The register. (Monroe, La.) 185?-1861, 1860-01-12
Letter.
1.EsTEs fi,t,M Ex-pnEsIpESr FILLMORE.

meeting IN New 0fK city, neaQeQ "lne NOrtu
and the south-Justice and Fraternity" and
inviting me to be present on the OCCASION. As
no time is specified, hasten 10 respond by
saying that the objects of the meeting have
my most hearty approval, but have long
since Withdrawn from any participation in
politics 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 of the Government,
declined all invitations to attend political
meetings; yet, in view of the present stormy
aspect and threatening tendency Of public
events, did l feel that my presence at your
meeting could, in the least, tend to allay the
growing jealousy between the North and the
South. should, at some personal inconveni-
ence, accept your invitation, and cordially
join you in admonishing the country, North
and South, to mutual forbearance towards
each other and to cease elimination and re-
elimination on both sides, and endeavor TO re-
store again that fraternal feeling and conf
dcnce which have made US great and happy
people.
But it seems to me that if my opinions are Of
any Importance to my countrymen, they now
have them in much more responsible and sat.
lsfactory form than I could give them by par
ticipating in the proceedings of any meeting.
Ny sentiments on this unfortunate question of
slavery, and the constitutional rights of the
South in regard to it, have not changed since
they were made manifest to the whole country
| by the performance Of painful official duty
in approving and enforcing the fugitive slave
law. What the Constitution gives would con-
cede at every sacrifice. would not seek to
enjoy its benefits without sharing its burthens
and its responsibilities. know; of no other
rule of political right or expediency. Those
were my sentiments then-they are my sent-
ments now. Istand by the Constitution of MY
country at every hazard and am prepared to
maintain it at every sacrifice.
HereI might stop; but since have yielded
to the impulse to write, will not hesitate to,
express. very briefly, my views on one or two
events which have occurred since l retired from
office, and which, in all probability, have given
rise toyour meeting. This cannot do intclli-
gibly, without briet difference to some events
which occurred during my administration.
All must remember that in l840 and 80 the
country was severely agitated on..this disturb
ling question of slavery. That contest grew
out OF the acquisition of new territory from
Mexico, and contest between the North and
The South as 10 whether slavery should be toll
Grated in any part of that territory Mixed
up with this was a claim.kon the part of The
slaveholding States, that the provision of the
Constitution for the rendition of fugitives from
service should be made available, as the law OF
1898 on that subject, which depended chiefly
on State officers for its execution, had become
imperative, because State officers were not
obliged to perform that duty.
After severe struggle, which threatened
the integrity of the Union, Congress finally
passed laws settling these questions; and the
government and the people for time seemed
to acquelsce in that compromise as a final set
Element Of this exciting question:; and it is OK.
ccedingly to be regretted that mistaken am
bition or the hope of promoting party tri-
umph should have tempted any one to raise
this question again. But in au evil hour this
Pandora's box Of slavery was again opened by
what conceive to bc an unjustGabe attempt
to force slaves into Kansas.by repeal of the
Missouri Compromise, and the flood of evils
now swelling and threatening to overthrow
the contitution, and sweep away the foundation
of the government ITSELF and deluge this land
with traterual 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 exasperatcd the public mind, North and
South, and engendercd feelings of distrust, and
l may say, hate, that fear it will take years
to wipe away. The amentable tragedy at
Harpcr's Ferry is clearly traceable to this un-
fortunate controversy about slavery in Kansas.
and while the chief actor in this criminal in
vasion has exhibited some traits of character
that challenge our admiration, yet his ianatical
zeal seems to have blinded his moral pcrccn
lions, and hurried him into an unlawful attack
upon the lives Of a peaceful and unofftndinc
community in sister State, with the evident
intention Of raising survie instruction.
which no one can contemplate without horror;
aud few, believe very few, can be found SO
indifferent to the consequences of his acts, or
so blinded by fanatical 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 associates will
deter all others from any unlawful attempt to
interfere in the. domestic affairs of a sister
State, But this tragedy has now closed, and
Virginia has vndicatcd the supremacy of her
laws, and shown that she is quite competent
to manage her own affairs and protect her own
rights. And, thanks to an overruling Proyi-
dencc, this question of slavery in Kansas is
now also settled, and settled in favor of free
dom. The North has trumphed, and, having
triumphed. let her, by her magnanimity and
generosity to her Southern brethren, show that
the contest on her part was one of principle.
! and not of personal hatred or the low ambition
of sectional triumph.
Finally, if had the power to speak, and
there were any disposed to listen to nv coun-
sell wonld say to my brethren Of the South:
be not alarmed, for there are few, very few.
at the North who would justify in any manner
an attack upon the institutions of the South.
which are guaranteed by the constitution. We
are all anti slavery in sentiment hr+ wv, ,,.