The register. (Monroe, La.) 185?-1861, 1860-01-12
Mr.. Fillmore.


Elsewhere we publish letter from Mr.. Fill
more to the great "USrcN MEETING" recently
disposes Of the letter in the following brief and
appropriate manner, all of which we must COR
daily endorse:
Ex-Presdent Fillmore is a man for whom
we have entertained sincere respect without
any reference to his political views-a respect
which has been shared alike by his party friends
and his party foes both North and South. 1t
is therefore with great surprise that we have
read some passages in letter addressed by
him to the great Union meeting in New York,
which has been since published. There is no
occasion for much surprise at anything that an
active politician may say or do, but from re-
tired statesman like Mr. Fillmore who has filled
the highest Office in the gift of The American
people and flied it with dignity, we are war
ranted in at least looking for moderation, good
taste and discretion, in anything submitted to
the public. In this reasonable expectation, we
regret to say, Mr.. Fillmore has disappointed
US.
1t is true, his letter avows devoted ADLER
cnce to the Constitution, desire that the
South should be sustained in the enjoyment
Of all her rights ain the several States" a
condemnation, (not very energetic or enthusi-
astic, Lowever,) of''thc lamentablc tragedy at
Harper's Ferry" and an approval of the OK
ecution Of Brown. Butour satisfaction at the
expression Of these conservative and consitu-
ional sentiments is considerably abatcd when
we read an expression Of thankfulncss that this
''qucstioa about slavery id Kansas is settled
and settled in tavor Of frcedom.' There is sort Of
exultation, too-or might readily be 50 con-
strued-in the tone in which he adds: "The
NorA has trianPhed, and having triumhed, let her,
by her magnanimity and generosity to her
Southern brethren, show that the contest on
her part was one Of principle" &C., sc.
Again: "We are all Anti- Slarery in sentiment,
but we know that we have nothing to do with
il in the several States, and We do not intend
10 interfere with it."
Now, we have no sort Of objection to Mr..
Filmore's entertaining anti-slavcry sentiments
on the abstract question. There is nothing
offensive in that to any reasonable Goutherner
We do not believe with him that all the p.p-
pie Of the North entertain the same opinions,
but it is certain that many of them do-proba-
bly, large majority. But there is an unncces-
sary thrusting forward of the thing in the OK
tracts quoted above, which was jll-timcd, in.
judcious, and in bad taste. 1t does not "tend
to allay the growing jealousy" between differ
ent sections, Of which Mr.. Fillmore speaks in
another part of his letter. The expression of
these opinions was entirely gratuitous, and
the manner in which it is done does not savor
altogether Of "the thiUs which make for
peace"
Mr. Fillmore states at the outset of his letter
that he has withdrawn from any participation
in politics, beyond that of giving his vote to
those whom he deems the best men to govern
the country. No doubt he speaks sincerely,
for we are very sure that, a few years ago,
when candidate for the Presidency, he would
not have exprcssad himself as above quoted
But it is unfortunate that the active pursuit Of
Office should be a more effective means of sup
pressing indiscrction than the conscious re-
collection Of past honors.