Nashville daily patriot. [volume] (Nashville, Tenn.) 1855-1857, 1856-08-14

ness than, perhaps, at any subsequent pc
Rod. At the close of his term, he resum-
ed his profession, which he continued to
pursue till the fall of 1886, when he yield
ed to his friends, and was again elected to
Congress. He was again elected in 1910.
During this session be was placed at the
head of the Committee of Ways and
Means, one of the most important stations
in the government. The blunders of the
Van Buren, administration had deranged
the currency of the country and destroyed
public confidence. Measures had to be de-
vised for .remedying this state Of things,
and all eyes were turned to the Committee
Of Ways and Means. Mr.. Fillmore was
equal to the necessity and the expectation.
The measures he brought forward soon re.
lieved the government and restored pros
perity to the country The credit of the
government was revived through his agen.
cy, the public expenses were promptly met,
and provision made for the enormous and
unprecedented debt and extravaganza Of
the late administration The labor of de.
vising and defending these measures was
thrown chiefly on Mr.. Fillmore. Just be-
fore the close of the term, he wrote a let
ter to his constituents, declining re-uomi.
nation. Such was his popularity, however,
that the convention of his district noIni-
mated him against his consent. But he
adhered to his purpose, and again returned
to private life
In 1874, Mr.. Fillmore was urgently so
licited by the Wings of New York to be-
come a candidate for Governor of that
State. This appeal was so earnest and
general, that he did not regard himself at
liberty to decline the contest. He shared
the common defeat of his party in that
State, and, though he felt disappointment
for his friends, he rather rejoiced that he
was not to be torn from the quiet of his
profession and home. But in l847 a SIM
liar call was made upon him, and he was
elected Comptroller of the State by such a
vote, as established his unparalleled popu.
larity. In 1874, the Wings of New York,
in their State Convention, unanimously
nominated Mr. Clay for President, and
Mr. Fillmore for Vice President
The victories of Gen. Taylor in Mexico
had attracted to him the administration
and gratitude Of the American people.
Without respect to party, they rallied
around his patriotic name, and elected him
to the highest Office in their gift. As one
most fit to be associated with such pa
triot, the same people called Willard Fill
more to be Vice President of the United
States. The noble hero of Monterey sur
vived his accession to the Presidency but
a few months His death elevated Mr.
Fillmore to that responsible position. New
er had the integrity of the Union been
more threatened in all the history Of the
country, than during the Congress, which
commenced its session in the winter Of
l849 A storm then ragged, which it was
feared no earthly agency could still. To
promote this object, no influence was so
powerful as that of the Chief Executive
From the first, Mr. Fillmore arrayed him
self on the side of pacifcation, and drew
around him such men as Clay, Webster and
Cass. He brought all the weight of the
administration to the cause of the COmpro-
mise measures of 1850, and gloriously tri-
umphed over the factioniSts of both ex-
tremes of the country. His administra-
ton has been rendered illustriouS by the
passage of those measures, which restored
peace to a distracted country. But, only
half the work of Mr.. Fillmore was yet
done. The difficult task of executing these
measures still remained in his hands The
whole country will bear testimony to his
fidelity to the trust. The fugitive slave
law, which gave most offence at the North,
was rigidly enforced IN erery instance. Pru>
dent and national men were appointed to
every office. Mr.. Fillmore had the lofty
satisfaction of restoring peace to the coun-
try, and of bringing both sections to a
harmonious understanding of each other
When he left the Presidential chair, all
was peace and prosperity at home, dignity
and respect abroad He found the coun-
try distracted, dissatisfied and unhappy;
he left it quiet, prosperous and united By
his calm and concliatory course, he put
down sectionalism both North and South
But new administration came into
power. BY its appointments and policy,
the same disturbing agitation has been
aroused in the land The country has
again called on Mr. Fillmore to quell the
storm, which weaker men cannot conquer.
He was nominated when travelling in for
eign lands, in search Of health and know
ledge. He has written no letters, made
no speeches, to secure this nomination. He
is no politician and no seeker of Office.
He is high-thoughted patriot, who has
only the good Of his country at heart. A
second election can confer no honor on
him, for his cup of greatness is already
full; but it will bring incalcuable blessings
on his countrymen. He is the most true
and tried mat in the nation. We may be-
lieve other men to be faithful and capable,
hut we hmm him To be 80 His nlnctinn