Lynchburg daily Virginian. [volume] (Lynchburg [Va.]) 1852-1861, 1856-08-16
Mr.. FiIlmore's slavery Record.

more on the slavery question: was thoroughly
scrutinised by the people of the South. The lit
tie that there was Objectionable in it was over
looked, in consideration Of the much that was con =.
servatve, just and natonal--and this the more
readily. because of the conviction which scru
tiny of that record impressed upon the minds of
the people that Willard Fillmore was II thorough
ly conscientious man. patriot and statesman
who when surrounded by the responsibilities of
national position would know how to discard
every sectional prejudice from his bosom. and act
as became national man. knowing no North
and no Souih.no East and no West, but only the
country. the whole country. as his country from
the extreme border of Maine TO the uttermost
limit of Texas In this conviction they were
not disappointed. The whole administration 81
Mr. Fillmore was noble response to the conf
dence of the country. The South trusted him
then and was not deceived. In addition 10 the
causes which induced and justified that trus, ia
ls4s. the South now has practical past, the
basis of a confidence undsturbed by Il solitary
distrust But notwithstanding this, the despcr-
alton Of the Democracy is so great that they 60
behind his model aud faultess administration. 20
behind the just and irrevoeable verdict Of The
people in lS4s. aud loudly maintain that Mr.. Fill
more is not to be relied on. because of certain in
oon.iiera,e opinions expressed by him in 1893.
Every stale and refutcd argument of the cam
paign OF ls4s is revived; the decayed aud rulrid
debris of that contest is ransaoked for mi ssiles
with which 10 assault him; the bige water from
the rottng hulk of the shipin which they then
sailed, fought and were vanquishcd.is pumped up
and poured in foul streams upon his head But
Willard Fillmore is made of stuff impcryious and
invulnerable to such warfare. The hearts and
the arms of the people are abont him. aud they
will vet bear him up above the assaults of his
foes, crowned with the laurel of victory aud cloth
ed with the robe of honor.
We designed adverting 10 single one of The
many exploded grounds of assault upon Mr. Pill
more, resuseitated from the campaign Of sig
1t was overthrow then. and may bo as easily
overthrow again. We refer 10 his course up.
on the celebrated Atherton resolutions These
resolutions were from their connection, the shape
in which they were presented, and the manner
in which they were pressed through the House.
extremely Objectionable; SO much 50 that sever
a. Southern members refused 10 vote on them
and We feel confident thnt if they were now of
fercd in Congress, they would not, with the eS.
oeption of the first, (which the Democratic pa
pers sure 10 omit receive the favor Of tlc
sla.rhs ,ing States, unless some party end were
to be subscrved yi,. They were prepared in
caucus of Democratic members Of Congress
Saturday night, December, 1893 and placed
in the hands of Mr.. Athor,on. of New HaL.p-
shire to be offered. Accordingly, he intro
d uord them the ilth December aud mnde
Il speech. explanatory of his reasons for Offering
them, aud concluded by moving the previous
question. SO as 10 cut Of ali debate and amend
ments. Here then tnS writer in II southern ex.
change remnfksl wa set of party resolutions.
prepared in the secret caucus of party. sprung
suddenly and unexpectedly upon the House the
party in secret meeting having given them II
shape To suit themselves.
The Wing party was forced 10 vote on them
from mere reading at the Clerks desk, without
time for consideration and reflection, and with
out an opportunity of debating them or moving
an amendment. lfintonded fair and honor
able expression of opinion, on great and impor-
tsnt question in which all should unite why were
they prepared in a caucus of the party propos-
ing them. from which the other party and more
especially Southern Wings whose rights, and
the rights and interests Of whose constituent
were to be affected, excluded Why were
Southern Wings denied participation in giving
them form aud shape" aud why were they de.
MED the privilege of debate, and moving amend.
ments Why this secret conclave-this secret
plotting, and why the application of the gar, IL
there was not something more intended than
met the eyel" Is il any wonder that the reso.
lutions thus prepared, aud introduced and thu :
forced upon the Wings should have met with op-
position' Now let see how they were reeeiy.
ed.
Mr. Tillinghast of Georgia, enquired whether tn,
gentleman from New Hampshire after introducing hi,
resolutions pretncing them with speech, aud then
moving the previous question, would not safler 9th
er gentleman TO '@pYY The mover was dumb
Mr. Bell, of Tennessee, "moyed an Attainment nj
the House, with request, c.at the House vnul3 ar
der the resolutions to be printeu, so that vb., ,l
members come here tomorrow, they i.ight -, ~,
dersandingly7 Mr.. Cushman COLLECTED u tbo n,a-
ton To print, which could not be put without So
~aous consent and the House refused to adjourn
Mr.. Williams, of Tennessee, " asked to be excused
from voting on the ground that he had mol had AZ
opportunity 10 look nj the resolutions As he wa,
precluaed from stating his views in regard to them
he wanted to look well Mt each word before he gay,
his vote on then His request was refused
ar. Stanley of n. c., 'made the same request nnt
stated as his reasons first that he had not had tim,
TO examine the resolutions, and to see whether the,
gave to the South all the South had a right to de-
mand Another reason was that like MI the thing.
which came from the palace, they were Of a pnrn
complexion"
Mr.. Underwood, of Kentucky, asked to be excused
from voting and gave his reasons at length and wa
Mr. Wise of Va, asked that the House wepld OK
euse him from voting, and he did 50 with the distinc
UNDERSTANDING, that whether the House excused hin