New-York tribune., 1874-03-14
WEED on FILLMORE.

a TRIBJTTE FROM AN ESTRANGED FRIEND.
yuuRlOw WEED TEILs or HIS ALIENATION FROM
Observation-Disclosures LETTER FROM THE
Ex-pPEsIDENT-HE DEPRECATEs oFFlCE-HoLD-
ING, AND PRAISES SEWARD.
TO the EditOF Of The tribune
SIR: The curtain has fallen upon the last OF the
chief representative actors in the political drama
which for nearly 40 secured the aScendency OF
the Whg and Republican parties in Western New
York While Others like Frederick Whittlesey'
Thomas c. Love Trumbull Cary, Bates Cooke, &c,
were patriotic ana influential, Albert II. Tracy
Francis Granger, John c. Spencer. Mlard Fillmore,
and William II. seward were preeminent. The ven
erable Gerrlt Smith. contemporary equally pre-
eminent though a resident of Central rather than
Western New York survives. The veteran George
" Patterson who represented Livingston County
from 1882 10 lS4O and was elected Lieutenant-Gov-
ernor in 1885, ALWAYS distinguished for intelligence
flolty and integrity, also survives.
Mr. Fillmore came into public life in 1929. Until
JSjO an uninterrupted correspondence was carried on
between as. and daring all that time agreeable
political personal. and social relations existed
betwcenu IA. The death of Gen. Taylor, aud Mr.
FilmOre's consequent accession 20 the Presidency,
oocasOned alienation, and for the succeeding twenty
years the estfanEement continued. In 1870 at Sara
tosa Springs TO the qualification of both, We met,
crossed palms, and without explanation or embar-
Tassmcnt found enjoyment III frequent aud pro-
longed conversations.
The following letter, in reply to asking him to
take the Office of state Controller contains lesson
shich might be u>cfully learned by those who fall
into the too common error of seeking or depending
upon political offices instead of relying upon some
perm9nent occupation fol livelihood. Nothing is
more pi,isbe than II see. we do. generation of
mn M
and precArOus means of support. Tw.
kelS-York. March Is, lS74
Hu; tIIS MORE On POLITICAL OFFICE Is AIIVELIuOOD
WAsHNGTON. Dec. 6. 1883.
DEAR wEED Yours Of the 81 Is received and regret
more than you can that did not see you at New-York
Where GranGerl He promised 20 write me in full II
g. tiu me.
have not changed my mind any to the propriety
Of NJ TAX The Office Of Controller and sincerely
In hopes shat public opinion would take another direc
ton. more tOngenia 70 my feelings and beneficial
t. the Btao ami party But YOU and others to
think it desirable aud may become necessary that
make t6s sacrifice have just written to my partners
{, consult them the subject. When hear from them
intend t. make mind definitely and unaterably.
10 wioh stand in position that looks as though
had false delicacy coyness on the subject for
have none. speak frankly what think, and will
soon say positively what will do.
have received a letter from Tracy. He declines
bong candidate for the Of1ce, both apprehended
bs would He however mauifests desire that should
take H. auI n viii he will do what he TO aid
success and TO insure it would withdraw appli-
sauOn part for the senatorshp. All this is very
hDd. But cannot bring my mind to the idea of aban-
e)ning my profession and subecting myself 20 the
tsptce Of popular favor official patronage for sup
pOr I'm other words, cannot well afford to make the
peOunierg sacrifice which is required I made up my
mind when entered political life never TO far as
g. feel for moment that depended upon any office
any popular favor for II lelihood. That moment l
suOuldlose inlepeHdonce-I fear. my integrity. He
As miserable whose happiness
HsDgs o Princes fayors"
But ne not only wrctched but Infinitely degraded
whose means OF support depend upon the wild caprice
o. The cver-chanGing multitude. / cannot become a
save 10 such master.
But enough. will give the subject a candid consid
eratien. ana whether shall accept decline cannot
but feel hittered that am thought worthy and shall
ever entertain most grateful recollection Of those who
have thus manifested their confidence and prOfNered
their KIND offices. There is man with whom should
Be moro willing TO be associated politically and socially
thau Mr.. ward. nave entire conf lcnce in his COM
peience and integrity and the other State officers
saob meu as doubt not they will be, 1t would be
boDOr 10 which my humble ambition has aspired
" mDge in the counsels Of such an ASSOCIATION.
In great haste, yours, truly. MILLARD FILLMORE.