The Middlebury register. [volume] (Middlebury, Vt.) 1850-1882, 1856-03-19
Mr.. Fillmore on Slavery and
Americanism.

The two letters which follows arc now
going the rounds, as showing the views
of Mr.. FILLMORE, several years ago, on
the Slavery question and on American
ism. The first is quoted by the Wash
iugton Union, as convincing proof Of his
Anti Slavery principles: the second is
quoted from Colton's Life and Cores
pondenco of Henry Clay, and was writ
ten just after the Presidential election of
1914, when Mr.. FILLMORE was also de.
fcatcd, as candidate for governor for
New York.
LETTER or Mr.. FILLMORE TIC THE ERIE
A~BoLlTloNIsTs
BUFFALO, October II, 1888.
Sir Yoar communication of the 18th
instant, as chairman of a committee APP
pointed by the " Anti. Slavery Society Of
the county of Erie" has jus. come to
hand. You solicit my answer to the fol-
lowing interrogatories
LIST. Do you believe that petitions to
Congress on tue subject Of slavery or the
slave trade ought to be received. read,
aud respectfully considered by the repre-
seutativcs of the people
I'd. Are you opposed to the anncxa.
tion Of Texas to this Union, under any
circumstances. SO long as slaves are held
therein
Sd. Are you in favor of Congress cx-
ercising all the constitutional power it
possesses to abolish the internal slave
trade between the States
4th. Arc you in favor of immediate
legislation for the abolition of slavery in
the District Of Columbia?
| am much engaged, aud have no time
to enter into an argument, or to explain
at length my reasons for my opinion. |
shall therefore content myself for the
present 10y answering L your %interro-
gatories in the AFFIRMATIVE, aud leave
for some future occasion a m1rc extend.
ed discussion of the subject.
J am. respectfully, your most obedient
servant, WILLARD FILLMORE.
W. Nuts, Esq, Chairman.
The Union says:
The germs of black republicanism
are disccruiblc in this letter and unless
Mr., Fillmore has rccantcd the opinions
expressed, or unless he is entitled to the
benefit of the statute of limitations upon
them, he falls far below the standard Of
nationality which tho know -nothings G.
rected at Philadelphia in june, 1856.
These are not the times to trust men in
the executive chair who are at all equivo.
cal on the issues involved in the next
presidential contest"
The other letter is copied by the Buff
falo Commercial with these introductory
remarks:
In the struggle of 1914, the present
American Party had its origin. Al.
though many christians and patriots
wore alarmed at the increasing tide of
immigration of these ignorant and pau
per hordes of Catholic Europe, the great
mass Of the American people were I'M
willing and unprepared to believe that
there was real danger to our free insti-
t%utions, but thi. banding together of
men to defeat Henry Clay awaken
cd the long slumbcring sentiment Of true
Americanism. Mr.. Fillmore. like thou
sands If others, who had an abiding
Z" confidence in our ability to sustain a
free government" deeply regretted the
influence which decided that election and
he saw a cloud of gloom gathering over
our future, that BODIED no good to an en-
lighteucd and free people. Under such
circumstances it is not to DO wondered
at that Mr.. Fillmore early enlisted, and
had his name enrolled under the banner
of the American Party. He gave the
party his sympathy and earnest support.
The following is the letter alluded to :"
MlLLARD FILLMORE TO MR.. CLAY.
BurrALo. Nov. II, 1874.
My Dcdr SU:-I have thought for
three or four days that ! would write
you, but really | am unnamed l have
no courage or resolution. All is gone.
The last hope, which hung first upon the
city of New York, and then upon Nir.
ginia, is finally dissipated, and | see moth.
ing but despair depicted Oh every couu,
tenance.
For myself | have no regret. | was
nominated much against my will. and
though not insensible to tho pride Of
success, yet | feel a kind of relief al be-
ing defeated. But not so for you or the
nation. Every consideration of justice,
every feeling Of gratitude. conspired in