The Portage County Democrat. [volume] (Ravenna, Ohio) 1854-1868, 1860-01-04
Salnn on p. Chase
Miilard Fillmore and Union Saving.

Mr.. Fillmore was invited TO attend III.
aaUnion Saving Meeting. in New York city
He declined, but wrote letter, In it be ad
mits that his signing Of the Fugitive Slave
Law, was in the performance of painful
duty" It gives US pleasure to know, even a
this late day, that he has some sensibiIity OF
this point.
He makes some most excellent points il
this letter-indeed. it is the hest thing be ha!
given 10 the public since his official approval
OF the Fugitive Slave Law. which law, be
might have added. was but one Of the frs
steps TO the repeal of the Missouri Compro
mise, and contributed as much Influence t.
produce the Harpers Ferry tragedy, die
the Border Ruffian raid in Kansas. and ha
contributed more to engender and keep alive
hatred between North and South, than ever
the commotions in Kansas.
$50 From Mr. Fillmore's letter, dated the 16tt
ult., out space allows as to give the following
extracts ::
iFse + ~ y NV sentiments on this un
fortunate question of slavery, and the csnsti
5 tu.ionallrighfs of the South in regard to it
haze NOT changed since they iVere made mani
fest to The ,choLe country by the performance
Of painful official duty in approving ana
- en- forcing the fugitive lnve lap. What the
8 Constitution gives L would concede at every
sacrifice / would not seek to enjoy its ben
efts without sharing its bnrthens and respons
Utilities I know of no other rule Of political
right or expediency.
After alluding to the agitation produced by
q the acquisition of new territory from Mexico
9 and "the final settlement" of the slavery ques
x ton by the passage Of the compromise mea
q sures, he proceeds . sfsEss 's.t' sN@9 so ~
Sc And it is exceedingly toabs regretted that
mistaken ambition orothe hope of promoting
. a party triumph should have tempted any one
to raise this question again Bot in an evil
hour this PandorG's bor Of Slavery iUGs
again opened by t0tdt conceive to be an un-
Q jlrstifa6ie attempt TO force Slavery into Kan.
+. sas by q repeal of the Missouri Compromise,
and the food of evils now swelling and threat
ening to overthrow the Constitution, and sweep
away the foundation of the Government itself
and deluge this5land with fraternal blood, mag
be traced to- this uaf Fortunate act, Whatever
might have been the motive, few acts have
ever been so barren of good, and so fruitful
of evil The contest has exasperated the
vpublic mind, North an South. and engendered
5 feelings of distrust, and Ismay, say hate, thai
l fear it will take years TO wear away. +
s., - ~ e. = re y
And thanks TO. an ,overruling Providence
F the question about slavery in Kansas is now
( settled and settled in favor of freedom The
4 North has triumphed, and having triumphed
let her by her maguanimity and generosity to
her Southern brethren, show that the contest
on her part was one of principle. aud not o.
personal hatred, or the low ambition of sec
F tional triumph 1888 q a+7'' 5'5'1 '' 3
r Finally, if 1 had the power to speak, ant
there we're any disposed to listen TO my coun
sci. l would say to my brethren of the South
Be not alarmed, for there are few, very few
at the North, who would justify in any man
net an attack upon the institutions of thu
Snuth which are guaranteed BY the Constitu
tion. Ne are all anti-S Siavery in sentiment
but Toe knoU that ,ce hare nothing to do ,citl
il in the severGt STATES and IRE do not inte,it
| to interfere i0ih it, And / would say to my
| brethren of the North, respect the rights o
the South assure them by your acts that yot
| regard them as friends and brethren And
| would coniure all, in the name of all that 1
sacred, 10 let this agitation cease with tn,
causes which have produced it Let harmo
ny be restored between the North and thu
Sonlh, and let every patriot rally around ou
national flag, and swear upon the altar OF hi
| country to sustain and defer it.
4. 7eH am. with great respect, = '-'
Is A.a ha. Your ohedient servant, 1
..-9 a+ AILLARD FILLMORE.