Staunton spectator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1849-1896, 1856-06-11
NO. xxx.
Letter from mr.. Fillmore.

Letter from Mr.. Fillmore.
The following letter from Mr.. Fillmore appears
in the New York Express. 1t was written more
than year ago, and. as Is stated, with no view
to its publication. The sentiments and princi-
Piles ayowed in 1t are such as should command
the approval of every friend of America and A
merican institutions. Mr.. Fillmore entertained
no hostility towards the natives of other coun-
tries, but he feels natural preference for those
born under the same flag with himself, and
rightly thinks that the institutions and liberties
of the country may be more safely confded to
their keeping, than to men impcrfectly acquaint-
ed with our system of government, and indiffer-
emily solicitous about its perpetuation. This is
the letter: ttipi 1i'" y
| iw BUFFALO, New York, Jan. 8, 1866.
Respected Frisnd-lsaae Nepton 1t would
give me great pleasure to accept your kind inyi-
tation to visit Philadelphia, ifit were possible to
make my visit private and limit 1t to a few per-
sonal friends whom should be most happy to
SEQ but know that this wonld be out of my
power, and am therefore reluctantly compelled
to decline your invitation, as have done others
to New York and Boston, for the same reason.
return you my thanks for your information
on the subject of politics. am always happy
to hear what is going forward butindependent
of the fact that feel myself Withdrawn from the
political arena, have been too much depressed
In spirit to take an active part in the late eec-
tions. contented myself with giving silent
vote to Mr. Ullman for Governor. aa sid :
While however am an inactive observer Of
public events, am by no means an Indifferent
one. / may say to you in the franknGss of pri-
vate friendship, that I have for long time look
ed with dread and apprehension at the corrupt
ing influence which the contest for the foreign
vote is exerting upon our elections. This seems
to result from its being banded together, and
subject to the control of few interested and
selfish leaders. Hence, it has been subject OF
bargain and sale, and each of the great political
parties of the country have been bidding to OBJ
tain it, and as usual in all such contests, the par
ty which is most corrupt is most successful
The consequence is, that it is fast demoralizing
the whole country; corrupting the very foun-
tains of political power, and converting the bA-
lot-box-that great palladium Of our liberty.
into an unneaning mockery, where the rights OF
natiye-born citizens are voted away by those
who blindly follow their mercenary and selfish
leaders. The evidence of this is found not
merely in the shameless chafering for the for
eign vote at every election, but in the large dis
proportion of offices which are now held by for
egners at home and abroad, as compared with
our native citizens. Where is the true-hearted
American whose cheek does not tingle with
shame and modification to see our highest and
most coveted foreign missions, filled by men of
foreign birth to the exclusion of native born p
Such appointments are humiliating confession
to the crowned heads of Europe that q Republi-
can soil does not produce sufficient talent to re-
present Republican nation at monarchal
Court. confess that it seems to me-with all
due respect to others-that as a general rule,
our country should be governed by American
born citizens. Let us give to the oppressed OF
every country an asylum and home in our hap
Nv land. give to all the benefits Of equal laws, and
equal protection; but let us at the same time
cherish as the apple of our eye the great prlnci-
pies of constitutional liberty, which few who
have not had the good fortune to be reared in q
free country, know how to appreciate and still
less how to preserve. ~
Washington in that inestimable legacy which
he left to his country-his farewell address
has wisely warned us to beware of foreign inHu-
ence as the most baneful foe Of q republican gov
ernment. He saw it to be sure IN different
light from that in which it now presents itself;
but he knew that it would approach US in all
forms and hence he cautioned us against the IN
siduous piles of its influence. Therefore as well
for our own sakes, to whom this invaluable In
heritance of self government has been left by
our fore-fathers, as for the sake OF the unborn
millions who are to inherit this land-ioreign
and natiye-let us take warning OF the Father
of his country, and do what we can justly TO
preserve our institutions from corruption, and
our country from dishonor but let this be done
by the people themselves in their sovereign ca
pacity by making proper discrimination IN
the selection of officers, and not by depriving a.
nv indiyidual-native or foreign born, OF any
constitutional or legal right to which he is now
entitled.
These are my sentiments in brief; and al
though have sometimes almost despaired OF
nv country when have witnessed the rapid
strides of corruption, yet think perceive
pleam of hope in the future; and now feel con-
fdent that when the great mass Of intelligence
in this enlightened country is fully aroused, and
the danger manifested, it will fearlessly apply
the remedy and bring back the Government to
the pure days of Washington's administration.
Finally let us adopt the old Roman motto
.Never despair of the Republic" Let Us DO
our duty and trust in that Providence which
has so signslly watched over and preserved us,
| for the result. But have said more than
| | intended and much more than l should
have said to any but q trusted friend, as have
no desire to mingle in political strife.
| Remember me kindly to your family, and be-
lieve me, Truly your friend. =
WILLARD FILLMORE.