Marshall County Republican. (Plymouth, Ind.) 1856-1878, 1860-01-12
THE REPUBLICAN.

MIR. FILLMoRE,s LETTER To THE
NEW YORK UNION MEETING.
Though somewhat out of season, we cannot for
bear to express our special qualification, says the
Cincinnati Gas,tis, at the admirable spirit and Ian
guaSe of Ex President Fillm,rc's letter to the
Union-saver's of New York City. 1t is the pro-
ducton of the patriot aud statesm IN, sincerely at
tached to the Union, but not eager to assure the
South of meek compliance in the Free States with
whatever shareholders may choose to demand. rath-
er than hazard dissolution of the great national
bond. 1t is the utterance of a true Anti Slavery
man, fully appreciatins and sympathizing with the
almost universal sentiment of the North in regard
to the peculiar institution. We notice with pleas
ure his reference to his performance Of painful
official duty in approving AM enforcing the Fugi
tive Slave Law" We think him somewhat mis-
taken. indeed, in regard to the duty of approving
that law yetharins been approved, and its consti-
tutonality judicially affirmed, we think it will
puzzle any reasonable to show wherein
he could have done otherwise than he did. With
those who who think differently. let by cones be by
1
conservative Republicans We can i'll afford to
part company with such men at such juncture.
In its general tone and effect, this letter is sub
stantially rebuke of the prevalent spirit Of the
gathering for whose benefit it was written. Con
trasted with the wretched Pro-Slavery twaddle Of
Charles OConor it reflects the highest honor upon
its author He states that the entire North Is can
ti-S!avery in sentiment Above all, he fixes up
on the right persons, the authorship Of the mis-.
chiefs which now distract the country. He brings
the charge home, with great defniteness and clear
ness, upon the Democratic asitators; Douglas,
PIERCE ani their followers. His letter is, indeed.
almost the only rclcemns thing in all the proceed
ings Of that lamcntible OCCASION. The closing
coansels which it gives are mos. excellent. Tho
late in the day. we ask our readers give the whole
a careful pcrusal. believing they win not only re-
gard it an auspicous sign of the times, but that
many will also derive from II juster opinion Of the
man, and be inclined to ju lse him more charita-
bly, as to points wherein they havc dissented from
his administration 1t has received almost uni
versal CO mmendation among Opposition men:
LETTER FROM Ex PRESIDENT FILLMORE.
BuFFALo, Dec. l6, 1859.
GExr1EMEy:-Your letter Of the 18th reached
me yesterday, enclosing call for public meeting
in New York City. headed "The North and the
South-Justicc and fraternity" and inviting me
to be present the occasion. As no time is spcci.
fed. hasten to 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 to govern
; the country; and have uniformly, since at
4 the head of the Government, declined all invita-
tions to attend political meetings; yet in view OF the
present stormy aspect and threatening tendency OF
public events, did feel that nv presence at your
meeting could in the least. tend TO allay the grow
Ing jealousy between the North aud the South,
should at some personal Inconvenience accept your
). invitation, and cordially join you in admonishn;
. the country North and South to mutual forbearancc
toward each other, and to cease elimination and
re elimination on both sides, and endeavor to re-
store again that fraternal. feeling and confidence
,. which have made Us a great and h,ppy people.
But it seems to me that II my opinions are of any
Importance to my countrymen, they now have the m
in much more responsible and satisfactory form
than Icould give them by participating in the pro-
!, ceedings of any meeting. Ms sentiments on this
unfortunate question of Slavery. and the constitu
tonal rights of the South. in regard to it, have
changed since they made manifest to the whole
). country By the performance OF painful official dlty
in approving and enforcing the Fugitive Slave Law
y What the Constitution gives would concede at CIV
e e-y sacrifice. would not seek to enjoy its bene
" fits without sharing its burdens and its responsible
n ties. know of no other rule of political right OF
u expcdiency Those were my sentiments then
they arc my sentiments now. / stand by the Con
s.itution OF my country at every hazard, and am
prepared to maintain it at every sacrifice.
" Here mil ght stop; but since have yielded to the
impulse to write, will not hesitate to express vcr,
briefly, my views on one or two events which have
occurred since retired from Office, and which ir
all probability have given rise to your meeting
This cannot do integibly without brief refer
cnSe TO some events which occurred during my ad
mnsts.ation.
All mus. remember that in 1919 and so tho
country seve."ly agitated on this disturbing
question ofSlavery That contest grew out of the
: acquisition Of new Territory from Mexico, and :
contest between the North and ,..n South as t.
whether Slavery should be tolerated in a.v part o.
/. that territory. Mixed up with this a claim or
o the part OF the Slaveholding States that the provs-
ion ofthe Constitution for the rendition offuctiyes
from service should be made available, as the law
q Of 1893 on that subject which depended chiefly on
State officers for its execution, had become inoper
ativc, because State officers were not obliged "a
,. perform that duty.
/, Affera severe struggle, which threatened the in
tegrity of the Urion, Congress finally passed laws
settling these questions; and the Government and
people for a time seemed 70 acquiescc in that com
promise as final settlement Of this exciting qucs
ton; and it is exceedingly to be regretted that
mistaken ambition or the hope Of promoting par
ty triumph should have tempted any ono to raise
this question again. But in an evil hour this Pan
dora's box of Slavery again opened by what ]
conceive to be an unjustiiable at emat to force
Slavery into Kansas by repeal of the Missouri
Compromise, and the food OF evils now swelling
and threatning to overthrow the Constitution. ard
sweep away the foundation ofthc Government it.
self, and deluge this land with fraternal blood may
all be traced to this unfortunate act. Whateve,
might have been the motive, few acts have ever
been so barren Of good and fruitful ofcviI. The
contest has exasperated the public mind North and
South and engendcrcd feeling of distrist, and
may say hate that fear it viii take years to wear
away. The lamentabc tragedy at Harpcrs Ferry
IS clearly traccablc to this unfortunate controversy
about Slavery in Kansas. and while the chief actor
y in this criminal invasion 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 ola peaceful and unofendins