Worcester daily spy. [volume] (Worcester [Mass.]) 1850-1888, 1859-12-21
WEDNESDAY. DECEMBER Ell. 1859.
MILLARD F1LLMoRE ON THE TlMEs.-The

WILLARD FILLMORE ON THE TIMEs.-The
Tammany Democrats, who planned the New
York Union Meeting, did not get from Hon.
Millard Fillmore precisely what they expect
ed. He wrote them letter, but he put into it
some things which they did not find very pal
atable He began by telling them that he
found signing and executing the fugitive slave
act "a painful official duty" He thinks it
wise, at the present time, to admonish both
North and South to cultivate moderation; but
he does not like some others, forget to admon
ish the South. 1t is Mr.. Fillmore's opinion
that the present agitation is all due to the re-
peal of the Missouri Compromise; and that
even John Browns raid in Virginia is trace
able to the lawess attempt to establish slavery
in Kansas. After giving an account of the
Settlement" of 1850, which was to be ''fnal-
ity," he says
"But in an evil hour this Pandora's box of
slavery was again opened, by what l conceive
to be an objectionable attempt to force slavery
into Kansas by repeal of the Missouri Com
promise, and the flood of evils now swelling
and threatening to overthrow the Constitution
and sweep away the foundations of the govern
ment itself, and deluge this land with fraternal
blood, may all be traced to this unfortunate
act. Whatever might have been the motive
few acts have ever been so barren of good and
so fruitful of evil. The contest has exasper-
ated the public mind, north and south, and ell
gendered feelings of distrust, and l may say,
hate, that fear it will take years to wear
away. The lamentable tragedy at Harpers
Ferry is clearly traceable to this unfortunate
controversy about slavery in Kansas, and
IL
has exhibited some traits of character that
challenge our admiration, yet his fanatical zeal
seems to have blinded his moral perceptions,
and hurried him into an unlawful attack upon
the lives of peaceful and unoffending COM
munity in sister state, with the evident in
tention of raising servile instruction, which
no one can contemplate without horror"
There was much said at this Union meeting
in very different strain that revealed
dishonest purpose in its promoters, and, also
made manifest how terribly the slave power
has debauched the minds of some men, who
serve it as democrats. Charles OConncr took
occasion to defend slavery as good and just
institution, which ought to be sustained.
Some of his friends were shocked to hear him
talk in that Style; but it was very natural in
anything but democrat, and nowise led to be
champion of free principles. In Europe, he
would be a devotee of Austrianism, as in
America he is champion of slavery. Such
men as he are sure to uphold anything that
denies the supremacy of human rights, and
tends to exterminate democratic ideas.
Another speaker, introduced as "ex-Judge
Dean" maintained that aboltionists should be
hung. He is one of those who would suppress
free speech and have it made as impossible in
the free states, as it is farther south. He was
ferocious on this topic, and made it plain to all
thoughtful men,. that there is in this country
an actual conflict between freedom and despo
tism. Slavery debases men, and not only
takes away enthusiasm for liberty, but poisons
the very atmosphere of freedom. If we had
no slavery in this country, such things as were
uttered at that meeting, would shock all classes
of men and make the speaking infamous. But
slavery is here, and its spell works like that of
demon. Through its influence, despotism,
and strange madness against free principles,
prevail in the southern states and some men
in the free states utter monstrous things in
their defence.
And these Union meetings are held to sus-
tain the despotsm and madness, and to
strengthen institution from which they come.
1t is plain enough that slavery is waging
deadly warfare against all the ideas which Gre
ated our institutions, and transforming the fed
eral constitution into something which our
fathers never intended, nor even dreamed of.
Already that instrument is used to authorize
slavery everywhere within the jurisdiction of
the federal government and presently it will
be used to authorize acts of Congress to pro-
tect slavery and punish those who speak
against it or question its right to universal SUI
premacy. Give slavery unhindered power at
Washington, and the constitution will very
soon be used to authorize the hanging of abo.
itionists, and that, too, with the sanction of
leading Democrats everywhere There is
conflict between freedom and slavery.