Republican vindicator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1849-1857, 1856-09-13
Mr., Fillm0re'S Administration.

We hear so much said by the Know
Nothipgs about the great success of Mr.
Fillnores late administration, that we are
quite anxions to see some 'ot the marvel.
ously proper things that he did, which
have given him so much celebrity with
them. He went into office under an OBJ
hgatlon not TO veto any measure which
was not clearly unconstitutional. In The
canvass, when he was elected. the veto
was denounced as the tone man power,
the will Of the people as expressed III The
popular branch of the Government was 10
prevail: for instance, the present Black
Republican House should not be arrested
in its fanati.ism BY presidential veto. -
The Democracy were charged with beng
in favor OF Kingly power liz the Presi-
dcnt. This was denied by them, and they
affirmed that the safety oil the South con-
sisted 10 the checks and balances IN the
Government, aud especially in the veto
power Of the Executive.
We look In yain to Mr.. FillmoTes adj
ADMINISTRATION for any great measure recon-
mended by him, which was Carried out,
aud which produced any marked etlect
upon the Government. The political mea,
sures of his party were not one Of them
enforced. After going into The presden-
.tal Office with his hands tied against the
veto power, except, for clearly nnconsti'
tutional measures, he sat there merely 10
sign the measures of a Democratic Con-
gress. until the fugitive slave bill WAS pre-.
sented, when he felt it his dnty to obtain
the opinion of the Attorney General, as
10 its cons,itutonalty, before he would
sign it.
The compromise measures Of 1880 are
pointed to in praise of Mr.. Fillmore he
did not recommend one Of them. 1t was
said at the time, hat he was opposed to
them, because he preferred Gen. Taylor S
plan OF settlement. We know Mr. CLAY
complained bitterly Of the nonconcurrence
of the Taylor administration, in tine meas
ures adopted. Ii we Iecollect Alright Con
gress was Democratic during his whole
term. and whatever OF credit attaches to
the laws of that administration is due
mainly to the Congress. Mr.. Fillmore S
administration was passive one, so far as
his influence was concerned. II there
was any thing remarkable about il. we
find il in the declarations of the Know
Nothing party, which was organized i'm
mediate.y upon the close Of his term
They publicly aud enphaticalIy charged
that the old Wing and Democr ATTIC parties
we're corrupt That the federal Offices
were nearly all IN the hands Of foreigners.
That the Government was under foreign
influence, sc. These, and many other
sweeping charges, were made against the
old parties withou, Discrimination, and
Mr.. Fillmore's term having just expired
they were most applicable 10 il. fhere
was certainly. then, nothing so estlmable
in the opinion of the Know Nothing party
in the administration of Mr., f., else, there
would nave been some discrimination
made. But, what is most remarkable, Mr.
+. indirectly pleads guilty in his letter oil
acceptance, and promises, If elected again
u bring back the Goveinme Mt to the stan
dard of the early Administrations. Why
did he not do it before, when in office
WHY did he not turn out the foreign in.
1uence, when lie had j: in his power? Mr.
+. has been magnihcd into second Wash
inaior, without the ahteceden.s 10 jnsti'
~ it.
W. have no desire, however, 10 dimin
nh int lie slightest degree any credit tia
a iusd due MIR. Fillmore on accoun! o