The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1859-12-20
THE LETTERS.
LETTER FROM Ex.PREsiDRNT FILLMORE.

70,
Gentlemen-Your letter Of the 18th reached me yester
day, enclosing call for public meeting in New York
city headed The North and the SouhJustce and Fra
ternity, and inviting 70 be present the
As no time rs specified hasten to respond by saying
that the objects Of the meeting have my hearty APP
prevail but have long since WITHDRAWN from any partci
patton politics beyond that Of giving my vote Tor those
whom ] deem the best and safest men ~ govern the
country and have uniformly, since was at the head
the government declined all invitations 10 ateni politics.
meetings. yet in view Of the present stormy aspect and
threatening tendency Of public events did feel that my
the growing jealousy between the North ana the South
Should at personal Inconvenience accept your nvi
taon and cordially join you In admonshDg the country,
North and South, 70 mutual forbearance towards each
other, and to elimination and recrminaon both
sides and endeayor to restore again that aterna feeling
and confidence which have made as great and happy
people.
But it seems to that my opinions Of any i'm.
portance TO my oountrymen, they now have them in
much more responsible and satisfactory form than cosd
give them by participating the proceedings OF meet
ing. Ny sentiments this unfortunate question Of sa
were made manifest to the whole co ntry
by the performance Of painful official duty in ap
proving and enforcing the fugitive slave law What the
Constitution gives would concede at every sacrifice.
would not seek to enjoy its benefits without sharing Its
burhens and its responsibilities know Of other rule
of political right expedency. Those my senti-
mens then-ihey are my sentiments now stand by the
Constitution Of my country at every hazard and am pre-
Here hight stop; but since have yielded 10 the I'M
pulse to wre will not hesitate to express, very briefly,
since retired from office, and which, in all probability
have given rise TO your meeting This cannot do intei
gib)y without brief reference to some events which &C.
CURED during my administration.
All must remember that in 1849 and 80 the country
was severely agieacd this disturbing question OF
slavery That contest grew the acquisition OF new
territory from Mexico, and contest between the North
and the South whether slavery should be tolerated
in any part Of that territory. Mixed up with
claim the part Of the savehodng States that the pro-
vision Of the constitution for the rendition of fugives
nm ndod CHI
10 It's execution had become imperative because State
officers were not Obliged to perform that duty.
OF the Union Congress finally passed laws settling these
questions; and the government and the people for time
ment Of this exciting question and il is exceed
ipgly 70 be regretted that mistaken ambition or
n the hope p,r, Of promoting party triumph should
again. But in an evil hour this Pandora box Of slavery
was again opened by what conceive to DO upjustia
BILE attempt to force slavery into Kansas by repeal Of
the Missouri Compromise, and the food Of evils now
swelling and threatening the constitution and
sweep away the foundation Of the government itself and
deuge this land with raternai blood may all be traced
to this unfortunate act Whatever might have been the
motive few acts have ever been barren Of good and
SO fruitful of evil The contest has exasperaed the pub
lie mind North and South, and engendered feelings Of
DISTRICT, and may say. haie that fear will take years
TO wear away. The lamentable tragedy at Harpers
Ferry clearly raceable this unfortunate controversy
about slavery In Kansas and while the chief IN this
criminal invasion has exhibited traits Of character
TINT challenge our admirat0n yet his fanatica zeal
seems to have blinded his moral perceptions and hur-
ried him into an unlawful attack upon the hives Of peace
fu and uDofendiDg community in sister STATE with tie
evident intention Of raising servie nsurrecton which
DO one can contemplate without horror; and few be-
heve very few, can be found so Indifferent to the
quences Of his acts blinded by fanacal zeal as
not to believe that he justly suffered the penalty of the
law which he had violated. cannot but hope that the
fate Of John Brown and his will all others
from any unlawful attempt interfere the domestic af
fairs Of sister State But this tragedy has closed
and Virginia has indicated the supremacy of her laws
and shown that che s quite competent 10 manage her
own affairs and protect her own rights. And, thanks
an ovcrrung Providence, this question Of slavery in
Kansas is now also settled and settled in favor of free
dom. The North has trumphed, and, having riumphed,
let her, by her magnanmy and generosity to her South
ern brethren show that the contest on her part
OF principle and not OF personal hatred the low amb
ton of q sectional triumph.
Finally, had the power to speak, and there were any
disposed to listen TO my COUNSEL would say my breth
Of the SouthBe not alarmed for there few very
few, at the North who would justify in any
tack upon the institutions Of the South which guaran
teed by the constitution We all anti slavery in
tment, but we know that have nothing to do With
in the several States and do not intend to interfere
with it. And,I would say to my brethren Of the North
Respect the rights of the South assure them by your acts
that yousregard them ms friends and brethren And
would conure ALL in the Of all that sacred TO let
this agitation with the which have produced
IT, Let harmony be restored between the North and the
South and let every patriot rally around our national flag
and swear upon the altar Of his country TO sustain and
WILLARD FILLMORE
LETTER OF ExPREs1DENT VAN BUREN,.
LNDEENwALp, Dec. II, 1859
GENrENEy-I have received the invitation to attend the
Union meeting to be held at the Academy Of Music in the
city of New York. with which you have pleased
honor me-
Although since my retirement from the Presidency
have declined to attend political meetings Of every de-
scrpton, would not hesitate TO make yours exception
on account Of its freedom from partzan views and
evidence of my appreciation Of the high and sacred OBJ
jecs II is designed to promotes If il were in my power to
be with you, which, regret to say, win not be. Fully
concurrng in the views you have taken in respect to the
existing crisis In national affairs only express
my hope that this great State will meet 1t way
which will all doubts from the minds Of breth
OF the sayehodng States that the great body Of
people regard with unmxed adherence the crimes Of
John Brown and confederates and that they will
daily approve of the adoption well by own con.
stued authorities by those OF the general govern
men of adequate prevent the recurrence OF
future outrages Of ike character.
Accept gentlemen, my sincere thanks for the gratifying
expression in your letter. and believe me, with anxious
wishes for the Of your most commendable efforts
Respectfully your friend and obd't scrv't,
N. VAN buren,
LETTER FROM THE, HON. GEORGE BRIGGS.
BY telegraph
HOUSE, OF REPRESENTATIVES,,
WASHINGTON, Dec. 70, 1859 )
Go on with the Union movement. All success TO IT,
OF tho call, and York should be