Year: 1874




any concession whatever. and beyond the circle of
| timid conservatives, who then now wero ready
for any sacrifice of principle for the sake of
harmony and to save tho party-tho only effect was
to arouse profound indignation at the inhumanity
| and brutality Of the fugitive slave act.


The hostility of the North to the Fugitive Slave
law had been anticipated in some measure but it
was not believed either that it would be enforced in
so aggressive and offensive manner on our side, or
opposed SO vehementy and to such extreme lengths
on the other, as afterward appeared. In
the discussions which preceded its passage it had
been violently assailed unconstitutional In some
of its provisions and President Fillmore was care
full to take the precauOn, before signing it, of pro-
curing from the Attorney-GeDeral written opinion
in favor Of its constitutionality In this opinion
his own judgment concerned No one ever doubted
slr. Fllmore's peority of motives, that he fol-
lowed his conscientious convictions of duty in sing
lug the fugitive slave bill. But it cost him personal
popularity and his administration tho
confidence of the people and no doubt
was largely the of the overwhelming defeat of
the Wing pacty in 1852 and its disappearance as a
political organization shortly afterward. Being
sincere in his suppart of the Compromise measures,
and honestly believing that the differences between
the two sections could be amcably and honorably
adjusted by carrying ont the provisions of the COM
promise he endeavOred, by tho use of such force as
was at the command of the Government, TO COM
pei acquiescence at least if not cooperation
on tho part Of the North, in the enforce
ment of the odious Fugitive Slave law
Resistance having been made TO the execution OF the
law in Boston, Syracuse, Christiana Ponn and SOW
era other places, tho President by proclamation of
Feb 49, 1851 announced his purpose to enforce it, and
called upon woll-disposed citizens to sustain him.
IN ia fnllOWuu
of the Senate calling for information, he sent to
that body special message communicating these
facts. and repeating his determination to execute
faithfully the laws. and suppress all forcbe oppo-
sitIOn to them.


The weakness of the craftsmanship Of that period
the closing hours of tho old Wing party-was IN
its failure to comprehend tho absolute incompat-
blty of the two systems or labor and the impossible
ity of ever adjusting any terms upon which tho two
could exist together. The efforts of tho great po-
ltcal leaders of the term, and all the resources OF
craftsmanship were directed to devising plans OF
rocOncling the two and compromising the
constantly recurring collisions between the
two sections growing out of Slavery. Mr..
Fillmore of naturally conservative
temper and all his training, associations, and habits
of thought led him into sympathy with the great
body of conservatives in lis party, and into hos


tile relation to that class whose convictionsupon the
subject of Slavery were more intense, and who were
frat then beginning an aggressive uncompromislng
war upon the institution itself The attempt to
execute the Fugitive Slave law wdened tho breach
between the two elements in the party, and Mr..
FilnOre's well meant efforts to consolidate the
party upon what he deemed a measure OF fair
ard honorable adjustment, and to preserve the
Union by restoring peace between the warning ana
discordant sections, resulted only in weakening
and eventually disintegratlng the party aud in
tensifying at the North the hostility TO
Slavery which few years later, under the stress of
new encroachments by the slave power crystaized
in the political organization which came into posses
sion of the Government in 1860 and put an end to
the whole monstrous system.


The adoption of the compromise measures OF looO
and the subsequent attempts to enfore the Fugitive
Slave law were the chief features of Mr.. FilmOres
administration Events have shown how utterly
futile were these endeayors to reconcile the two
systems of free and slave labor The compromise
of 1850 embodying the wisest and most sagacious
craftsmanship of the political period which claimed
Clay and Webster as shining lights, was not
only fatal to the party which adopted it,
but was the means of embittering the con-
iict it was intended to allay, and OF
Fastening the final attempt at separation and resort
to arms. With that the period of compromises
passed; the game between the two systems was
from that time forward life and death struggle. 1t
was Mr.. Fillmore's administration that made
the last great effort to avert rupture and go ON
peaceably Whatever may have been the errors OF
that policy it cannot be denied that its authors
were sincere and that in all their acts they
evinced patriotic purpose. No other
measure of Mr.. Fillmorc's Administration
was especially unpopular Many of his recon-
hot
branches having an opposition majority. Having
learned that an attempt to be made to in
wade Cuba by lawless citizens of tho United
States he promptly on the 18th OF April,
1851 issued proclamation warning them OF the
consequences and enjOining upon the law officers OF
the Government the duty Of arresting and holding
for trial all persons engaged. BY the cOnniyance
of the Collector of the Port of New-Oreans
the Lopez expedition did sail from that port ON the
ith of August. Those engaged IN it were captured,
and some of them executed. The Collector OF the
Port was removed, and the steamer IN
which the expedition set out was seized and
condemned for violation of the Neutrality
laws The foreign policy of Mr.. Filmores Admin
istration was dignifed and selfrespecting and by
the character of its representatives abroad, as well
as by its manly Independence, did much to give the
Government position and influence with other ma
tions.


There were many other admirable features in his
Administration not the least among them being the
countenance he gave to important exploring exped-
tions such as that of Commodore Perry to Japan,
that to the La Plata River; Lynchs exploration Of
the Dead Sea; Ringgolds expedition to the Chinese
Sea; and Herndon and Gibbons to the Amazon.


After the expiration of his term of office, March A.
1853 Mr.. Fillmore visited Europe, and whilo there
received the nomination Of the American or Know
Nothing party for the Presidency, for which he re