those treasures Of
knowledge to which he owes his subsequent
greatness. 1t tmay be hard for the reader who
only knows Mr.. Fillmore MS the accomplished
statesman and the finished gentleman, re-
markable everywhere for his 'polished man.
ners and fine sense" to imagine him pursuing
his humble calling in the shop of the me.
chanic, and when his daily task is done, por-
ing industriously over The ample page of
knowledge, BY the feeble light Of the mid.
night lamp; but such are the "simple annals"
of the first twenty years Of his life, and true
to the manly instincts of his nature, Mr.. Fill
more was never ashamed to own his humble
origin.
1t is usually the fortunate lot of every
young man Of genius, at the turning point in
his life, to have patron, who perceives his
latent talents, and assists him in finding their
appropriate sphere. Henry Clay had such a
patron, whose influence controlled his exu-
berant enthusiasm and shaped the fights of
his youthful ambition. And il was Judge
Wood, of Cayuga, who became sponsor to
young Fillmore, in the study of his profession
as lawyer. He persuaded him to accept a
place in his Office, and generously betrayed
his expenses through aregular course of legal
study. We need not say how devotedly he
applied himself to his new studies, or how he
requited the generosity of Mr.. Wood, by his
remarkable proficiency in the noble science Of
the law. Suffice il to say that he was com.
petent to leave the office in 1921, and pro.
ceeded to Buffalo to complete his studies.-
Having passed his examination, he became
entitled to practice his profession in 1928, and
opened an office in the town of Aurora. In
1927, he was admitted as an attorney, and in
1929, rs a Counsellor to the Supreme Court
From that period, he has occupied very dis
tinguished position as a member of the bar.
He now beganto be known in the political
world. In 1929, he was chosen to a seat in
the Assembly from Erie county. He acquitted
himself of that trust to the satisfaction of his
constituents, but in 1880 he concluded to re-
move to Buffalo, and enter more extensively
into the practice Of his profession. He was
not long permitted, however, to enjoy his
predilection. He was elected to Congress in
the fall of 80, and served successfully in the
twenty.ff.h, twenty sixth, and twenty y-seventh
Congresses. His eminent talents were im-
mediately recognized in that body, and he
became one of the most useful members OF
the House, where he held the same influential
position, rs Wing leader, which was award.
ed to Mr.. Clay, at that period, in the Senate
! He was placed in prominent position on the
leading Committees, and won the attention
Of the whole country by his able reports and
occasional excellent speeches in the House.
But Mr.. Fillmore, determined to return
again to his professional duties, declined the
reelection proiTered him third time by hi'
constituents. For several yenrs he avoidet
the political field and devoted himself excu
sively to his private affairs. In 1874, he re
luctanily consented to run for Governor, ant
was defeated, in common with almost all tn,
Wing nominees, not excepting the irst states
man Of the country-Henry Clay. In ls47
however, he again ran for n State oflice---tha
of Comptroller, and was elected by hand