Lynchburg daily Virginian. [volume] (Lynchburg [Va.]) 1852-1861, 1859-12-23
THE
LETTER FROM E~X-PnEsIpENT FILLMORE.


BUFFALO, Dec. l6, 1859.
Gentlemen-You letter of the 18th reached me
yesterday, enclosing n call for a public meeting in
New York city, headed "The North and the South
Justice aud Fraternity" and inviting me to be pres
ent on the occasion. AS no time is specified, | has
ten to respond by saying that the objects of tho
meeting have my most hearty approval, but have
long since withdrawn from any participation in poll
tics beyond that of giving my vote for those whom |
deem the best and safest men to govern the country
and have uniformly, since was at the head fthe
government, declined all invitations to attend politi-
cal meetings yet, in view of the present stormy as
pect and threatening tendency of public events, did
| feel that my presence al your meeting could, in the
least tend to allay the growing jealousy between the
North and the South, | should Mt some personal In
convenience. accept your invitation, and cordially
join you ia admonishing the country, North and
South to mutual forbearance towards each other and
to cease elimination and rccrimination on both sides,
aud endeavor 10 restore again that frnternal feeling
and confidence which have made us II great and hap
py people.
But it seems to me that if my opinions are of any
Importance to my countrymen, they now have them
In II much moro responsible and satisfactory form
than could give them by participating in The pro-
~cecdings of any meeting. My sentiments on this un-
fortunate question OF slavery, and the constitutional
rights OF the South in regard to ii, have not changed
since they were made manifest TO the whole country
by the performance OLA painful official duty in APP
proving and enforcing the fugitive slave law, What
the Constitution gives | would conccde at every saeri-
fee. would not seek to enjoy its benefits without
sharing its burthens and its responsibilities. ! know
of no other rule of political right or expedieney.-
Those were my sentiments en-th are my senti-
mcnts now. stand by the Constitution OF my coun-
try OF every hazard, and | am prepared 10 maintain it
at every sacrifice.
Here might stop; hut since I have yielded to the
impulse To write, l will not hesitate to express, very
briefly, my views on. one or two events which have
occurred since | retired from Office, and which, in all
probability, have given rise to your meeting. This
| cannot do inteligibly. without a brief reference to
some events which occurred during my alministra.
ton.
All mist remember that in 1919 and so the corn-
try was severely agitatel Gu this disturbing question
OF slavery. That tontes. grew out of the acquisition
of new territory from Mexico, and n contest between
the North and the South as 20 whether slavery should
tie tolerated in any part of that territory. Mixed np
with this was Il claim on the part Of The slay chuldinS
States, thut the provision of the constitution for the
rendition of fugiti"es from ser,i ice should be made
available, rs the law of 1913 on that subject, which
depended chiefly on State of GERS tor its execution,
had becom imperative, because State officers were
not obliged 10 perform tina: duty.
After ii severe struggle, which Threatened the in
tegrIiy of The Union, Congress finally passed l'MS
settling these questions; aad the government aud poo
pie for a time seemed to ~acquieSe in that compromise
ms II final settlement OF his exciting question; and 1t
is exceedingly to be regretted that mistaken amhi-
ton or the hope of promoting II party triumph shoait
have tempted any one TO raise this question again -
But IN AN evil hour this Panloras box OF slavery WAS
again opened by what coniceve to be I'm unjustitn-
be attempt to force slavery in'o kansae by Il repctl
OF the Missouri Compromise, AMI the food ofevils
nov swelling and threatening 10 overthrow the COL
stitution, and sweep away fhe foundation of the gov
eminent itself, and delugc this land with fiaternal
blood, may all he traced to this unfortunate act
Whatever might have been the motive, few acts have
ever been 30 barren of good and SO fruitful ofetil.-
The contest has exasperaieh the public mind, North
and South. and engcndered feelings ur diSirnSt, aud
may say. hate, that | fear it wli take wears to wear
away. lie lainentable tragedy ut Harper's Ferry is
clearly trnceabic to this unfortunate controversy n
oout slavery IN Kansas, aud white the chief actor IN
this criminal invasion has exhibited some traits oi
character that challenge our admiration. yet his Id
Aatcai zeal seams 10 have blinded his moral perceP-
tons. and hurried him into an unlawful attack upon
the lives ola peaceful and unofTcndiHg community III
n sister State. wi h the ~. dent intention of raising
scr' lie inSnrreetion. which no one can contemplate
without horror and few, believe very few. CAN tc
found so i9.liiie ent 10 the con sequences of his acl'
or so blinded by fanatical zeal, as not TO believe t'.at
he justly suffered the penalty cfthe law which Eo
had violated. cannot hut hope that the fate "
John Brown and his associates will deter all others
from any unlawf full attempt to interfere in the dph-
este affairs ola sister State. Ba; this tragedy hrs
now closed, AMI Virginia has vindisatel the snpren'-
cp other laws, an! shown that she is quite coinPe-
tent 10 manage her own affairs and protect her o"h
rights. And, thanks to an overriding Pro'idencc'
this question OF slavery in k.ns1s S :esaii'i ttIiel
and settled in favor Of freedom. The North ms If
umphed, and, having iriumphed, let her, by her mag
nan;miiy and generosity to her : ritherh hfriiir H.
Show that the contest on her part WAS one ~ iFlirih'
nGd not of personal hatred or tue low arihit' On 81
sectional triumph.