South Branch intelligencer. [volume] (Romney, Va. [W. Va.]) 1830-1896, 1874-03-13
Death of Willard Fillmore.
Sketch of tie Distiaguished Statesman.

~ 'SN '"'"~VSs past L y CLOCK to-niSnt- lie WAS
conscious NJ to the time of his death Ats o.
clock, in reply to question by bis physician, he
said the nourishment was palatAbe. These were
his last words. His death was painless.
SKETCH OF THE DEAD STATESMAN.
MILLAaD FILLMORE was the thirteenth
President of the UUited States, having been
elected Vice President on the TAYLOR
ticket in 1913, and succeeding to the Pres.
idency on the death of General TAYLOR,
july 9, 1850 Mr.. FILLMORE was born
IN Locke township, Cayuga county, New
York, January I, 1900, aud was secon of
nine children of NATHANIEL and PHGBE
FILLMORE His education was limited
aud be never saw either grammar or
until he was nineteen years Of
age. At fourteen he was apprenticed 10
learn the fnller's trade, AMI the next five
years were devoted to that and to labor up.
on his fathers farm, spending a portion of
each winter In attending the rude common
schools OF the county. la 1919 he con
ceived the design of studying law, and an
arrangement was made by which he OBJ
tained his release from his employer. The
laws OF New York then required seven
years preparation for admission as attorney
from those who had not received a classical
education. He supported himself by teach
ing while studying law. At twenty. one
he removed 70 Buffalo, his late home, the
journey being mostly performed on foot
lie arrived an entire stranger, with 81 in
his pocket. After his admission TO the
bar be acquired in few years a large prac.
tice, aud soon attained the FIRST rank amonc
the lawyers of the State of New York. Mr..
FILLMoRE's political life commenced in
1928, when be was elected representative
to the State Legislature by the anti. NJ,
sonic party. He served three successive
terms, particularly distinguishing himself
by his advocacy Of the act TO abolish i'm
prisonmeut for debt, which was passed in
Land which was mostly drafted by him.
la the autumn Of 1882 he was elected on
the anii-Jackson ticket to Congress Az
ter serving one term he retired I'll 1886
when he was reelected u the same posi-.
ton rs whig. He was chosen again il
1888, aud again in 1910. He rose gradu-
ally in Congress to the first rank for in.
tegri'y, Industry aud practical ability. lie
was decided wing, aud labored earnestly
In support Of the internal improvement and
protective tariff policy of that party. He
supported MIR. ADAMS upon the question
OF the reception Of abolition petitions in the
Twenty Congress The famous tariff
of 1872 was bis creation, and he bestowed
an immense amount of labor upon It's prep.
ara,ion. He retired from Congress in
March, 1913. In the Wing National con-
vention which met in this city in 1914. he
was supported by his own State and by
sone OF the western States as a candidate
Tor the Vice Presidency. La The same year
he was nominated for Governor of New
\ orb by aeclama.ion, but was defeated By
SILhs WRIGHT. La 1917 he was elected
of the Safe of New York. and
10 June, 1913, was nominated Ey the WING
National convention for the Vice Presiden.
cy, with General ZACHARY TAYLOR for
President, and was elected in the ensuing
November. President TAYLOR died 90
July 9, 1850, and Mr.. FILLMORE took the
oath of Office as President on July 10.
His ndminiStration, as a whole, was ac-
know'edged to be patriotic, ab'e, and use
Land bis purity SIS public man was un-
questioned. YET, by signing the fu girive
slave law, be lost the support Of a very large
proportion Of his party in the Northern
States. On July 1, 1881 he laid the cor
ner stone of the capitol extension, amid an
immense concourse Of people who were ad-
dressed by DAN. WEBSTER. His admins.
trntion was distinguished by the expedition
OF Com. MATTHEW g. PERRY TO Japan
IN squadron which sailed in the autumn
OF 1902, and which resulted in a favorable
treaty with that country. Other exprdi-
tons to Africa, to !ho Chinese scas. and the
valley Of the Amazon were dispatched nm.
der his administration. IL retired from
the Presidency March 4, 1852. In his
cabinet thor5 had never been a dissenting
voice az ~ any measure Of bis adminis.ra-
ton. AZ the whig convention Of 1852, al
though bis policy Che fugitive slave law
included was approved by vote of 227
against Sc, he could not command twenty
votes from The free S states.
10 ibe epring Of 1850 be sailed for Eu
rope, where be wa received with marked
distinction by the leading statesmen at the
priuciplI courts The degree IF d. G. l..
was rendered to bin by the University Of
Oxi'rl, but he declined the honor. While
at Rome he was nominated for the Presi.
denry by tie American party, but the real
struggle was between the democrats, sup
porting Mr. BUCHANAN, and The rcpubIi.
cans supporting Mr.. FREMoNr, and though
Mr.. FILLMORE received The support Of
large numbers 10 ell the States, Maryland
alone gave him its electoral vote. lie has
since resided in Buffalo, dovoting bimse II
to study and 60 tho society Of his friends,
and enjoying general respect Mr.. FILL
MORE was If commanding personal pres.
cnc', u pUr, ani amiablo character, Of
marked upriRLtncss aud sclf-relance, and
proved himse'fin tho presidency worthy 10
every wIy Of that exalted position.
gs-gs fyrurtgk Wrvvrr, .l .:t-