The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1869-07-08
WILLARD FILLMORE.
'Fhe Ex~Preridspi's Views OF the Feliticai
s.it aatiOH.

BUFFALO, July 2, 1858.
] called to-day upon Mr.. Mard Fillmore, ex.presl-
dent Of the United States, 10 ascertain that gentle
mans views on the important public questions OF
the time. ! found him ~ ms law ONCE In Court
-ior he still pMcees in hta profession. was
struck with the lltte cuauge time mad made In his
appearance s!uee / saw hin. Gfteen years ago, and
when he was the occupant OF G Waite House. Hts
hair Is whittier ana little thinner, but lie has the
same erect aud rull rounded form smooth skrn win
scarcely a wrinkle and all the appearance Of well
preserved health. He said he had not varied in
weight more than ten pounds since he was President
and thought ne might have been about that much
heavier when in the Presidential! CHAIR. found him
the same dignned courty and aifabie gentleman
lot which he was always distinguished when IN pub.
lie l,fe
When handed my card ana announced to him
the object OF nay visit he said he had retired from
pubnc life desired The repose and quiet of private
gentleman anu did not wish to offer his opinions for
publication, as mis- views and motives might be ms
represented. He alluded to the Misrepresentation
OF his views by radical paper In New York IN as.
sertIng that he was In favor OF an imperial govern
inent for this country, and he seemed 10 think he
could only escape such ialsehoods about himself by
absolute silence ana n0n-interiefence with public
AFFAIRS. Not, he said, that he did not feel the deep
est interest In the welfare Of the country or that he
had anything to conceal. lie did not think the pub
licaton Of hls views would do any good and might
subject him TO misrepresentation and annoyance
He talked freely with me, however, for more than
an hour great questions Of public interest, but
added, when | rose to take my leavc, ~ beg OF you
not TO mention Inc In the papers'
At the commencement OF my cOnvers alton with
Mr. Fillmore took the liberty Of arguing against his
reticerce with regard 30 the public. maintained
that II is from men like himself, nom men who have
filed the highest positions and VINO have had the
greatest experience IN public affairs that we should
look for wisdom, enlarged views and guidance. |
referred to tue admirable custom In China, SEMI
civilized az we are In the habit Of regarding the
Chinese, of paying great respect 10 the opinions and
even adDlomtions OF retired state snen. A man VINO
there 10 be a nldadarla OF the highest class, and
then, FROM old age other cause retires 10 stiii
looked up to for council on important OCCASIONS
Indeed, any one OF these experienced saees
may reprove the Emperor himself for MIS-
conduct unwise measures, ana some
times does so, Notwithstanding the peculiar
sacredness with which his imperial Majesty Is IN
vested. The intelligence and great experience Of
this class OF retired hgn officials constitute the re-
served wisdom OF the country, which bolh the peo-
pie and actual government LOOK 10 with respect and
veneratiO1, particularly when the times are out OF
JOINT great questions OF p0lcy come up. PrOba
bly, the long existence, stability and wonderful pros
perity OF Inc Chinese empire may be attributed in
part TO this conservative feature IN the institutions
Of the country. alluded too, to the fact that In
this age all really great and liOera-ninded states
men recognize the power ana usefulness OF the
press and make that the machine OF enlightening or
correcting public opinion. l gave as particular
example count Bismarck's recent remarkable con-
versatlon with the correspondent OF the hERALD-a
conversation promptly accorded upon application OF
the correspondent, and the time appointed by the
Minister himself for IL when he knew the object
to publish what he might say. This was really more
1mpOrfanC than q State paper or speech In the
Prussian Parliament, because he spoke without re-
serve and IN plain terms, bo:h as TO his own position
with regard to the King ana political parties and
to the domestic and 1Oreign policy OF Prussia. OF
course he was aware that the views he expressed,
though published In the leading journal OF dis
tant country, would go bac6 TO Europe and be
spread over Germany anu the Continent. In thus
recognizing the power and usefulness Of the press
Bismarck showed the same grasp ana cOmprenen-
siveness OF mind which have marked his pubic con-
duct throughout. la conclusion, suggested to Mr..
Fillmore that his views would have more weight be-
cause he has political aspirations or party. and
that all appropriated and right thinking people
would believe lie desired only to serve his country
whether they should agree with hlm IN opinion or
not.
that of General Grant ana his administration. Mir.
Fillmore believes General Grant means well and
wishes to do right, but that through his ineXper-
enee in politics and public affairs ne has got himself
into tue Oh the politicians and has lost the
finest opportunity OF benedung the country He re-.
ferred particularly to General GRANTS position ini-
medately after the inauguration with regard TO the
Tenure OF ONCE act and the difficulties which the
politicians In Congress raised about tue Cabinet He
thinks that mad Grant been urn In requiring the
repeal OF the Tenure OF ONCE act and the conlrma
ton Of his Cabinet first formed the Senate would
have yielded for Grant held at that time the conf
dence Of the people and would have been supported
by them. Besides Senators as well members OF
the House, wanted the distribution OF the offices, and
the President had, III tue power OF nomination, the
winning card. Had he refused TO make any APP
poIntments, unless this act were repealed, the
Senators would nave peen so impressed by his firm
friends and supporters that they would have swept
the act from the statute book. Nor would they nave
embarrassed the Preslden. about his Cabinet have
led him change the original cast OF II suit tn cir
political views ana ends. Distasteful were his
first Cabinet appointments and the policy In making
them to these politicians, ana much rs they wished
to cling to the power they had acquired over the
Executive they would have surrendered Tor the sake
of the offices, and Ia face OF Grants nrmness and
popularity, had he been determined and unmoved
10 was glorious opportunity TO restore the equl-
iIbrium. which had been destroyed by the usurpa-
lions Of Congress, between the different branches OF
the government. The ex-PresidenJ regards that
issue as involving the greatest consegaences--an
issue the Importance Of which General Grant falle
10 comprehend and which may cnange forever the
practical operation OF the government. Looking at
the tendency OF all pnblic bodies To usurp
power and the tenacity with which they
cling to 1t when once acquired, 1t may be
a long time, If ever, before the opportunity occurs
To restore the former equilibrium between Congress,
the Executive and judiciary. The danger Is that
under the name OF representative and federatlve
republic the government may become an oligarchy
VI politicians. When speaking OF this Mr.. Fillmore
took from his library Washngtun's Farewell Address,
and read that porton OF II III winch the father OF his
country pointed out the danger or Congress absorb
ing those powers OF government which properly be-
long 10 The Executive and judiciary. and IN which he
seemed almost 90 have prophetic knowledge oil
the present state OF things. Washington SAID IL
must lead 10 despOtisn IN one form or another. and
Mr.. Fillmore fears that this may be the ease, unless
by some extraordinary and pgoyidentlal crcum
stances the people should be aroused from their
apa ny and the danger that lDsidiOusY threatens
our republican Institutions.
In speaking ol the Suffrage the ex-Presdent said
the great mistake made by the radicals and SEEM
ngiy by the country, just now, ~ that this u
natural right amt not political right or privilege
Hence the suffrage has been gwen 70 mtOns of be-
nlgnted negroes VINO scarcely know their right
hands trOm their left, ana VINO can have no know
ledge OF what they vote for Having given the SUI
rage TO tue negroes II cannot DE refused 10 the mil
| lions upon mlhpns vi Cnnsc who are coming 70
! thiS country, and who Is superior race 10 the
negroes. Tnls u serious EVIL the future to con
template. But lac does not see now the suffrage Is
| 10 be taken away or restricted when once gwen.
We are rushing on IN the way Of political revolution.
and II seems that II must run its course to the ex
| IRENE point Of radicahsm. Is viii he fortunate II
this does pot cdlIninae IN cttOtie regime ia
be followed by another kind ot despoSm or personal
dictatorship Nhen speaking or this state OF hiDgs