The western Democrat. [volume] (Charlotte, N.C.) 1852-1870, 1856-08-05
WESTERN. DEMOCRAT.
soQ.CHARLOTTEG os
Tuesday Morning, August 5, 1856.
A KNow-NoraINe WITNESS.

The know nOthiHgs have drawn the fol-
lowing letter from the Hon. John j. Crit
tenden. to disprove the charge that Mr..
Fillmore signed the Fugitive Slave bill with
reluctance. and that he considered the
same -anconstttutionaL! The Wilmington
Herald ow-nothing) thinks the letter of
Mr. Crittenden .clincher. So do we; but
it clinches as true that Mr.. Fillmore did
sign that bill with reluctance-that he did
believe it unconstitutional, until he ''requir-
ed me [Mr. Crittenden] to give my opinion
IN WRITING, IN regard to the CONSTR
TUTIONALITY of certain clauses Of the
Bill, and did So"
This" says Mr.. Crittenden, twas done,
no doubt, out of respect for his Cabinet
&C.! Who believes that it was respect"
for his Cabinet, chat induced Mr., Fillmore
to consult them t'in regard to the constitu-
tionality of -ceYtQia clauses of the Bill p
Mr. Crittenden, by assigning such mo-
tive, in the absence of any proof, and in
violation of common sense, shows labored
effort to releese his friend Fillmore from the
awkward position he occupies on the sub
iect. We give Mr.. Crittenden's letter be-
low, and a more lawyer-like or jesuitical
production, we have rarely if ever met with
Closely scanned, it proves the truth of pre-
cisely what it undertakes to deny. All the
Democrats have ever charged was, that
Mr.. Fillmore regarded the Fugitive Slave
bill (..certain clauses of the BILL if you
please) unconstitutional, and that he would
not sign it until the written opinion" of
his Cabinet in favor of its constitutionality
was obtained; and this is fully substantial
ed by Mr.. Crittenden.
But, the truth is. Mr.. Fillmore, himself,
in his Albany speech, acknowledges that
he had "long cherished prejudices" to over
come in signing the Compromise bills. evil
IDENTITY referring to the fugitive slave bill,
about which Mr.. Crittenden says he con-
suited his Cabinet, ''regarding the consti-
tutionality of certain clauses of the bill"
Why did not Mr.. Crittenden condescend to
inform the public what .'clauses" they were,
in that bill, which Mr.. Fillmore regarded
obedience to plain and imperative provi-
sion and requirement of the Constitution
and yet Mr.. Fillmore, who is opposed to
the exercise of the veto power, had to con-
suit his Cabinet, las regards its constitu-
tionality," before he would sign it! The
.'priHen OPINION shows that Mr.. Fillmore
would not sign that bill until he had the
advice and counsel, and instructions of his
Cabinet to do so; and nothing could prove
more clearly the abolition feelings of Mil
lard Fillmore than his hesitancy about sign
ing smch a bill The following is his letter
"a portion of which we have marked in
Italics:
WASHINGTON, July II, 1856.
My DEAR SIR: In answer to your letter
of the 4th July, | reply that neither during
his administration, nor at any time, did he
ever say to me, or in my hearing, "that
the fugitive slave law was unconstitutional"
or anything to that effect. Neither is it
true that it was only by your (my) urgent
solicitation as his adviser that he could be
induced to sign the bill" For the purpose,
as supposed, of acting, and showing that
he acted, deliberately and advisedly on so
important subject, he required me, as the
law officer of the Government, to give my
opinion in writing in regard to the consti-
tutionality of certain clauses of the Bill
and l did so. believe that he also con-
suited, as usual, all the members. This
was done, no doubt, out of respect for his
Cabinet, and to secure to his conduct the
highest sanction which the advice of his
Cabinet counsellors could give. All the
members of the Cabinet, believe, advised
in favor of the bill, and in so doing only
concurred, as | understood, in the Presi-
dents o,on opinion on the subject.
There acas no urgency or solicitation to
Mr.. Fillmore to sign the bill that Ikno,o Of.
certainly used none, nor did I euer sup
pose that any a0as necessary. Mr.. Fall
more, I hare no doubt, signed that bill free
ty, and IN obedience only to his oa0n conuie
tons, and sense Of duty.
The above will afford you, hope, sir, q
full answer to you enquiries, and have the
honor to remain,
/ Very respectfully yours, &c.
j. j. CRITTENDEN.