Richmond enquirer. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1815-1867, 1856-03-14
WILL HE ACCEPT

Perhaps the country would be relieved OF much
unnecessary dispute over imaginary ISSUE II the
nress would suspend the discussion OF Mr. Fliimores
nreteusions to the Presidency, until he avows his
ooc.p,suce of the Know Nothing nomination. 1t Is
very preposterous to contest mans Claims 70 INC
ppor, Of the people, when every calculation Of pro.
liabilities should satisfy that he will not be can
L;date for office.
Of reputation, Mr.. Fillmore has nothing to gain oy
another term Of the Presidency. tie has occupied
, h;shest position aud has enjoyed the utmost limit
e ,,y.r in thi. country He is historical parsonage,
.,S nu,s,s VIC allow him too much credit for elevation
os ch,,aotsr, he will not fooshy hazard his present
c,rsdsratiou aud his prospective iaIne' Mr' F'i''
mora il not mau Of high aspirations or large IDEAS
IN, h. hrs sonse Of personal interest and Keen
,.,,,sd ssracity which will restrain him from any
;,.,us suc,:fce Of his dignity and consequence No
80, and violent passions will disturb the serene ope-
ra,;un of his small faculties dstort his acute per-
| cep,ion Of personal policy. No adventurous spirit
e daring ambition will impel him to stake bis fortune
~, All issue the chances of which SO obviously and
irr.sis,ibly against success.
Bu,. Mr. Fillmore cannot accept the nomination Of
the Philadelphia Convention without an immediate
los. Of responsibility and the ultimate sacrifice OF his
character in history Disturbed in its deliberations
ny persoua alterations and sectional fcuds and rent
in the eud by the secession of the representatives OF
popular majority, the philadelphia Convention dis
olayed no element of strength dignity and its no
m;na,ion is papably wanting in every circumstance
Of respecability and consideration that might com
mend it to the favor of Of sense and character
Andrew Jackson Donelson will eagerly embrace any
promise OF better fortune but Mr. Fillmore is not re-
duced to tho low and desperate shifts OF needy ad
venturer.
Thus indisposed to accept an uupromlsng no.
mination from an insignificant conclave. Mr. Fillmore
will be confirmed in his inclination by the subsequent
developments of popular sentiment. Never did any
national movement Of equal gravity Of pretension
such universal contempt and derison as the
nominations of the Philadelphia Convention. The
Know Nothing party are weak minority IN the
country and even OF this weak minority. more than
,noety reject the nomination Of Fillmore md Donel
son; while such persons pretend to approve it, ap-
prove it with faintuess Of praise and feebleness of
support that attest their insincerity. No Democrat
will support the Philadelphia ticket for TO the venn
II presents too barren promise Of reward and the
|
of temptation. Wings of the school of Clay and
Webster, however inclined to support Mr.. Fillmore
so long as he processes distinctive Wing char
acter will spurn him the moment he assumes Know
Nothing disguise, and consents to co-partnership OF
principles and fortune with an apostae editor of II
Democratic paper. Admonshed by these obvious
indications Of public opinion, and obeyng his own
instincts Of sefrespect, Mr. Fillmore will not consent
TO the prostitution Of his name proposed by the Phla.
delphis Convention Persistency and intensity of
abuse may provoke Indignation, while we smils at
the stupidity Of the slanderer: and although Fill
more has forgotten Donelson's dull editorials, he
doubtless chershes scornful recollection Of the daily
trade of denunciation with which he was aasaed
through the columns of the Washington Union.
| Without conceding to Mr.. Fillmore any stern
fidelity to principle, may reasonably doubt if with
the prospect OF inevitable ruin, ne would lead party
with whose principles and policy he processes no
sympathy. Now, that presumption OF innocence
which the law extends to the meauest criminal, Mr..
! Fillmore must be acquitted Of completely with the
Know othiugs, until the world has some positive
proof of his guilt We have the testimony of bis
personal friends that he does not belong to the "0r
der"-tes,imony which is rebutted by the single oon
Trajectory assertion of Mr.. Gustsvus Adophus
Scrosgs. II Sir. Fillmore were the and excu-
sive bigot which the profession Of Know Nothing,m
implies, he would not ALLEVIATE himself from the soc-
ETY. of Natives, and lraverse Europe on pilgrimage
of pleasure. 1t is all incredible inconsistency that
the nominee Of the KnowNothings should seek pre-
sentaton the Pope aud solicit compliments among
the courts Of Europe.
For ourselves, We are so confident that Mr.. Fill
mere will reject tue Philadelphia nomination, that we
propose to discuss 10 tomorrows paper, the effect Of
his refusal on the relations parties and tue issue of
political movements.