Nashville daily patriot. [volume] (Nashville, Tenn.) 1855-1857, 1856-04-18
rrr. Fillmore and the Compromise.

Some Of the Democratic papers of the
South not only question the present sound
ness Of Mr.. Fillmore upon the principle of
non-ntervention on the subject of slavery
a principle inaugurated by the Compromise
Of 1850, which he apprOved-but are also
attempting to create the impression that it
was with difficulty he could be induced to
approve the Compromise Measures when
they were passed by Congress A thorough
refutation Of this ungenerous and unmanly
calumny is furnished by himself in a speech
he made in Louisville, KY, in the spring
of 1854, sketch of which was given by
the Louisville Journal at the time The
/ following is that sketch Let every true
friend of the noble states man read and
/ preserve it:
Mr. Fillmore said, on rising, that he felt exceed.
ingIy embarrassed in being called on for the
fret time in his life, to address an audience like
the one before him, aud that he sincerely hoped
that there WAS no "chie" present "takn" notes but
that what he should utter should be for gotten with
the occasion lie was at a less to understand what
motive could have prompted such great and uu-
expected expression Of regard on the part Of the
citizens of Kentucky. IL he were in the actual
possession of the power which it once his for.
tune to WELD, or even again seeking that position,
be might see an object for such a manifestation,
but here am said he, neither holding nor seeking
office, with nothing as private or public man,
which, in nv estimation should call forth such
a testimonial as this. To nothing, said be, can |
attribute it but real Kentucky hospitality which
seeks an object whether worthy or not, and lavish.
es upon that object its generosity.
Mr. Fillmore said that it was his misfortune to
be, without his solicitation, and certainly against
his wishes, called to the administration Of the gov.
ernmeut He had not even sought the nomination
tor the Vice Presidency, and none could be more
surprised than he when he learned that he no
minated Il was only ten hours before General
Taylor's death that be had any tho ght that his
illustrious friend was in danger. The knowledge
came upon him Ike peal Of thunder from clear
sky. lie felt wholly uuprepared for the great re-
spoasihilities about TO devolye upon him. Though
be had been FOR many Years a politician, he could
NV that the only sleepess night he ever passed on
account OF political anxiety, was that which Gen
TAYLOR died. Ills sleeplessness arose from his deep
feeling OF the weight Of the duties une1p eciedly
deyolyed upon him. H. reviewed during the hours
Of that night his own opinions aud his own life.
lie was sensible that he had drunk in with his
mothers milk and cherished from his own youth
up feeling even pref udice, against slavery lie
cudcsyorcd TO look upon this whole country, from
the firthcst corner Of M8iue the utmost limits of
Texas, as but one conntry-the country that had
given him birth lie saw in the gathering clouds
iu the North and in The South storm ~hich was
likely to overNhrlm him, and. he feared, h count
nv also bat he took the constitution aud the laws
his only guide.
He veil knew, that BY so doing he must lose the
friendship OF many prominent men OF the country.
especially in bis own State, and encounter their
reproaches, but TO him this was nothing, The man
who can look upon such crisis without being willing
to offer himself upon che altar OF his country Is not
Ok for a public trust On the night OF Gen TaylOrs
death, she members Of lis cabinet presented TO
their resignations ! declined % look at them,
hrst, because deemed il respectful TO the honored
dead that should not consider by what means
should carry on the government until he was de-
Gently inferred; and secondly, because this ava.
lanehe ofreSDonsi6ilty bad fallen upon uhprcpar
ed desired al least teW hours TO reflect on
what il vas my duty TO do. Here was cabinet
selected by Gen. Taylor, several OF them my per-
sonal friends whom would do anything ia my
power TO serve short OF endsngering the pssce Of
my country. knss, howevsr, that their policy
was not such as could approve. | SAG that the
executive poSef OF the government and the legis
latiss we're in opposition TO each other And that
While this state OF things continued, peace could
never be restored
The question therefore presented itself 10 ne,
shall retain this cabinet or select one. The
latter e0gTss sas adopted bgs yea EN- scarcely