1856 The Life And Public Service Of Millard Fillmore

NYPL RESEARCH LIBRARIES

3 3433 08240575 8

i\

!\.;

1

THE IVEW VQPv

v~\

I

W

VTVO-

.--«\

\

-1

'O^Jtrt^dbf

THE

LIFE

AND PUBLIC SERVICES OP

MILLARD FILLMORE. BY

W.

L

BARRE, OF KENTUCKY.

BUFFALO:

WANZER, MHKIM 1856.

& CO,

Kc:w york

thf:

PUBLIC LIBRARY

7(>r R

ASTOP, ;_h NO/; i^^) TiLDtN FOiJNDATfONS

Entered according to Act of Congress, in the year 1856, by

WAXZER, MCKIM & In the Clerk's

of

.

L'

.

.

^

t:

• «

•

•

*

I

•

T

.

New

•

•

'*..•••

stereottperJ •6uffalo,.n..Y. • • • • • • • •• •

•

.

*•

'

JOHN 'J. REED, pTr.RSOTTPKlt AJCP 16

Spnico

CO.,

of the District Court for the Northern District

office

PniKTK^

StreeV, 'S.

Y.

.

•

•

•

•

«

• . .

York.

CONTENTS. -*^^

CHAPTER

I

— Family reminiscences — Early propensi— Makes rapid progress — Enters a higher school — Studies grammar and mathematics — — His a apprenticed knowledge — Eeturns — His assiduous apphcaa home — Again apprenticed — Masters trade — He teaches school — Studies survey— Personal appearance — Manners, 11 ing

Birth of Millard Fillmore ties

—

a primary school

Is started to

to

Is

clothier

thirst for

to

tion

clothier

his

etc.,

CHAPTEE

11. ff

— Determines to study law — Reflections upon the importance of the step — Reads with Judge 'Wjocd'-j-^ketch —of that gentleman — Goes -mth^/his me^ns — State of society — Pohtical matters — p4i^itted to the bar — — Goes Aurora, and engages Sis ease — Teaches pra>;dce — Nature school — married — regarded as lawyer — Prospects of ........ 25 eloquence

He resumes

his trade

to Bufa.,lo

jyi,7es

Is

to

in

Is

his

At the head of

his profession

to the

Is

legislative

principles

—

III.

Is offered

an excellent connection in

— Individual sketches — elected to the Assembly — Sketch of that — Party pohtics —Adherence capacities — His naturo as a debater — Adjournment of the

— Admitted Legal profundity— body — Evinces

Buffalo

Ills

vif ^.tility

bri^'hten,

CHAPTER

to

first

a

Is

supreme court

^

CONTENTS. Assembly

body—

— His

devotion to

liis

profession

On the committee on Public

prisonment

for debt

— Re-elected

— Governor Throop — Mr. Assembly — Close

Sketch of Mr. FiUmore in that

— His success —

of the session

body— Remarks thereon,

CHAPTER

his legal career

artifice its

and chicanery— Responsibihties of the

law— His views

— His ardent desire — to — His weight of character His

morality —His

to promote justice

— His view— Spurns

his connection

as

of

— 85

.

IV.

— Brief review of Mr, FiUmore as a lawyer — Advantages of a science of the law aU

of im-

Fillmore's active

law endeavors for the repeal of the imprisonment in the Important measures

to that

Defence— The law

capacities as a lawyer

faithfukiess

— In speaking, not a Patrick Henry— Examples of — The great cases — The Cattaraugus Reservation success — remarkable Ontario Bank case — The case that of importance his

his clients

in civil

His argument before the Supreme

Court— His success

CHAPTEE State poUtics— Political

in both, 130

V.

— The — Anti-masonic convention — How the be construed — National — Mr. FiUmo^siir^s of the Whig party — Sketch of that body— Jacksonism

Anti-masonry— The Morgan outrage

CUntonians and Bucktails

poli-

action* of ,^tlifi'«A.nti-ma'30iis'sljqul«l tick -of

more and

18^2

is

its

—iLeaistng^

el'edted

;t(';'C<.ngi»5sj3

fe2bets-.'-Mw.'Kilml)re's

view of the U.

removsVoJC'the-'ae^ogifs-^'Mr* Clay's Excitedielits bccksi'oued "by-tbe

Bank, and the

1833 — — Internal — reduce high

Compromise

Tariff of

removal of the deposits

— Mr. FiUmore's — Mr. FiUmore's quahties — Other measures of Congress — adjournment, efforts to

improvements

Mr. FiUmore and Mr. Polk tor

S.

Its

CHAPTER

salaries

as a legisla.

.

166

VI.

—Van Burenisni— Distinguished characters — Reelected Congress Polk elected speaker — Fourth installment of the Deposit Act —A to

V

V

CONTENTS. bill to

senate

postpone

payment of the installment

tlie

— Mr. Fillmore's

— His opposition

—

It passes

tho

able speech against the

— Mr. Fillmore gives views of the U. Bank — The pas— Mr. Fillmore and Mr. Clay — Slavery the sage of the — Mr. Clay chamof Columbia — The right of the house — His views on the senate, and Mr. Fillmore pion — North and the South — The that time the subject of slavery Mr. Fillmore's conciliatory nature as a statesman — His his

bill

S.

in

bill

District

petition

its

in

in

at

patri-

212

otism,

CHAPTEE,

VII.

— The outrageous conduct —^Awful fate of the Caroline — Mr. Fillmore's resolution urging redress — A committee reports upon the out— He opposes the report — Prompt, but not excitable — rage — The celebrated Jersey the northern His soHcitude — determination to Mr. Fillmore's case — importance — Foul — the on of committee Proceedings gate — — Letter Democratic contestants successful play uents — Twenty-seventh Congress — Great change — Party poU— Harrison and the Whig party — The nominal president — — Committee of ways and means — John treachery — of the twenty-seventh Conof the Giant — — 244 to the Great gress innovations, Equal emergency

His views on the subject of pubhc defence of British officers

•

frontier

for

investi-

Its

elections

it fairly

to his constit-

tics

Dis-

Tyler's

tress

efforts

coun'^ry

.

CHAPTER Tariff of

1842

— A remedy —

a feature in politics

Early statesmen's views

VIII.

men in aU

— Clay

tariff

parties

calls it

Mr. Fillmore's speech on the Tariff

from

— Protective as —Jackson's views — the American system —

for an existing evil

Tariff

.

— Conclusions to be drawn — His high position in Con-

his course in regard to the Tariff

CONTENTS.

^1

— The Morse Appropriation — Cave Johnson — Close of his

gross

congressional career— J. Q.

1844

— Trospccts

Adams and

of the whig party

Mr. Fillmore— Campaign of

— Mr.

candidate for the vice-presidency— Defeat of led to

— Mr. Fillmore Thurlow Weed — Foreign

that

result

Fillmore urged as a

Clay— Causes which

nominated for governor

influence — Letter to Henry — Extracts the cause of defeat — The ComptrollerClay showing — arduous duties — His report to the state — ability— ship

Letter to

Its

Its

ni3 sympathy for the sufferers of the Emerald

Another national

CHAPTER convention — Great

Isle,

.

.

.

273

IX.

—

—

changes Military glory General Taylor nominated for the presidency— Millard Fillmore for the vice-presidency Their election Sketch of the U. S.

—

— — Cahfornia asks admission — Sectionalism the senate — One man at the head — The "omnibus bill"— Death of President Taylor — Mr. Filhnore communicates the fact to the senate — Proceedings of the two houses — Mr. Fillmore takes the oath — Assumes the chief — magistracy Senate

—

Illustrious

names

in

Funejal obsequies,

gQ^

CHAPTER Mr. FiITlmoke's Administration

— He

of his selection— Excitement

m the

X.

— Wisdom — Defeat of the omnibus biU — The North and the South — Struggle for supremacy — Three parties the senate —Wisdom and patriotism — The great crisis— Mr. Fillmore's firmness and patriotism — Dimculties in New Mexico and Texas — Passage of the compromise measures — Their submission to the president — A Callimachus— Fugitive Slave Law— Attorney General — Mr. Fillmore signs tho compromise measures — violently assaUed in consequence — Judge MtLeau^e opinion ~ Fiiet annual — 821 mets^age selects a cabinet

senate

in

civic

la

Its ability,

VU

CONTENTS.

CHAPTER

XI.

— Proclamation of the — Progress of the adventurers — Their delusion — General — Condensed history of that Quitman — The Lopez expedition — disastrous termination — The Crescent City and movement Cuba — European interference — Their proof General Captain Cuba — Mr. Fillmore's views — A second to in regard posals — Mr. Fillmore's course in regard to Cuba — Hulsemann

Fillibustering

— The

Cuban movement

presi-

(ient

Its

letter

— His interviews with Mr. Fillmore and Mr.

Kossuth— His

mission

_ Their Clay

views of his mission

— Sound

views in regard to

Wisdom of Mr. Fillmore's admmisforeign and domestic policy— Its rise and progress —Causes that tration —The American party—

led to the defeat of the

ism—His

whig party— Mr. Fillmore's AmericanReflections, etc.— His nomination

tour to Europe

—

352

for the Presidency— Mr. Filhnore at home,

CHAPTER

XII.

Character of Mr, Fillmore as a domestic

man

— His

adaptation for

—

Mr. the family circle —Amiability and industry of Mrs. Fillmore His love of As a neighbor Fillmore as a

home

— Mr.

dence and

—

— philanthropist

— As a parent — His — His manners — His order and reguresi-

Fillmore as a husband

its sociabilities

His morahty—Mr. Fillmore larity—His industry—His temperance— a man as —And Conclusion, 386 as a statesman —As a patriot

—

PUBLISHERS' PREFACE.

In presenting a it

man

to the public the life of so distinguished

deem

as the subject of this memoir, the publishers

unnecessary to

offer

any apology

for its appearance,

either politically or generally, as it is not the object of this publication to inculcate the peculiar

principles or

views of any party.

The

subject matter has been carefully and thoroughly

prepared by the author, after having had free access to every aid necessary to render the work authentic and reliable.

American

citizens

have always evinced much interest

in the history of those

men whose

reflected credit on the times in

public course has

which they have

lived,

and especially when such men have risen from the humble walks of

life

to the highest

tion in the gift of an intelligent

The

author knows

full

well

and most honorable

and enterprising people.

how

to present a truthful

and interesting record of one, whose early 1*

posi-

life,

imtar-

X

rUBLISHERS' TEEFACE.

Dished cliaracter, and public career, have created a bright cxami)le for the encouragement of

This work

is

American youth.

designed especially for young men, and,

with the hope that

many may find in its pages an incenwe cheerfully submit it to the con-

tive to just ambition,

sideration of the reading public. -

Buffalo, August

WANZER, M^KIM &

20, 1856.

CO.

LIFE OF MILLARD FILLMORE.

CHAPTER

I.

— Family reminiscences — Early propensistarted to a primary school — Makes rapid progress — Enters a higher school — Studies grammar and mathematics — — Returns — His a knowledge apprenticed — His assiduous applica. home — Again apprenticed to a tion — Masters trade — He teaches school — Studies survey— Personal appearance — Manners, ing

Birth of Millard Fillmore ties

—

Is

to

Is

thirst for

clothier

clothier

his

etc.

Millard Fillmore,

the oldest son of Nathaniel and

Phoebe Fillmore, and one of nine children, was born on the seventh day of January, in the year 1800, at the

county, in the state of

of Locke,

Cayuga For a number of

years, his

parents

New

town

York.

remained the

residents of his birth-place,

and here he received the

rudiments of his education.

His parents, though very

poor,

and obliged

to

combat the

sity in their darkest aspects,

as

among His

fierce

elements of adver-

were universally esteemed

the most respectable inhabitants of the country.

father,

Nathaniel Fillmore, was a native of Ben-

nington, in the state of

Vermont, and well recollects the

in victory gained by the immortal Starke, at that place,

1776.

The

grandfather of Millard Fillmore was one of

LIFE OF MILLAED FILLMOPvE.

12

the early settlers of the ically participated

in

New England

States,

and hero-

the hardships and privations

all

With a

incident to the pioneers of "western civilization.

strong arm, and a stronger heart, he endured

woods' privations of pioneer culties

that surrounded

around him, of

who shared

whom

all his

attached, appealing to

A

and to

ditli-

growing up a devoted wife,

family

he was the head

him

the back-

undismayed by the

life,

him.

toils,

all

—

whom

he was ardently

for legitimate protection,

and

nothing but a wilderness before him, where that protection

was

to be sought, in the peaceful asylum of a home, it must be confessed the prospects were gloomy indeed. But his was not the heart to quail before such difficul-

as these.

ties

prompt the

"With that energetic perseverance and

decision that characterized the early settlers of

New England

and has ever been a marked

States,

development of his family, no difficulty was too great to be overcome, no obstacle too great for him to surmount.

At

length, the footprints of civilization

began to impress

the soil of his adoption, farms opened in the wilderness,

cottages supplanted the

rude

wigwam

of the

savage,

abundant crops and well-stored granaries began to reward the husbandman for his labor. But scarce had these indications of peaceful prosperity received the acclaim of

welcome from the grateful colonists, when, from across the Atlantic, the news of the infamous Stamp Act announced the commencement of new troubles. The call to

New

arms met a response

Englanders.

Millard Fillmore,

Among

in the breasts of

these

many brave

was the grandfather of

LIFE OF MILLAED FILLMORE.

13,

Seeing the jewel of Colonial Independence in danger of extermination, and fearing the triumphant exactions of tyranny

upon the fields of his virgin home, he needed no other incentive. In obedience to the dictates of a patriot heart,

rendered

he espoused the cause of the colonists, and service in their resistance to the en-

efficient

croachments of foreign aggression. defend his country's other ensanguined

the Eevolution.

fields,

He

upon the banners of of his labors.

flag, at

He

Gallantly did he

the battle of Bennington, and

consecrated by the hero dust of

lived, I believe, to see victory

his country,

lived to

percH and to reap the rewards

see a

numerous offspring

growing up around him, universally esteemed as ornaments to society. He died at an advanced age, beloved

by all, leaving to his descendants the name without a blemish.

rich legacy of a

Nathaniel Fillmore, the father of Millard, inheriting all

the noble qualities of his ancestry,

commenced

life

with nothing but an inflexible determination to succeed for his heritage.

He

spent his early years in the place

acquiring what knowledge his limited means would permit, and following the industrial pursuits* to which he had been carefully reared. His vocaof his nativity;

tion being that of a farmer, wholly dependent

own

upon

his

resources for whatsoever he acquired, he was in a

position admirably calculated to develop a naturally good

physical

organization.

His

habits,

from early youth,

were exceedingly regular and temperate that he refrained entirely from the use of

So

early, indeed,

were the formation of

—

all

so

much

so

stimulants.

his strictly tem-

LIFE OF MILLARD FILLMORE.

14

perate habits, that in his boyhood he

was designated

as

a model for the boys of his neighborhood.

At the age of sixteen, he evinced considerable judgment, in regard to the future value of New York lands, by persuading his father to go to Syracuse, and purchase lands which were then selling at ten shillings per acre. His father declined " son, that

He

it

this

was too

far

good advice, assigning as a from market."

rea-

continued the industrial pursuits of his vocation

in his native county,

without that accumulation of wealth

he desired, for a number of years.

By

pursuing a course

of scrupulous integrity toward his fellow men, and cherishing the nicest sense of honor, with an ardent desire to

render himself agreeable and useful, he

dence and esteem of

all

intercourse of every day

with life.

whom

won

the confi-

he mingled in the

Though

possessing but a

limited education, with naturally a good practical mind,

he had been especially careful to avail himself of every facility within his reach to improve it, and to acquaint himself,

as

far

as

possible,

with the institutions of

and the history of the times. Born on the eve of the Revolution, and cradled amid the thunders of his country

an enemy's cannon, he learned the lessons of patriotism on the very battle-fields of liberty. Peace had perched

upon the American banner, and prospects more brilliant were then before the youth of the land than had hitherto been known on the continent. fertile fields

Surrounded by the vast,

of North America, free to

selection for a

home,

make

his

own

at the age of twenty-five, Nathaniel

LIFE OF MILLAED FILLMOEE.

15

Fillmore began to look around him with a view manent settlement. Consequently,

in

his

twenty-sixth

year,

to a per-

he

mar-

ried Miss Phoebe Millard, daughter of Dr. Millard, of Pittsford, in the state of

He

Vermont.

in his twenty-

sixth and she in her seventeenth year,

unknown to

or to fame, possessing nothing but

honest,

fortune

determmed

hearts, rich in the possession of each other's love, they

commenced the journey Millard Fillmore.

of

life

— the destined parents

of;

After marriage, he remained in his old county but a

In February, 1798, in company with his brother, he left his native home, and went to Cayuga short time.

county.

New

seemed

so difficult to procure at the

York, in quest of that independency which

home

of his youth.

Here, from February, 1798, to January, 1799, he and his brother lived, alone and almost in the woods, enduring

many hardships and

for the reception

privations in

of their families,

removing the ensuing spring. coldest of winters to abate difficult

making preparations

whom

they designed

Scarcely awaiting the

its rigor,

he commenced the

process of his family's removal from the state of

Vermont

to

difficulties,

Cayuga county,

New

however, and after

York.

much

Through many

labor, the task of

removal was accomplished, and the parties installed their new home.

in

Here, active measures were early taken, to perform the varied duties of practical

life, in procuring a compewhich they required as heads of a young and growing family. Mr. Fillmore, as he had ever been, by

tency,

LIFE OF MILLARD FILLMORE.

16 his kind

and courteous demeanor, and irreproachable

tegrity,

was eminently successful

confidence of his fellow citizens.

in-

in getting the entire

With such undeviating

rectitude did he pursue the course

marked out by

vir-

tuous honor, that his words were regarded as bonds by all who knew him.

As

a proof of the high appreciation on the part of bis

fellow citizens for his sound judgment and exalted moral

worth, I will state that he was created a justice of the

peace for Cayuga county, the duties- of which disicharged to the satisfaction of

all,

and

to the

office

promotion

of public justice, for the period of eleven years.

incumbents of those

offices

he

The

were then invariably selected

from the best men of the country. He held the scales of justice with an even hand, and often evinced a sound

judgment and a nice discrimination rarely excelled even

by those gifted in the elucidation of legal technicalities. His early friends in Cayuga county were among the first citizens,

possessing those high traits of character for

which the early fathers of the New England States were so proverbial. His interests being identified with theirs his love of virtue being in

became domesticated assigned him in their

common with

in their families, afi'ections.

He

theirs

— — he early

and had a place

had been, as he

thought, successful, too, in accumulating a portion of that

property which the wants of a growing family required. He had, in fact, by investing the proceeds of his labors in

Cayuga county lands, become the proprietor of quite a handsome property but a deficiency in the title by which ;

those lands were held being subsequently discovered,

it

LIFE OF MILLAED FILLMOEE.

17

was seen that the means which he thought judiciously appropriated were a total loss: and the lands passed

About a year after his removal to Cayuga county, Millard was born. Like Washington and Clay, he was born with no silver spoon in his mouth

into other hands.

—

and

them, he was destined to become an enduring

like

monument

of his

own

Nathaniel

architectural genius.

Fillmore continued a resident of Cayuga county for a

number

of years, but being deprived of his lands

by the

deficiency of title before alluded to, and having quite a

large family to support, he resolved on removing to Erie

county, in the more western portion of the state.

He

reached the city of Buffalo with his family, on the tenth of

March, 1830.

Buffalo

was then becoming a

place of commercial importance, and offered excellent

inducements to the settlers ness.

He

in

every department of busi-

resided near Buffalo for a

universally beloved and respected.

number

He now

of years,

lives at the

beautiful village of Aurora, twenty miles from Buffalo,

regarded by

all as

an embodiment of virtuous integrity.

Though he has reached years, he

is

ulties, is in

the advanced age of eighty-six

in the vigorous possession of his

mental

fac-

excellent health, and never feels a pain, though

somewhat enfeebled by age.

Thus, in the peace and

quiet of healthful old age, as he approaches the grave of his fathers,

he

" Looks back upon life from its dawn to its close, Nor feels that he 's squandered its treasures away."

Phoebe Fillmore was a lady of prepossessing appearance, and richly ciidowed with the amiable qualities of

LIFE OF MILLARD FILLMORE.

18

soul for whicli the ladies of

Xew England

were pro-

verbial in the early days of the republic.

Her

Doctor Millard, was,

father,

as an able physician, and a

ments

A

man

in that day,

regarded

of considerable attain-

in various

departments of useful knowledge. sympathizer with the colonial sufferers through the

Ee volution,

scenes of the

after a peaceful

adjustment of

the difficulties between the two countries, he

was anx-

iouslv solicitous that his children should receive all the

blessings of our free institutions.

Phoebe Millard, was, therefore, blessed with

all

the

educational facilities the country could afford, and re-

ceived the kindness of the best of parents.

Thus, sition, a

spirit

intellect, that

was destined

At

an amiable dispoof meek forbearance, and a richly stored

in early girlhood, she evinced

eminently qualified her for the position she

to occupy.

the age of sixteen, she

became the wife of Nathaniel

Fillmore, and left the paternal

tunes of the j^oung pioneer.

home

to share the for-

Though young

in

years,

she fully understood the duties and responsibilities of a wife.

Devotedly attached to her husband, she was ever

careful to promote his happiness.

With

clear concep-

tions of her responsibilities as a mother, she

careful to instill into the

virtuous

wisdom

was tenderly

minds of her children lessons of

for their guidance.

How much

influ-

ence the examples of such parents have had in shaping the career of their distinguished son eternity alone can tell.

It is a remarkable fact, that, in the perusal of our

great men's early histories,

wo

find they all

had excellent

LIFE OF MILLAED FILLMORE. mothers.

19

Nathaniel Fillmore was peculiarly a domestic

man; he knew no joys

compare with those that eradiHe was ever grati-

to

ate around the green vales of home.

wife endeavoring to

fied, therefore, to find his

make hap-

She shared

piness the inmate of his humble abode.

his

fortunes with the changeless devotion of a faithful wife,

gladdened his path with the sunshine of her smiles, and

gave

arms a

into his

son, the glory of

whose name

will

live forever.

In company with her husband, she arrived at the city of Buffalo on the 10th of March, 1820, where she continued, zealous in the discharge of every duty, smoothing

the cares of her husband with devotional kindness, and

impressing upon the minds of her children the deathless

example of a virtuous

At

life.

the time of their arrival in Buffalo, the family had

become quite numerous, and required

all

the efforts their

Mrs. Fillmore, by the zeal with

parents could bestow.

which she guarded the welfare of her children, proved herself worthy the position she occupied.

During her residence the esteem of

ail

with

in the vicinity of Buffalo, she

whom

she became acquainted.

won Sho

lived to see her children the recipients of public confidence.

She died on the 2nd day of April, 1831. did this bereavement

band and children

— he

best of mothers.

Mrs. Fillmore had

four sisters ters

:

Heavily, indeed,

weigh upon the minds of her huslost the best of wives, they the five

brothers and

her brothers are good citizens, and her

beloved

by those

who knew them.

Fillmore has several brothers,

who

sis-

Nathaniel

are regarded as excel-

LIFE OF MILLARD FILLMORE.

20

Colonel

lent citizens in their respective neighborhoods.

Calvin Pillmore was a captain under General Scott, in the war of 1812.

The

family of Mr. Fillmore are remarkable for their

strictly

temperate habits, and great physical vigor and I have

longevity.

much

deemed

it

necessary to

say this

of the parentage and relations of Millard Fillmore.

it will be thought quite sufficient to say of a man's parentage, who owes no part of his fame to an illustrious ancestry, who plucks no laurels from the

I presume

" lineal tree," but

own

fortunes

who

is

essentially the architect of his

— the builder of

his

own

temple.

True, the

most

ancestry of Mr. Fillmore vies with the oldest and respectable of the early

New

England

settlers,

but

still

brows are circled with the chaplets of no civic or

their

present themselves to our view

military fame.

They

panoplied in the

gorgeous drapery of no illustrious deeds,

wherewith to decorate the page of history. Yet, as impersonations of the purest virtue and patriotism, as men

who

strictly abstain

from

all vicious

habits, and,

by an

adherence to the principles of temperate morality, live a life

of irreproachable rectitude, and reach an old age in

the full possession of elicit

their faculties, they

should

our esteem and emulation.

Men who their

all

thus live, careful to leave upon the minds of

posterity the

impress of virtuous example,

are

the true noblemen of the country.

Millard Fillmore, in early childhood, possessed a

se-

date gravity of manners and a peaceful quietude of disposition

that

was extraordinary

in a

child of his age.

LIFE OF MILLARD FILLMOEE. Possessing for the

little taste, in

common with

amusements incident

21

other children,

to that age, he

was

rarely

seen engaged in the sports which were a source of enjoy-

ment his

to the other

young

boys

in the

associates, but

had no desire

their frolicsome pastimes.

tion

was steady and

traits of character,

neighborhood.

The

He

loved

to participate in

quality of his disposi-

earnest, yet mild

These

and gentle.

thus indicated at so early an age,

have, to a great extent, grown with his growth, and be-

come marked developments

of his maturer

manhood.

In

childhood, he doted on his parents with an ardor that

knew no abatement, and loved ence to their commands.

to render implicit

He was

obedi-

industriously assidu-

ous in the performance of every duty, and evinced, at a

very early age, a determined

spirit of

energy, whose rest-

no discouragement could suppress. Prompted in his earliest undertakings by an e#Qulative

less activity

.

ambition to excel, his

efforts

were characterized by such

that he seldom knew spirit of vigilant perseverance, such a word as " failure," in childhood. His intercourse

a

with his playmates was quiet, kind, and agreeable. The acknowledged favorite of his young companions, he was often chosen arbiter of their little disputes,

seldom

From

failed to settle in a

manner

his earliest childhood,

peaceable

He was

which he

entirely satisfactory.

he was remarkable

for these

traits of disposition.

never known to quarrel with other boys, or to

use language in the least exceptionable to any one. six years of age,

At

he was sent to school, in the immediate

neighborhood of his

father's,

where he commenced learn-

LIFE OP MILLARD FILLMORE.

29

At

ing to read and write. fest a love for books,

this school

he began to mani-

and to evince a

thirst for useful

knowledge, that has been characteristic of his whole life.

subsequent

At

the time of which I

New England

in the

am now

States no

speaking, there existed

efficiently,

system, as at the present day, possessing to rapid

advancement

in

organized school all

the facilities

every department of useful knowl-

and even had such advantages existed, the father of young Fillmore was too poor to avail himself of them. edge

;

The name was

sent

of the first teacher to

was Amos

of Connecticut.

Castle, who, I believe,

man

— of the early Puritans —

of no

his pupils as fast as

man

extraordinary attainments as a

He had a good school, and was

scholar.

Fillmore

was a native

Mr. Castle was a very religious

observing the strictest principles

but was a

whom young

possible

;

careful to advance

he was especially careful

in the rigid enforcement of his rules regulating the

He was

als of his school.

mary

school,

this school,

beloved as a teacher of a pri-

and as a Christian of exemplary

piety.

At

young Fillmore made such rapid progress in

the elementary branches of learning, that

and even

mor-

ease and facility

and

all

the scholars,

were surprised at the with which he mastered his lessons. In

his teacher

father,

a very short time, so rapid had been his progress, that

he was enabled to stand at the head of his classes, and

compete for the prize with the best scholars in the school. His rapid progress soon became manifest to the whole school,

and though

it

excited the envy of some, with the

encouragement of his father and his teacher, the spark of

LIFE OF MILLAED FILLMOEE.

23

ambition was kindled in his breast, that was destined to blaze

its light

across the world.

Under the parental

direction of his father,

who had

opened his young mind, thus early, to the importance of mental culture, and filled his soul with exalted conceptions of

future success, he soon learned to read

write, and acquired a superficial knowledge of

He made

things that were eminently useful.

and

many

considera-

ble proficiency in the different branches of his primary school, displaying in childhood a strong predilection for

whatever pertained to books.

He was

extremely careful

to avail himself of all the advantages

thrown

in

way, and, passionately addicted to the attainment

knowledge —

so

much

ing desire of his dinate.

so that

soul, to

it

his

of

became the one absorb-

which

all

others were subor-

For the hardships of confinement

in a school-

room, he regarded himself richly remunerated by the acquisition of knowledge as the fruits of such coercion.

Hence, though very young, instead of the desultory, irregular efforts at progress, usual his

age,

among boys

of his

mind became engaged in its one absorbing manner of his studies assumed the regu-

idea, until the

larity of system.

He

did not engage in the prosecution

of his studies as though

him

:

to him, study

was a

was a task imposed upon He was delightful occupation. it

never seen engaged in those frivolous occupations of fishing or hunting, so usual

among boys when uncontrolled

Instead of participating in these by he would pore for whole days over the boyish sports, coercive authority.

pages of a book, with a taste that seemed increased rathei

LIFE OF MILLARD FILLMORE.

24

His growbooks and ardent thirst for knowledge

than diminislied by tho perusal of his pages. ing passion

for

became a theme of observation and comment on the part of his acquaintances and associates. They perceived that his progress

gage

in the

was unchecked by any

amusements of

desire to

his companions, or

by

enhis

assiduous application to his studies, and ultimately con-

cluded he loved to study, as his greatest source of enjoy-

He was

ment.

frequently,

when very young, known

to

whole days over the pages of a book, the peruwhich could scarcely be imposed upon most boys of his age as a task, and yet, to him its perusal was a source pore for sal of

This love of books and taste for reading,

of gratification.

was

in his early boyhood,

Ko

often

a subject of remark.

scenes of mirthful festivity or boyish sport could

allure

him from

favorite pursuit.

his

If asked to par-

amusements of his young companions, he remain at home, where, undisturbed and

ticipate in the

preferred to

he could enjoy the glorious luxury of reading. Not that he had an aversion to the society of his young alone,

friends at this early

age

social intercourse, but

;

he had a species of zest

for

never participated in the wild

sports incident to that age.

He was

calm and

social,

but never gay and boisterous.

This love of quietude has always been characteristic of Mr. Fillmore. It seems a part of his nature.

While young, culiar nature.

his

enjoyments were somewhat of a pe-

Reading, and reflecting upon what he had

read or seen around him, were for him enjoyments that far surpassed the transient gaieties of the festive throng.

LIFE OF MILLARD FILLMORE.

25

Wlien very young, he was a close observer, and loved particularly to study the traits of different characters

whom

with

he came in contact, and form his own conclu-

sions in regard to the same.

Many

and accuracy, while the

clusions evince great justness

correctness of

many

of his early delineations of character

credit to a moralist of an older growth.

would have done

These

of those early con-

traits of close

observation seemed peculiarly

manifest in Mr. Fillmore at a very early age, and have

doubtless contributed for his actions

through

much life.

to

form that correct basis

At

ten years of age, he was'

sent to school to a Mr. "Western, in the village of pronius,

Cayuga county,

New

I have been able to learn but

man

of correct habits, and

York. little,

Of

this

Sem-

gentleman

save that he was a

was regarded there as a well

educated man.

At

young Fillmore commenced the study

this school,

of grammar and mathematics. classes,

and mastered

He

took the lead in his

his studies with

an ease and

ity that evinced an intellectual capacity of the

first

facil-

order,

and an indomitable perseverance in overcoming obstacles to his progress, that would quail before no discouragements.

Of young Fillmore

it

may

be truly said, that he

possessed in youth a mind eminently susceptible of an indefinite tific

expansion in the various departments of scien-

literature.

Possessing no choice, particularly, for

one branch of learning over another, he had only to seo that ity,

it

was knowledge and become convinced

when he mastered

intuition.

About 2

its intricacies as

this time* his youthful

of its util-

by the glance ef predilection for

LIFE OF MILLARD FILLMORE.

26

books developed

with him

the

;

So great was

in its true light.

itself

this propensity that

seemed an inherent one

it

moment

a

new

subject presented itself for

mind exerted

his investigation, his active

— born

itself

promptness of instinct, until its abstrusities

with the

were thor-

oughly understood.

The all

by

vigorous powers of his intellect thus cultivated the means of which he had been able to avail

himself,

became more and more incessant

tivity to acquire

knowledge

in its restless ac-

until those of an intellectual

nature were, at length, the only pursuits in which he took delight.

From

the career of Mr. Fillmore, let

the youthful

reader deduce an argument in favor of early application, to qualify himself for the exalted position of his destiny. Let him remember that obscure soever as may be his social birth, that it is a distinguishing feature of our political

organism

and honor,

to all

and

to open the avenues to wealth, fame,

who, by application, deserve being the Let of name, distinction, or birth.

recipients, irrespective

him remember when adverse circumstances darken around his

young

aspirations,

current of his soul,"

and

" chill

how like

penury freezes the genial a star young Fillmore arose

from the gloom that enshrouded him, and gradually he took his place ascending, radiant with light, until constellate in the horizon of

among the brightest that mmd. Let him remember

too, that the secret of his suc-

cess and his immortality

lies in

the fact that the high-

toned resolves of his early boyhood free

from the -witching sorcery of

kept him entirely

evil habits

— and

that,

OF MILLARD FILLMORE.

LII'E

by

27

close application, to qualify himself for the discharge

of after duties, in the prosperity of subsequent

never had

mune with

Up

back

to look

to the

life

he

com-

days of his youth, to

" the ghosts of his departed hours."

to this time,

young Fillmore, by

assisting his father

on the farm during the spring and

summer months, was

enabled to attend school during the

fall

of each year

;

and thus his

partially supplied

But owing

tion.

was unable

by the means to the limited

and winter months

knowledge had been

offered for its gratifica-

means of

his father,

his hands, he

was compelled

for a while his

to quit school,

young ambition, except when

opportunities presented themselves for

its

gratification in

was sure

the sphere of an apprentice, of which he It

who

was accumu-

to support so large a family as

upon and smother

lating

thirst for

was a source of

to

bitter regret to

young

Fillmore, to leave his school-room, where he had

made

avail himself.

such rapid progress, and to lay aside his books that had been his most delightful and familiar friends. the oldest son of a growing family, however,

He was

who had no

resources for a support but the labors of his father, and

saw

clearly the imperative necessity of being early quali-

fied

not only to support himself, but to render his father

assistance in supporting the younger family.

With

this view,

in his

members

fifteenth

of the

year he was

placed under the care of Mr. Hungerford, in the town of Sparta, Ontario county, (now Livingston,) for the til

New

York,

purpose of learning the clothier's business.

about this age, he had been timid and

diffident,

Unwith

no indications of that buoyant health and physical vigor

LIFE OP MILLAED FILLMORE.

2S

whicli he ultimately attained.

Taking

into consideration

the destitute circumstances of his father, and hoping he

might be enabled

to alleviate them, \vith

young Fillmore cheerfully submitted necessity,

a stout heart

mandate of

to the

bade adieu to his school-room,

com-

left his

panions and his home, to commence the arduous duties of an apprenticeship. teen,

Thus, at the tender age of four-

— an

dependent entirely upon his own resources

ancestry without a blemish his only legacy

— the

aristoc-

racy of an honest heart that no evil influences could corrupt, his only guide

no

diificulties

— and an indomitable energy

could subdue, his

menced a career that was destined

that

only capital, he comto

become immortal.

His connection with Hungerford, in the capacity of an apprentice, resulted in no abatement of his thirst after Aided by the attainments he had subsequently made, with a mind whose conceptions became elevated and enlarged, as he advanced in years he useful

knowledge.

seized those books he could procure best calculated to familiarize himself with examples

of the great

good, and devoured their contents with avidity. fully assiduous to appropriate every

moment

and the Care-

of his time

not required by the duties of his apprenticeship to the cultivation of his mind, he accumulated a large

of

useful information in regard to his

times.

One

of his favorite pursuits at this time

study of history.

He

well as the living, and

amount

own and other was the

loved to confer with the dead as

upon the records of the past

to

see the imperishable impress of departed worth.

Though

at times

young Fillmore longed

for better

LIFE OF MILLARD FILLMORE. opportunities to cultivate selves as a clothier's

Ms mind

29

than presented them-

apprentice, and wished relief from

the coercive restraint under which his aspiring soul

was

fettered, he never uttered a murmur of discontent, or

His was not a genius whose spark of inspiration could be extinguished by adverse winds

mourned

at his

that assailed

it.

lot.

With

a firm reliance upon the happy

result of his continued efforts,

and the ultimate triumph

of virtuous perseverance, he pressed steadily forward to

the consummation of his wishes. situated under circumstances

Many

bright geniuses,

similar to those that sur-

rounded the youth of Mr. Fillmore, have slumbered forever in obscurity. Many sensitive minds, gifted with all the natural endowments of talent requisite to success,

have been crushed by

difficulties of less

magnitude than

weighed upon the aspirations of young Fillmore. With can not sympathise struggling genius thus fettered, we

Ko

too deeply.

condition of

life

is,

perhaps, so fraught

with mental suffering as that of a young student who

name and

pires to a

is

conscious

of his

own

as-

inherent

worth, but feels every energy palsied by the icy chill of to his original sphere. poverty that binds him forever

Such commence

their

careers full of

bright hopes

for

of adversity for a while

they breast the storms with true courage, but they have no influential friends to well of their efforts they possess no combination

the future

;

si)eak

;

of influences favorable to their advancement, and having to turn aside cessities of

from their chosen profession

life,

to earn the ne-

of fortune they see those more favored

the recipients of public outstripping them, and becoming

LIFE OF MILLARD FILLMORE.

30

confidence, and finally, depressed and discouraged, the " " minds

word

failure

they pass into

This

is

—

becomes impressed upon their obscurity, or become votaries of dissipation.

the fate of hundreds

The main

sands.

— the

cause of these disastrous results

want of moral covrage on the part situated

history of thou-

of

is

a

young students thus

to press steadily forward, over all obstacles,

and

Herein consists

wait with patience the reward of merit.

an essential element of Mr. Fillmore's greatness; he was one of the immortal few

combat

to await with patience

knew

who had

every difficulty, to resist

that success

the moral courage to

every temptation, and

the reward of his labors.

the result of labor, of studv, and of thouoht.

young men thus

He

was not the creation of an hour, but For

all

situated, he stands a beacon light to

How worthy American example youth. The stay of our young apprentice with Hungerford was a very short one. That gentleman, not having saificient immortality, enduring as the Pyramids.

their emulation

work

is

in his clothier's

his apprentices

for the

his

business to require the services of

more than half the

to other work,

when not engaged

tablishment.

This did not

left

suit

time,

would send them

in the business of the es-

young Fillmore.

home, and entered the establishment

of learning the trade, and

when he found

for the

He had purpose

that his services,

instead of bein2: confined to that exclusivelv, were chieflv

required in the labors of another vocation, he resolved on

returning home.

reasons — he

This resolution was not without good

was anxious

to learn a trade, in order to

render his father that assistance, in the support of his

^

LIFE OF MILLAED FILLMORE. family,

which

his limited

his

own advancement.

by

his employer,

required, and to promote

means

The

31

duties required at his hands,

when not engaged

in his regular busi-

ness, were of the most onerous nature.

Everything, there-

fore, being satisfactorily arranged with Hungerford, he

started for his

home

in

Cayuga county, where he arrived, It was in the few months.

after an absence of only a fall

of the year

when he reached home.

suing winter he assisting

much

him

in

During the

en-

remained with his father, cheerfully his

out-door labors, and contributing

to the happiness of their

The homo

humble home.

of Mr. Fillmore was, at this time, comparatively speak-

The country

than a wilderness. ing, situated in little less

was but sparsely inhabited, with few indications of the What improvesubsequent prosperity it has attained. ments had been made were of a the strictest principles of cial

intercourse

which were the

was

rustic nature,

economy and

simplicity.

restricted to only a

few families,

facilities, in fact, for

There were none

the youthful student, that

are thrown so profusely around the young day.

men

Books without number, school systems,

lyceums and Sunday schools, efficient assistance to

advantaores

unknown

unaided with these

So-

Schools were few in

entire

community. number, and not very well sustained.

of those

and upon

young men to the

etc.,

that

render

of the present day,

vouth of Mr. Fillmore.

facilities,

of our

libraries,

such

were Yet,

during the winter, while at

by applying his leisure moments to reading what books he was enabled to procure, he added a large

his father's,

amount

of useful information to

what he had previously

,

LIFE OF MILLARD FILLMORE.

32. acquired.

He had

a great passion for readiKg, and a

liappy faculty of tldnldng on

what he read.

lie thus

treasured from the records of the historian, the leading

Grecian and ant,

With

and wisdom of other times.

events, the virtues

Roman history

he became somewhat convers-

and thoroughly imbued with the sentiments of

He was

tuous patriotism of the ancient sages.

vir-

fond of

perusing their history, he loved to treasure their deeds of

renown, and read, with delight, the pages of their matchless oratory.

He

fully

understood the advantages, in his

youth, of reading; but as a distinguishing

trait

in his

youthful character from that of most youths, he bestowed'

thought upon what he read.

In his reading, he

would compare characters, and seek

for the existence of

^much

analogy, or view the beauties of virtue,

With the deformities of vice. actions of those of

of their origin. in

whom

By

He

when

contrasted

loved to analyze the

he read, and trace the motives

this course,

he was seldom incorrect

the opinions he formed of different characters.

possessed, in

youth,

an extraordinary memory.

most casual occurrence he would never

forget, while the

details of all conversations in his presence

bered with minute accuracy.

Though

He The

were remem-

his opportunities

were limited, owing to the scarcity of books, his passion for reading and general observation, combined with these retentive faculties of

memory, resulted in the accumulaand information, embracing

tion of a vast fund of facts

a portion of almost every department of useful knowledge.

Though deprived

of those

means

of

enjoyment so

prized by youth and incident to thickly settled commu-

LIFE OF MILLARD FILLMORE. the boyhood of Mr. Fillmore

nities,

out

its

With

pleasantries.

was not wholly with-

the youths of the neighbor-

when he could get time and

hood,

33

his

own consent

to

forego the pleasure of his studies, he would have considerable pastime.

In

their little excursions, the peaceable

and quiet disposition of young Fillmore was always man-

He

ifest.

never gave

associates to do so,

if

way

to anger, nor permitted his

he could possibly prevent

As

it.

illustrative of his peaceful disposition, I will insert the

following incident, that occurred in his thirteenth year.

The him

peculiar domestic habits of his father often induced to

have the children of the neighborhood around him,

whose playful gambols were to him a source of delight, to the morose and misanthropic. Living on terms of entire sociability with all his neighbors, he had

unknown

frequent opportunities of getting

all

their

children to-

gether at his house, for an evening's amusement.

It

was

on one of those occasions, when quite a number of the neighbor boys and girls had assembled for the purpose of enjoying their sports

ment,

however,

a

;

when

sudden

among the juveniles, and more, who had taken no

at the height of their enjoy-

occurred

misunderstanding

a quarrel ensued.

Young

active part in the

amusements

Fill-

of the occasion, on seeing the disturbance, approached the parties with great gravity, and chided

mildest

possible

manner

for

their

them

conduct,

in the

and gave

them a moral lecture upon good behavior, telling them "it was not ladylike," thus to in-

"it was unmanly,"

—

terrupt their evening's entertainment.

In

this

way, he

soon succeeded in restoring quiet, and making the quar2*

LIFE OF MILLAKD FILLMORE.

34

He

relsome parties heartily ashamed of their conduct.

thus, at a very early age, evinced the desires and capaci" *' ties of peacemaker that have been eminently characteristic of his

subsequent career.

So conspicuous, indeed, was their children for per,

would

He was

refer to

any exhibition of rudeness or

him

as an

those of his

among

own

the elder inhabitants of the neighborhood,

among who always felt happy

in

having him associate with their

But the time was near

children.

his gjiad to quit

had passed since he

A

hand when again he

With

for the duties

portion of the fall and winter

employer, embracing a His time had not been wasted or

left his first

period of six months. misapplied.

at

books and leave his friends,

of an apprenticeship.

it

ill-tem-

example they should follow.

quite a favorite, not only

age, but

of

his peaceable, quiet dispo-

parents of the community, in correcting

sition, that the

characteristic energy he

to {he best advantage.

had made use

In the spring of his

six-

teenth year, he was, for a second time, apprenticed to a clothier.

For the business of a

clothier

young Fillmore

expressed a preference, from the time he became convinced of the necessity of learning a trade, though he doubtless entertained intentions of a vocation bevond that at no distant day.

advancement,

As an

available

facility^ to

promote his

he could not,

in the selection of his trade,

perhaps, under the circumstances, have been more fortunate.

If he expected to follow

which there existed but

little

it, it

was

competition

;

a business in

it

was a

busi-

ness in the pursuit of which his physical powers were called into requisition,

and

his constitutional

development and

35

LIFE OF MILLARD FILLMORE. Vigor promoted

then, withal, in learning the business,

;

was only required during the spring and summer months of each year, while he could devote the

his application

and winter to other pursuits, and to the cultivation These are the considerations, it is preof his mind.

fall

sumed, whereby he was actuated ference of this for his trade.

in his

expressed pre-

The most successful

results

have demonstrated the wisdom of the selection.

The

infinite utility of combining physical with mental labor, certainly will scarcely be called in question by any one

—

not by the intelligent, thinking reader.

The

now occupied by young Fillmore

position

necessa-

His

combination. rily insured this successful

application of his trade, during the time required to the arduous duties resulted in the expansion and development of his physical

powers

same

spirit of

sulted in a ers

:

during the

while,

;

fall

and winter months, the

studies repersevering application to his

still

happier development of his mental pow-

hence, though his mental capacities are entitled to

both superior claims, as being eminently preponderant, are remarkable for their vigorous elasticity.

The name was

this

of the gentleman under

time placed was Cheney.

whose charge he

He

lived in the im-

mediate neighborhood of his father's, so that the regret it was natural for him to feel on leaving home was not

Of this aggravated by the idea of a distant separation. not been able to gentleman's traits of character I have acquaint myself in detail. learn,

habits,

he was a

man

and many

So

far as I

have been able to

highly respected for his business other good qualities of citizenship.

LIFE OF MILLAED FILLMORE.

36

His business was somewbat extended

in its nature,

required in its prosecution bis personal

and

care and super-

In tbe pursuit of bis vocation, be bad amassed considerable property, and been strictly economical in

vision.

busbandiug bis resources.

Being ever watchful

came under

bis apprentices

in

guard-

of bis establishment, tbe conduct of

ing tbe interests

"Wbetber be was naturally kind dictates of feeling

immediate observation.

bis

to bis apprentices, or

prompted bim

agement, I cannot say.

Certain

to give

it is,

tbe

tbem encour-

however, he became

attached to young Fillmore immediately after his entrance into bis service.

and

his father,

There was,

in fact,

between Cheney

an explicit stipulation, to the

effect that

bis labors should be confined exclusivelv to the duties of bis trade.

In a

strict

conformity to this stipulation on

tbe part of bis employer, young Fillmore was, of course,

Not being discouraged by those time made by bis former employer, he

deeply interested.

upon

bis

drafts

pros-

ecuted bis trade with an energetic determination to assume its

complete mastery.

Cheney was not repulsive and

overbearing towards those in bis employ, though be required at their bands a faithful discharge of every duty.

Instead of assuming the haughty arrogance of a master, in bis intercourse with those control,

over

whom

be exercised

be was uniformly kind and courteous.

Far from

being exacting and tyrannous toward young Fillmore, be held out to bim every inducement, and manifested great willingness to do

mote

bis

business.

advancement

all in his

power caculated

in a thorough

to pro-

knowledge of

his

LIFE OF MILLARD FILLMOEE.

Young ove'r

Fillmore, as

lie

which he assayed

37

had ever done toward

difficulties

assume the mastery, evinced a

to

perceptive aptitude in understanding the peculiarities of his

new

vocation.

In the pursuit of

anxious to succeed as

and applied himself with the same

when

his trade,

in the pursuit of

to the duties

he was as

knowledge,

of his apprenticeship

spirit of assiduity that characterized his

efforts in the school-room.

From

his trade, as hefore indicated,

he expected much

assistance in the prosecution of his plans for the future,

and through

it,

as a

medium

of support, hoped to reap

For him

the rewards of their effectual maturity.

to

bend

every energy, therefore, to its successful prosecution, the

was a very great one. It was his boyhood ladwhereby he was to climb from obscurity. That he

incentive der,

should be particularly careful in the construction of an article

whereby he was

to

make an ascent

should be no matter of suprise, when eration the laudable nature of his

we

so difficult

take in consid-

During making these exertions, he was not formind but whenever occasion offered, he aspirations.

this time, while

getful of his

would turn

;

aside,

and drink draughts from the fountain of

knowledge.

These opportunities, however, did not except at night, when after a hard day's giving

way

to

" tired nature's

often

toil,

occur,

instead of

sweet restorer,

balmy

sleep," from his books, by the midnight lamp, he would cull the jewels of literature. Xights were the only times he now had to indulge in these, his favorite pursuits ;

for,

while in the performance of his duties in the estab-

LIFE OF MILLARD FILLMORE.

3S lishmeiit, Diaiii

by day he made every thing subordinate to the becoming master of his trade. Watchful

desire of

of his employer's interests as though they were his own,

he was always careful to promote them by

means

in his power.

all

passible

his entire apprenticeship,

During

he was scrupulous in the observance of every regulation.

Conducting himself with the particular, he acted

and performed the ity.

He

in

strictest propriety, in

taslis

assigned him with cheerful

he was paving the way to his own, and

that, in discharging his duties to

ing them to himself.

From

them, he was discharg-

the dawning of his earliest

he acted upon the principle that he had

aspirations,

something to do

member

ety from him

in life

He

fill.

free country,

as a

fidel-

very well knew that in promxOting the interests

of employers

sphere to

every

accordance with every requirement,

— some

duty to perform

he had something to do of society, he felt there :

— some

has always felt that, as a citizen of a

and

for that

was

country

—

a debt due soci-

have just conceptions of

in order to

those relative duties, and to qualify himself for their

no means untried.

Ambi-

to excel in his undertakings, it

was not

faithful discharge,

tious as he

was

he has

left

that selfish, groveling ambition that glories in the elevation of self at the prostration of others,

consummation of

its

ends, even though

sacrifice of all moral principle.

and exults at the it

be at the entire

His was an ambition of

a nobler stamp, whereon the Divinity has left the signet of approval.

His ambition was of that laudable nature, to cultivate the faculties that

God had

given him, to understand fully

LIFE OF MILLAED FILLMORE.

39

the duties incumbent upon him, and be enabled properly to discharge

them

— to make

himself worthy the confi-

Of

dence of his fellow men, and be useful to his country.

—

of was Mr. Fillmore's youthful ambition nature it still is. It was this kind of ambition that

this nature this

actuated the efforts of his boyhood, of every

queror

difficulty,

triumphant success.

By

made him

the con-

and ultimately secured his

pursuing the praiseworthy course

he did during his apprenticeship, he won the unlimited confidence, not only of his employer, but of every one connected with the establishment, before the labors of the

first

year were concluded.

At

the expiration of the summer, the busy season of employer being over, he returned he oe, where he spent the fall and winter pretty much as he had the pre-

his

ceding ones his labors

of

— dividing his time between

on the farm with his father.

his studies

Than

and

the father

Mr. Fillmore, no one was ever more careful toward a

son.

He was

thing in his

gratified at his

power

to

ambition, and did everyHe encour-

its gratification.

promote and strengthened his virtuous resolves by the strongest fortifications of precept and examaged his taste

ple.

for books,

Without the remotest idea

foreshadowed

in

of the future eminence

his son's ardent thirst for

knowledge,

he was careful to keep alive the spark of his ambition. Seeing his strong inclination for books, he gave him all

the

assistance his

straitened

circumstances

would

allow, and watched with pride the development of his

young mind.

On

one occasion, while his son was intently

absorbed in the contents of some book, ht was known to

LIFE OF MILLARD FILLMORE.

40

Mrs. Fillmore,

ask

following question

a degree of

"with

" :

" Wife," he remarked, who knows

but Millard will some day be President

Let us go,

most

pleasantry, the

" 1

a moment, to one of the

in thought, for

thinly populated portions of

Cayuga county,

New

There, amid almost a wilder-

York, in the year 1813.

ness, surrounded with the fearful echo of the wolf's howl, In a

we

rudely constructed cabin,

see a middle-aged man,

clad in his home-spun, just from his work

near him,

;

busily engaged in her household duties, clad with equal simplicity,

we

see his wife

that rustic boy at the table,

:

poring over the pages of a half-worn book,

is

their son.

We hear the father ask his wife the question, Who knows "

but our son will be President

man

" ?

and smile that the old

should have such a thought.

Yet,

it

was

tined to be President.

were

his parents.

— that

rustic boy was deswas j^oung Fillmore those From that rude cabin, he was destined

literally true

It

to deal justice to his fellow

;

men

at the bar

— from the

pages of that worn book, he was destined to become the

expounder of international law, and enlighten

trymen

his coun-

in the congressional halls of the nation.

From

that rude cabin he was destined to be transferred to the presidential chair

make

— the

the monarchs

of

inclose our presidents

such

men

— and

Europe stand abashed in his tell what cabin walls

Henceforth, who can

presence.

There

highest position on earth

is,

as

in

1

contemplating the lives and characters of

Mr. Fillmore, something sublime and enno-

bling, that teaches us

man

is

immortal, and stamped with

LIFE OF MILLAED FILLMORE.

When

the impress of Deity. rity of his boyhood,

we

41

emerging from the obscu-

see him, with a bold hand, dash

every obstacle from his pathway, as though they were

but threads of gossamer, and advancing with the strides of an intellectual giant, from one post of honor to another, until he stands foremost in the galaxy of patriotic

greatness, *'

there

is

we

are

bound

to endorse the sentiment that

a divinity that shapes our ends."

In the spring of his seventeenth year, he returned to his employer and resumed the labors of his apprentice-

He

ship.

devoted himself to business with the same

assiduous application he had evinced the previous season,

and manifested an anxiety ation of his energies in

no way abated by the relaxIn the that peculiar" sphere. in

meantime, the same successful results that attended his efforts in the

school-room began to be manifested in his

new

Like

of his other undertahings, he " success " engraven learning his trade with

sphere.

menced

Ms mind

man.

its

he outstripped his fellow appren-

and was advanced In

this position,

to the position of

establishment of this as they

sort.

were

master work-

he was relieved from that portion

of the labor usually devolving

workmen,

upon

and resolved by continued perseSo rapid, indeed, valued insignia.

his progress, that

tices,

com-

for his motto,

verance to win

was

all

The

called,

upon apprentices

in

an

business of the master

was

of a

more particular

nature, which none but experienced hands were allowed to perform.

The advancement

position, before he

of young Fillmore to this had served anything like the time

usually allotted to boys to attain

it,

certainly speaks well

LIFE OF MILLAED FILLMORE.

42 of the ness,

manner

in wbicli

he had applied himself to busi-

and shows that he possessed the entire confidence As a master workman, he was entitled

of his employer.

though not the wages, of journeyThe business of finishing, that devolved upon his

to all the privileges,

man.

hands, though of a less arduous nature than the part of the labor

which he had been previously engaged,

in

required the no less

strict

attention of his mind, nor

Yet, he

permitted any cessation of his labors. pleased at his progress

a 'good opportunity to

afforded

it

was highly

and good fortune, especially as

acquainted with the finer and more

become thoroughly difficult

part of the

business.

But

Ms

this

was not the only good fortune attendant upon His strict adherence to

labors during that season.

the principles of justice and honor resulted in such a

high appreciation for the correctness of his character, on the part of his employer, that he was intrusted with the

books of the establishment.

The proper performance

these duties was a task of no small magnitude. ina:

of

In keep-

a series of books, ree"ulative not onlv of the finances

but of every department of an extensive business

in its

minutest branches, there was, of course, a necessity for the strictest accuracy, on the part of the individual in

whose hands they were

When making still

not engaged

intrusted. in

the rendition of accounts

entries of transactions

expected

as a master

upon

his books, he

to discharge the duties devolving

workman.

or

was

upon him

Young Fillmore proved himself

equal to the tasks, and discharged the complicated duties

LIFE OF MILLARD FILLMORE. of his combined capacities in a

great credit to himself, all

concerned.

and

43

manner that

reflected

to the entire satisfaction of

His books were kept with an accuracy

and nicety that evinced considerable financiering capaciwhile his finishing work indicated a complete mas-

ty,

tery of his business.

employer resulted

The

reviewal of his books by the

in the detection

even of the smallest nature, of the correctness of his

until,

of no

inacuracies,

thoroughly convinced

young book-keeper, he

felt entire-

ly satisfied that the financial department of his business

was

in safe

and reliable hands.

In keeping the books,

he was obliged to keep a correct record of the transactions of each day, by making charges and entering credits his day-book, as they occurred, then

upon off

in

his ledger,

assigning

to

each

Thus, when wages were to be drawn,

drawing them proper head.

its

bills to

be paid, or

'accounts to be collected, pertaining to any department of the establishment, at the clerk's desk, they were properly

made

out, with the

nicest accuracy.

employer was relieved from

all

In

this, his

anxiety in regard to the

management of his business, while the whole department was conducted with regularity and system. correct

Thus,

in

a very short time, he not only gained the

complete mastery of a trade that would insure him a

competency through life, if called into requisition, but, by his regular habits and correct industry, was actually the financier of an extensive business establishment, possessing

the unlimited confidence of everv one connected therewith.

Such men are born

cannot be

subdued.

to success

—

their iron energy

Be they placed

in

whatsoever

LIFE OF MILLARD FILLMORE.

44

capacity they may, tliongli

and though assigned

by arousing

be of the humblest nature,

it

them be

to

its

most obscure

their latent energies, they will

position,

make them-

selves lino\Yn, and take the lead.

The

capacities and energetic perseverance of

young

Fillmore would have advanced him to the head of any

Eegardless of the honors conferred upon

vocation.

indi-

viduals by rank or station, instead of expecting to be

honored by his vocation, his ambition, terprise he embarked,

was

to

intelligent reader will say this

action, to insure

success

?

honor his is

it

honor

it

capacity credit

station,

it,

aspires faithful

and evinces a

its responsibilities,

performing

upon the

incumbent

by the

involves, and to be useful to

his country, if he succeeds in attaining in

What

calling.

not the true principle of

That individual who

to a position, with a desire to

discharge of the duties

whatsoever en-

in

that reflects

and proves the usefulness of the

to the people, that individual finds but

impediments

to his rapid

few

advancement from one position

of trust to another, by his fellow citizens.

They

see that

the manner in which he guards the interests reposed in his keeping reflects credit to the station,

tive of its condition

;

and

is

ameliora-

consequently, they are ready to

endorse his aspirations as the offspring of a noble patriotism, that aspires to

make

itself useful to the country,

in any and every shape. TVhile, on the other hand, that individual whose aspirations to a station are actuated

merely by a contracted desire for self-elevation, and the honors he expects to derive from the station, instead of those he expects to confer upon

it,

though he may,

for a

LIFE OF MILLAED FILLMORE.

45

by a species of demagoguery, succeed in deluding fellow citizens and reaching some post of honor,

"while,

his

they will ultimately perceive that

all

his

protestations

of patriotism are but a glossy film, which he weaves for the concealment of his real character

;

and such an one,

instead of occupying a place in the affections of the peo-

and being endorsed, as the embodiment of his pretensions, finds himself subjected to the whims and caprices

ple,

of unstable friends,

begins to

the reefs of his

Of

who

him the moment fortune

forsake

wane, and leave him hopelessly wrecked upon

own

ambition.

the former nature have ever been Mr. Fillmore's

We have seen that, in his childhood, regard-

aspirations.

ing obedience as heaven's

honor his parents in the

first

filial

law, he

was

careful to

discharge of every duty.

Afterward, when endeavoring successfully to master the

branches of his primary school, solicitude to

we have

seen his anxious

honor his teacher, by his own rapid pro-

In the capacity of a clothier's apprentice, we gress. have seen the ardent desire he manifested to honor his

and his business, by assuming Thus we have shown, that, up

employer mastery.

its

complete

to this time,

every situation in which he had been placed was honored by the faithful and correct manner in which he discharged his duties

;

and

to the reader

who

follows us through the

we expect to show that every position from the commencement of his alpha, at

pages of this book,

he occupied,

the wild-wood home, in

Cayuga county,

until

the presidential chair of the United States, tially honored by his being the incumbent.

he vacated

was

essen-

LIFE OP MILLAED FILLMORE.

46

He

now about to be introduced to tbe reader in an new sphere — one, however, that has been the

is

entirel}'

starting point of

of our greatest

many

In the

men.

fall

of*his eighteenth year, he opened a three months' school,

town of Scott, about

in the

six miles

from his father's

residence, and assumed, at this early age, the responsible

of a teacher.

duties

those of our great

Among

men

"who have figured conspicuously in the history of their times, and formed the brightest jewels of our national

adornment, whose earlv vocation was that

of school

we may number a Cass, an Underwood, and a others who made this the commencement of a career

teaching,

host of that

was

to

end

in their

being recipients of the highest

offices in the gift of the people.

Alongside with such names as these, then,

young

Fillmore's, at their age.

The

we

find

town of Scott was

but a small place, containing no great number of inhabitants.

They had possessed but few

educational

facilities,

and the manners and customs of the nlace bore unmistakable marks of rustic simplicity. place, as

but

illy

school.

was the case of most

prepared

Yet

ble energy of

to

for the

The

citizens of the

places, in that day,

high moral character, and indomita-

young Fillmore,

in the prosecution of his

undertakings, they entertained the highest respect.

opened

his

first

ceived ten

He

school, therefore, under circumstances

somewhat favorable tion for his

were

appreciate the advantages of a good

to entire success.

As

a remunera-

services as a teacher of this school, he redollars

per month,

— "boarding around"

it

with the privilege of

being the custom of teachers to

LIFE OF MILLAED FILLMORE.

47 His

board with the different patrons of their schools.

was

school

liberally patronized by the citizens of the

town, and he as a teacher became universally beloved.

As

a teacher, he

was

fully

aware that

his position

was

one of no ordinary responsibility, and resolved on devoting his entire energies to the duties his pupils there

it

required.

Among

were but few who had made any consid-

erable proficiency in the acquisition of knowledge, though

many

them evinced a strong desire to advance themHis intercourse with his as fast as possible.

of

selves

was marked with a courteous amiability of tem-

scholars

per, and a mild dignity of feeling well calculated to elicit He set them an excellent example, their warm esteem. anjd

was

careful to inculcate the necessity of its observ" was better to Acting upon the principle that it

ance. rule

hy

love than fear," in conducting his school, he uni-

formly manifested a gentleness of disposition which would infuse itself into the

minds of his scholars, by unvarying

principles of assimilation.

Though rules he

scrupulously strict in the enforcement of the

adopted

for

the

regulation of his school, his

reproofs to his pupils for their transgression

yet firm and decisive. clear conceptions

them

He was

were mild,

very careful to give them

of the future duties devolving

upon

as men, and to create a desire in their minds to

become

qualified for their discharge.

Among

the pupils

attending his school, were several overgrown boys,

much

older than himself, who, notwithstanding his courteous

demeanor toward them, but to one so

much

illy

brooked their submission

their junior in years,

and rosolved on

LIFE OF MILLARD FILLMORE.

48

creating a spirit of insubordination throughout the entire

The manner by which

school.

plished was about

this

this

was

to

be accom-

one of the older boys was pur-

:

posely to transgress the rules of the school, and instead of submitting to correction for the offence, was to refuse,

and show resistance, when the other boys were

to

come

Such a plan, liowever, was not matured

to his rescue.

without being detected by the vigilant observation of their teacher,

who awaited

execution.

gaged

them

patiently for

to put

it

into

Accordingly, during an afternoon, while en--

in recitation, the older

boy who was designated

for

that purpose violated a positive rule of the school, in

the

manner.

grossest

His teacher called him forward,

and the boy peremptorily refused to come. Mr. Fillmore approached him in the sternest manner, and demanded an apolog3^ which the boy refused to grant. The infliction of a blow on the back of the refractory pupil was the preconcerted signal for action,

among

the boys

who

But instead of punishing him that way, he sternly placed one hand on the boy's shoulder, and gave him a cut across the knees with his switch understood the secret.

in the other

;

then turning to the other boys, with a look

of stern resolution, that told he

knew

all

about

it,

and

with a motion of his hand, he so awed them into submission that they dared not move, while their companion

received a pretty severe castigation for his conductAfter the excitement had subsided and the boys began to be

ashamed

firm, effective

of themselves, he took occasion, in a very

manner, to

let

them know that he would

have order, and be obeyed, and was determined

to punish

LIFE OF MILLAED FILLMOEE. Jill

^ho

refused obedience

;

49

but hoped that in future there

would

exist no necessity for the infliction of punishment.

From

this time,

he saw no more exhibitions of insubor-

His patrons commended him very highly, for the prompt efficiency with which he had quelled the first

dination.

had they been

indications of disorder in his school, which,

suffered to spread,

would have infected the whole school,

and resulted disastrously all his

Thenceforth, to

him

to its prospects of success.

scholars

became ardently attached

he taught a good school, and succeeded in getting

;

the good will of

all.

In the town of Scott, he was uni-

versally beloved as a teacher, and as a

young man of

unexceptionable habits.

Let

it

not be supposed that while Mr. Fillmore

was

thus engaged in the vocation of teaching others he was forgetful

of his

own improvement.

His active mind,

ever restless in the acquisition of whatever would tend to its vigorous expansion, suffered no diminution in its

desires to

edge.

become

About

decorate-d with the treasures of knowl-

this time,

pure mathematics,

he evinced a great taste

and, in the solution of the

for the

most

diffi-

cult problems, gave evidences of a mind, strong, compre-

hensive, and analytic.

His aptitude

in

mastering the science of mathematics

was, indeed, extraordinary.

For

in this

department of

scientific investigation, the reasoning, analytical faculties

of his

mind were brought

into requisition.

Among

the

mental attributes of Mr. Fillmore, these strong reasoning faculties

to

some

and deep profundity of power have ever been extent, predominant.

3

In reasoning from cause

LIFE OF MILLARD FILLMORE,

50 to effect,

and inTestigating perplexing subjects, where the

to understand powers of perceptive analysis are required,

he has had few equals, and no superiors.

their intricacies,

There was, perhaps,

in this respect, a closer analogy in the

mental organism of Daniel Webster to that of Mr. Fillmore's than any one else whom I can now call to mind. He studied the theory of surveying, at this time, under a

So completely gentleman by the name of Taylor Stowe. did he master both the theory and practice of this useful branch of science, that in a very quick time he became the best surveyor in the county. This valuable acquisition to

Ms

its great utilprevious attainments, to say nothing of as a future his in to him lawyer, was subsepractice ity it was a safe Fillmore Mr. to quently of eminent service ;

medium to which he could

resort to relieve his pecuniary

Mr.

difficulties.

In personal appearance, at

Fillmore

described to have been rather slim, with his

is

proportions undeveloped, and exceedingly

this

time,

awkward

in his

movements.

The circumstances by which he had been

his

surrounded prevented him from mingling

all

much titute

life

and he was, consequently, entirely desof those refined graces which are so much the-

in society,

result of social intercourse. -In

a sparsely

county

there

inhabited

was, in

fact,

community of no

an

interior-

finely cultivated society

with which to mingle, and even had there been, the temperament of Mr. Fillmore would not have adapted itself to

it.

His mind

at that time

and somewhat averse fashionable

life.

was peculiarly

sensitive,

to participating in the gaieties of

He was

poor, with nothing prepossess-

i

LIFE OF MILLARD FILLMORE.

51

Ing in his appearance, and deprived of the means that

were available confined, his

whom

to those with

he seemed to

feel

his associations

These disadvantages,

position.

were

keenly the disadvantages of so

far as

personal

appearance and capacities for society were concerned, were doubtless greatly magnified by the peculiar sensibility of his

and

He was

temperament.

diffident, especially

when

in the

exceedingly modest

presence of superioi's,

and the inclination of his sensitive nature was

to assign

to almost every one that position,

far

deserving

mingled so

it.

the social circle, and

little in

a participant of

No

though very

Another, and the main reason

its

was

from

why he so

enjoyments, was the want

seldom of time.

youth ever had juster conceptions of the value of

time, or

made

better use of

it

than did young Fillmore.

The enjoyments he

derived from his studies in his leisure

moments he would

sacrifice for

no other.

Save a

lofty

expression of feature that bespoke a consciousness of his

own

inherent worth, and a mild, steady eye, that

beamed

with a natural love for his fellow men, his countenance exhibited no extraordinary indications of the great man.

Such server of

is

;

the appearance he presented to the c^asual ob-

but I

am

told that the close

human character with no

and observant reader

great difficulty could then

discover beneath that uncouth covering the workings of a

mightv

soul.

In manners he was at this time no Chesterfield. Spurning the mere

show

of exterior politeness, unadorned by

good qualities of heart, the natural

dictates of his feel

while they have subdued all semblance of pride and ostentation, have ever made him the kindest of men; ings,

LIFE OF MILLARD FILLMORE.

^2

CHAPTER He

II.

— Determines study law — Reflections upon the importance of the step — Reads with Judge Wood — Sketch means — Buffalo — Lives within of that gentleman — Goes the bar — admitted State of society — PoUtical matters — — His case — Teaches Goes Aurora, and engages practice — Nature a married — school — regarded lawyer of — Prospects brighten. of eloquence to

resumes his trade

his

to

to

Is

in

to

first

as

Is

Is

ability

his

The

conclusion of the last chapter brings us to the

nineteenth year of Mr. Fillmore's

in the prosecution of his undertakings,

that

much had been

When we

life.

into consideration the difficulties under

take

which he labored

we must conclude

accomplished, and be impressed with

admiration for the energetic

spirit

displayed in

all his

In the spring of his nineteenth the last time the duties of his trade.

actions up to this time. year, he

resumed

for

Notwithstanding he had been so very careful to acquaint himself with the mysteries of his trade, with a view to the assistance he expected to derive from cution of his studies, he

was

profession that its advantages were requisition.

He

had

for

it

in the prose-

so successful in his chosen;

never called

intoj

some time conceived the idea

of'

reading law, a profession for which he seemed naturally] to

have entertained a strong predilection.

And,

in fact,j

a part of his leisure moments, during the latter portion of his services in the clothier's establishment, to the study of the law.

was devote(

During the spring and summei

^

LIFE OF MILLAED FILLMORE.

53

of 1818, he prosecuted his business with his employer in his former double capacitj^ of master

He

keeper.

performed

alacrity he

prompt

workman and book-

his duties with the

had evinced

same

spirit of

in the preceding

years, zealous to acquit himself to the entire satisfaction of every

one connected with the business.

During that in the

engage

ardent had become his desire to

so

fall,

study of the law, without the hindrance

imposed by the duties of his trade, that he ventured

to

communicate them

to

some time watched

his zealous application to his books,

his

father.

His father had

for

and had often been very desirous of giving him increased facilities for

He was

the improvement of his mind.

dis-

posed, therefore, to view the wishes of his son in a light

rather favorable than otherwise. It

was about

Wood,

this time

he attracted the notice of Judge

a lawyer of estimable worth, residing at no grer^t

distance from his father's,

who persuaded him

to devote

his studies to the law.

Mr. Fillmore accordingly communicated to

Cheney,

his employer,

his intentions

and expressed a wish

to pur-

chase the remaining portion of the time for which he was obligated.

So earnest had young Fillmore's endeavors

been to promote the interest of his business earliest connection therewith, that

services

ment.

would be retained as a

He

proposition

whose

did not, therefore, at

he began

to

from his

hope his

fixture to the establishfirst,

relish very well a

deprive him of an apprentice had become so important in the prosecu-

that was to

sei:vices

tion of his business.

He

at first rather dissuaded

him

LIFE OF MILLARD FILLMORE.

54

from abandoning a business for ^vbicb be bad been so careful to prepare bimself, and in tbe prosecution of

whicb an independency,

if

not a fortune, was in store

But young Fillmore was not to be dissuaded be bad familiarized bimself witb.tbe examof those wbo bad gone before bim; be bad seen tbem

fur bini in tbe future. :

ples

embark

in tbe

study of tbe same profession, under circum-

stances equally discouraging

was surrounded

;

to

tbose

be bad seen tbeir

triumphant success

;

crowned with

young bosom bad swelled with

bis

animation at the exhibitions displayed by Clay

witb wbicb be

efforts

and' others,

of

power and patriotism, the law

who commenced

under tbe same circumstances, with nothing for their reliance but tbeir try bis

own determined

will,

and he longed to

own powers.

His conference with contemplated

bis

engagement

employer in

tbe

in reference to bis

study of the

resulted in obtaining his consent to allow

him

law,

to purchase

This consent, however, was not

tbe residue of bis time.

occuprocured without some reluctance. Tbe position of one was the establishment in Mr. Fillmore pied by

no ordinary importance get another incumbent,

and he very well knew

;

who would be

that, to

equally careful in

the discbarge of its varied duties, would be exceedingly difficult.

after

bim

But he

sacrificed all these considerations,

young Fillmore had obligated himself for tbe loss

to

and

remunerate

be sustained by bis withdrawing from his

services before tbe expiration of the time specified in their original agreement,

;

he quit forever the business to

,

LIFE OF MILLARD FILLMORE.

55

which he had applied himself with so much zeal and spirit.

Cheney was doubtless perfectly honest tions, as

— throwing apprentice but those for his

tion,

in his convic-

regarding the impolicy of the step talien all

by

his

considerations out of the ques-

own

He

good.

was

essentially a

and practical man, and much attached to Mr. Fillmore when he saw him sacrifice the certain profits of a trade, ;

the entire mastery of which he had attained, to embark in the uncertainty of a profession, to qualify himself for the duties of which would require months and years of close application, he ing,

and

To

was no doubt honest

in thinking the

in his misgiv-

movement exceedingly unwise.

represent, in its true light, the exact way, not only

which he looked upon this, as he thought, injudicious movement, on the part of Mr. Fillmore, but the exalted opinion which he had conceived for him during their

in

intercourse, I give the following remark,

to have

made

his employ.

engaged

in

to a friend,

He

and

his friend

conversation,

which he

is

a short time after he had

were together

said leffc

in the yard,

when young Fillmore passed

along in sight, on some business in the neighborhood. "

Do you

see that

young man, yonder

pointing to young Fillmore. ''

"

Well," continued Cheney, "he

me

in

is,

business for some time

apprentice I ever had,

said

€heney,

Yes," was the reply,

man, pursuing a very foolish course with

" ?

for a sensible

young

;

he has been engaged

;

he was far the best

and the best worknian I ever had;

he understands the business perfectly, yei he has abandoned his trade, and go7ie to reading law I " Herein

LIFE OF MILLARD FILLMORE.

56

consisted the extreme folly of his course, in the conceptions of his employer. sion,

Time, however, dispelled the

and demonstrated the course of

3Ir,

been most wise. Young Fillmore had to the determination to

embark

illu-

Fillmore to have

not,

however, come'

in the study of the

law

without mature deliberation, in his own mind, as to the propriety of such a course.

much was

at stake for

him

It

was a

step in which too

to take without reflecting well

upon the weighty considerations

it

involved.

On

the suc-

cess of such a step, he very well knew, depended, to an

immeasurable extent, that of his eventual destinv. fore his embarkation, therefore, in

with

the^ fate

of his

Be-

a pursuit so pregnant

most cherished hopes, he was par-

weigh well the chances of success and defeat, to place them all in the balance, and see which stood the best chance for predominance. Subjected to

ticularly careful to

this investigation, the chances of success, contrasted

with

those of defeat, would have been extremely diminutive,

had not

their proportions

weight of

talent, zeal,

more than

been greatly magnified by the

and energy, on

sufficient to counteract

its side,

all

that were

the discouraging

circumstances penury and adversity could array against him.

There are few steps

so pregnant with the fate of

a young man's destiny, and the decision of his happiness or his misery, as the choice he is

certainly one of life's

men who

makes

of his vocation.

most important events.

are compelled to rely upon their

in a selection so

It

Young own judgment,

replete with the fate of their eventual

destinies, cannot be too cautious against an inappropriate

investiture of their talents and capabilities.

Such invest-

J

LIFE OF MILLARD FILLMOEE.

mentshave resulted disastrously

to the prospects, success,

and happiness of hundreds, who, had their directed in a proper channel, talents and qualifications, If, in

citizens.

57

efforts

been

more congenial with

their

would have been

useful,

good

a hasty preference for a profession, based

mainly upon the dignity and eclat attac^hed to it in the minds of many, an individual embarks in it without possessing the requisite qualifications for the discharge of its duties,

the

he not only

sul)jects

himself to

infinite mortifi-

by a misapplication of his time, but often takes

cations, first

step that eventuates in his ruin.

application of time, they

By

such mis-

are prostrating their talents,

and rendering them entirely useless for the performance of duties in a sphere for which they are naturally adapted, while they are certainly

making no progress whatever

in

a sphere wholly uncongenial to their entire capacities. It

is

not unfrequently the case,

we

see

young men of

the finest mechanical minds, possessing a peculiar constructive aptitude, put into

some profession

to

which

their

energy, capacity, and feelings are entirely uncongenial, where they scarcely succeed in attaining a position of mediocrity, who, had they, chosen a vocation

f,)r

which

they possessed a natural turn, would have been eminently useful to the country. ical

Again,

we find

abstract,

metaphys-

minds, whose powers of language are scarcely

cient to

study of the law

—a

speech, a retentive

powers

suffi-

elucidate their smallest ideas, engaged in the

profession wherein a fluency of

memory, and perceptive,

analytical

of mind, are essentially necessary to success.

this cause

is

To

attributable the larger portion of failures

2*

LIFE OF MILLAED FILLMORE.

58 of Youns:

men

in the outset

of

tlfeir

career.

HaTing no

natural taste for their profession, they embark in

duties

its

as though it was an arduous task imposed upon them, and devote their leisure to something for which they have a taste, until

they are outstripped by those

by nature to their profession. in its

Nothing

who is

ar.e

adapted

more ruinous

upon a young man in the outset of than for failure to become associated with

influence

career,

undertakings.

Not

that

young men should expect

his

his

entire

success in their early efforts in their vocation, as an invariable consequence of .energy;

patience to

youth

;

and

it

takes time, study, and

overcome the inexperience and incapacities of in

combating these

difhculties, they

not be too easily discouraged by an unsuccessful a defeat in an undertaking

should

effort,

or

— they are occurrences incident

to the careers of the greatest.

But the kind

of failure to

which I have reference, as being peculiarly disastrous

in «

its results to their aspirations, is their

entire failure in a

by nature wholly inadapted. young men embark in a vocation, the

profession to which they are

Before, therefore,

discharge of whose duties lifetime,

ment

in

and which

is

is to-

receive the attention of a

to foria the source of their enjoy-

every condition, and upon the prosecution of

which depends alj. their hopes of influence and prosperity^ they should have a very just appreciation of the importance of the event, and be well assured, by unmistakable indications, that they

have some natural adaptation

to its

Then, with energy and perseverance, in using pursuit. the appliances thrown in their way, their chosen vocation being the foeus where centre both

effort

and natural

LIFE OF MILLARD FILLMORE. inclination,

59

triumphant success will follow as an invariable

result.

From

considerations, therefore, of the vast importance

from his choice of a profession, he felt it a responsible duty to arrive at safe and correct conclusions.

resulting

He knew

that the step about to be taken

was a decisive

one, and though, with spirit and industry, he

the best, he

He

cess.

felt

many

viewed the

difficulties

for

with which he knew he

would be surrounded, carefully counted the

summed up

hoped

misgivings in regard to future suc-

costs,

and

the strength of the opposition against him,

then, like an experienced mariner, setting his compass to

the pole, spreading his sails to the breeze, he launched

upon the uncertain voyage of professional

life

—

willing,

with patient industry, to bufPet the turbulent sea,

and to

combat the adverse storm, could he but reach the haven of success in the future.

Kobly triumphant has been the success of the voyProudly did his craft emerge from the mist that

ager.

enshrouded success,

till

and speed onward in a course of unsurpassed she anchored in the proudest harbor of fame.

it,

Gallantly, now, with sails full-spread to the breeze, the stars

and stripes floating from her mast, the constitution

of his country engraven on her sails,

"America" written

across her prow, and religious liberty for her propulsion,

she glides onward in triumph, a life-boat of the Union, " Caesar and his fortunes." carrying more than

The

considerations connected with his profession being

well weighed, and their importance thoroughly appreciated,

Mr. Fillmore entered the

office of

Judge Wood,

LIFE OF MILLARD FILLMORE.

60 Judge

Wood was

a

man

of considerable eminence in the

legal profession, and very correct and accurate

in the

transaction of all business entrusted to his care.

He

"was one of the early settlers of that part of the country,

and was proverbial for his integrity and high toned moral He had amassed immense wealth in the pursuit

"worth.

of his profession, and been exceedingly judicious in his

There was,

investments.

amount of

at that time, a considerable

litigation in that section of the state of

New

York; but Judge Wood, though of ackowledged preeminence as a lawyer, did no great amount of practice.

was

successful,

however, in

He

establishing himself in a

lucrative business.

The nature

of this litigation consisted principally in

the contests between different claimants for lands in their

The settlers coming into the county would claims and open their farms, and government purchase often were permitted to enjoy their labors but a very occupancy.

short time,

when

prior claims to the

same parcels

of land

would be presented, and the subsequent settlers had to abandon the premises. Of this nature was the principal

amount of Judge Wood's

legal practice

;

and, by taking

parts of land thus gained from his clients as remuneration for his services, he

holder.

But

judgment

Wood was

in

became a very extensive landacumen and sound

aside from his legal

whatever pertained

to his profession.

Judge

possessed of all those nobler qualities of heart

that endeared

him

was punctual and

to his fellow

men.

In business, he

regular, manifesting a spirit of the

exaetest order, in the minutest details.

The

association

LIFE OF MILLARD FILLMORE.

61

of Mr, Fillmore with a gentleman of these

commendable

traits of character could not fail to result

most happily.

The

office of

the

Judge was situated several miles from

He

his father's residence.

during the

first

The ready principles of

been, he had

months of

facility

boarded at home, however,

his studies.

with which he comprehended the

law surpassed the progress, rapid as

made

it

had

in other departments of his studies.

This was owing, doubtless, in a great measure to the maturer development of his mental powers, and partly branch of knowledge and the great importance he felt in the

to the peculiar congeniality of this

to his feelings,

necessity of progressing as fast as possible.

He

that this

felt

successful

was

his life experiment,

and upon

its

depended the hopes he had

demonstration

formed and fostered from boyhood.

For rapid advancement

he was

in this peculiar sphere,

not very well prepared by attainments previously

made

;

but he possessed a mind of natural vigor and comprehension that supplied all deficiencies.

For the successful prose-

cution of the law, Mr. Fillmore, by nature, possessed the

happiest endowments.

medium and

He

hoped

of this profession, to

to be able, through the

make an adequate

support,

attain, at last, a position of respectability as a pro-

fessional

man, but had no idea that

medium through which he was

it

was

to be

the

to be the recipient of

undying fame. Yet, his aspirations were contracted by no limited sphere he was anxious to be of service to a ;

country he had learned to love, and had he known then he was to fill the highest offices, he could have applied

62

LIFE OF MILLARD FILLMOEE.

himself to the mastery of legal principles with no more assiduity than

marked

his eager efforts as it was.

The

great profound reasoning powers of his mind, enlarged

and strengthened by their recent subjection to the solution of mathematical problems, ranged almost with intellectual rapacity

through the mystic pages of the legal

commentators, and comprehended their technical abstrusities

as

by the power of

instinct

;

while

the

quick

analytical acuteness of his perception, in a thorough com-

prehension of each principle, was ready at a glance to

apply the theory to the practice.

Then, withal, by a close course of reading which he had been careful to observe for a great while preceding

commencement

his

of the law, he

had become an excel-

and as a basis of reflection upon the subjects of law and legal systems, he was somewhat familiar

lent historian,

with the ancient laws of the Grecian and

Eoman

repub-

His

spirits were vigorous and buoyant, the glow of youthful health bloomed upon his cheek, unimpaired by

lics.

the vicious excesses too often incident to youth, and with

determined animation he bent himself to the prosecution of his studies with an ardent zeal that no difficulty could resist.

make

But, notwithstanding his anxiety to

rapid

progress, and in that desire all else seemed entirely swallowed up, he was not forgetful of the kind courtesies due

from him to those, especially Judge Wood, connected with the

office.

He was

careful in discharging all these little

courtesies, and to pursue a course calculated

esteem of

and

all.

still are,

These manifestations natural to Mr. Fillmore.

to

win the

of kindness were,

He

was, at that

/

LIFE OF MILLARD FILLMORE.

63

early da5^ as far from entertaining a feeling of selfish-

ness as though self

was a secondary

consideration.

him the elements of happiness have consisted in

With

essentially

seeing those happy around him, and prosperity and

general happiness pervading the ing

in

nature,

common

Act-

country.

accordance with the dictates of this generous it

was impossible

whom

duty due those with as pursued

to be inattentive to

he mingled.

by Mr. Fillmore could not

fail

any Such a course

to be perceived

His modest, unassuming deportment,

by Judge AYood. his kind

him

for

and generous disposition, and fhe ready eager-

ness with which he sought to perform every duty, were well calculated to

make a man

of the Judge's

temperament

young pupil in a very favorable light. One much to do in superinducing this favorable that had thing to young Fillmore, was the fact that he saw opinion look on his

the incipient displays of a lofty soul at

work

culean task of mental labor he performed.

Her-

in the

The

profi-

ciency and ease with which he had comprehended those intricate parts of the law, the

thorough understanding of

most students, been the work of years, surprised Judge Wood not a little, and made him regard his pupil as one of no ordinary intellectual capacities. So which had,

for

favorable, indeed,

was the

light in

which he now regarded

Mr. Fillmore, and such an influence did his energy and love of study have upon his mind, that he proposed to

him

to

come

to his

he did for the

house and remain, and what writing

office

should pay his board.

Than

this

have been more congenial to proposition, nothing could He embraced it gladly. tlie fcelintrs of Mr. Fillmore.

LIFE OF MILLAED FILLMORE.

64

He

'was

now

in a position

he had

much

desired for a long

which he was engaged was of a writing He particular nature, and quite considerable in amount. did not mind the imposition of this writing, however,

The

while.

in

inasmuch as he was defraying the expense of

Judge Wood

and board.

his studies

being a very careful man, the

exact precision in which he had everything done about

him, doubtless, had a very happy effect in conforming Mr.

Fillmore so happily to the strictest principles of order, that characterize

all his

The

actions.

vast amount of

writing he did, while in the office of the Judge, contrib-

ted

much

to the acquisition of neatness, regularity

dispatch of penmanship displayed in

and

Mr. Fillmore's

all

compositions.

•Few men have did

Judge

Wood

ever taken more interest in a pupil than in

Few

Mr. Fillmore.

ever

felt

more

advancement and proper cultivation of the mind of a pupil than did he. Few pupils, too, have solicitude in the

ever appreciated a solicitude in their behalf more highly

than did Mr. Fillmore the interest Judge fested in his

young aspirations more sucessfuUy demonstrated the ;

Wood

mani-

and certainly none ever utility of the instruc-

What Chancellor Wythe Wood was to Millard Fillmore

tions he thus early received.

was

to

From

Henry

Judge

the examples of

sessed of the

ment

Clay,

to

means

Wythe and Wood,

to do so

struggling worth

may

inglorious Milton" in their ranks, erly developed,

those pos-

learn to extend encourage-

— the

apple-venders of our streets

let

ragged newsboys and contain

whose

would shed a halo of

"some mute,

genius,, if prop-

lustre

upon the land

LIFE OF MILLAED FILLMORE.

Had

65

it

not been for Chancellor Wythe, Clay-

would

not, perhaps,

have been able to construct upon the

broad

pillars of the constitution that

of his birth.

ism — the

Compromise; — and had

Wood, we might not now,

it

pyramid of patriotnot been for Judge

perhaps, have a Fillmore to

protect that noble piece of architecture.

Judge

not only extended to him the free use of his books, and gave him

office

the encouragement he

all

Wood and his

was

able,

but expressed a willingness to advance him means, and wait

until,

from the successful results of his professional

labors, he should be enabled to liquidate them.

This kind

was accepted with feelings of profound gratitude. But gladly as he embraced this magnanimous proposition, offer

he was unwilling to incur a debt to his benefactor beyomd the prospects of liquidation in the pursuit of his profession.

As

a means of sustaining himself, and of preventing too

Judge Wood, he again The same happy results

great an indebtedness towards resorted to school teaching.

attended his efforts in conducting this school he met with in the

town of

sufficient

means

Scott,

and resulted

in the acquisition of

render material assistance in sup-

to

porting- himself.

Mr. Fillmore learned very early

upon the results of ties to his

advancement

at the bestowal of all

etc.,

;

to

rely exclusively

exertions, as the only facili-

and though gratefully delighted

encouragement, he expected material

assistance from no one

when not

own

his

;

its recipient.

hence, he was never disappointed

By

teaching school, surveying,

during a portion of each year, he was enabled, from

the profits accruing from these vocations, to defray all

LIFE OF MILLARD FILLMORE.

60'^

expenses attendant upon his studies the remaining por-

By

tion.

this nieans,

he contracted no debts

;

and \vhat

-was still better, he contracted no evil habits.

bad

If

habits are, as has been said, the offspring of idleness,

would have been

their infection of Mr. Fillmore

illegiti-

mate, for with him idleness was the parent of nothing.

He

continued

the study

nearlv two years

between

own

;

his studies

He

all obligations.

his

and, bv

formation:

of

dividinj;? his time

antly

all

somewhat

and teaching, kept himself clear of was, in every sense of the word, of

But

not

let

too

claimed or ascribed to Mr. Fillmore youth, he had

;

much

merit be

because, in early

these difficulties to combat, and triumph-

succeeded

in

winning the proudest

laurels

statesmanship.

For

so universally has

that the great

men

of the nation, through the

facilities offered

it

of

been the case,

happy

by the institutions of our country, have

arisen from the humblest circumstances, that feel it is the

Wood

law with Judge

we begin

source from whence thev must come.

to

So

remarkable, indeed, does the fact strike the student of history, that

an isolated

ent wealth, and

all

case,

whq, from the lap of

the other advantages

it

afflu-

could purchase,

should rise to distinction and eminence, would be such a rarity, that his biographer, in the delineation of his

career,

would have

to

earl}''

say his prospects were gloomy

" combat enough, for he had to

all

the disadvantages that

wealth and ease could bestow."

We is

should be proud of a country whose peculiar boast

thus to open

all

the avenues of her rich resources, and

cherish the remembrance of those

who

avail themselves

LIFE OF MILLARD FILLMOUE.

The

of them.

67

associations of j'oung Fillmore with Juclge

Wood

had not only resulted in the attainment of a vast amount of legal and other important information, but had been eminently agreeable

had several and

whom

to

in

every particular.

whom

sons, with

The Judge

he become quite familiar,

The

he became considerably attached.

disparity of circumstances social intercourse,

created no barrier to their

and the attachment became mutual.

After enjoying the legal advantages placed in his for a period

two years, h^ resolved on removing

to Erie county.

wisdom

of this course

was

obviously manifest.

sparsely inhabited portion of

way

of near

by the kindness of Judge Wood,

The In the

Cayuga county, where the was in the hands of two

entire business of a legal nature

or three,

and none of those advantages arising from

social intercourse, the

chances of familiarizing himself

with the practical part of his profession were very ordiThen, beside, he had reached that age of nary indeed. maturity that made him desire a more extensive knowledire

of

of his fellow

Cayuga

men than

county afforded.

the limited associations

It

was

time, too, he

had

bestowed some thonght upon the people amid whom his lot would be cast, and identified his interests with theirs.

Then,

too,

he was anxiously desirous of being so

situ-

ated as to be enabled to avail himself of the practical

wisdom of those who were engaged talented bar

dailv in

Having once embarked of

making

it

as

members

of a

the elucidation of legal principles. in the law,

he did

his lifetime business; there

time for halting or vacillating

between

it

with a view

was then no

different consid-

68

LIFE.

OP MILLAED FILLXOEE.

erations as to the wisest course for

the die was cast.

The

him

to

pursue in the

The Rubicon was crossed

regulation of his future career.

considerations of his

—

mind were

directed upon the methods and appliances best calculated to advance

him

in the

profession he had chosen,

instead of looking round for an outlet by

he CDuld promised

effect

to

means

of

which

an escape, and embark in a vocation that

be more lucrative,

For this steady determination

if

not more honorable.

to devote every energy to the

prosecution of an enterprise, after he had once embarked in

it,

Mr. Fillmore -had and

ulty.

Those unstable

still

desires of

has a very happy facindividuals to bring

themselves into notoriety, having neither the patience nor the capacity to achieve anything honorable to themselves or their country, that induce

them

to shift sails continu-

ally, hoping thereby to catch a favorable

breeze to be

wafted into the coveted port of fortune and success, were altogether foreign to those entertained by Mr. Fillmore, and wholly repugnant to his feelings. His sails were already spread his desires were to sus;

tain them, until

sufficiently

strong and appreciated, to

eatch not only a favorable but a merited breeze, that

would bear him and

his fortunes successfully over

ocean of his adversity.

In

this,

the

instead of being disap-

pointed, in his expectations, his ajaxious application has

been rewarded

in a

manner that has

realization of his brightest

he

first

embarked

dreams as

far surpassed

to the result

the

when

in the profession.

His father and family had, for some time, been residing from the dictates of his own

in Erie county, and, aside

LIFE OF MILLAUD FILLMOEE. inclinations,

he was urged by them to go there and con-

tinue the prosecutions of his studies.

the

of 1827, he left

fall

of empire, took his

Accordingly, in

county, and, like the star

Cayuga way westward. He experienced many

regrets in leaving those places endeared to

There he had

tenderest associations. dling glow of

had

him by the

first felt

young ambition swell his bosom

;

the kinthere he

learned the rudiments of an education that he

first

has endeavored so successfully to honor

by

69

vigilant

application

to

the

;

there he had,

requirements

of

his

employer, learned the entire intricacies of a trade which,

from the extraordinary powers of his own intellect, he and there he had first was destined never to follow ;

received encouragement that bid his aspirations unfetter " thick themselves, and, through the gloom of the present,

look forward to a glorious future, bright as the sun in

heaven."

Wood

So ardent had become the attachment of Judge

to his

young student that it was a source of real him but seeing the wisdom, and the

pain to part with

;

almost necessity of the course, he was more than willing to forego all personal considerations, if the sacrifice

to result in the promotion of his

The

young

influence this gentleman exerted over

more was

certainly very favorable

was

friend's prospects.

in

young

Fill-

every essential

So kind had he been, so deep the solicitude he and so disinterested the friendship he extended to

feature. felt,

him, that his affectionate ragardwas almost equivalent to

How

that of a parent. lets

of

under

memory such

is

lastingly treasured on the tab-

every kindness extended to youths

circumstances

as

those

that

surrounded

LIFE OF MILLAKD FILLMORE.

70

Mr. Fillmore, when he

What

Judge Wood.

first elicited

the "consicleratioii of

an influence such encouragements

not unfrequently, too, have exerted in shaping the desti-

who were

nies of those

was

shop,

their recipients.

When

Socrates

discovered with his chisel in the rude sculptor's

first

who would

for a

moment have

conceived- he pos-

sessed the almost sacred sparks of Divinity

and was

itself,

reserved to demonstrat-e the soul's immortalitv.

through the kind intercession of a friend in

Yet,

his.Jiehalf,- his

mind- expantled itself to so lofty a height, that the world

became

filled

with

When Henry county,

t-he

blaze of his intellectual philosophy.

Clay, in the

Virginia,

of

marshy swamps was benumbed with the

Hanover

blast from

which his tattered garments afforded scarce a perceivable protection, toiled to feed a helpless mother,

have thought that, a second father of to preside

king in the

was

over her Senate, and, like a demi-god, reign

proud realm of mind

Yet, through the friendly

?

intercession of a philanthropist, he

was made aware of

that genius that blazed like a star of the tude, while others lard

who would

his country, he

Fillmore,

seemed but

its

embosomed amid

Hampshire Grants,

in

satelites.

first

magni-

When

the wilderness

Cayuga county, was

Mil-

of the

toiling to ren-

der his father assistance in the duties of their wild

wood

home, who would have thought that to him the eyes of a grateful nation state, the

would

turn, as the pilot of their ship of

defender of her institutions

?

Yet, aided by

the counsels of a friend, and the examples of a friendly experience, he

was enabled

to guide her safely to port

through the darkest political storms that have lowered over the horizon einoe the days of the Revolution »

LIFE OF MILLAED FILLMOEE.

me

Here, again, allow

^ho

71

upon the minds of those

to insist

are so situated that they can do so entirely consistent

with their

own

interests, the

importance of extending

encouragements and aid to aspiring merit, be it presented It is not necessto view in whatsoever garb it may. arily inferable,

have succeeded

because a Clay, a Cass, and a Fillmore, in

combating the adverse storms that sur-

rounded their boyhood, and wreathed their temples with chaplets of fame, that every one of genius and capacity will accomplish t]ae

same

results.

Those are among the

immortal few of the illustrious names who, from the very fact that they have been thus successful, will be

handed down

to distant posterity, as affording useful

what

is

shalls,

to

become

But

of the Clays, the Fillmores, the

Mar-

God

?

young

the Websters, and

array of natural talent

repose of oblivion

Of

and

aspirant after fame.

instructive lessons to the

—

a host others in the bright

who slumber

lost

to

in the

their country,

such, no record can be kept.

undisturbed

and

Unseen

to their

of

men,

must remain undeveloped, locked in the their of own hearts, until they burn and blast precincts their aspirations

the seat of

its

Unfelt by the responsive

vital throb.

thrills of another's breast,

they prey

the life-blood of pulsation

is

in the ruin of his blasted hopes.

are noticed and recorded are not

— they cannot

commensurate with

in

the

bosom

until

gone, and bury the victim

The trumphs of life The failures be.

— they should

be.

Meru's talents are not always

their success, neither is their success

always commensurate with their

talents.

Success and

.prosperity are, therefore, not unfrequently very unsafe

LIFE OF MILLARD FILLMORE.

72

form conceptions of individual capacity.

criteria "whereby to

Having then no correct indication from exterior appearances of the intrinsic value of mental treasure concealed within,

we cannot be

encouragement

to all

too careful to give every possible

who

are thus situated.

" The words we speak, the smiles we wear

A heart may heal — a

It

was

in the fall of

Erie county

;

heart

;

break."

may

1821 when Mr. Fillmore reached

during that winter, in connection with the

pursuit of his legal studies, he rendered assistance to his father in the comfortable arrangement of his domestic affairs.

His father was then residing

in the vicinity of

Buffalo, devoting himself to the duties of his vocation, as

a farmer.

The

application of Mr. Fillmore to his studies

during that winter was distinguished by a restless activity unsurpassed.

Before the completion of intellectual

tasks assigned himself, minds

would have sunk go to the

possessed

of less

vigor

Having concluded

in exhaustion.

to

city of Buffalo the ensuing spring for the pur-

pose of prosecuting his studies, he was anxious to exhibit as great a degree of advancement as possible, and applied

himself with

all

the energy he could

spring of 1822 he

went

to Buffalo,

command.

In the

and entered the

of gentleman of considerable reputation as a lawyer.

was

to test the result of his energetic application

new and

untried

field.

.

The

situation in

office

He in a

which he was

now placed, however, favored him with more available facilities than he had previously enjoyed, and he made the best use of

them with eager

dispatch.

Buffalo then

LIFE OF MILLARD FILLMORE.

73

bore strong indications of becoming enventually a great city. Though the hum of business that now resounds

through the eighty-five

streets,

thronged with her population of

thousand, had not then swelled

into such a

din of prosperous activity, she bore unmistakable marks of ultimate greatness as a Situated in a very fertile city.

country, her streets terminating in the very waves of Lake Erie, she could not fail to become the commercial

emporium of western New York. Between Lakes Erie and Ontario, she possessed fair anticipations of an excellent railroad communication.

Such were some

of the

advantages arising from her local position, whose tendencies were the full development of her resources. At the time of Mr. Fillmore's arrival in that city, society was established upon a correct basis, cemented by the strongest of social compacts, resulting from a complete harmony of feeling and concert of action, in a cause of

floated

It

quartered in her streets. in the

common

had been but a few years since hostile fleets over her beautiful lakes, and hostile troops were

defence.

minds of

Lundy's Lane

all,

still

The fame

while the

of Perry

fields of

was

fresh

Chippewa and

bore marks of the hero blood of her

defenders.

Thus, emerging from the smouldering embers, where the incendiary torch of a rapacious soldiery had

left her,

the city of Buffalo smiled with prospects of social

happiness as

when

first

she doned the robes of

her

independence. Society, too,

had reached a degree of refinement that

was excelled by few cities in the Union. Much attention had been manifested on the part of the citizens in

regard

4

LIFE OF MILLARD FILLMORE.

74

to the successful operation of a regular tion; consequently, there

s}-

was pervading

stem of instruca very

all classes

happy diffusion of general intelligence. The establish ment of libraries, etc., had been undertaken and to a great degree successfully accomplished

was

of healthy, high-toned literature

the entire population.

The

;

amount

a large

circulated

business

men

among

of the place

manifested great public spirit and national pride, by decorating their city with public buildings,

etc.,

and every

department of business evinced indications of the most animated industry.

was

refined,

in the aggregate, it

Taking society

moral and high-toned.

Such were the people with whom Millard Fillmore first cast his lot, thirty-four years ago. Such were the people with whose fortunes and interests he came, stranger and mere in the union of

entire

who could then

own

Yet, this unpre-

permanent citizenship.

tending stripling,

an

stripling, to identify those of his

look over the entire

—

who city and meet no friendly glance of recognition entered the citv, as thousands have done, unseen and unknown, old

is

world,

the

same who, on

in

the

erective

his recent return

from the

of true

nobility,

majesty

entered the same city amid the thunders of cannon, the

streaming of banners^ the pealing of ening

acclamations

of welcome

bells,

and the deaf-

from thirty thousand

freemen, in whose hearts he reigns an idol. I

was tempted

into this contrast

by the

reflections I

had, during the reception extended to Mr. Fillmore by his fellow citizens, on his arrival to Europe.

For any

home from

digression

it

his recent visit

may have

make, I crave the reader's indulgence.

caused

me

to

LIFE OF MILLARD FILLMORE.

75

In Buffalo, he prosecuted Lis legal studies with char acteristic energy and perseverance, and continued to make the same rapid progress he had formerly done.

The

expenses attendant upon his studies he had to defray himself. These, too, were increased by heavier and m.ore frequent drafts upon his means than he had formerly experienced in the country. He was frequently aroused

from the enjoyment of his legal and literary studies, by the voice of a necessity that submitted to no procrastination.

It

was a

become perfectly

however, with which he had

voice,

and was accustomed

famiiliar

from his earliest boyhood.

to

obey

They were companions

of

old acquaintanceship, but entire success was soon to dissolve the copartnership, with a " mutual consent " that

caused no lingering look or parting sigh. To sustain himself in his studies, and liquidate the expenses

Through

thereby this

entailed,

medium he

he

again

taught

school.

sustained himself, during the

entire time of prosecuting the study of his profession, in

Buffalo. to

From

the increased facilities thrown in his

improvement,

in the

way

shape of books, young men's

and an uninterrupted intercourse with men of proverbial talents and attainments, with all the advansocieties,

tages

of an enlightened, refined

derive very great benefit.

industry he

By

pursued, and the

society, he

began to

the course of zeal and

kind

generosity of his

nature, he could not fail to be universally esteemed

the citizens of the place.

among

the

young students

It

by was no uncommon remark

in the city at that time, at the

exhibition of unusual application on the part of a fellow student, that he

was

as studious as Fillmore.

LIFE OF MILLAED FILLMORE.

76

Mr. Fillmore always made to

live

it

a point, in his early

entirely within his means

;

life,

and those similarly

situated cannot be too careful in emulating his example in this respect.

It

was about

time he gave an emphatic endorsement

this

to the conservative principles of the great whig party. those principles, it will not be At the time he

adopted amiss to take a casual glance at the state of political The nation had just been conaffairs in the country.

by the agitation In the growing out of the Missouri question of 1821. whole political history of the United States, there has

vulsed with the

wildest excitement,

never been a period of more momentous importance to our vitalitv than the time of the excitement incident to the adjustment of those troubles, by the Compromise of So intense was the excitement in the councils 1821. of the nation, that

we seemed verging upon

the evils of

anarchv.

Mr. Clay took his seat in Congress on the 14th day of January, 1821, amid flames of passion rarely seen in the deliberations of any legislative body, and a spirit of bitter party denunciation, pregnant with the worst results.

were Principally through his agency, these difficulties the to restored country. adjusted, and quiet peaceably

The

old conservative principles of the

whig party were

those regarded as the safe weapons wherewith to combat the pet bank systems, and other elements of the progresand Mr. Clay, from the wise, conservasive democracy ;

tive course he pursued in the Missouri

of vital interest,

was rapidly

and other questions

rising into

that popular

!

LIFE OF MILLARD FILLMORE. favor that

was

to result in his eventually

leadership of his party.

came

the time

to Erie county, his great

ceeded

in establishing the

He

promise. as

At

embodied

77

assuming the

when Mr. Fillmore

exemplar had just suc-

measures of the Missouri Com-

endorsed the principles of the whig party, sentiments of Henry Clay, and to

in the

these principles he adhered with unwavering fidelity

ardent supporter of Clay through

all

the ultimate decay and disruption of that party.

adoption of his political creed,

it

;

an

his fortunes, until

In the

can not be asserted that

he was actuated by motives other than those of the purest patriotism, for, in the state of

Xew

York, the whig party

was, at that time, in a fearful minority, and the democrats held

father

sway in both branches of her legislature. His had ever been sternly identified with the whigs,

and uniform in his support to the champions of his party. Mr. Fillmore was, at that early day, an ardent admirer of Henry Clay nor was it in subsequent life in the ;

slightest degree diminished.

The similarity of circumcommenced a career in

stances under which they each

which they were

to

be the acknowledged champions of

conservative patriotism in their respective times was well calculated to produce a breast.

The

principles entertained

lofty patriotism

his

own.

congeniality of feeling in his

by Mr. Clay, and the

he displayed, were not

in confliction

with

Side by side with Clay, he afterward fought

most gallantly in their defence. And were Mr. Clay now and engaged in the din of political strife, there is

living,

no doubt but the views he would entertain upon different

subjects

that agitate

the country

the

would be

LIFE OF MILLARD FILLMORE.

•78

precisely identical with those entertained by Mr. Fillmore

upon the same subjects

—

and con-

essentially patriotic

servative.

In 1823,

common

Mi',

rillmore was admitted to the court of

pleas in the city of Buftalo.

The

Buffalo bar

was a very able one, presenting in its members an array of talent and legal research rarely excelled in any city of the Union. There were many old lawyers of acknowledc:ed who, from a long connection with the practice, had

ability,

become

familiar with

all

practitioners at the bar,

its

details.

many young

There were, as

aspirants to success,

who, from an intimate association with the best legal advisers in the city,

and the assistance of every

facility to

success they could desire, possessed advantages superior to those of

a

man

Mr. Fillmore.

It is not surprising, then, that

of Mr. Fillmore's unpretending

temperament and

natural modesty should feel exceedingly diffident in em-

barking in a profession for the discharge of whose duties his

were wholly untried, among competitors

capacities

who had been having

its

successful followers for vears.

sufficient confidence in his

first effort in

the profession

own

ability to

Not

make his

among such learned men

as

thronged the Buffalo bar, he removed to Aurora, a village

some eighteen miles from the city. Here, to use his own words, he "labored as hard as Jacob did for Eachel," for the glimmerings of a successful result in his profession.

The wisdom

of this course

is

perfectly clear.

The

village

Aurora was a quiet little place, with a well cultivated, refined society, and afforded an opportunity for him to of

commence

his profession without incurring that array of

LIFE OF MILLARD FILLMORE. talented competition

had he remained

79

would have been the result

^'liicli

in the city.

Here he could

practice in

the court-s, without contending with the overawing weight

of age and experience, until divested of that timidity incident to

young lawyers, and peculiarly so

to himself,

he

could take his position at the bar with a degree of ex-

He

perience requisite to success. first

could not expect at

to get a practice, the profits accruing from

would be adequate

to defray the expenses he

sarily compelled to

incur at the

commencement

For a considerable time

duties.

after his

which

was necesof his

location in

Aurora, he sustained himself by teaching, and devoted his leisure

moments

to

He

study.

soon,

by pursuing a

course of honor and steady qualities, developed such traits of character that

he became endeared to the

habitants of the place, and

won

in-

the entire confidence and

good will of the whole village. The first case in which Mr. Fillmore was ever engaged as counsel was one of An individual had been arrested for stealing larceny.

some

articles

From

the circumstances of the case

from a neighbor, and was awaiting his

the parties, the

?ause elicited

was much talked with the

gaged

facts.

of and discussed

The

in the prosecution.

fictitious

by those acquainted were en-

services of Mr. Fillmore

This was his

young attorney has not looked with a

trial.

and the position of very general interest, and

What

first case.

interest,

and attached

importance to the issue of his first case

1

He

was extremely

careful in the preparation of his case, and

in looking

all

up

the law of aay relevancy thereto.

these preparations he could not have been

more

In

careful,

LIFE OF MILLARD FILLMOEE.

80

had he believed

his entire destiny dependent

upon the

successful issue of his effort.

On

the

trial,

whom

the

day of

thronged with those

much

attracted, as

as anything else.

room was densely had

court

the interest of the occasion

to witness the

debut of young Fillmore

The

was arraigned under the

prisoner

indictment, and the case was opened by the examination

by Mr. Fillmore on the part of the common-

of witnesses

wealth.

He

conducted the examination with great judg

ment, and convinced the attornies of the opposition tha^ they had more to contend with than they had expected. After they were through with the witnesses Mr. Fillmore

opened the case in a happy display of facts and law, that proved a great readiness

in applying

them

to

each par

ticular feature of the case.

"With such clearness and force did he pile fact upon

and quote the particular law by which they were to be governed, and so perfectly unanswerable were the fact,

arguments he advanced, that before he took

began

to be

whispered

in the

crowd that

"

his seat, it

The man

will

be found guilty !" while the attornies for the defence, dispairing of success, began to say to each other,

"

MVe

shall lose our case !"

The arguments in the defence, though advanced by men of much greater experience than Mr. Fillmore possessed,

were

far

from removing the wall of facts showing which the prosecution had enclosed

their client's guilt, in

him.

The

result was, after the submission of the case,

the prisoner

was found

guilty of the charge, and sen-

tenced to the penalty of his offence. a case and gained it.

Thus he had gotten

LIFE OF MILLAED FILLMOEE.

81

It is a significant fact that his first services in a career

where he was

to

win such distinction was on the side of

the people, and he was successful.

and the marked

ability

The

he displayed

successful manner, in

case attracted considerable attention.

conducting this

The

fact of his

having discomfited the older attornies in a

somewhat

by his superior knowledge of law more than from any aspect of the case favorhis side, was a theme of considerable talk in the

closely contested case,

and

facts

able to

community, and -had a very favorable

effect

upon Mr.

Fillmore.

He

continued the practice of his profession at Aurora

with increase of practice and an assiduous application, until 1830.

brighter,

In 1825, his prospects becoming somewhat

and

tled point, he

nent location.

his vocation as a

lawyer a permanently

set-

began to contemplate the idea of a permaIn the succeeding year, he was married to

Abigail Powers, the youngest daughter of Rev. Lemuel Powers, of Erie county. Mr. Powers was a gentleman of elevated moral worth, and of the strictest religious principles,

and proverbial

for the zeal

and earnestness he

dis-

played in his ministry throughout the limits of his entire acquaintance. His daughter had received all the advantages of a liberal education, and been schooled in the She was possessed of a mild lessons of pure morality. amiability, that

was manifest

in her entire social inter-

A modest deportment that obtruded itself upon course. the notice of no one, and a love of virtue that could suffer no abatement, with a desire to promote the happiness of those around her commensurate with that for the promo-

4*

82

LIFE OF MILLARD FILLMORE.

The

tion of her own.

kind gentleness of her manners,

and her daily exemplification of

"so

many

deared her to the hearts of her entire

en-

virtues,

acquaintance.

Such was the happy choice made by Millard Fillmore. The gentleness of her manners, and the tenderness of her devotion were admirably adapted to the placidity of Mr. Fillmore's quiet disposition. The fruits of this marriage were

two

children,

a son

The son

1853. Buffalo.

is

now

The

and a daughter.

daughter died at Aurora of cholera, in the

summer

of

a practicing lawyer in the city of

In 1827, Mr. Fillmore was regularly admitted as

an attorney. He continued the practice of his profession with uninterrupted progress, until he occupied an elevated position in the conceptions of those of

ence than himself.

During

his

much more

stay

at

experi-

Aurora,

lie

studied well, and laid deep the fundamental principles of the legal profession. So thorough was his comprehension of the principles of law, and so accurate

ment

was

his judg-

in their application to his cases, that, limited as his

had formerly been, he began now to be regarded a lawyer of weight and ability, and, in addressing a

practice as

jury, he seldom failed to carry conviction

reason and

fact.

These

qualities

by the force of have constituted a large

portion of Mr. Fillmore's strength as a lawyer.

The

quence of bis addresses to a jury did not consist

elo-

in the

impetuosity of Patrick Henry's, that darted upon the springs of the different natures of which

lightening-like

bis jury

was

was composed, and tempered them

like a vast river,

at will

;

nor

on smoothly, yet broad and deep bearing his hearers almost insensibly

like Clay's, flowing

LIFE OF UriLLARD FILLMORE. along with

aimed tiss',

83

until they -reached the point at

it,

to brins:

them.

Nor

vet,

was

that gliding with graceful

it

which he

like that of

Pren-

the

fairy

beauty into

realms of poesy, would blind the vision of his jury with tropes and figures, and so lull the sense with the rich exotics of

fancy that they lost sight of facts and law alto-

The eloquence

gether.

powers.

convincing

of Mr. Fillmore consisted in

its

prosecution, systematic and

In

methodical, he would pile fact upon fact, with such accu-

them with such an unbroken

rate compactness, and sustain

chain of law and evidence, that between the individual

and the chance of escape from conviction, he would establish a barrier no judge or jury could overleap, with-

out a manifest disregard of fence, perceptive

official

In cases of de-

duty.

and analytic, he would discover the

main cord of hope whereon the prosecution depended for the conviction of his client, and with ease he would untwist his

and separating

it,

client free

profession,

from

its

it

fibre

meshes.

from

fibre,

would leave

In the practice of his

Mr. Fillmore has never resorted to the artful

who regard

chicanery practiced by many,

a talent for that

as being an essential prerequisite to its successful prosecution,

and which

possess.

He

generally, about the only talent such

looked upon the law as a noble profession,

and embarked ful

is,

in

it

with a view of making himself use-

— he has honored the

The gloom

that

one,

and succeeded

had enshrouded the prospects of Mr.

Fillmore from his earlist boyhood to

in the other.

now

began, gradually,

disappear, amid the dawning light of a more prosper-

ous future.

He

hailed the

first

rays of his rising star

r

LIFE OF MILLARD FILLMORE.

84

with emotions of delight.

To

appreciate the happiness

in the breast by these first beams of success, we must place ourselves in the same position. He had overcome obstructions of ponderous magnitude, at every step

produced

of his career.

down by

With

his

own young arm, be had

pulled

had opposed his every effort. Unaided, own stout heart, he had repelled every thought

barriers that

his

that bid

it

throb to notes of despair.

He had

traversed,

without a guide, save the footprints of those who bad

gone before him, a wilderness of

terrific

gloom, and now,

approaching the vales of prosperity, he hailed their light as a

Bethlehem

star, that

spoke peace to the soul.

As

we have endeavored to follow him through the thick gloom of the past, we now propose entering with him those fields of fame, until he plants himself in their midst,

a pillar of colossal dimensions.

|

LIFE OF MILLARD FILLMORE.

CHAPTER

85

III.

— an excellent connection in profession — Admitted to the supreme court — Individual sketches — — elected the Assembly — Sketch of that Legal profundity — Party —Adherence body — Evinces — His nature as a debater — Adjournment of the to — Re-elected that Assembly — His devotion to profession body — On the committee on Public Defence — The law of imdebt — Governor Throop — Mr. Fillmore's active prisonment endeavors the repeal of the imprisonment law — His success — Important measures of the Assembly — Close of the session — Sketch of Mr. FiUmore in that body — Remarks thereon.

At the head of

his

Is offered

Buffalo

Is

to

legislative capacities

politics

his principles

his

to

for

for

The

success of Mr. Fillmore in his legal pursuits very

justly placed

him

He

at the head of his profession.

had applied himself to its labors with such assiduity that he had become an advocate of distinguished ability and, ;

though he was loved as a

man and admired

as a lawyer,

these were not the only inducements for clients to seek to avail themselves of his services.

They were

afraid of

having him against them. From the high position which he had attained, and the great reputation he had acquired as a lawyer of depth tion,

and profundity and of apt percep-

he had monopolized pretty much the entire practice

of the village and vicinity.

could not

fail to

The

success of his efforts

attract the notice of the

bar, at all contiguous points,

and

his

cially familiar in the city of Buffalo,

management of cases a theme

of

members

name became and

of the espe-

his ingenious

comment among the

LIFE OP MILLARD FILLMORE.

86

He had

ablest of the profession in that city. eral cases, the importance of interest,

The

which had

taken sev-

elicited general

and been more successful than he had anticipated.

success that crow^ned his

eflPorts

had placed him

above the appeals of want, and enabled him to sustain himself without turning aside from the duties of his profession.

that

He

medium

had alreadv realized sui^cient means throuo:h to support himself

and pay up the old note

with interest, which he had given Judge

advanced

to

him by that gentleman

From

career.

Wood for means

in the outset of his

these unmistakable indications of prosper-

ity and eventual success, he acquired confidence in himself, and became divested of that natural timidity under

which he labored when

first

even, consistent course he

good

will of his

admitted to the bar.

has ever since maintained.

He had wooed

and pursued the study of

its

proficient in a science of

which he

the law as a

abstruse principles

with patient investigation, knowing that

become a

the

acquaintances, and established himself

firmly in the affections of the people, a position

lover,

By

had pursued, he had won the

it

took time to

which the learned and

the great of the world were devotees.

The rewards

of success

now began

heap themselves upon him, as remuneration for the privations he had undergone in his endeavors to master the profession. He had to

not been an inattentive observer to the history of his country and the signs of the times while thus engaged.

But though he made everything subordinate

to success in

the law from his earliest connections therewith, required

in its duties,

when not

he was careful to acquaint himself

LIFE OF MILLARD FILLMORE.

87

familiarly with the leading political events of the day,

and

the characters figuring most conspicuously therein.

So

that in the discussion of the political affairs of the country,

had become,

so well acquainted he

among

the confident disputant would say if

am

I

if

a dispute occurred

the villagers in regard to a matter of importance, " :

Go and

as umpire

was

came from

the lips of Jefferson himself.

To become

ask Fillmore,

His decision when thus appealed

not right."

to

as conclusive with the parties as though

it

familiar with the history of the country and

the wise administration of the government by the early patriots in the purest days of the Republic, Mr. Fillmore,

as a

young man, thought

it

He made

his imperative duty.

the constitution the basis of his investigations, and the scales in

which he weighed the actions of those

in

whose

hands the management of the country had been entrusted Patriotism, the prompter of of his career, he political creed,

immolate his

made

all his actions, in

and the Mecca

talents.

the outset

the constitution the alphabet of his

whose shrine he would

at

Firm and

unflinching has always

been his adherence to that sacred instrument. investigation of his country's history,

and other patriots at the helm of

In the

Washington, Adams, on whose brow

state,

the majesty of justice sat enthroned in the immaculate

purity of heaven,

mind

;

made

lasting impressions

upon

his

and though he has ever been an exemplar rather

than a copyist, the patriotism of their course in the administration of our government he determined should be

the criteria by which he would shape his

Luminous have been the exemplifications of

own

actions

this patriotisic

LIFE OF MILLAED FILLMORE.

88

in all the relations tions.

And

as an

he has sustained toward our institu-

embodiment of

this

pure elevation of

soul, whose love of country towers a sightless distance above the bitterness of party faction, he stands by the

Union and the

constitution, almost the last of the

Romans,

the Aristides of the times. Possessing, then, the experience of a considerable practice in the law,

and occupying an elevated position com-

mensurate with that of his professional brethren, and a

knowledge of

and of constitutional law

his country

surpassing the attainments

many

of

far

them had made,

in

1829 ha. was admitted a counsellor in the supreme court of the state of

New

York.

Than

this

sm^reme coutt,

there were few places in the United States that displayed

a brighter array of talent, or an exhibition of more profound legal research.

At the time

of Mr. Fillmore's admission into this court,

Mr. Savage was chief

justice.

He

was one

of those

men

who, by devoting the energies of a lifetime to the study of the profession, with such application that the very

brain becomes

a

legal

portfolio,

reprints of learned commentators.

impressed with the

So perfect was

his

knowledge of the law, and so' acute his judgment, that, from the very nature of a case, he was enabled to arrive at safe conclusions, with the instantaneous alertness and

mathematical precision of a Xewton, who could demonstrate a geometrical problem,

the proposition.

He

on the mere statement of

|

had been a lawyer of an extensive

practice and acknowledged ability, before he to the bench, a position

was elevated

which he had occupied

for a con"

i

LIFE OF MILLARD FILLMOEE. siderable length of time. tive faculties

as well

/remarkable for the

Being a man of quick percepas profound research, he was with which he dispatched the

facility

business of the docket.

89

The nature

of

some of the cases

tried in his hearing, as the highest tribunal of appeal in

the state, involved not unfrequently considerations of the

weightiest moment, and elicited as well as a general interest

on the part of the citizens concerned, a display of powers from antagonistic advocates that would not have disgraced the

From

Eoman

forum.

the chief justice's long connection with the law

and occupancy of the bench, he was admirably calculated and exhibit

to hear these important cases with dignity,

entire

and impartial justice

The

sions.

to the chief justice

tenance of the

in

the rendition of his deci-

conceptions of Mr. Fillmore in regard

first

On

were very favorable.

man he saw

never failed to win his warmest admiration virtue

;

in his actions

he perceived those patronize

the coun-

delineated those qualities that

—

justice

and

and dispatch of transacting business, he never failed to

traits of character

— industry and

regularity

;

in his

eye he saw

the beams of true nobility, that never failed to kindle his

own bosom

— a benevolent,

liberal nature

low men, yet of the sternest cribes as being

*'

justice,

toward

his fel-

which Sheridan des-

lovely in her darkest frown."

Jacob

Sutherland 'and Samuel Nelson, the two subordinate justices,

were men of the highest legal attainments, and "

were essentially qualified to " don the ermine robes of This high tribunal was, in that day, the supreme court. regarded as an august body, and men of undoubted

LIFE OF MILLARD FILLMOEE.

90

capacity, as well as unsullied reputations, were invariably

elevated to a position where they were to exercise superior guardianship over the people.

Those were purer days of the Republic, before the hosts of political vermin had crawled into the temple of justice and polluted the majesty of her sanctuary with the effects of selfish ambition. Sutherland and Nelson, in discharging the duties of their

official

capacity, evinced a thorough

knowledge of legal principles, and an impartial administration of the laws, that proved they

ments of that justice which

it

was

were true embodi-

their pieculiar province

to promote.

Ti^e attornej^ general

was Greene C. Robinson, a gen-

tleman whose talents as a lawyer were acknowledged to be of the of

some

first

order,

and whose legal successes

distinction admirably befitted

him

i|

in a career

for the res-

ponsible position of state prosecutor.

Such was the supreme court of the Empire State, when Mr. Fillmore was admitted a counsellor, twenty-seven years ago. for the

The

counsellors

who

practiced at this court

most part were lawyers of old experience and

distinguished ability, whose services were solicited on

account of the very great importance of the cases and their ultimate issue. for

Among

the lawyers of notoriety

their extensive acquaintance with the principles

law and the success of

their professional career,

who

of fig-

ured somewhat a conspicuous part before the supreme court, at that time,

was

J. C. Spencer.

This gentleman

was exceedingly popular, and deservedly

so,

among

professional brethren, for his talents and ingenuity.

his

He

j

LIFE OP MILLARD FILLMORE. was a practical lawyer of the preparation of

his

whom

of

eminence,

required a* large

well as

to

quality,

compete

amount

in the

supreme

successfully with

of legal information as

The

argumentative talents.

natural

and

before the

Bacon and Kirkland were

court he had few superiors.

attorneys

first

come

cases to

91

in a strength of these gentlemen consisted

peculiar

happy com-

bination of reason and argument,' with considerable elo-

the minds of their quence in enforcing conviction upon hearers. During Mr. Fillmore's practice before the

supreme court, it was often his fortune with these and other gentlemen of no their legal lore.

to

come

in conflict

less distinction for

Mr. Fillmore was much younger than a

before the supreme court, large portion of the practitioners to Yet, from practice there. when he was first admitted

he occupied a position of prominence among the other counsellors, and frequently succeeded in discomfit-

the

first,

ing

them

His

first

teous

argument of cases of great importance. marked with courappearance in that court was in the

dignity toward the

attorneys,

deference to the judges due their

and a respectful

official station,

which

exhibited a refinement of feelings of the highest order. It has always been the desire of Mr. Fillmore, both in

not only to do his whole duty, but public and in private, to do it in such a manner as to make himself beloved.

The hold he has upon people show

On

the affections of the American

to the extent this desire has

been

gratified.

his admission into the supreme court he soon gave

of displays of those powers ciently elsewhere.

mind he had used

so

So profound were the powers of

effi-

his

92 mind

LIFE OF MILLARD FILLMORE. in

comprehGnding the fundamental doctrines of the

common

law, and in grasping the whole range of learned

upon

disquisitions

that he

its

commanded

most

and

intricate

difficult parts,

the respect of the entire bench.

Yet

the unassuming modesty of his deportment, was as clearly manifest as though he were entirely ignorant of his powers.

In the establishment of his

positions,,

^

he ranged

the wide fields of legal research with the restless activity of thought, culled a casket of facts, and fitted them to his

case with the precise solidity of a marble pyramid.

In

demolishing the fortress reared by counsel on the opposite side, with the perceptive analyses of chemical process, he

would

tear

it

piece from piece, and expose the very foun-

dation as being fallacious and untenable.

But, before following him through his career in the

supreme

court,

tI

where he won such glorious laurels and j

established a character of civic ability almost unsurpassed in the annals of judicial renown,

it is

1

necessary to notice

the results of his labors in a capacity where the country 1

was, more generally, the recipient.

The fame

of his legal success

became the theme

of uni-

He

had reached a position far above of no more experience than he had advocates young His character, in fact, was essentially estabenjoyed. versal remark.

lished,

whom

and the people began

to regard

him

as one from

they might expect services ameliorative

condition, and in

whose hands

safety be reposed.

And

their interests

might with

he himself, from the success of

the past, had began to feel and hope that, through the

appliance of the

^

of their

same energy, he might

^

attain a position,

4

LIFE OF MILLARD FILLMORE.

Already had the village in which he

of usefulness. lived,

and surrounding country, ceased to be the limits of

He had

his professional labors.

frequently been solicited

engage as counsel in different places.

to

93

these flattering prospects, he

was

Surrounded with

offered a connection

with the most successful law-office in the city of Buffalo. This connection promised great and very decided advantages,

inasmuch as the counsel of the

tion of

eminence

in the lav\^

practice in the city.

firm,

from a

posi-

were doing about the heaviest

Possessed of the capabilities he

was, with the increased facilities afforded by the proposed

was no longer necessitated to indulge apprehensions of expenditures not being met through the medium of his profession. The " Eachel " of success connection, he

which he had "labored, Jacob-like," so earnestly, was his embrace, and with this trophy of his triumphs he

for

in

could return to the city he had

left

through timidity and

a want of confidence, to assume his position as a lawyer

He

with the most respectable at the bar.

accepted a

proposition that promised to result so advantageously to

the development of his faculties. in

Aurora, and

left

He

the scenes of his

cast his lot a second time

among

closed his business first

triumphs, and

the citizens of Buffalo,

where he has ever since resided, except when engaged official

duties at

Immediately

Albany

or

Washington

ability

City.

after his arrival in Buffalo,

into practice of a lucrative

having preceded him

nature.

he was thrown

The fame

to the city,

in

of

his

he found no

dif-

of clients, or cause to ficulty in the acquisition

complain

The members

bar soon

of inactivity.

of the Buffalo

LIFE OF MILLARD FILLMORE.

94

perceived that, during the comparative hermitage of his

Aurora

seclusion, like

Demosthenes

he had

in the cave,

Like

developed intellectual powers of a giant nature. that ancient orator

remained

who

left

the city, where he would have

overcome the defects of

to

turned again

left

overcome the defects of

his timidity,

make her

His success

streets resound with the at the bar

was now

at the bar.

his fame.

excelled by no one of his all

sides,

In his early practice,

for

attended courts of uninterrupted business from until night,

Like Clay, he was a

fested,

what he

man

he had

days he

morning

and was counsel one side or the other

case.

in

rights protected

every

of the people, and mani-

a deep solicitude in

having and their wrongs redressed. felt,

his

and returned again

anthems of

age; business flowed in upon him from

no superior

re-

the city where he studied, to

matchless eloquence, he

to

and

his speech,

make her rostrums resound with

to

their

Being himself one of the people, their rights he regarded as a part of his own, and any infringement there-

upon as an injury

to himself, as a

member of

a great social

compact, form.ed for mutual protection and defence.

This

manifest solicitude and regard, on his part, toward the people, could but result in a mutual reciprocity of interest,

and excite

in their

and esteem, on

bosoms

their part,

Fillmore's for his fellow

same regard This love of Mr.

feelings of the

toward him.

men has always been wholly

vested of selfish motives and considerations. dictate of a generous heart,

di-

It is the

whose happiness is commenHis great life idea has

surate with that of the people's.

been

to ascertain

by what

efforts of his the prosperity

of

LIFE OF MILLARD FILLMORE. the

common

95

country and the happiness of

all

classes

would be best promoted then, with incessant energy, he has directed them in that channel. In both public and ;

private capacities the appeals of humanity have never been silenced by any sordid considerations of his bosom, but have always met a response of active benevolence. Liberal and generous, both in his views of policy and the feehngs

him

of his heart, nothing affords

so

much

to be enabled to render assistance in

gratification as

conciliating the

elements of discord in his country, or to alleviate the ""

sorrows of a fellow creature. The Athenian* when dying -with peace was blest, Because he had raised no mourner's sad voice

;

But nobler content can beam For HE hath

in kindness

Possessing this

in his breast,

made many

rejoice.

generous nature, ever watchful for

opportunities to promote the interests of the people and

common

the prosperity of the

country, itjs not surpris-

ing that he should become the most popular county.

So endeared had he become

man

of his

to the hearts of

the people, and so implicit was their reliance in his virtue, patriotism,

and

he was selected

to represent

capacities, that with great unanimity

them

in the

assembly of the

This unexpected selection, except as a proof that he was appreciated by his fellow citizens, afforded no state.

great gratification to Mr. Fillmore. sible to the

conveyed

in the selection

*Pericles.

He was

not insen-

esteem for him, on the part of the people,

^

and their disposition

to place

LIFE X)F MILLARD FILLMORE.

96 him

ill

office.

He

felt

these manifestations of regard with

emotional gratitude.

He

had no sordid ambition

to gratify.

Considerations

of self-elevation have never found an asylum

Though

a great portion of his

lic service,

life

office.

When

bosom.

has been spent in pub-

devoted to the duties of

never sought

in his

official station,

he has

he has turned aside from the

discharge of his duties as a citizen and as a professional

man

to accept office,

it

has invariably been in compliance

with the strongest solicitations of his fellow

These

solicitations, too,

citizens.

have alwavs been made with

such earnest and unquestionable indications of preference, and urgent appeals in behalf of their interests, that

with his non-compliance would have been associated a manifest disregard of duty.

As Mr.

Fillmore has never sought the honors and

emoluments of

office,

so

has he been equally careful

never to shrink from the performance of any duty incumbent upon him to discharge.

Setting out in his career

with an ardent desire to render himself useful, he reposed unlimited confidence in the judgment and capacities of his coantrymen, as being

sufficient to

select their

own

public servants.

Ever ready and anxious to be of service to his country, he was willing for his country to decide in what way his services

would be most acceptable.

In

common

with

every good citizen, with no aspirations whatever for the elevation of himself, he gave himself to his country;

when

obe-

dience to his personal preferences would have kept

him

and, though he has frequently occupied

office,

LIFE OF JHLLARD FILLMORE. In the walks of private

life,

strongest convictions of duty.

he has done so under the In this respect his whole

career has evinced an exemplification of

noble sentiment

*' :

97

Henry Clay's

I had rather be right than be pres-

ident."

In compliance with the urgent request of the people and his convictions of

duty as to the course he should pursue,

he commenced his political career.

He was

elected to the

£LSsembly from Erie county in 1828, and took his seat in that body in the early part of the ensuing January.

the period Mr. Fillmore became a

member

of the

At

New

York assembly, the whig party, to which he belonged, was in a fearful minority in both branches of the state legislature.

The

progressiva democracy had just com-

menced preparations

for a

combined onslaught that would

eventuate in the entire annihilation of old conservative

whig

principles.

Mr. Fillmore was then just twenty-nine

years of age, and the inexperienced representative of a minority party, he had rather indifferent opportunities of exhibiting his powers.

The democratic

had become so accustomed

to exert

representation

dominant sway, hav-

ing monopolized the seats of both houses for several years previous, with arrogant assumption presumed to

Gonsumm.ate what measures they deemed proper, regardless of the views and indifferent to the opposition of a respectable minority.

It

was during the time when,

through the hands of Jackson, the regal or executive

powers of the constitution were taking their defiant march into the legislative halls, to the almost entire exclusion

of

its

democratical features, and usurping the people*s

LIFE OF MILLAKD FILLMORE..

98

It

platform witli their royal insignia.

mencement

was

at the eon>-

of that political reign of terror that resulted

in the removal of the deposits,

and the introduction of a

fiery partisan spirit in all classes of the country, that for

a number of years changed the bonds of union to the clanliing links of a rivalrous antagonism. radical, partisan fanaticism

seemed

parts of the country, and wherever

This

spirit of

to infuse itself into it tooli

all-

hold; the influ-

ences were as uncongenial to the prevalence of a patriotic national feeling favorable to the protection of conservative principles as darkness to a "were these incipient effusions of

sunbeam.

So

infectious

young democracy from

the Jacksonian administration, that almost every depart-

ment of the government became ulcerated with their corSo fierce was their prevalence in the ruptive virulence. halls of congress,

and so intense became the excitement

where the wildest passions flashed in the heat of maddened rivalry, that they ultimately bid fair to consume the very walls of the capitol. The administration, in the assumption of almost kingly prerogative, under the much

abused name of democracy, impressed the irrevocable signet

of the veto

upon m.easures embracing the true

import of the word, and placed the approving signature to those with which

bents of

an

oflfice

it

was

at direct variance.

Incum-

were led to the block of decapitation, by

inquisitorial

cabinet, with the merciless

a Sejanus, and patriotism

cruelty

of

labeled with the imfamous

stamp of intrigue. Such were some of the ultimate results of the almost Bsurptional

power

and innovations

that

began to ba

LIFE OF MILLARD FILLMORE. developed about this time. ever, to the royal

They were

9^

not confined, how-

head-quarters of their emanatiun at

City, but infected the legislative assemblies

Washington

throughout the country.

Indications

of their

abouts were beginning to be manifest in the

where-

New

assembly, at the time Mr. Fillmore took his seat

York

in that

The active members of that assembly were mostly of age and experience, and entertaining prin" ciples opposite to those of the young member from Erie,'* body, in 1829.

little

they expected

merit and ability

is

opposition from that quarter.

But

not to be concealed by the excitement

of party feeling, or the overawing influence of numbers. Mr. Fillmore took occasion upon some measure of vital interest to

Erie

"

let

"

them know the

had not come there

after he took his seat,

we

for

young member from Immediately

nothing.

find his

name

in the

assembly

journal of that session placed on a very important com-

mittee

;

and by reference

was the most

to the

same journal we

When

active 'member of the house.

ures of a political nature

find

he

meas-

came before the house, he was

so

capacitated as to exert no influence by his vote, but the

small minority with which he was indentified never kept him

from a bold and fearless avowal of his principles. Often did veterans of the " Hickory School" shrink in discomfiture " Erie from the discussion of their principles with the

member."

Though

no significance, on "

nay,"

vote was of " or he gave the " aye

in political questions his

all

measures

according to his principles, even

no response but ihe echo of his

amdng the youngest members

own

though he met

voice.

He was

of the house, but

was

LIFE OF MILLARD FILLMORE.

100

detemiined not only to avow the principles of his party, but to contest every inch of ground over which measures were obliged to pass

that were antagonistic with his views.

The

boldness of his stand and the unwavering fidelity with which he maintained it, filled the members of the

house with admiration for his firmness and intrepidity

Even those most

bitterly opposed to his principles, wha most widely with him upon questions of national policy, respected him most highly for the unbending de difi'ered

votion with which he stood by his party, and the tireless zeal with

which he studied the interests of

The

ency.

his constitu-

zeal which Mr. Fillmore manifested in the

advocacy of his principles was not, however, the blind infatuation of party spirit that sometimes glories in being in a minority, for the boast of contending against

and prides

numbers,

upon the honors of fighting "alone in its His zeal was the glory," with none to respond amen. itself

offspring of patriotism, exhibited in the defence of principles,

whose establishment he was firmly

would promote the ever

in

their

advocacy manifest the

or impatience toward those

convinced

Nor

interests of the country.

did he

least peevishness

who thought proper

to differ

with him on the subjects of state and national politics. He entertained opinions cherished from boyhood and en-

dorsed in maturer manhood

;

he was there the representa-

tive of a great party entertaining the

same

;

he wanted

the privilege of entertaining them, and was willing to accord to every member on the floor the same liberty.

From

the entertainment of different political principles in

regard to the various questions pertaining to Dational

LIFE OF MILLAED FILLMORE. politics,

101

he saw no necessity for the existence of personal

bickering and animosities.

This

a commendable trait

is

of Mr. Fillmore's character, impersonated to the same degree, perhaps, in no other man, so

much

of

whose

life

has been devoted to politics and political pursuits as his

has been. pacity as

Regarding the people

in their aggregate ca-

being honest in their convictions in regard to

party issues, he concedes to

all

the privileges of their

birthrights, nor thinks any less of a

man

views contrary to his own.

and the social

Politics

for entertaining circle

he regards as separate and distinct spheres, and though with intelligent, high-toned men, he could engage in a political contest for the defence of his principles, at

threshold of the social circle

all

the

antagonism must be

buried for the friendly intercourse of mutual good will.

No man

can say Mr. Fillmore ever thought more or less of

him

consequence of the mere political opinion he en-

in

tertained.

Hence the

fact of his universal popularity,

irrespective of parties or party influences.

Those

enter-

taining opinions directly opposite to his, concede that he is

a patriot of valued worth, and a

is to

Among

those with

whom

he has lived

thirty years, there is not one

admire Mr. Fillmore. in

man whom

to

know

love. for a period of

who can say he does not

His neighbors and acquaintances

the city of Buffalo, irrespective of party distinctions,

love him, and love to do entire Union,

men

him honor.

Throughout the

of all parties agree that he

is

a

man

of the purest virtue and the wisest abilities of statesmanship.

There

is

no intelligent man, be he blinded as he

LIFE OF MILLARD FILLMORE.

102

may by

sectionalism or party faction, be bis judgment

warped as it may by the prejudice of years, who can say Mr. Fillmore is no patriot. All parties in all sections of the Union agree in saying that, in his love of country and " promote her interests, he knows no North, no South, no East, no West."

his desires to

There has

not, since the

individual who, as a

days of AYashington, been an

man, has taken such a hold upon the

He

great mass of the people as Mr. Fillmore.

guarded well the interests reposed the entire session of 1829.

members tesy

in

keeping during In his intercourse with the

of the house, he evinced all the

and

had

his

marked cour-

unassuming demeanor characteristic of

his

In debate, though he displayed great powers of

nature.

and a thorough acquaintance with the principles of international law, he was uniformly kind, courteous, intellect

and

dignified.

His replications

to

members

in debate

were characterized with no sarcastic repartees or witty inuendos

He was tate

calculated

leave a sting of mortification.

to

aware that such

sallies,

though thev miu:ht

irri-

and annoy, instead of producing conciliation, and be

attended with convincing powers, would only engender a spirit of retaliation

and animosity of feeling

In discharging his duties as a

member

in the end.

of the assembly,

he displayed great capacities for legislative usefulness,

and exhibited a judgment on which might be placed the most implicit reliance. Of all measures whose objects were

the

promotion

of

benevolent

institutions,

the

increase of educational facilities, the development of the

country's resources, or to advance the interest of the

LIFE OP MILLARD FILLMORE. cotintry in

any particular feature, by reference to the

was a zealous advocate.

journals of the house, I find he to

Owing

103

the minority of his party in the house, the

efficiency of his labors

were restricted

on the

final issues of

no political bearing.

nature,, with

of this character, he was the most influential

and when such a

the house;

reception of his endorsement its

adoption

;

bill

member

in

was presented, the

was almost equivalent to among the members was

for, so pi'ovcrbial

his correct judgment, that

if

one of them was in doubt as

sustaining any such measure, he

propriety of

to the

questions

measures of a general In regard to measures

in fact entirely to

would say to those around him " Fillmore says this bill " is RIGHT, and I shall vote for it Or, on the other hand, :

!

if it did

not receive his endorsement,

measure

is

its

doom was

sealed

;

" Fillmore says this say " it This and I shall vote w^rong, against

the doubting

member would

:

!

unlimited confidence they had in his judgment to discrim-

and wrong, when unbiased by the exalted opinion of his shows political prejudices, great worth entertained by that body. Alas, that men inate

between

right

should be so blinded by partisan

spirit as

virtuous worth to the caprice of faction

to sacrifice

He

!

closed his

services in that session of the legislative assembly in a

manner

higlily creditable

reflected great credit •of

every

member of

to his constituency,

upon himself

He won

and that

the esteem

the house, whether he entertained

the same political opinions or not, and displayed powers

of

legislative

usefulness

and capacities

£|)heres surpassed by no member on the

for

floor

political

— not even

LIFE OF MILLAED FILLMOEE.

104

most prominent.

the

completed

;

The

labors of the session

over the interests of those

whom

were

he was

deputed to represent he had exercised a faithful guardianship and he was

now ready

in the midst of his friends

to

embosom himself again

and enjoy the quietude of his

home.

On

the adjournment of the assembly, he returned to

Bufifalo

and resumed the practice of the law. To become in his profession was his most ardent desire,

a proficient

and he had not thought of devoting any

less energy to its

duties rn consequence of his having participated in the

measures of the day. Mr. Fillmore has always His being an incumbent of office pursued this course. political

has never interfered with his professional labors in the slightest degree, longer than he

the discharge of

At his

official

was

actually engaged io

duty.

the expiration of his term of office and the close of

connected therewith, he has always entered

labors

upon the duties of his profession with as

much

earnestness as though he had never been an bent,

zeal

official

and

incum-

This course, to and never expected to be again. strictly adhered from the time he became

which he has

a practitioner at the bar until he retired from the practice altogether,

shows conclusively that he has never been

a political or partisan aspirant, ready, as

make everything subordinate to resort to

anv means,

to their

own

many

are, to

elevation,

fair or foul, for the

and

subservation

of personal aggrandizement.

When

the

incumbent of

office,

he was profoundly

impressed with the responsibilities of the station, and

madt

LIFE OF MILLARD FILLMORE.

105

every consideration subservient to the faithful discharge Careful to ascertain

of duty.

its

requirements, which,

by the assistance of a wise and patriotic judgment, he seldom

up

failed to do,

view at

whose minor importance he could If they were duties of insignificance.

within the limits of his

regarded

his

official

to discharge

itous

them

he

was there

to protect,

faithfully.

a public servant, no to

jurisdiction,

acceptance of the position as a virtual obli-

gation to those whose interests he

As

coming

little duties,

in the light

all,

efficient in

In the capacity of a public servant he has

to them.

known no

he was prompt and

man

has ever been more solic-

promote the interests of his constituency, or

endeavored more earnestly, and, I might add, more successfully, to ascertain

by what means

their interests

be best protected, than has Mr. Fillmore. ceased to be an

official

incumbent, he

But when he

felt,

had discharged the obligation entered with the people, and embarked in servant, he

would

as a public

into

which he

his profession

as a private citizen, as though he had never labored in

any other sphere.

Here

I beg of the reader the indulgence of a short

digression.

The wisdom

Mr. Fillmore cannot

fail

of this course on the part of

to elicit the approval

ration of all thinking men, especially

and admi-

young lawyers of

correct judgment, in the outset of a professional career.

How many

young

attornies,

immediately after embarking

have yielded to the wishes of friends, and the impulse of feeling, and become the incumbents

in their profession,

of

some

political station, to the entire destruction of their

5*

LIFE OF MILLARD FILLMORE.

106

legal prospects!

Their elevation to the

office, in itself,

once an fraught with no injurious consequences. But, incithe excitements in a and office incumbent, participant

is

dent to the station, they become lured

with the charms of political

life,

and

and lose

fasciualtid

all relish

for

the quiet course, and the monotonous studies of the attorney's

On

office.

the expiration of their terms of

devoting themselves to the duties

instead of

office,

of their profession

with alacrity, they study and devise means and schemes

through which they higher positions.

may be

A

reelected, or elevated to

sordid

passion

for

self-elevation

usurps the mind, to the entire exclusion of aspirations, until, while

such an one

is

all

nobler

scheming and developing plans,

outstripped by the

to his profession,

still

more studious devotee

and his prospects, that were so bright

in the outset, disappear forever.

To young lawyers, this desire to put themselves forward too fast, especially if they have once been honored,

is

certainly one of the

most dangerous

encounter on the voyage of professional

life.

reefs

The

they

course

pursued by Mr. Fillmore was certainly a very wise one,

and those similarly situated cannot become too vividly impressed with his example in this respect.

On Mr.

Fillmore's resumption of his practice in Buf-

falo, after the

adjournment of the session of the assembly,

he became the leading

member

of the bar, and the

actively engaged practitioner in the

city.

most

He became

firmly established in a business at once honorable and lucrative.

So untiring had been the application he

LIFE OF MILLARD FILLMORE.

107

made, and so admirably adapted was his mental

liad

•organism to tbe deep legal investigations, that he had arisen to a prominent position, and took the lead of his professional brethren. fession,

his pro-

and the domestic happiness of home, he "was not

destined desire

But the quiet pursuits of

to

to

it

enjoy uninterruptedly, though

bave done

so.

Contrary

was

his

to his expectations

and wishes, be was again placed forward as

their repre-

sentative for the county of Erie to the state assembly of

So zealous was the

activity with which he guarded and protected their rights the preceding session, that the people of his county were determined

1830.

their interests

to avail themselves of his talents

and

legislative capaci-

ensuing session, and made their requisition upon services in such a manner as to admit of no repulsion.

ties the

his

Accordingly, in the early part of January, 1830, he for a second time took his seat in the state assembly as a

member from Erie

county.

On

the 5th of January, an

organization of the house was eflfected by the election of

Erastus Root to the speakership, and Francis Seger to the clerkship.

Among

the

members who composed

were many shrewd and experienced Mr. Savage, Mr. Granger, and Spencer, I

legislature cians.

find

done

The

The democratic

for years, still exerted

party, as they

dominant sway in

the.

by

mem-

reference to the assembly journal, were very active

bers of that body.

this

politi-

had

house.

minority party, of which Mr. Fillmore was a repre-

sentative,

had

diminution, and

undergone

no perceptible increase or

when he took

his seat, the political

plexion of parties retained about the

same hue

it

com-

had the

LIFE OF MILLAED FILLMORE.

108

But he occupied a

preceding year.

position

more favor-

able to the exhibition of his natural powers of intellect

and display of

his

mental wealth than he had done the

He

previous session.

had

that very house political

in

antecedents to which he could appeal as testimonials of extraordinary legislative

His

capacities.

name was

stamped conspicuously upon the journals of the precedent legislature, and wise and important measures were

upon

their pages,

marked with

legislative enactment, the

data of whose passage were the elicitation of his endorse-

ment.

Aided by experience,

in the

unlimited confidence of every

with a

fine practical intellect,

possession of the

member

of the assembly,

he took his seat

in the leg-

islature of 1830 under circumstances well calculated to

perform services

for his state the intrinsic

would be

all classes

felt

by

and

in every

value of which

department of

business.

Divested of the timidity incident to the inexperience of efforts in a legislative capacity with a heart

his first

;

whose every beat was condition, the

for the amelioration of his country's

identification

interests with those of the

of

his

affections,

and his

common

people being strong as those of Jonathan and David, and a love of countrv,

and a patriotism of soul that towered above the fanatical spirit

of party feeling, he took his seat in the assembly,

resolved, with the constitution for his guide, to render efficient service to his state.

assembly journal,

On page

thirty-eight of the

in conjunction with the

names of some of

the most prominent members of the house, I find that

Mr. Fillmore was placed upon the committee

on " the

LIFE OF MILLARD FILLMORE.

The

subject of the public defence."

him

in the

109

position assigned

appointments of committees was exactly in

common with his

feelings.

The public

defence has always

The

been the main desire of his nature.

prophetic

sentinel on Horeb's height in the sacred hills of

when he thundered

forth through the

interrogatory of watchman,

still

Idumea,

darkness the

what of the night

1

felt

no

greater solicitude for the interests of Israel's host and the ten

commandments than has Mr. Fillmore in the public

defence of his country, and the unsullied preservation of

her constitution.

was the

In exact keeping, then, with his feelings

position he occupied as a committee-man of the

legislature.

A

sentinel

upon the watch-tower of

liberty,

he has ever stood hugging to his heart the laws of his country, and grasping in his hand the sword of justice to

defend them from the rude attacks of fanatical assailants.

At

the head of the committee on the " subject of the

public defence," he looked around

him

to

see if there

were no assumptions of power that conflicted with their interests, and against whose encroachments they needed defence.

His active mind, ever on the

was not long

in seeing

where

it

alert to be useful,

could exercise

so as to be a benefactor to his state.

its powers There had, from her

been upon the statutes of New-York a law whose requisitions were imprisonment for debt. Than this law no greater species of barbarism ever pre-

earliest history,

vailed in any country that

made

of progressive civilization.

The

was

at direct variance

pretensions to a spirit infliction of its penalties

with the genius of any institutions

whose purport was the dissemination of republican princi

LIFE OF MILLARD FILLMORE.

110

Its tendencies ^Yere

pies.

evidently to chill with the

of death the springs of all social organization,

dampness and to cast a withering around the

fireside of

bacli into the

•lay before

did so

York

my

it

of years

of

itself,

go too far

enactment to

;

but

in

its cruelty,

New

order that they

may

and some idea of the

the man, principally through

was repealed,

underwent

legislative

to

to retard the progress of the state of

number

humane nature it

dark as despair

would have

readers the original law, whose tendencies

have just conceptions of

efforts

I

musty records of

much

for a

blight,

home.

whose

I insert the following modification

for the relief of debtors, in 1813.

On page

three hundred and forty-eight, chapter seventy-one, of the

old laws of the state of New-York, I find the following

*'

:

Act/or the Relief of Debtors with Respect to the Imprisonment of their Persons, passed April 1, 1813. "

Be

it

enacted by the people of the state of

York, represented

in the

New

general assembly. That every

who shall be confined in goal execution or other upon any process, or by virtue of any or order of judgment any court of justice, or by war-

person not a freeholder,

rant from

money,

any judge or

fine or forfeiture,

lars, exclusive

justice, for

any debt, sum of

not exceeding twenty-five dol-

of costs, and shall have remained in goal

for thirty days, if not detained for

any other cause,

shall

be discharged from such imprisonment by the keeper of the goal on application to him by the person so confined; Provided, always, that nothing herein contained shall extend to cases of imprisonment under the act entitled

LIFE OF MILLARD FILLMORE.

An

Ill

act for the speedy recovery of debts to the value

of twenty-five dollars.' "

With

this modification for the relief of debtors the

law

of imprisonment for debt remained upon the statutes of State, and preyed upon the vitality of social from 1813 until it was wiped from the books happiness

the

Empire

through the instrumentality of Millard Fillmore in 1830. It seems strange that a people proverbial for their progressive refinement as are those of

New

York, should

have suffered such an enactment to pollute the records of their judiciary for such a length

But a

of time.

of radical partisanship pervading

all

spirit

classes of society,

patriotism, and the good of the people, were

made second-

ary considerations by politicians, who, through the fac-

dominant party, exercised especial guardianship over the laws of the state, and under that law the tions of a

people were obliged to groan until the elevation to power of some one

who thought more

of

them than

of his

own

aggrandizement.

Immediately Fillmore

after the convention of the assembly,

began

to

repeal of that odious law.

was

original

Mr.

devote his talented energy to the

with himself

His anxiety

— the

dictates

for its repeal

both of his

nature and his duty as a committee-man for the public

defence, were to plant himself the champion of the

people, to prevent the further operation of a law that

incarcerated the only support and head of a family in a prison for a debt, no part of

the cruel process.

which was liquidated by

His strong desire

for its repeal orig-

LIFE OF MILLARD FILLMORE.

112

inated from the humanity of his nature, as well as the

impolicy of the enactment.

have examined carefully the message of Gov. Throop to the assembly immediately after that body had conI

vened, and though

it is

replete with wise suggestions

upon

matters of state policy coming legitimately under cognizance of that legislature, I find nothing in relation to that odious law.

Though he showed with mathematical

precision the condition of the state finances, and very

properly called the attention of the members to the condition of the hospitals, asylums,

made no

and state prisons, he

by whose enforcelaw that manacled

allusion relevant to the law

ment the prisons were

filled

—a

instead of protecting the laboring classes, and while

it

hand-cufled the debtor was of no utility to the creditor.

At an early day after the organization of the house, Mr. Fillmore opened his intentions to the members, concerning the repeal of that law. Much as they admired his sagacity

and firmness, and well as they were con-

vinced of his intellectual powers, they were not prepared for this bold stand against a

by

their ancestry,

law that had been venerated

and sacredized by long usage.

the stand he took against

it

Though

was sustained by arguments,

whose justness and logical force were unanswerable, met with fierce and instantaneous opposition. Immediately

it

after the disclosure of his intentions con-

cerning that law his sentiments were endorsed by

some

most talented members on the

floor,

of the leading and

who cooperated with him these were

until

it

was repealed.

Among

Thurlow Weed and Francis Granger, men of

LIFE OP MILLAED FILLMORE. ability as legislators.

acknowledged

On

113

the IStli day of

February, 1830, a memorial was presented to the assembly, signed

of

by a large number of inhabitants of the

city

" York, styling themselves the general executive

New

committee of mechanics, working men, and their friends, praying for the abolishment of imprisonment for debt."

have inserted

this in the precise

language

in

which

I

it is

couched on the records of the assembly, to show to what classes of population the operation of such a

most injurious

— "mechanics,

law was

working men, and their This memorial was followed by others of a like

friends."

nature, that poured in from all parts of the state, after

the agitation of the measure, until they were piled, a vol-

uminous mass,

into the assembly.

Such appeals as

from mechanics, working men, and their be

made

in vain to

an assembly where Mr. Fillmore was

a prominent member.

had been himself.

He was

these,

friends, could not

He

In

all

three of these positions he

had been a

laboi'er

from boyhood.

a mechanic by trade, and though his talents and

energy had placed him at the head of an honorable profession,

friend

and

in the assemblies of his country,

to the laboring

abolition of a

them

into

man.

law that fettered

prison for

To

he was a

their appeals for the

their energies

and threw

every unexpected or unfavorable

turn of fortune, he responded with his efforts in their behalf.

For the "mechanics, the laboring men and

their friends,"

as styled in the language of the memorial, Mr. Fillmore

has always entertained the highest respect, and been He evinced it not solicitous to promote their interests.

LIFE OF MILLARD FILLMORE.

114

his efforts in the assembly, that resulted in the

in

only

law subversive of

repeal of a

mental to

their happiness

Cradled

in a wilderness,

early means

was himself a

"

always regarded

to protect their interests.

the tillage of whose

of support, he

laboring

detri-

whole career has

their best interests, but his

been an exhibition of solicitude

and

men and

the true nobility of the country.

soil

was

his

laborer, and has

their friends"

as

Schooled inthe lessons

of adversity, as a young tradesman, in a wool carder's shop, he learned the morality of labor, and became a

sympathizer with the mechanic.

couched

own

Such an appeal

as

the language of the memorial, aided by his

in

ulterior convictions as regarded the enormity of the

him

law, induced

put his whole soul into the work of

to

abolition.

its

and

Bitter

weapons

this

compliance with a It

principles

was the embrace

whose divine and

the

he had

opposition

to

his side as efficient

and a

superiority of feeling on the opposition.

advocacy of

itself.

was

to contend with an assumptive arrogance

dictatorial

his

fierce

Reason and right were on

encounter.

In

measure, Mr. Fillmore was acting in loftier

virtue than even

dictates of philanthropy,

not

onh^ a love

of country, but

attributes are a love for the

a desire to relieve the oppressed.

patriotism

whose broad

human

race,

In vindication of

his position against that law, he advanced argumiCnts so

unanswerable, and so calculated to impress conviction, the general interest created in regard to

one absorbing question of the assembly. politics

were

for

it

became the

Even

onee forgotten in a democratic

party

legisla-

LIFE OP MILLARD FILLMORE. ture,

115

and the discordant elements of rivalrous creeds

seemed

to

harmonize

for the

purpose of centrality around

this important focus of general attraction.

The

principles he entertained in regard to the repeal

of the law he embodied in a

with a view to their

bill,

ultimate passage, and incorporation into the laws of the state.

The

discussion of this bill of Mr. Fillmore's mon-

opolized a large portion of the time and talents of the entire

body throughout

Fillmore was anxious for

the its

of

session

The

passage.

flooded the house from all parts of the relief,

state,

praying

bosom with the warmest sympathies. debt was practised by the old Eomans,

his

filled

Mr.

1830.

petitions that

Imprisonment for and other countries of ancient times, and had been handed

down

to

more

civilized ages,

countries, great as

was

till

most of the European

in

their boasted refinement at that

time, under the sanction of law, the

dragged

to prison for the

was wholly unable barbarous

relic

was

citizen

free

non-payment of a debt which he

to discharge.

And

to

see the

same

upon the statutes of the greatest state of was to him a source of

the only E^epublic in the world

great mortification, to say nothing of the immediate suffering

and miserv

penalties.

it

occasioned

in

the infliction of

earnest were

the denunciations

he poured against

abolition, he gave expositions of

calculated to it

fill

its

In his appeals to the members of the

odious features.

house upon the expediency of adopting his

ing

its

Bold and fearless was the stand he took, and

the

divested of

its

mind with drapery.

its

bill

for its

deformities that were

disgust,

when contemplat-

With sympathetic patho3

LIFE OF MILLARD FILLMORE.

116 he

the wretchedness

portra5^ed

it

upon the

entailed

domestic circle, by tearing the parent from the embrace of his offspring, and fettering him in a dungeon.

indignant warmth, he poured

with

his

Then,

denunciations

against the cruelty of a law, that gave one individual the

deprive another of his liberty, by placing him

right to

Then

in a jail.

again, he

showed the absurd

inutility

of a legal enactment that gave to an individual the right to punish another as remuneration for

He

showed the extreme

folly of a

something of value.

measure, the

infliction

of whose cruel penalties upon one individual was the

only redress

afforded another;

whose evident tendencies

foster a spirit of revengeful cruelty

were to of

it

those disposed to

avail

Then,

turning to the prayerful petitions piled

daily

deliberations in

appealed to the

on the part

themselves of

its

power.

upon

their

behalf of suffering humanity, he

better feelings of the

members

of the

order to elicit their support of a measure he

house, in

deemed so fraught with blessings

to the

whole

state.

By an industrious application of his energies and talents to this his favorite measure, he fondly hoped to witness

its

When we

passage before the expiration of the session. view the modification of that law, and see the

pernicious influences

upon

society, it

legislators its

repeal.

of the

its

enforcement was bound to have

seems a matter of surprise that intelligent

would oppose a bill the object of which was Yet such was the case. A large number

members

of that legislature arrayed themselves

against the measure, and fiercely contested every inch of

ground over which

it

had

to pass, until its final adoption.

LIFE OF MILLARD FILLMORE.

117

Tteir arguments were based certainly upon no considerations consistent with the

est or

advancement of the people's

inter-

upon the dictates of a patriotic desire to ameliorate

the condition of the country whose interests

it

was

their

peculiar province to promote.

The

idea of a law, prevailing in the most refined state of

a republican government, whose penalty was the impris-

onment of a freeman

for the

commission of no crime,

for

the perpetration of no heinous offence revolting to the feelings

of humanity, no further back than twenty-six

years ago,

is

identified with bill

But

strange enough.

members opposed

whose object was

revolting penalties

to the

to repeal a

is still

such a law could have was

more its

to find

men

of talent

enactment of a

law containing such

strange.

The

similarity to

only merit

some of those

European and monarchical governments, and the predication of its principles upon custom and

in operation in

long usage.

Singular enough

it

seems that the members

of the democratic legislature, so progressive in everything else,

should array themselves in such deadly hostility

against the removal of this barbarous relic from the statutes of the state, and regard Mr. Fillmore's bill in the light of a dangerous innovation.

Mr. Fillmore,

in discussing

the principles of his

bill,

took the correct view in regard to the utility of measures calculated to promote the happiness of the people, and to

preserve the dignity of the commonwealth.

Imprison-

ment or the deprivation of liberty he regarded as a penalty whose infliction should only be enforced for the oommission of a crime repugnant alike to the laws of

LIFE OF MILLARD FILLMORE.

118

God and man.

As

a crime of this nature he

posed to view the indebtedness of one

was not

man

dis-

to another.

There are many causes of \Yhich such indebtedness may be the legitimate result.

Through

the treachery or inca-

pacity of an endorsee, through an unexpected occurrence of an accidental nature, through an unseen

vorable

of

interposition

and an unfa-

Providence, and

many

other

causes, an individual in affluent circumstances to-day,

to-morrow

may

be hurled into the abyss of bankruptcy.

Then, under the operation of such a law, though to-day is honored and respected, to-morrow, amid the rage

he

and invectives of importunate creditors, a culpable wretch, be is torn from his family and thrown into prison. With such considerations as these, through the deliberations of session of 1830, did Mr. Fillmore urge

the entire

the house with zeal and for the

adoption of his

Though

his

warmth the

bill.

But they remained unmoved.

arguments they could not answer, and saw,

because they were compelled to cies of the bill, they

menced a

upon

necessity that existed

see, the intrinsic excellen-

would not endorse

violent opposition to

agitation in the house,

its

it.

They com-

conditions on

and were determined at

its first

least to

prove they were consistent in their hostility.

In the preservation of their consistency they created such obstacles to the passage of the gies of

its

friends

bill,

that the ener-

were constantly devoted to

it

through

the labors of the W'hole session.

From

the introduction of the

bill

into the house,

it

had been the leading general measure, and had encountered the fieixjest opposition from some of the most tal-

LIFE OF MILLARD FILLMORE, «

dted members on the

were drawing to a ness remained to

The

floor.

119'

labors of the session

close, a considerable

amount

of busi-

be transacted, and the friends of the

bill began to despair of its success during that session, Mr. Fillmore had guarded the interests of his county with the same fidelity he had the previous year, and in

his

advocacy of his

ment

for

the abolishment of imprison-

bill for

debt had displayed marked ability and great

He

legislative zeal.

had proposed and bad been

instrumental in the passage of

many

chiefly

local measures, sub-

scrvative of his constituency's interests, and occupied an

elevated position zealous

was he

among

the

members

of the house.

in behalf of his county, that

So'

by reference

to the assembly journal of 1830, I find that the city of Bufi'alo

and Erie county were the recipients of more leg-

islative action

upon measures of a

local nature than

nest as had been his

efl'orts in

behalf of his

bill,

was Ear-

any other locality in the state, except Rochester.

the ses-

sion closed without being able to effect its passage.

On

the close of the session he returned to Buffalo and

again resumed the practice of law, hoping no further services of a public nature

by

his fellow citizens.

en.

Too

would be required In

this,

hands

well were they convinced of the safe repository

of their interests in his hands to allow

them

at his

however, he was mistak-

to others.

to his county,

His earnest endeavors

him

to surrendei

to be of service

and the active stand he had taken against

the imprisonment for debt

law,

had endeared him

the people, and especially to the mechanics, laboring

t€

men

LIFE OF MILLARD FILLMORE.

120 and

their friends,

who had

flooded the halls of the legis-

lature with their prayers for relief.

From ponded

manner

the philanthropic

to their appeals, they

He was

which he had

res-

regarded him as the cham-

pion of the laboring man's rights people's interest.

in

— the protector of the

reelected to the assembly of

1831, and took his seat on the fourth of January, firmly

resolved to devote

which had sion.

elicited

himself to the passage of the

bill

such general interest the previous ses-

This session of the legislature was to be one of

unusual interest; the people looked to

its

labors for the

fulfillment of their hopes, in regard to the

adoption of

some measure- doing away with imprisonment

The whole

erence to that measure from the floor of the

From

for debt.

manifested great interest in

state, in fact,

first

ref-

agitation on the

assembly.

the message of Governor Throop, delivered to

the assembly on the fourth of January, 1S31, I

make the

following extracts, showing that Mr. Fillmore's measure of the precedent legislature "

elicited executive interest

Our laws

favorable to

its

onment

debt should be carefully examined for tho

for

adoption

purpose of amendment.

:

The

notion of imprisonment, in

the nature of punishment for debt, ity,

relative to impris-

is

repugnant to human-

and condemned by wisdom.

"Imprisonment only, as

it

is

for debt should be tolerated so far,

necessary to enable the creditor to secure

the property of his debtor."

These wise and

patriotic sentiments

were the same as

LIFE OF MILLAED FILLMORE. «ml)odiecl in the

bill,

121

passage Mr. Fillmore

for ^vhose

labored so earnestly the session before.

Among men

of prominence in the assembly

and came

dorsed the principles of the

bill

were J. C. Spencer and John

Van

its

passage until

it

who

en-

to its rescue

Buren, who advocated

In the appointment

became a law.

of

committees, Mr. Fillmore was placed at the head of the

committee on

bills

coming under the requisitions of the

constitution in accordance with the rules of the house, a position of considerable importance.

Immediately

after

organization, the assembly halls were reflooded with petitions in regard to measures

It

was discussed

in the

embraced

house with

all

in the repeal bill.

the zeal

could command, and contested with fierceness by mies.

On the thirty-first

into a

committee of the whole upon the

were discussed mittee to

ments

to

whom it,

and

in it it

bearings.

bill,

The

was the

ablest legislative enactments

York.

and

its

merits

special

com-

had been referred reported some amendwas submitted to the house. This bill principal drafter, covers

several pages in the assembly journal, and

New

ene-

its

of March the house resolved itself

all their

of which Mr. Fillmore

of

friends

its

That portion of

other subordinate courts,

is

is

one of the

upon the statutes of the state it

relating to justices'

and

particularly able, and evinces

a thorough understanding of the whole legal complexity of the times. Xo one can look over that bill without be-

coming convinced, that its drafter was not only a legislator consummate ability and a lawyer of unsurpassed attain-

"of

ments, but that he understood well the principles of good

government, and the nature of laws best adapted to the 6

LIFE OF

122 necessities

mLLARD FILLMORE,

of the times.

The

requisitions of that billy

while they are sufficiently incluctious of a spirit of

prompt

punctuality on the part of the debtor, embrace facilities of Tindicatory redress, for the creditor, of a far more efficient nature than

the

humane

from the

were afforded by the old law.

provisions

it

infiiction of penalties

due only the votaries of

crime, they extended to the debtor the safest

the

recovery of his

liberties that

While

embodied protected the creditor

dues.

God had given

means

for

While they preserved the the creditor from subjectiori

to the rigors of imprisonment, they

gave to the debtor the

legalized right to the proceeds of his labor.

Thus, by

giving the creditor no means for the collection of his debts but the chattels of his creditors, the inducements to permit the

contraction of a heavy indebtedness were

by making the goods of the debtor liable debts, a desire to live within his means was created.

curtailed, and, for his

operation, mutual protection was guaranteed to all, and the interests of the country promoted. Subjected to some amendments of no very material nature, it was sub-

By its

mitted to the house on the thirty-first of March 1831, and

was passed by a considerable majority Mr. Fillmore, J. C. Spencer, and John Van Buren, voting in the affirm.a;

tive.

This was followed by

its

immediate passage in the

senate, and, on the twenty-first of April, Mr. Fillmore

and

the friends of his measure had the pleasure of seeing

it

stamped with executive sanction, by the following message to the house :

LIFE OF MILLARD FILLMORE. "

To THE Assembly

123

:

''Gentlemen: I have this clay approved and signed the bill entitled

an 'Act to abolish imprisonment for debt,'

etc.

"E. T. Throop." Thus

the

whose passage he was

for

bill

so desirous

had passed both houses, received the executive signature, and was incorporated result he was highly

At the

into the laws of his state.

gratified.

Thus

the odious law

was

wiped forever from the statutes of the state. To Mr. Fillmore, more than any one else, are the people of that state indebted for the removal from their books of a law

whose every feature

is

repugnant to the genius of a

Christianized country and revolting to humanity

itself.

In the passage of many measures of great public utility, Mr. Fillmore took an active part among other laws, the ;

establishment

a " Mechanics

of

several measures

for the

benefit

and

society,"

promotion of educational facil-

and the protection of industry. For three consecutive sessions he represented his country in the state

ities

assembly.

He

did

it

faithfully

the happy results of his

;

labors were felt not only over his

For the repeal

the entire state.

ment

own

county, but over

of the law of imprison-

for debt, he labored with zeal until the last

the session, and was

day of

rewarded by the passage of his bill

introduced for that purpose.

The assembly

of

1831,

to adjourned April 26th, and Mr. Fillmore returned again

Buffalo.

These were

was never again

a

his

member

last services in that

of the assembly.

body

;

he

He resumed

the duties of his profession, and the enjoyments of private

LIFE OF MILLARD FILLilORE.

124 life,

with the esteem of his fellow citizens, and the plaudits

of conscience.

The

among

following,

the legislative portraits of the

most prominent members of the assembly of 1831, was

human

written by an excellent judge of

one of the leading

New

character, for

York journals of that day, and

shows the elevated position occupied by Mr. Fillmore that body " Millard

in

:

Fillmore, of Erie county,

is

He

stature, five feet nine inches in height.

about thirty-five years of age, but

of the middle

appears to be

said he is no

it is

more

than thirty, of light complexion, regular features, and of a mild and benign countenance. "

His ancestors were

north, and

among

the Green Mountains of Vermont.

the

commencement

republican.

hardy sons of the

the

during the revolution were whigs, inhabiting

He

self-made man.

Mr. Fillmore, from

of his political career, has been a in the

strictest sense of the term, a

He was

educated and reared in the

is,

western district of our

state.

At an

early period of

life

he went to the fulling business; but naturally of an inquiring mind, and anxious to increase his limited stock of knowledge, his leisure hours were occupied in reading.

"When about twenty years of

age, he

retired

from his

former pursuits, and after having studied the law as a profession, he

was licensed to

practice.

He was

a

member

of the last legislature. " the

Although

age of Mr. Fillmore does not exceed

thirty years, he has

all

the

prudence, discretion, and

judgment of an experienced man.

He

is

modest, retiring

LIFE OF MILLARD FILLMORE.

125

and unassuming. He appears to be perfectly insensible of the rare and bappy qualities of the mind for which he is

so distinguished.

He

exhibits, on every occasion,

when

and benignity of temper,

called into action, a mildness

mingled with firmness of purpose, that is seldom concenHis intercourse with the trated in the same individual. world

bustlino-

is

His books, and occasion-

verv limited.

ally the rational conversation of intelligent friends,

to constitute his happiness.

He

the giddy mazes of fashionable

life,

manner

is

seem

never to be found in

and yet there

is

in his

an indescribable something which creates a strong

impression in his favor, and which seems to characterize He possesses a logical as a well-bred gentleman.

him

mind, and there

is

not a

member

of the house

who

presents

any subject which he attempts to discuss in a more precise and luminous manner. He seldom speaks,

his views on

unless there appears to be an absolute necessity for the

arguments or explanations which he

Nor does he

offers.

ever rise without attracting the attention of within the sound of his voice

—a

all

who

are

tribute of respect paid

modesty and great good sense. "As a legislator, Mr. Fillmore appears to act with perfect

to his youthful

and impartiality. He examines every subject merits accorddistinctly for himself, and decides upon its

fairness

ing to the best lights of his ing.

He

is

now

irrevocably fixed. great.

He

As

own judgment when

his

a politician, he

or understand-

character is

is

to be,

not formed to be

has none of the qualities requisite for a

cal chieftain.

•without

at an age

He wants that self-confidence

politi-

and assurance

which a partizan leader can never hope

for fol

LIFE OF MILLARD FILLMORE.

126 lowers.

Mr. Fillmore's love of books and habits of think-

ing will

ultimately conduct

higher destiny,

one

if tlie

other diverted from

its

him

tranquil but

not broken open and the

is

natural course to the too often

polluted and always turbulent

if

not mortifying results

has not sMcient courage to resist

If he

of faction.

more

to a

the allurements which legislation presents to vouno: and

ambitious men, then ought his friends to act for him, and

him a renomination.

refuse

It

casts to the winds of heaven all

man, but

sional

it

is

a

which not only

life

employment

as a profes-

uproots sooner or later the germs of

industry and the delights of study.

These are the admon-

As

a debater in the house,

itions of

his

age and experience.

manner

is

good,

opponents he never

He

his voice agreeable.

fails to

Toward

mild and persuasive, sometimes animated.

is

his

evince a most studied delicacy.

speeches are pithy and sententious

;

always free from

His idle

and vapid declamation.

His arguments are logically

arranged, and presented

to the house without embarrass-

ment

or confusion."

The

writer of the foregoing judged rightly of the evil

consequences of having once been engaged regards the generality of

was wide

off

the

mark

in politics as

young professional men, but if

he supposed Mr. Fillmore

would be contaminated by political influences. The sound judgment and the unambitious feelings of Mr. Fillmore placed him bevond the necessity of his friends acting for him. strife,

He was

well aware of the fascination of political

so far as the average of

their political careers

young men

were concerned

;

in the outset of

and to avoid the

LIFE OF MILLARD FILLMORE.

127

consequences of falling into the same error

was always

careful, as before stated, to

himfeelf,

he

commence the

duties of his profession as soon as his labors in a public

capacity had ceased.

As much

sagacity, therefore,

the writer of the foregoing article displayed, and as insight as he evinced, he

was much mistaken

as

much

as to Mr.

Fillmore's capacity to assume the leadership of his party,

or as to his incurring any danger from the contaminating Yet, as an article showing

influences of political station.

not only the high stand occupied by Mr. Fillmore the

members

upon the spectators, newspaper correspondents, above sketch is worthy of note. It

must be borne

in

ations of the various

Fillmore

is

a

etc.,

the

mind, that the writer, in his deline-

members

prominent ones

self to the

among made

of the assembly, but the impression he

;

of that bod}^ confined him-

hence the portraiture of Mr. classification

complimentary

€oraing under that head.

The

with those

confidence and self-assur-

ance wherein he regards Mr. Fillmore so essentially deficient that

were then,

he could never be a successful political leader, in

Mr. Fillmore's character, developments

marked and conspicuous.

The

association of modesty

with that of genuine m.erit, as an invariable accompani-

ment,

is

universally conceded

by the

truly refined in feel-

to

form just conceptions of

an individual's mental capacity.

Luminous exemplifica-

ing,

and those best calculated

tions of extreme modesty,

on the part of those who have

moral justly figured most conspicuously in the world's blaze upon the progress and developments, generally pages of their early biography.

"Washington, when he

LIFE OF MILLARD FILLMORE.

128 appeared

in the

house of burgesses, blushed with mani-

fest confusion that in

prominent member

diciary,

way abated on being

told

modesty alone

Chief-justice Kenyon, than

equal to his merit. greater

no

of the house "his

by a was

whom

no

was ever arrayed in the august robes of the juwas overwhelmed by an inherent modesty, time

and again,

in his early legal attempts, that

he could not

suppress, until rising on an occasion in the court room,

with his usual timidity and apprehensions of felt his wife

and child pulling at his coat

of sustenance.

failure,

he

means

skirts for

a sudden impulse, he launched into

By

the loftiest sphere of oratory, and produced a niasterpiece of forensic eloquence.

true greatness.

giant intellects,

Men may who

Modesty

is

an attendant of

and often are possessed of

be,

exhibit no

modest propensities; but

they are invariably

men

man who combines

the essential elements of true great-

ness,

of no great moral calibre.

and personifies them

The

in his daily intercourse, until

worn away and supplanted by experience soul, will be possessed of a

or dignity of

modest nature.

have by extraordinary talents constellated

Some men

in the

galaxy

of the world's great, unadorned with the mild light of

modesty, but their greatness consisted exclusively in their talents

;

the purer fountain, the wellspring of the soul,

from whence flow the better actions and feelings of human nature, have given no exuberant overflowings of benevolence and love, indicative of true worth.

who commences

the battle of

no modesty,

but half armed

is

life

A young man

with talents, but with

— he

has the

sword of

LIFE OF MILLARD FILLMORE. offence,

but not the shield of protection. Mr. Fillmore, as

inferable from the foregoing article,

had both.

established with one, and demolished with

Though

129

distinguished of the

6*

earth, he is

still

has

other.

him among the modest and un-

his successful career has ^placed

assummg.

He

the

LIFE OF MILLARD FILLMORE.

130

CHAPTEU

IV.

— Brief review of — Advantages of and chicanery —

his legal career

Mr. Fillmore as a lawyer

of the law as a science

Responsibilities of the

all artifice

— His view — Spurns

his connection

law— His views

— His capacities as a lawyer — His ardent desire to promote justice — His weight of character — His faithfulness to of

its

moraUty

— In speaking, not a Patrick Henry— Examples of cases — The Cattaraugus Reservation — The great that of case — The remarkable Ontario Bank case — importance both. His argument before the Supreme Court — His success his

his clients

success in

civil

in

It

will

be remembered that Judge Wood, -who

perceived latent

sparks of greatness

during his early boyhood, in

directing his

inciting

it

principles. culties

mind

in

first

Mr. Fillmore

was principally instrumental

to the study of the law,

and in

continual and vigorous prosecution of

to

It will also be borne in

mind that the

its

diffi-

under which Mr. Fillmore labored were of no

ordinary nature, and that in overcoming his energies

we have

them he devoted

with unwearied application.

him

The

incentives,

assume the mastery of the were of the profession strongest nature, inasmuch as he possessed no means to fall back upon in case of failure.

as

seen, for

The strong desires of make rapid proficiency, incentive.

It

legal studies,

Those who are

own bosom were

that he needed no

was then he

and fixed

ciples of law.

his

to

in his

so great to

more powerful

laid the foundation of

mind the fundamental

his

prin-

His school of preparation was a rigid one. mental acquisition, under

in the pursuit of

LIFE OF MILLARD FILLMORE.

131

the tuition of a relentless necessity, have to submit to the

most uncompromising of

all

But the

task-masters.

ciency of this preparatory school was, perhaps, increased by

its

own

much

Thus, bound and circum-

rigidity.

scribed by the entire control of

was open

effi-

its

mandates, no avenue

for an indiscriminate range of thought or action;

hence a constant concentration of every energy, both

mental and physical, was necessarily secured, and astonishing progress followed as an inevitable result.

It is

doubtless owing in a great degree to these very circumstances of his being thus situated, that he succeeded in

laying the basis of his legal pursuits upon so correct a foundation, and impressing his

mind

of the law, that have

groundwork such consummate

abilitv,

so firmly with the

made him

a jurist of

and an advocate of such con-

vincing powers and acknowledged worth.

In

fact,

on his

commencem.ent of legal studies, either from his natureasoning faculties, or from a profound conviction of

first

ral its

importance

— perhaps both

qualities

had an

influence

—

he was particularly careful to acquaint himself thoroughly with the

first principles,

and to have a complete compre-

hension of one principle before proceeding to another.

The ground he went until its

over was reviewed,

if

necessary,

maxims were understood with accurate

After his removal to Buffalo,

we have

precision.

seen that the

ardor and anxiety to master his profession suffered no abatem.ent; but, with the increased facilities thrown in his way,

burned

if

we have

possible with increased warm^th.

young men of the

city,

In

Bufi'alo,

among the most steady and was proverbial for his

seen that he ranked

LIFE OF MILLARD FILLMORE.

132

Unallured by tbe fascinations of city

studious habits.

be pursued bis studies witb tbe quiet, determined spirit to succeed be bad manifested on former occasions,

life,

and

"was triumpbantly successful in attaining a reputation

for sobriety

To

above tbe generality of young men in tbe

city.

unwavering adherence to virtuous principles on

tbis

tbe part of Mr. Fillmore, and tbe continual enforcement of bis goad resolutions to refrain entirely from all actions

not in strict accordance witb tbe dictates of moral prin-

bow mucb

ciple

of bis success

is

attributable,

Certain

is

tbat

to imagine.

sible

it

it

it is

was tbe

imposcorrect

and tbe early means of establishing a character for morality and high-toned feelings, the weight of which be course,

On his

has ever since maintained.

admission to the court

pleas, which was granted as much through as otherwise, we have seen that through bis courtesy extreme diffidence he went to a village which was more

of

common

tbe central point of a rural agricultural community than otherwise.

Here, in tbe pursuit of his profession, the

great importance attached to his first case proves that he was entirely unconscious of his own great powers.

Here, when tbe

first

signs of prosperity began to indi-

cate themselves, he resolves to return to Buffalo. city

we

find

him soon

at the

bead of

In tbat

his profession, in a

connection tbat was very advantageous to tbe develop.-

ment

of his legal capacities, and to ameliorate his pecu-

niary condition. cess,

we

business,

find

Here, attended with the greatest suc-

him engaged

employed

in

an honorable and lucrative

as counsel on one side or the other of

LIFE OF MILLAED FILLMOEE. every case for whole

together.

claj^s

inently successful in all the courts,

We

133

him preemmuch more so than see

most lawyers of no more experience than he possessed. We find him loved for his good qualities and respected for his talents by the entire population of the city, and rapidly winning his

way

to the foremost position in the

esteem and regard of his fellow

of

the

a

in

people

We

citizens.

find

manner rendered

the influential elevation assigned him by his fellow

We

zens.

supreme

citi-

into

the

and competing successfully with, and

elic-

find

court,

him

promote the general interests from efficient

studiously endeavoring to

him,

too,

his

wending

way

esteem of Chief-justice Savage, the other associate judges, and the attorneys who practiced at that

iting the

Careers of young attorneys

higher court.

more

brilliant

may have been

and meteoric, but none have ever been

and sure than the one summed up in the above brief review. Young lawyers may have advanced

more

staple

a reputation a

faster than the

little

progress indicated

upon a more more force and enduring

above, but none have ever established solid basis, or attached to

it

it

qualities.

The

meteoric flash of a precocious

genius

is

fre-

quently mistaken for reputation, and regarded by some as sufficient

character.

means There

for the efi"ectual establishment of a

is

a fascinating lure about these evan-

escent blazes of genius that dart their spiral flame above

mediocrity and

dazzle

while looking on

it

the

eye for the moment, but

at its brightest period,

obscurity, and leaves us

in darkness.

it flickers

into

These geniuses

LIFE OF MILLARD FILLMORE.

134

in a

spring up

moment, and dart right ahead with impet-

uous velocity, and sometimes win our admiration by the

But

rapidity of their progress.

A

ally brief ones.

surely, that

their careers are usu-

greater luminary, rising slowly but

was gathering

light while the

flashing past him, soon overtakes

the

and

it,

his studies, the vast

compact

solidity of his attainments, the

prerequisites

dies out in

Taking amount of his legal knowledge, the accuracy of his

judgment, the weight of his character, and tial

meteor was

the foundation of

blaze of his power.

full

it

to

success, and

Fillmore as a lawyer

is

all

the essen-

the career

of

Mr.

surpassed by no one up to the

time embraced in the foregoing review.

The law, Mr. Fillmore knew, was

a difficult science

—

an important one, and,

in

an eager haste

anxious as he was to do

so,

he was determined not to go

over

it

hastily

— hence the solidity

to

advance,

of his character as a

lawyer.

As this chapter will contain all we expect to say of Mr. Fillmore's legal career, an enumeration of some of the advantages derived from his connection with a lawfirm of eminence and celebritv, in the citv of Buffalo, is

presumed,

was, in the

will not be inappropriate.

first

place, the result of a justly high appre-

ciation for his capacities as a lawyer,

and

his industrious

assiduitv in devotin^: himself to the interests of his ents,

it

This connection

cli-

and the great influence he threw into a case, by the

weight of his character.

From

the successful result?

of his practice in the village where he had comparatively secluded himself,

it

was

plainly inferable on the

LIFE OF MILLAED FILLMORE.

whom

part of the firm by tion

was made,

135

the proposition for a connec-

that, in the prosecution of a very lucrative

and widely extended practice, his services would be a valuable appendant.

These, however, "were not the only motives by which they were actuated

advantages manifest.

extend

to all

From

facilities

impersonated

in

in

proposing a connection whose

would be equally

parties concerned

a desire to promote the interest and

deserving merit, which they saw

to

Mr. Fillmore, and which they very prop-

erly conceived would, with the extension of

some advan-

tages, develop itself, to the honor of the profession

the country, at no distant day

and

— the equally advantageous

results of such connection was, in

making the proposal,

doubtless the principal actuation.

With

the formation of this connection, already in a

very heavy business, from Mr. Fillmore's well known abilities as a practical

lawyer of untiring zeal and great

success, the business of the firm increased, until

the foremost in the city.

One very

essential

an obstacle whi'jh, in the outset of their careers, are compelled to

combat

of old, established practitioners who, tice

of

years, moncpolize the

nature, and leave little cial

fame

to exert their

nature, at the time

of

room

for

powers. this

advantage

was the removal of

of this arrangement to Mr. Fillmore,

professional men

became

it

all

young,

— the influences

by a successful prac-

entire

business of that

young aspirants

The

to judi-

business of a legal

connection,

as

is

usually

the case in cities of any importance, was in the hands of those

who had been

practicing their profession with sue-

LIFE OF MILLAKD FILLMORE.

136

was made being a resident His connection, one, of course got a liberal share. therefore, threw him into immediate practice of a lucraand the firm with which

cess,

it

and an honorable nature without having^

tive

to

combat

the obstacles alluded to, and, by his successful

ment of cases intrusted

of universal popularity he

contributed

Of

this,

ing the

and

much all

extent.

results

life,

office.

way

dur-

than Mr.

to avail himself to the

no one were such advantages more

thoroughly understood,

From

in his

of his professional

was more sure

By

the people,

among

increase the business of the

commencement

appreciated.

attained

such advantages thrown

Fillmore, no one fullest

to

manageand the position

into his hands,

or their

bestowal more highly

this connection, to

Mr. Fillmore the

were most gratifying, and most happy

in facilitat-

ing his progress.

Another advantage, and a very decided one, was the daily association with

men eminent for

their legal

acumen,

and familiarly conversant with the details of the practice of a very efficient and talented bar, and immediate con-

The

nection with an extensive business.

were good, under these advantages,

for

opportunities

him

to

become

familiarized with the difficulties of office practice, and to

understand the application of the theoretical to the practical

part of the profession.

On Mr.

Fillmore's return

were the only parts of the law wherein he was in the least deficient, and only

to Buffalo, those of a practical nature

so in

them from want of that experimental exercise neces-

sary to insure, in

all cases,

ciples to a particular case.

a correct application of prin-

The theory

of the law few

lAFE OF MILLAUD FILLMORE.

137

understood better; by the strict devotion of his time and talents

to

its

principles from the time he

commenced

reading, he had assumed their complete mastery.

admirable school for self

— with

its

In the

consummation, he now found him-

the same zeal that he formerly evinced in

tniderstanding the theoretical, he applied himself to the

The

pj'actical.

incentive

was no greater than formerly,

but less diffident in his nature, and from previous indications

more sanguine of

success, his efforts were charac-

terized with a buoyancy of spirit and a vigor of feeling

incident to a consciousness of an appropriate investiture

of talents that did not attend his

labors to the

same

extent through the wearisome hours of his studentship.

So well had he become aquainted with the theory of law, and so correct was he in the formation of the basis of

by a thorough comprehension of fundamental principles, that the practice, after he was

his legal investigations, its

once thrown into

it,

was readily understood.

Mr. Fillmore, in the early part of the practical lawyer of the firm in

this connection,

Mr.

veloped capacities of a truly practical attorney. Fillmore

is

was

most cases, and de-

essentially a matter-of-fact practical man.

In

manidischarging the duties of a heavy office practice, festing no desire for display, or to

by any

create an impression

extraordinary rhetorical flourishes, he confined

himself exclusively to the points at issue, and said no

more than was necessary In doing ing in nest,

this,

to explain the

making no attempts

no witticisms or sarcastic

and pointed.

He was

law and the

facts.

at eloquence, indulg-

hits,

he was

plain, ear-

a business young attorney.

LIFE OF MILLAED FILLMOKE.

133

and consumed no more tin^ than was absolutely necessary

in

the

of

disposition

Heavy

cases.

Iwjsiness

pressing upon his hands, the transaction of which "de-

manded

his constant attention,

by indulging

in

he killed no precious hours

Quick and

long speeches.

forcible, carry-

ing conviction along with delivery, his addresses

t^J

jury or a court were only excelled in efficiency by their

The

brevity.

various courts of the city were excellent

schools wherein he could train his mind to a perfect state

of legal discipline, in the investigatibn of the various

causes there brought for

In the justices' and other

trial.

courts, before which for ^judicial investigation thronged

large

numbers of

litigants.^ a«d oflfenders

misdemeanors as are incident he had ample opportunities

indicted for such

to a densely populated city,

for the

tivation of his legal capacities.

development and

cul-

Mr. Fillmore derived

great advantages from this connection, from the fact that he was brought on terms of familiarity, and came daily in intercourse, both legally

and

socially,

with the numer-

ous friends and acquaintances of the older resident bers of the firm.

and the

social intercourse of the citizens,

pace with the infinite

affairs of the city, this

advantage.

mem-

In the contraction of acquaintances,

The

and keeping

was a medium

of

natural adaptation of Mr. Fill-

more's character to the formation of friendships, and to

make pleasant those with whom he comes in made this avenue of social intercourse peculiarly

contact, pleasing,

to say nothing of the advantages accruing to a professional

man, from a medium through which

he can

become

LIFE OF MILLAED FILLMORE.

139

acquainted with the citizens of a place, with whose interests he anticipates a permanent identification of bis own.

As an more

instance

of the high-toned nature of Mr. Fill-

in the practice

of the law, and to

and a high appreciation were

his guide,

it

for

his

show that dutv

fellow-citizens'

rights

m.ay he observed that, notwithstanding

a long career of friends his

unexampled success as a lawyer, the and associations he formed at that early day are

friends

still.

frequently came

Even

practice, both counsels

discharge

with

those

whom

most

he

in contact, in the various courts of their

of his

and

clients, against

whom,

in the

duty as an attorney, he labored,

and have always been, his

friends.

This

is

are,

indicative of

the very exalted course he has pursued in his practice.

Mr. Fillmore, in the practice of his profession, has taken the rights of his fellow

men

for his study, the constitution

of his country for the basis of his actions, and the ten

commandments

for his guide.

Those contained

in

Lord

Brougham's celebrated eulogium are the views of Mr. Fillmore in regard to the law and its duties. His is the history of a career in the profession of eminent brilliancy,

untarnished by a resort to that chicanery and

with which

it

is

invested in the minds of

many

artifice

persons.

Mr. Fillmore regards the law as a moral superstructure, round which the rights of the people gather for protection, and regards

it

the duty of the attorney to guard those

rights with watchful anxietv.

Law

he recrards as the

noblest of sciences, the leading science as the protector of

all

others.

The laws

of his country he looks upon as

the guarantee of those popular rights belonging to the

LIFE OF MILLARD FILLMORE.

140

in point people, in their aggregate capacity, and secondary

Far from the views

of morals only to the divine code.

expressed by Anacharsis, in regard to the law, are those entertained by Mr. Fillmore.

It has no entangling

meshes

of such a peculiar construction that, while the poor is

warped

in

its

fibres,

man

the wealthy one breaks through

with impunity, and defies with his lucre the viplated law.

Based upon that of the divinity itself, thougb far from immaculate purity, the law is the palladium of the

— the bulwark

people

of freedom.

Entertaining exalted conceptions of the laws of his

countrv second onlv to those of his God, when he em-

barked

in the profession, in vindicating the

actions were in obedience to the other.

one he

felt his

Looking upon

the law as the basis of the people's rights, and the great

umpire

to

whose decisions

mitted, he resolved

if

their grievances are to be sub-

he impressed

with the signet of virtue.

it

at

Esteeming

all, it

it

should be

as the highest

privilege to live the unfettered sovereign of a free soil,

under a system of laws whose principles are equal rights, in the

mazy

labyrinths of legal investigation, he resolved

that justice should lead the van.

Feeling with the gen-

uine sensibility of nature's nobleman, the responsibilities

upon one whose duties are in the very sanctuary of justice, he determined to make honor the expounder of his theory, and in practice to be her amanuensis. Erect

resting

in

the majesty of his

fellow talents

men

own moral

purity, he regarded his

as his brothers, and resolved to devote his

to the

promotion of their interests.

Regarding

the laws of the land as belonging to the people, as a

LIFE OF MILLARD FILLMORE. sacred legacy secured

by

141

their ancestral blood,

uphold them by the power of moral

mined

to

sullied

by any act of his.

With

he deterforce, un-

these high opinions and

com-

resolves in regard to the laws of his country, he

Qienced their Tiudication, as a professional practitioner of

He

their principles.

has maintained their honor and ex-

resolutions.

emplified his

good Being thus duly impressed with high and elevated sentiments of the law, and having embraced it as his profesnext investigation was to ascertain the duties

sion, his

involved.

High and

it

responsible were his conclusions in

The lawyer

regard to their nature.

— that great potent

is

the defender of

—

man's destiny the justice blind goddess who weighs our transactions, and hovers over human destinv with a retributive sword. In her arbiter of

august presence must the lawyer bring his his rights protected to all, blind as

her

own

she

and

is

decrees, he

his

wrongs redressed.

cate

— the

Impartial

to all save the equitable rendition of

must stand

in

her presence, her

advoqate, or the advocate of a fellow man.

of a God.

have

client, to

own

The advo-

defender of justice, the immaculate attribute

In what vocation are the responsibilities so

great as in this

?

As

a defender of justice, Mr. Fillmore, in

the practice of the law has been blind as she, save in the

attainment of her ends.

Justice has been his maxim,

and

law he conceived

in the practice of the

make everything subordinate of

it

his duty to

to its attainment.

Instead

making principle subservient to policy, he always

made

policy subservient to principle, and success subservient to right.

Away with

the Jesuitical notion of ends sanctify-

LIFE OF MILLARD FILLMORE.

142

ing the means, -when you expect resorting to

any

artifice,

its

demonstration by his

not strictly embraced in the true

code of honor, to gain a cause, or to consummate any other undertaking

As

!

a follo^Yer of a profession whose objects are the

protection of the people's rights and the redress of their

wrongs, to their fullest extent, he has appreciated his In dis-

duties as a conservator of the general wellfare.

charging his duties as a lawyer, he never overlooked those of a relative nature, but regarding the main object of his profession the promotion of the general interests

of the country, he

duty.

was

faithful in the discharge of

every

Entertaining correct views as to the ennobling

nature of his profession and

its

objects,

when not perverted he

for the subservience of individual interests,

felt it his

duty to honor his vocation, and to exemplify that virtue

and justice

its

design

was a repository he

felt

extent.

is

to

promote.

As

a lawyer, he

of the people's aggregate interests, and

the magnitude of the responsibility to

its fullest

Notwithstanding the chicanery that has become

attached to the law in the minds of many, he fully understood the influence exerted by the profession in moulding opinion and giving tone to society, and he resolved in his

conduct to personify the virtues to whose protection his This was not profession was a constant guarantee.

merely the suggestive dictate of the importance of exemplifying the virtues of his profession, but

it

was

in obe-

dience to the dictates of a heart ever alive to an active

moral principle. fession,

These

duties, as pertaining to his pro-

he endeavored to understand thoroughly and to

LIFE OF MILLARD FILLMORE.

143

In both he has suc-

demonstrate in his daily practice. ceeded most admirably.

He

upon the law with

also entered

He

to its morality.

looked upon

it

full

convictions as

as being a protector

of public and private morals, and felt that, as such, there

was an

intrinsic morality attached to

law

In an

itself.

extensive practice of several years, from causes over

which he had no control, he has often been counsel on the

wrong

side,

but frequently on the right, as preference for

the right side produced

when not

there,

some attention on

his part to

be

inconsistent with previous arrangements.

This preference indicates his feelings as regards the mor-

He

ality of the law.

has often, from a nice sense of duty,

declined the acceptance of a fee from individuals, the

gaining of whose cause would be in violation of moral principle and subversive of public justice.

while engaged in the

city,

In his

office,

practice at the different courts

in a

heavy he was frequently consulted by clients who

were anxious

to

become acquainted with the law which they were, or expected

to certain cases in It

igant parties.

was

his

custom

to

in regard to be,

lit-

answer them frankly,

holding out no false hopes of success beyond those that really existed

;

and

if,

after

an investigation, he perceived

there was no chance for the client, he never deluded

with false hopes of success, for the sake of a

such occasions, he would

was no chance of

show

his

tell

fee.

him

On

the applicant frankly there

being successful.

These things

that deep current of moral principle that ever flows

Looking upon the law as a noble profession, he wished" to honor it, and manifest in

in

Mr. Fillmore's bosom.

LIFE OP MILLARD FILLMORE.

144

his actions the importance life

he attached to an exemplary

as a lawyer.

Mr. Fillmore has always attached a high toned morality to the law, which he was anxious to see infused into the minds of his professional brethren, thereby giving

tone to the vocation.

This elevated idea was, at that

advance of the day, and is yet, to a This high moral principle in connection

time, considerably in

great extent.

with

on

Mr. Fillmore's legal practice

all

occasions.

He

has been evinced

refrained

always

from

taking

advantage of any legal technicality, to gain his case at In examining creditable

the defeat of public justice.

witnesses, he never subjected them to the torture of a

cross-examination, with a view of making them contradict themselves,

date their

own

by becoming so confused as

testimon3\

Xor

to invali-

did he ever twist and dis-

tort evidence elicited before courts for the purpose of

In no case has he entered into a cause

gaining a cause.

merely

for a triumph, at the sacrifice of justice.

Among Fillmore

may be

the for

admirably the

adapted

successful

capacities

prosecution

of

of

the

Mr, law,

classed his extreme coolness and entire self-pos-

session. it elicited

unmoved

Be

the cause important as

it

might, and though

a general interest amounting to excitement, in the prevailing tumult, he has

entire equanimity,

and never

sustained his

lost sight of the important

issues involved, or neglected any precautionary step nec-

essary to secure success.

Mr. Fillmore

is

wholly invul-

nerable to the influences of wild excitements and tumult-

uous exhibitions of feeling.

He

feels

upon subjects of

LIFE OF MILLARD FILLMORE.

145

general interest, as well as those of a professional nature,

the great importance involved in their different bearings, as keenly as any one

and while, with a

;

but the feeling

is

essentially inside,

clear, vigorous perception,

he scans the

course for him to pursue, his self-control subdues

all

man-

ifestations of excitement.

Thus, in the practice of his profession, he coolly, and by deliberate reflection, investigated his case, and thor-

oughly understood

all its points,

and the principles of law

relevant thereto, so that, in presenting

a calm, self-possessed manner, he laid ally open, and by

his

to the court, in

it all

systematic-

logical reasoning seldom failed

This

impressing conviction.

it

self-control

which

is

of itself

indicative of an elevated soul, threw great weight into his arguments, especially as

forcible

it

was accompanied by a

impressment of his views.

It also

gave a true

cast to the natural dignity of his character, that

was

always sure to elicit the respect of the court and the entire

members

of the bar,

who witnessed

the

management

of

his cases.

Instead of being excited himself, the preservation of

and entire dignity enabled him to elucidate the complications of cases in such a manner as to

his self-control

impress the court with his

and

to convince

it

superior legal attainments,

of the force of his reasoning.

This

coolness and self-possessed dignity are decided advant-

ages in the practice of the law.

An

individual rises before a court as counsel in a case

without these

he succeed

qualities,

in eliciting 7 >

be he eloquent as he may, though the respect of the court and the

LIFE OF MILLARD FILLMORE.

146

attention of the jury

— though

fluency and attract with

he

may

please with his

his gesticulation, his excitement

lessens the potency of his arguments, and, notwithstanding

the rivited attention he secures, he

He

viction.

fails to

produce con-

pleas€9, but does not convince

by a cool, methodical attorney,

being replied to

and, on

;

who

sys-

tematically brings up his facts, his law, and his evidence to the point at issue,

and throws the weight of his diginto the case, he is lost sight of

nity and self-possession altogether.

There

is

a marked diflference in the elements of an

whose sphere is to touch the springs of feeling in mixed and popular assemblages by eloquent appeals, and those of the practical attorney, whose sphere is to

orator

investigate the different judicial decisions, and to analyze

the actions of

enactment.

men when

Phillips

subjected to the test of legal

was an orator

— a very great

one

;

but as a practical attorney, except in cases admissive of those

mighty appeals and spontaneous outbursts of powers characteristic of him, he was not very

oratorical

extraordinary.

Of

success, these

analytical

reasoning

powers

the practical attorney's requisites to

may

faculties

be

classed

of

mind and

cleai

the

most

among

essential.

There so

is

a potency in this dignity and self-possession,

consummate a blending of which we

Fillmore, that

is

find

in

Mr.

not fully understood by young attorneys,

nor sufficiently sought after in the outset of their professional career.

In an eager haste to drive forward and to

take a prominent stand at the bar, they too frequently

LIFE OF MILLARD FILLMORE. attach more importance to display than to the attainme\ of the

more

solid qualifications

;

hence, they follow thei.

profession without the stability of a correct basis, or the

Mr. Fillmore, as a practi- \

weight of solid proportions. tioner of superior

and

always manifested

inferior courts,

this trait of his character.

He

has never had any un-

important cases, upon which he conceived the bestowal of but

little

attention

a sufficient

discharge

of duty.

His high conceptions for the rights of his fellow man has always made him regard all cases where the adjudication of

these

rights

were involved

a matter of great

as

importance, and devoted his attention to the promotion of a little right

— to

promptness and this respect

use the expression

fidelity that

it

same

he would a large one.

In

he has known no small rights, and discrim-

The enforcement

inated between no small wrongs. right, be

— with the

of

of whatsoever nature, and the redress of

sufficient

wrong

is

Hence,

in all cases

to

secure

undivided attention.

his

he maintained his dignity and

self-

control, careful not to overlook the performance of duty

from any unimportant aspects of the case.

From

the

circumstances that surrounded him from his commence-

ment and

of his studies, in having to use inflexible perseverance, in his

control

school of preparation, this quality of

self-

was most happily developed.

Among

the attributes of his success, his weight of

be ranked prominent and conspicuous. This, on the part of Mr. Fillmore, was not an attainment

character

may

acquired by association or otherwise. bility of character he

was always

in

In point of

sta-

advance of his age.

LIFE OF MILLARD FILLMORE.

148 In

earl}^

childhood, his quiet, grave, and obedient deport-

ment was superior to other children. In boyhood, an age when the frolicsome gaieties of youth first begin to develop themselves, he exhibited these traits of character. So,

we

perceive that, instead of

association or cultivation,

nature, and the

more

it

its

being the result of

was an inherent part

of his

because entirely divested

effective

In the

of all semblance of affectation.

trial of

causes

wherein the talents of the most prominent members of the bar were secured, this array of reason,

weight of character, presented formidable

This

barrier,

fact, logic,

and

by Mr. Fillmore, was a

not easy to

demolish or overleap.

the most important and most difficult of con-

is

any part of a young professional man's

struction of qualifications.

The

first

thing to be sought after

of a character.

he builds

This

is,

his profession.

portant of

all

is

the establishment

and must be, the basis on which It

is

qualifications.

consequently the most im-

No

talents, be

they tran-

scendent as they may, can exert an influential potency,

deprived of the moral impetus of character.

who can throw no weight

vidual

An

if

indi-

of character into an

argument can have no great influence in producing conOne whose talents blaze most conspicuously in

viction.

arguments is

aware

moral

to a court or jury loses

of, if

calibre.

supposed

more potency than he

deprived of the weight attendant upon a

A man

who embarks

in the

law

is

pre-

to entertain desires vindicatory of justice, truth,

and moralty. It is very manifest that in such vindication he loses much power by a continual violation of these

LIFE OF MILLARD FILLMORE.

149

precepts, in pursuing a course inconsistent with all moral

Such an one may be eloquent

principle. so,

and please the attention, but,

—

like the

attractively

rainbow,

it

is

based upon mist, and disappears with the ray that pro-

duced a

man

gaging

it.

Not

so with the

view

He

of moral calibre.

of character, of weight — the

is

very fact of his en-

cause, gives tone to the side on which his

in a

services are secured. trial

man

And when

it is

brought forward for

and elucidation, each argument he deduces with a to promote justice possesses weight, and is regarded

as such, because his whole past character has been its exemplification.

quotes, any idea

Any principle he advances, any law he he may produce, are favorable to the de-

velopment of truth, because his whole character has displayed an undeviating adherence to its principles. All his actions and movements, instead of being watched like an artful trickster, are

regarded as honorable, and receive implicit

reliance, from the fact that his past character sullied exhibit of virtuous principles.

the advantages possessed by pursuit of a profession.

men

Such

is^

are

an un-

some of

of moral weight in the

These advantages Mr. Fillmore

in an eminent degree. Looking to " young professional men learn to get

has always possessed his example, let "

knowledge,"

" but with all

desirable of

" of their vocation ; get an understanding " their getting let them first get that most

all

qualifications

— a character.

Mr. Fillmore, as before indicated, owes no part of his brilliant success as a

lawyer to any extraordinary endowments of forensic eloquence, that more than anything else builds a

man up

in the outset of his profession,

because

LIFE OF MILLAED FILLMORE.

150

the deficiency of experience torical powers.

been

said,

is

partially supplied with ora-

Unlike Patrick Henry, of

with six weeks* preparation

was

it

and but

has

little

commenced a

career of unexam" forestin the very outset called the

knowledge of the law, he pled success, and

whom

born Demosthenes," Mr. Fillmore possessed no such ad-

He

vantages.

is

no orator

— makes

oratorical powers, yet, with the other,

mental endowments, he

is

no pretensions to

and not

less effective

a good speaker, and always says

something to the purpose, and that will be remembered.

For the

bar, in judicial proceedings, his eloquence

well adapted

The

earnestness of his

gave

juries

manner

great force to his

in addresses to courts

zeal in the prosecution of a case, it,

was surpassed by no

a case, he

felt

and

arguments and reasoning, and

has had a very favorable influence to his success.

taken

was

convincing and logical attributes.

for its

Hi^

when he had once under-

one.

On

taking charge of

himself the repository of his client's rights,

and was as careful and zealous duty as if those rights

in a faithful discharge of

had been

his own.

The

activity and zeal he always displayed in the protection of his client's interest, and the faithful guardian-

ship he exercised over the rights reposed in his keeping,

added greatly in the attainment of that universal popularity for which Mr. Fillmore became proverbial, immediately after his embarkation in the practice.

This

and

to

zeal, too, in

the exact preparation of his cases,

be in possession of

prosecution before they of

many

came

all

the law needed in their

into court,

was the precursor

early successes, and contributed- not a

little

to

LIFE OF MILLARD FILLMORE.

151

the establishment of a reputation at once enviable, and

commensurate

witli

most

the

From

successful.

this

careful zeal in the complete arrangement of his business,

before announced from the docket he

have of

was

fully enabled to

and prepared to avail himself honorable advantages arising from any deficiency

his thoughts arranged,

all

in that respect, on the part of the opposing counsel, Combining, then, the advantages of these previous investigations with those derived from his superior insight of

character before mentioned, he

came

to the case not only

in the " whole

armour of the law," but doubly fortified extraneous facilities. Mr. Fillmore's appearance by before the court in the

argument of

cases,

threw no enchanting charm about him by a

though he

terrific

blaze

of oratory that captivates hearers, was one of great dignity,

and calculated

to

draw th^ attention of the most casual

observer.

A and

desire to

to

promote justice

in all its impartial rigor,

advance the rights of those who came to her temple

for redress,

was manifest

in his digTQity,

in his actions.

Standing erect

with an expression of feature sternly benevo

lent, self-possessed,

and calm, exhibiting a superiority of

which he seemed entirely ignorant, he forcibly, and with all the earnestness and weight of character belonging to his nature, presented his case,

ples around

it

and piled

facts

and

princi-

that would be diflicult to remove, then gave

hands of the jury, and took his seat with a complacent consciousness of having done his duty. I use it all

into the

the past tense in this connection, as having reference to

Mr. Fillmore's past legal

career, before he

became invested

LIFE OF MILLAED FILLMOEE.

152

with the performance of higher duties that conflicted

mth

those of his profession. the

Among in the civil

ments

I

many examples

of Mr. Fillmore's success

law which show the extent of

his legal attain-

have selected the following, decided

supreme court of

New

was well calculated

to,

and

in

the

The

nature of this case

did, elicit

very general interest

York.

throughout the country at that time.

The

case

was

originally tried in the Erie circuit court,

December, 1842.

It

was an action

of trover for

some

timber that had been cut on, and taken from, a parcel of land known as the Cattaraugus Eeservation, lying partly in the counties of Erie, Chautauque,

and Cattaraugus.

The Cattaraugus Eeservation had been

subject to the

government of Massachusetts, prior to 1786, when that tl[ie state of New York her title to the gov-

state ceded to

ernment sovereignty and

New York

at

the

jurisdiction.

same time

ceded

to

Massa-

chusetts the right of preemption of the soil from the native Indians, which she then held.

was

It

stipulated,

that Massachusetts should have the right to sell her right of preemption to

any one who had a right to purchase the who were the original occupants be confirmed by the state. Massachu-

—

claims of the Indians,

such purchase to setts afterwards

to

one Morris,

tion right

conveyed by transfer her preemption right

who subsequently disposed

and other

of his

preemp-

interests, to the plaintiffs of this suit,

Ogden and Fellows. preemption right was

It

must be borne

in

mind that a

all that either party had acquired

or disposed of by these several transfers.

The

Indians,

themselves, having the right of occupancy in fee simple.

LIFE OF MILLARD FILLMORE.

The preemption

right, therefore,

a right to the ultimate fee,

come

extinct.

if

was nothing more than

the Indian

title

The Reservation was then

pancy of the Seneca tribe of Indians of six tribes of Indians,

between

153

in

— they

whom

should bethe occu-

being one

and the United

States treaties had been entered into, whereby they held

by right of occupancy, their several parcels of land. The Seneca tribe of Indians during the winters of 1833 and 1837, cut and sold saw-logs from the Cattaraugus Eeservation to the value of one thousand and forty-seven dollars.

Ogden and Fellows who had purchased the

preemption right of Robert Morris, assigned him by the state of Massachusetts, in 1791, averred that this was an infringement upon their rights.

The

defendants of the

were Lee and Ellsworth, who purchased the logs of The action then was Ogden and Fellows, the Indians. suit

against Lee and Ellsworth, for the

—

amount of money

the value paid by them to the Indians The cause came up in the Erie circuit court

Dayton,

in

defendants.

December, 1842.

The value

great, so far as the

were concerned;

of the logs. before

Mr. Fillmore was

Judge

for

the

involved in this suit was not very

damages claimed by the plaintiffs it was not from the amount of

but

money involved, that the suit derived its importance. The cause came up before the court in regular order, and all the treaties between the states of New York and Massachusetts, with the subsequent transfers to various individuals, until the preemption right

of the plaintiffs,

came

into the

were introduced as evidence

hands

to establish

LIFE OP MILLARD FILLMORE.

154

the validity of their claims by purchase.

moved

The

defendants

a nonsuit, upon the grounds of the invalidity of

the plaintiffs' claims to the land from whence the logs

were taken, and consequently their right to any alleged damages they averred to have sustained. In their motion for a nonsuit they

were unsuccessful, and Judge

instructed the jury to render the verdict for the

Dayton

The

plaintiff.

defendants

moved

for a

new

trial

on a

bill

of exceptions.

This was a somewhat complicated case, and required

consummate

ability in a

lawyer to combat the opposition

of the plaintiffs' counsel.

The

only right the plaintiffs

possessed was that derived as the assignees of the Robert

Morris preemption right, ceded by the state of Massachusetts

while the defence hinged upon the validity of

;

the Seneca Indians' claim, and their consequent right to sell to

them the timber

this case there

in question. In the management of was a vast amount of labor devolving on

the attornies, in having to look over old Indian treaties

and colonial enactments, whereby the claims of Indians to the soil

by occupancy

was guaranteed and Mr. Fillmore

felt in

until extinguished

their rights protected.

the issue of this case

by purchase

The

interest

was very

great,

and the indefatigable industry with which he investigated the whole complexity of its bearings was unsurpassed.

He was

compelled to go back to the old decisions for pre-

cedents and to look deep into the intricacies of the law in

regard to

plaintiffs

we

it.

The

decision of the court in favor of the

would have been almost a gross outrage, and, as

shall presently see,

replete with the worst

conse-

LIFE OP MILLARD FILLMORE.

155

qiiences to the Indian occupants of the reservation, of

whose

New

interest the states of both

York and Massa-

chusetts had been especially careful in all their transac-

tions—so much

so, that it

was

by

explicitly stipulated

the convention of 1786, that Massachusetts could only transfer the preemption right of the reservation to those who had the right " to extinguish by purchase the claims

So

of the Indians."

jealous, in fact,

rights of this oppressed race,

it

was

were they of the

stipulated that all

such purchases from the Indians should be invalid, unless witnessed

by a superintendent appointed by the state, Mr. Fillmore urged the claims of the defendant to a verdict with the greatest zeal and ability. will soon be

made

manifest, he

For reasons which

had engaged

in

few cases

during his entire practice in a favorable issue of bis clients he solicitude.

was

so

much

This was one of those causes that have

quently fallen to the lot of

he

which to

interested and felt so deep a

knew he was

fre-

Mr. Fillmore to defend where

on the right

side.

He was

not only on

the right side so far as pecuniary considerations were concerned, but he

was on the

right side of morality.

Every

speech he made was an appeal in behalf of oppressed humanity, the very vitality of whose existence depended up-

on the issue of this cause. in the

management

This was one of those cases,

of which all personal considerations

and the emoluments derived from

its

successful issue were

thrown altogether out of the question, and swallowed up in the weightier consideration of protecting

the

homes

of their fathers.

humanity

in

This was a case exactly

adapted to his nature, to his feelings, and the philan

LIFE OF MILLAED FILLMORE.

156

New York had never^ thropic promptings of his heart. and to her honor be it spoken, has yet never procured a from the Indians only by purchase

foot of land

return of an equivalent, unless

in

the

became ext4nct by the

it

desertion of its occupants; and he, in defending this suit,

was not only discharging client,

but he was

her people

his professional

preserving his state

duty to his

from the stain of

monopolizing the Cattaraugus Eeservation,

whose very name imports its design was the Indians' home He was not only launtil they became an extinct race. boring for the untarnished preservation of his state from that usurptional stain, but he

was laboring

in the cause

of a suffering, friendless people, the fragment wreck of a

mighty nation, who once, round the shores of his own beautiful lakes, reigned lords of the soil, and filled the

was just the case for the great energies of mind

land with their wildwood joys.

It

Mr. Fillmore to call up all and body of which he was master.

Either one of the in-

was usually enough to make him But here, in defending this suit, he

centives in this case act,

and act nobly.

was discharging

his

duty

to his client, in endeavoring to

procure a verdict favorable to his side, and in all the ef-

he put forth he was promoting the interests and preserving the honor of his state; and by his masterly apforts

peals in behalf of the remaining relics of a ruined race, he

was pleading the cause

of humanity.

Here, then, was a

blending of the three great virtues he has so happily

— duty — country philanthropy

exemplified

This case,

to his fellow

man

— patriotism

to his

to the oppressed.

after receiving the laborious attention of the

LIFE OF MILLARD FILLMORE. counsel on both sides, court of the state of

was

157

finally carried to the

New

Few

York.

supreme

cases of a civil

nature ever elicited more general interest, and few ever possessed a nature so complicated and perplexing.

many

features

one.

To

it

was a novel case

— an

In

extraordinary

give some idea of the nature of patient investi-

gation, and of the legal authorities to which the counsel

was subjected

in its prosecution, I insert the following

from the old reports of the supreme court of that day *' Mr. Fillmore, counsel for the defendants, cited: 1 Bio. ;

Laws

of the

U.

307, 309, 311, 377

S.,

;

Public

Land

Laws, part 2, p. 158 Opinions of Att'y Gen. of U. S., Worcester vs. State of Georgia, (6 Peters, 544;) p. 344; ;

vs. United States, (9 Peters, 745 ;) Georgia " against Canatoo, a Cherokee Indian, (Nat. In. of 1842.)

Mitchell

These are a few of the

authorities cited in the prosecu-

tion of this cause, from its institution in the Erie circuit

court until

its final

the state.

From

it

as counsel, he

disposition in the

supreme court of

the time Mr. Fillmore

had devoted himself

sary with untiring earnestness.

He

first

to

it

engaged

when

in

necCvS-

fought every inch of

ground over which it passed, from the subordinate court until it reached the supreme tribunal. Here, with the

same

characteristic activity, he prepared for a final strug-

He, with usual promptness, was well prepared td put forth a powerful effort, and the opposing counsel was So much general interest had the cause creequally so.

gle.

ated, that the counsel

on each side were exceedingly anx-

ious to gain the case*

After a patient hearing and a

fair

investigation, the

LIFE OF MILLARD FILLMORE.

158

decision of this case

was given by Justice Bronson,

in

October, 1843, in favor of the defendants.

Thus ended a its

suit,

when we

bearings, the rights

inflicted,

it

take into consideration all

destroj-ed,

and the

injuries it

replete with the most serious consequences

was

to the state of

New

Few

York.

have been more

so.

The

land from whence the logs were taken was a part of a large portion held by the Indians

The whole

their homes.

as a reservation for

embraced a considerable

tract

area of territory, over which they exercised as occupants exclusive jurisdiction. all their

home

fixtures

Here they had

—

their domiciles

and

their families, agricultural imple-

ments, and everything necessary to secure comfort and happiness.

The

bered hundreds.

tribes, in their

With

their vocations in their

enjoyment of quiet

aggregate capacity, num-

their families they

own

were pursuing

rustic simplicity, in the full

The

repose.

great

consideration

involved in this suit was the validity of the Indians'

claim to the entire body of land they occupied. plaintiffs

had gained the

suit,

If the

and there had been no

reversion of the verdict of the Erie county jury, then the

point would have been definitely settled that Lee and

Ellsworth, the defendants to the

made

logs from the Indians, had

whom

they did not belong.

settled that the

$1,047

paid

It

suit,

who purchased

the

the purchase of those to

would then have been to

the Indians for the

timber was due Ogden and Fellows, as the rightful owners of the soil

;

and by the rendition of a verdict requiring

the repayment of that

sum

to the plaintiffs, the validity

of their claim to the timber on that specific part of the

LIFE OF MILLARD FILLMORE.

159

Indian Eeservation would have been legally established.

But

it

does not stop here in influences injuriously detri-

mental to the peace and prosperity of the Indian ments.

An

settle-

establishment of Ogden and Fellows' right to

the timber upon the basis of the Morris transfer to

them

of his preemption right ceded by Massachusetts in 1786,

would have been equivalent similar claims to the timber

Indian settlements, which

to a legal establishment of

upon the ground of the

we may

entire

readily believe the

claimants, under such preemptive right, would not have

been slow to assert.

Nor does

it

^

yet stop here.

Had

the plaintiffs been

successful in this action, their right to the timber on the

land claimed by preemptive purchase was established,

and the right of all persons possessing similar claims would have been established, which would have included the entire timber on their settlements

;

and

if

by the pur-

chase of preemption right the purchaser acquired a right

on the land from the date of such purchase,

to the timber

then they acquired a legal right to the land also, and the Indians had no valid

title to their

own

lands and their

own homes. Such would have been the decision

and

the

result of

Judge Dayton's

Erie county jury, had

reversed in iha supreme court.

A

it

not been

casual analysis of the

bearings of the case will

convince the reader of the

important considerations

involved, and

was with the

it

how

replete

destinies of hundreds of helpless beings,

it

who

were the primal monarchs of the whole country. Let us look at it a moment as Judge Dayton left it, and see the

LITE OF MILLARD FILLMORE.

160 results.

the

all

Nearly

included in the Indian set-

lanfl.

tlements was held in the same

which the timber tififs

in question

way

as that

Had

was taken.

was from the plain-

the right to one parcel, then those holding similar

Then, under the seal apd

claims had the right to theirs.

sanction of law, they would have taken possession of the entire settlements, timber

from

Indians

the

the

and everything

else,

Under

this

country.

case, the solicitude of Massachusetts

and

and drove of

state

Xew York

to

protect the rights of the Indians in the Cattaraugus Reser-

vation would have amounted to nothing.

These, then, are the considerations involved in the

To those acquainted with Mr. no matter of surprise that he manifested anxiety for the success of a client, in an issue

investigation of this case.

Fillmore, so

much

it is

where not only

The

his,

but the fate of hundreds were involved.

parties against

honor of his

state,

whom

the action was brought, the

and the reserved homes of the Indians,

involved in the case, and regarded as his

were

all

It

questionable whether in the judicial

is

state of

New

individual suit, in

is

to be found

the investigation of

The

it

were of a

magnitude.

whole country was deeply interested

in

especially the counties of Erie, Chatauque,

its

The

decision,

and Cattarau-

which the reservation was situated.

Another very important elicited

another civil

which so much

interests attached to

peculiar nature, as well as of great

gus, in

annals of the

York, replete as they are with grave and

important decisions, there

was involved.

client's.

case, the

a very general interest,

novelty of which

and involved some very

LIFE OF MILLARD FILLMORE.

was that

nice principles of law,

Ontario Bank.

lows

:

The

The

plaintiff

161

of Lightbody against the

facts in the case

were about as

fol-

had made a deposit of over two thou-

sand dollars with the Ontario Bank, at their banking house

On

in Utica.

May, 1828, he pre-

the thirtieth day of

sented his check, and drew two thousand dollars.

Five

hundred dollars of the money thus drawn was on the

New York,

Franklin Bank of the city of that city the same day.

him

which he sent to

The next day it was returned to Bank having stop-

as being worthless, the Franklin

—

ped payment the twenty-ninth day of May only one He took the five hunday before he drew the money. dred dollars to the Ontario Bank, and demanded the sum in

good money.

The

bank, at the time they paid him the

notes on the Franklin Bank, did

aware of hundred

its failure,

in

it

and refused

to

good

faith,

make good

not being the five

dollars.

This case, then, was an action of assumpsit, to recover the amount of the notes received from the Ontario on the Franklin Bank.

Mr. Fillmore was

for the plaintiff.

The

question involved in this very singular case was,. whether bills

received in payment on a bank that has stopped

— both the party paying and the party receiving — should be made good being ignorant of such stoppage payment

by the party paying.

The ones.

features presented in this case were rather novel

Had

have been

the

money been paid

in the plaintiff

's

the day before,

it

would

hands, at the time the Frank-

Bank suspended payment but, as it was, it was in the The question was, who should hands of the defendant.

lin

;

LIFE OF MILLARD FILLMORE.

162

sustain the loss of the five hundred dollars,

and received

The

in

being paid

faith.

following arguments urged by Mr. Fillmore, in the

discrimination

When

convey some idea of his research and

will

supreme court, "

good

it

:

Bank

the plaintiff drew his check, the Ontario

was indebted

him

to

which has not been

in the

sum

of

One

paid.

the plaintiff was not what

it

two thousand

dollars,

of the bills received

purported to be on

its

by

face

—

the representative value of money, to the amount of five

hundred

For nearly a year afterwards

dollars.

it

was

without value, and, in reference to the rights of the par-

must be considered

ties,

as entirely valueless, as the per-

centage paid by the receiver

must be viewed

as paid to

The

the plaintiff for the use of the defendant.

bill

was

no better towards satisfying the just claims of the plaintiff

than had

law

is,

that

payment tion that

it

if

been counterfeit.

from what

is

due, and

upon supposi-

the thing actually due, as

brass instead of gold, the debtor

is

the

return

creditor,

rule of the civil

a creditor receive, by mistake, anything in

different it is

The

upon

offering

to

if

he receive

not discharged that

;

and

which he

may demand that which is due by the contract. " This rule was approved and adopted by this court in

received,

Murkle against Hatfield, 2d Johns. Eeports, page 455, in which it was held, that a counterfeit bank bill received on the sale of property

may

treat

tract.

It

is

it

The

is

no payment, and that the vendor

as a nullitj^

and resort

to the original con-

principle of that case controlls the present.

conceded the defendants acted

in

good

faith,

and

LIFE OF MILLARD FILLMORE.

163

believed they gave good value, but their obligation to pay

was not

A bill

therefore discharged.

of sale of a horse

or other animal, not present, believed to be alive, but dead at the time, does not discharge

a

contract

;

nor

is

the

transfer of a bill of lading of a vessel at sea operative, if at the time the cargo

In

all

owner

is

lost

by the ship having foundered.

these cases, the loss falls upon at the time of the

him who

is

the

happening of the event, when

the property b*ecomes of no value

and notwithstanding

;

the attempted change of ownership, the parties are re-

The

stored to their original rights.

came

bill in

of no value on the twenty-ninth of

which the bank stopped

and allowing

;

was a representative of the currency

this case be-

May, the day on

that, until then,

of the country, and

that the rule of law, as to the receiving of current is

the

same as

coin, the tliirtiethy

is

bills,

applicable to the receiving of current

defendants reap no benefit from

when

it

the

bill

was paid

it;

for

to the plaintiff,

ceased to be the currency of the country,

it

on the it

had

was no longer

the representative of money, although the bills of the

Franklin

Whether

Bank were

current

at

Utica

on

that

day.

the bills of a bank represent the currency of

not to be tested by the value put upon

the country

is

such

one or another section of the state, but by

bills in

the ability of the bank to meet the bank stops payments,

its

sentative of the currency of

its

bills

engagements.

When

cease to be the repre-

the country, and are no

longer entitled to be treated as cash.

This rule deter-

mines with certainty, uniformity and universality the time

when

the notes of a bank

become worthless, and

closes the

LIFE OF MILLARD FILLMORE.

164

door, against frauds

upon the uninformed by those having But it is insisted

superior facilities of early intelligence.

that a bank note in this country

is

not money, except by

conventional regulation, and the negotiation of the note

Bank

of the Franklin

same

in this case is subject to the

which governs the transfer of the notes of individuals,

rule

according to which the transfer of a promissory note

no payment of

d,

pre-existing

agreed to be received as Chitty on

f^^-^^^,

payment

unless at the

it

be expressly

tiifce

Bills, Starkee's Evidence, etc.

is

of transfer.

The

cases in

Strange show that a goldsmith's note or banker's check, taken for a precedent debt, fail after

the bank had already failed, the

is

no payment

if

the drawer

Here

the negotiation and before presentment.

plaintiff.

The

when the

bill

was passed

to

receipt of dividends from the receiver

of the bank does not prejudice the plaintiff; 10 Yessay

206

;

6

Wendell 369

The above

;

its

only effect

is

to

reduce his claim."

extract shows the practical analysis of Mr.

Fillmore's mind as a lawyer, and conveys some idea of

its

grasping and logical powers. We do not often see a specimen of more systematic reasoning than is displayed in the

foregoing.

The

supposition of the existence of

parallel cases in the extract evinces a perceptive aptitude in

arguing cases of extreme nicety in principles of law.

To

this

argument the opposing attorneys replied

in a

very able and elaborate manner, displaying considerable ingenuity in the

management

of the case.

But the

force

and clearness of Mr. Fillmore's reasoning had made the matter too plain to admit of effective argumentation from the opposite

side.

The

decision

was by

Chief-justice

LIFE OF MILLAED FILLMORE. Savage, and given for the career

is

165

Mr. Fillmore's legal complex civil cases, where

plaintiff.

replete with diflQcult

the nicest points of law and great interests were involved.

He

has been in

criminal suits of great importance^

many

that created considerable excitement at their respective

times of adjudication

;

been said under this

but I presume quite sufficient has head.

Mr. Fillmore's

life

as a

lawyer, though pregnant with no very great events,

impressed with true greatness.

Though

there are con-

no extraordinary exhibitions of eloquence,

nected with

it

and no

blazes of excitement,

fitful

is

it

has been the consis-

tent flow of a moral current, broad and deep, continually

gathering strength in

its

progress.

Mr. Fillmore's com-

pliance to the urgent appeals of his friends to

engage

in

other duties has frequently exerted an influence to his practice injurious and detrimental.

expect to

As

say of his legal career, I

this is the last I

must be allowed

to

call the minds of young men commencing the law to the importance of building upon a moral basis, of acting from

correct principles, emulative of those I have endeavored to set forth in the foregoing.

LIFE OF MILLARD FILLMORE.

166

CHAPTER

V.

— The — Anti-masonic convention — How the action of the Anti-masons should be construed — National of 1832 — Leading measures of the Whig party — Mr. elected to Congress — Sketch of that body— Jacksonism more — Mr. Fillmore's view of the U. Bank, and the and of 1833 — removal of the deposits — Mr. Compromise Excitements occasioned by the removal of the deposits — Internal — — Mr. Fillmore's reduce high improvements as a Mr. Fillmore and Mr. Polk — Mr. Fillmore's tor — Other measures of Congress — adjournment.

State politics— Political

Anti-masonry— The Morgan outrage

Chntonians and Bucktails

poliFill-

tics

is

its

S.

effects

Tariff

Clay's

salaries

efforts to

qualities

>

legisla-

Its

Before career,

it

giving a record of Mr. Fillmore's congressional is

necessary, perhaps, to take a casual glance

at the aspect of state

and national

The

politics.

politics

New

York had assumed a somewhat singular feature, growing out of a most outrageous affair connected with of

As Mr.

the respected and ancient order of Free Masons.

Fillmore commenced his political career as an Anti-mason,

would have been more proper, perhaps, to have adverted to it at his outset. But the excitement growing out of

it

the affair that originated eventually in the formation of

Masonic and Anti-masonic

political parties did not

so serious an aspect until August, 1830, to

Mr. Fillmore's election

assume

two years previous

to Congress.

To

infer

from the

fact of his being

an Anti-mason that Mr. Fillmore enter-

tains principles

opposed to those embodied

would be doing him very great that threw him into the ranks

injustice.

of

the

in

Masonry

The

affair

anti-masons,

LIFE OF MILLAED FILLMORE.

him with some of the ablest

placed

wisest patriots in the state of

ment and the formation and

politics, resulted

New

The

of parties by blending

it

excite-

Masonry

from the Morgan outrage.

nor would I advert to

and

statesmen

York.

not expect to enter into the details of this connection,

167

do

I

that affair in

at all

were I not-

aware that misconceptions exist in the minds of some in regard to Mr. Fillmore's early Anti-masonic principles.

Morgan was a the state of

Masons.

resident of Batavia, Genesee county, in

New

York, and belonged to the fraternity of

From some

source

it

became known

to the or-

der that he was preparing a book for publication, containing a

On

full

exposition of the mysteries of Free Masonry.

the eleventh of September,

Morgan was

seized upon a

charge of larceny, and carried as a prisoner to Canan-

daigua county, to be tried for the offence.

The

investi-

gation of the case resulted in his acquittal, but he rearrested upon a process for debt.

Judgment was

was ob-

and on the issue of the execution Morgan was thrown into prison. The day after his imprisonment, he

tained,

was released

for a still greater outrage.

He was

gagged,

and carried with the utmost secrecy and dispatch to Fort Niagara, and with merciless cruelty concealed in the magazine of the fort.

But

secret as

had been

this

movement, the vigilance of

an excited populace was not long perpetrators.

The Masons

in the

in finding a clue to the

neighborhood of Bata-

via being apprized of Morgan's intentions of exposing their mysteries,

and resolved on the suppression of his made several violent and unwar-

forthcoming book, had

LIFE OF MILLARD FILLMORE.

168

rantable attempts in view of accomplishing that purpose.

So great had been the violence of the Masons toward Morgan from the time they became apprized of his intentions concerning their order,

and such vindictive manifes-

had been seen on the part of the citizens in the vicinity of Batavia, that they were immediately settled tations

upon as the

oflfenders,

gan's abduction.

and openly associated with Mor-

After Morgan's seizure the feelings

of.

the community became wrought into a blaze of excite-

ment, and a vigilant search was instituted for the purpose of discovering his whereabouts,

and

to

ferrit

out the

This search was fruitless. Although they was accomplished through the agency of the

perpetrators.

knew

it

Masons, they could not ascertain on

blame of so outrageous an

A

act.

whom

to fix the

public meeting

was

held at Batavia, and committees appointed for the pur-

pose of making discoveries in regard to the transaction.

These committees succeeded ter,

in tracing

Morgan to Eoches-

but could not learn anything further.

brought to light the fact

Subsequent above stated, that

developments he was carried secretly in the night by relays of horses, and deposited in the magazine of Fort Niagara, where he

was doubtless murdered spread

like wild fire over

in cold

blood.

western

New

The excitement York, and a spon-

taneous outburst of indignation issued from the mass of the people, not identified with- the Masonic order, rarely witnessed.

Meetings, expressive of the people's feelings,

similar to the one held at Batavia, were called in

all

parts of the country.

The

and held

secrecy which was

practiced in the abduction, and the great mystery that

LIP^E

OF MILLARD FILLMORE.

169

enveloped the whole transaction seemed to indicate the existence of a premeditated design, and an efficiently organized conspiracy.

The

secrecy, the boldness and dis-

patch, and the mysterious vagueness connected with

Ma-

deed a peculiar kind of

this

sonry generally, affixed to

horror in the minds of the people, and

it

became invested

with the drapery of the blackest of crimes

— that

of

murder.

That the excitement will be admitted,

of the

deed.

felt

they

Masons

of the people

when we think

That a

foul

of the intolerant attrocity

murder had been committed

that

well assured;

was but natural

had been done by the

it

or through their operative agency they felt equally

And, as strong confirmation of these suspicions, the Masons kept entirely cool during the entire excitesure.

ment

that, like

a whirlwind of

fire,

was swallowing up

every other feeling on the part of the people generally.

In

all

the searches instituted for the discovery of Morgan,

the Masons took no part ings, they did not

seem

;

in all their investigation

meet-

to be the least indignant; in all

the denunciations heaped upon the perpetrators, they did

not denounce pnybody, but kept cool and quiet, taking

no part

in the excitement,

regard

to

tended to

Morgan affix

to

and manifesting no anxiety

or his fate.

All these

them, in darker hues than ever, the

malignity of the crime, and the people

incensed than before.

At

became more

these indications so confirma-

tory of their guilt, the people regarded

who

them as a band

would not hesitate to murder a fellow 8

in

indications

man

to pre-

LIFE OF MILLARD FILLMORE.

170

make

serve their secrets, or to

the laws of their country

subordinate to the requirements of their mystic rituals.

The

circumstances connected with the ^Yhole transac-

tion

were of a very aggravated nature from

and

in that day, before the principles of jMasonry

at the present,

so widely diffused as

surprise that the fraternity, in

its

cated in the murder of Morgan.

it

is

first to last.^

became

no matter of

aggregate, was impli-

The zeal manifested by

the citizens, in their endeavors to unravel the whole, and

through the mist

in

which

true state of the case,

was

was enveloped,

it

allegation of larceny, brought against place,

was but a

to see the

The

certainly commendable.

pretext, to

Morgan

in the first

which they resorted to

effect

the suppression of his forthcoming exposition of their

was already shown on the subsequent

creed,

as

where,

for the v/ant of the smallest evidence to establish

his guilt,

he was acquitted.

The

evidence showed the fabrication

When Morgan was a

failure to

of

trial,

produce any

the whole

thing.

released, they availed themselves of

law then operative, and had him thrown into prison for

a small debt, and to complete the outrage, under pretext of

conveyed him

relief,

in the night

sion of an old fort at the

mouth of Niagara River, since and, from the mani

which time he has never been seen festations

Masons,

of hostility toward

it is

plainly inferable

These considerations, sufficient

to

it

time to the seclu-

will

;

him on the part of the he was cruelly murdered. be readilv admitted, were

arouse the indignation of any people

nofc

wholly insensible to the infliction of the grossest outrages

npon the majesty of that

justice to

which they looked

for

LIFE OF MILLARD FILL:\tORE.

171

the protection of their rights and the promotion of their interests.

It

no matter of surprise, either, that, after

is

Masons

from previous indications of the

transaction,

towards Morgan, and their refusal to take part efforts to

the

in their

discover his whereabouts, that the guilt of the

w^hole affair should be afluxed to them.

In the meantime,

Morgan's famous book, which was the origin of the whole matter, was published despite the efforts of the Masons to suppress

it.

The

public mind being already agitated

to a perfect state of furor at the startlini>- nature of recent

events,

was badly prepared

for the reception of the still

more

startling and exaggerated disclosures of Morgan's book. So eager was the excitement to get hold of that

celebrated effusion of the traitorous

Pandora box, was sect

whom

it

reveal

to

book,

that, like a

had invested with the sable of crime, that

they would almost have protected

The

Morgan

the awful mysteries of a

when

it

was

its

issue at

any

risk.

at length issued, contained fea-

more glaring nature than they even supposed, had become their suspicions in regard to the

tures of a

dark as

secret order.

Among

other things in that book of a

startling nature, calculated to impress one with feelings

of extreme horror for an order,

who presumed

its ritual as their fraternal creed,

was an oath imposed on

all

initiates, to

distress,

to go

by

espouse the cause of their brothers in

and devote their energies

to secure their extri-

law. though Another oath enjoined the strictest secrecy in regard to all crimes or misconduct committed by the brotherhood, cation, even

it

were

in direct violation of all

LIFE OF MILLAKD FILLMORE.

172

A

except murder or higli treason.

third,

and more

terri-

still, and one the meaning of which ^Yas more imnu'diately connected with Morgan's abduction, bound

ble oath

the initiate to a revengeful retribution upon those

sworn

who

Such disclosures were

disclosed the secrets of the order.

avenged with death to the offender Here was an oath contained in a book purporting to

be a nity,

to be

!

and correct expose of the whole Masonic fraterthrown upon the public in the heat of a great excite-

fair

ment, engendered by recent developments coinciding precisely with

its

The

requirements.

public very readily

believed the contents of the book, and construed these

dark oaths into a

circumstances,

In the heated

literal interpretation.

state of the public mind, this

and surrounded by such coincident

literal

interpretation

was nothing

There was the oath by which they were sworn strange. to keep each others' secrets inviolate; there was the oath by which they were sworn to kill a brother w^ho published their secrets. there was Morgan had published them

—

a violation of the rule, to which was affixed the severest penalty.

peared

;

to

Morgan, subsequent

had been incurred.

therefore, the penalty

Masons took no part appearance

;

in ferreting

therefore,

it

was

such violation, disap-

The

out the cause of his dis-

in

strict

accordance with

the oath to keep inviolate each others' secrets.

Morgan's book conveyed the idea of great and very exaggerated mysteries connected with the measures of the whole order

shrouded

in the

literally true.

;

the disappearance of the author

was

all

vaguest mystery, therefore the book was

LIFE OF MILLARD FILLMORE.

173

That Morgan was murdered somewhere on T^iagara it was subse-

River, not far from the old fort to which

quently ascertained he was removed, there was and is

but

doubt.

little

still

The disappearance and mystery

connected therewith were so coincident with the require-

ments of the book, that they produced a belief that every word in it was true while the oaths and mysteries of the book ;

most incredulous with

was supposed by the Morgan had been visited

the abduction so well, that

fitted

its

before, that

penalties.

it

Such was the coincidence, that while

the book established conclusively the guilt of the Masons in

the murder of Morgan, his mysterious disappearance

established the correctness of the book

On

the other.

the reception of the publication, the excite-

ment of the people knew no bounds. of

law, both

all

— one confirming

To

see such defiance

human and divine, as contained

in

Morgan's

book, looked like treachery, and the sudden disappearance of

its

author like the fruits of

it

;

and thev thouoht

it

was

incumbent on them to seek the perpetrators and have redress, and when the individuals who perpetrated the deed could

be found,

not

Masonrv creed,

a

in

the

correct

they laid

aa-Q-reGrate,

publication

believed was in their possession.

ment

to ascertain

who were

the whole

crime upon

as a compliance with their

of

which they honestly

Such became the

excite-

the real actors in this atrocious

tragedy, that the towns and cities generally throughout

the surrounding country participated in their

had

feelini>-s

in

it,

and expressed

the most indi^-nant manner.

Politics

not, however, entered as a feature into these measures,

or actuated the committees in their investigations, in any

LIFE OF MILLARD FILLMORE.

174

Bucktails were the names

The CHntonians and

degree.

by whicli the two parties

Kew York

in

De Witt

designated at that time,

were

politics

Clinton and William B.

Rochester being their respective leaders. These gentlemen in the fall of 1S26 became candidates for governor ^f the state.

implicated

members

Though

the

masonry did not become a

of that faternity,

of discussion in

-feature

Masons were, by a great many,

the outrage, both of the candidates being

in

the canvass.

by the outrage was

engendered

The excitement

confined

neither

to

political party, but prevailed throughout the entire com-

munity, irrespective of opinions or party predilections.

The

refusal

of the Masonic fraternity to participate in

and

to

endeavor to relieve them-

selves of the

odium attached

invitations to

which were often

them by the outrage, extended to them, made the

their public meetings,

prejudices against

would have been.

them much greater than it otherwise There were some who early implicated

Masonic fraternity

the whole

"

"

in the guilt of the transaction.

This, however, was not at

timent

found

to

first

the general public sen-

but when, as the investigation proceeded,

;

all

those implicated in the transaction were

that, with

scarce an exception, no

investigation

;

of ridicule by

that the whole

it

was

Masons

Mason aided

in

;

the

crime was made a matter

the Masons, and even justified by them

openly and publicly

;

that the powers of the law were

defied by them, and the committee taunted with their ina-

bring the criminals to punishment before tribu-

bility to

nals where judges,

Masons

;

sheriffs,

jurors,

and witnesses were

that witnesses were mysteriously spirted away,

and the committees themselves personally

vilified

and

LIFE OF MILLARD FILLMORE.

175

aTaused for acts which deserved commendation, the impression spread rapidly, and seized a strong hold

upon the was in

that the Masonic institution

popular judgment

fact responsible for this daring crime.

Upon

this partic-

ular point, the public at the west early bega.a to divide into parties, and take sides not as a political question at

upon the

first,

fact

whether the Masonic institution and

Masons generally were

essentially

and morally guilty of From the above

the crime which had been perpetrated."*

extract

it

will be readily perceived that a determination

on the part of the

citizens to assert the

laws of the country over

all

supremacy of the

creeds and rituals was the '

Incipient origin of the Anti-masonic party.

1827,

Lawson and

In January,

others of the alleged participants in

the outrage were arraigned for

trial,

and plead guilty of

the offence, thereby disappointing public expectation in

regard to the developments which was supposed would bo elicited in the prosecution of the

who was

case.

Judge Throop,

afterward governor of the state, in passing sen-

tence upon them, used the following language, which

shows the Anti-masonic party was actuated by patriotic principles, and was composed of the ablest men who figured in "

Xew

York

politics at that

Your conduct has created

day:

in the

people of this section

of the country a strong feeling of virtuous indignation.

The a

court rejoices to witness

citizen's person

without nity.

It

its is

it

— to be made certain that

cannot be invaded by lawless violence,

by every individual in the commu a blessed spirit, and we do hope^ that it will not being

* Hammond's

felt

Political History.

LIFE OF MILLARD FILLMORE.

176 subside, that

be accompanied by a ceaseless vigil-

it ^Yill

ance and untiring activity, until every actor gate conspiracy

in this profli-

hunted from his hiding place, and

is

brought before the tribunals of his country, to receive the think we see in punishment merited by his crime.

We

this public

sensation the spirit which brought

us into

and a pledge that our rights and are destined to endure."

exifstence as a nation, liberties

The above language shows

in

what

light the Anti-

masonic feeling was viewed by the purest patriots of the

— " the nation" — Mr.

land

that brought us into existence as a

spirit

then,

was an

Fillmore's identification wilh this party

identification with the patriots,

ever since been found.

to

where he has

Lawson's

Subsequent number of delegates from various committees met

trial,

a

in con-

vention at Lewiston, on Niagara River, and ascertained

by

their investigations the fate of

Morgan.

The

details

of their discoveries flew like lightening over the country, in a thousand exaggerated forms,

excitement into

still

and fanned the blaze of

greater intensity and magnitude.

the ensuing election, Clinton

was

Bucktails got majorities in the legislature.

ment

At

elected governor, and the

The

excite-

incident to a political campaign having subsided,

that engendered by Masonry increased, there being nothing else

on which to exhaust

was embodied,

in a

meetings, that Free

itself.

In 1827, the sentiment

by some of their Masons endorsing the Morgan outrage, resolution adopted

thereby making the law subsidiary to their

rituals,

were

not proper persons to receive the suff'rages of the people at the ballot-box.

Masonry was

first

brought to

this test

LIFE OF MILLARD FILLMORE. in the counties of

much

in the

Genesee and Monroe, and originated as

efforts

committees as the

But

of the

it

Masons

of an

to put

At

else.

anything

starting-point

masonry.

177

all

down

events,

it

the

was

organized political Anti-free-

was some time

after this, that,

from the

aspect assumed by both state and national politics,

it

came an

After

efficiently

organized political

party.

be-

Clinton's election as governor, and his avowal to support

Jackson

for the presidency, those of the Clintonian party

who were Anti-masons and on tees,

by

the investigating commit-

appealing to the prejudices of

lace, successfully

an excited popu-

construed Clinton's support of Jackson

as being the result of Masonic influence

— both

Clinton

and Jackson being High Masons. Thus those Anti-masons who had supported Clinton denounced their leader, and with success appealed to those Bucktails who were Anti-

masons, to give up Jackson upon the grounds of the

al-

leged Masonic league existing between the two. In this way, by the assistance of politicians, in no way the Anti-masonic chagrined at the turn things had taken

—

party was

formed, composed of an amalgamation of and Bucktail seceders. Clintonian

From various

causes, this

unprecedented rapidity.

new party gained strength with

Though disavowing any

feature

of a political nature, the Anti-masons, irrespective of

party politics, presented their nomination, against those of the

Adams and

Bucktail parties, and carried several

counties at the election by very respectable majorities.

This was the dawning of their success, and indicated pretty stronglv, the eventual strength

8*

it

attained.

Many

LIFE OF MILLARD FILLMORE.

178 Masons

left

disclosures,

The

masons.

much

so

the order after the publication of Morgan's

and were enrolled party

into the ranks of the Anti-

now began

to be quite formidable

—

so that, early in the spring of 1828, a general

convention was held at Le Roy, with a delegated representation from twelve counties. eral

This was the

Anti-masonic convention, where

political aspect.

it

first

gen-

assumed an avowed

This body recommended the holding of

a state convention at Utica in the ensuing August, and

appointed a number of their leading men, among whom was Thurlow Weed, as a central committee. Jackson was a Mason of a high degree, and Adams was not con;

was a strong indication on Anti-masons to vote for Adams.

sequently, there the

the part of

Vrhile occupying an independent position of hostility to both the affiliation

political

parties,

manifesting no desire of

whatever. Anti-masonry was somewhat petted

by the friends of both presidential aspirants, with a view of conciliating them to their particular favorite. In the winter of 1829, the Anti-masons again assembled in convention at Albany, for the purpose of establishing their influence

upon a consolidated

cert of action.

western

met

At

New York

basis,

and

the election of

to

produce con-

1829, they carried

by an overwhelming majority.

They

convention again at Albany, in February, 1830, and drew up a memorial which was subsequently prein

sented to the legislature of

the state, requesting the

appointment of a committee to investigate the conduct of the

Masons

request

in regard to the Morgan This outrage. was refused by a large majority
LIFE OF MILLARD FILLMORE.

and was construed by the

179

petitionei'S into hostility against

them, on the part of the legislature.

This convietion of legislative hostility was increased,

by the reduction a law passed investigate the

The fund sand

of

John

C. Spencer's salary, who, under

1828, was acting

in

Morgan

»

such services was two thou-

appropriated for

dollars, but

as special counsel to

outrage.

was reduced

to one thousand.

construed into a premeditated insult his seat,

This was

— Spencer resigned

and the Anti-masons became firm and decided in

dominant party. Anti-masonic convention was held again at Utica,

their hostility to the Jacksonian

An in

August, 1830, and

their sentiments

for the

first

They nominated Mr. Granger

try.

time openly avowed

upon the political measures of the coun-

notwithstanding the

for

governor, who,

most sanguine expectations, was

beaten by a considerable majority.

In 1833, the excite-

ments connected with the outrage and the progress of the party subsided to a great extent, and the Anti-masonic

became

much

identified principally

for political

with the whig party.

Anti-masonry.

It

had

its

So

origin in the

murder of Morgan, and the disclosures connected with the book gained strength by some injudicious measure of the and was fanned

into public sentiment

through

a desire to maintain the supremacj^ of the laws.

Ham-

legislature,

mond,

in his Political

must be believed priety,

He

that,

History of ISTew York, says

from honest convictions of

:

its

" It

pro-

most of those joined the party of Anti-masons.'*

further says, that such

men

as "

Thomas

Millard Fillmore, Albert H. Tracy, of Buffalo

;

0. Love,

William

LIFE OF MILLARD FILLMOEE.

ISO H. Seward,

of

Caj'uga

John C. Spencer, and John

;

Birdsdale, could hardly have joined the Anti-masonic party

from mere personal or

men

selfish

considerations."

Among

—

was of that party men "whose patriotism cannot be called in question. That it the best

did

much

of the country

to establish the

in that state

no one

ascendancy of the whig party In fact, the political his-

will deny.

torian, in speaking of the Anti-masons, says

ascendency for its

in this state,

permanence,

if

(Xew

not for

"The whig

is

mainly indebted

iirst

success, to the

York,) its

:

steady opposition of the Anti-masonic counties, and to the uniformly heavy majorities which those counties have constantly given at every contested election."

It

is evi-

dent that, through the unwavering hostility of that party to the

Van Buren

went an

party, the aspect of state politics under-

entire change.

Mr. Fillmore became

identified with the

Anti-masonic

party, at the early stages of its development,

from the

wise and patriotic considerations above mentioned assert the

young man and

— to

supremacy of the law. Mr. Fillmore was a it was first brought upon the tapis

at the time

after the

;

perpetration of such an outrage, and the

taunting defiance manifested by some to the investigating committees

;

after the publication of

disclosures, oaths, etc.

;

after it

Morgan's awful

had received the support

and commendation of such men as Throop, Spencer, Birdsdale, and William Wirt himself, it is not strange that Mr. Fillmore should

must be remembered

become an Anti-mason.

too, that, at that time.

It

Masonry was

not so fully understood as at the present day, and the

literal

LIFE OF MILLAKD FILLMORE.

181

interpretation given to Morgan's book, immediately after

occurrence

the

embraced

and

such atrocious

of

in

the

foregoing,

be

may

coincident

To

was nothing unnatural.

cumstances,

the

cir-

causes,

Mr.

attributed

Fillmore's identification with that party; the high position

assigned him in is

it

by Hammond,

attributable to the

in

every

other

in his Political Plistory,

same causes that

sphere

is

— his

superior

More has 'been

matchless industry.

his high position

and

capacity

said on this subject

than I had anticipated, but no more I trust than was necessary to

As

its full

elaboration.

the conclusion of this synopsis of political Anti-

masonry brings us to the time of Mr, Fillmore's commencement of his congressional career, when his talents are to be exercised in the national councils,

it

may

not

be amiss to take a glance at the aspect of national, as we

have of

state politics.

Jackson had been elected to the presidency, and, exercise of the veto power, and by dismissing from

in the

office

incumbents, and the almost regal enforcement of

old

many

other measures hostile to

to be their best interests,

was

with the wildest excitement.

what the people conceived filling

On

the whole country

his reelection to the

presidency, the very fact of the vote he received was

construed into an emphatic endorsement on the part of the people of tion

;

all

the measures of his previous administra-

and, throwing off the

mask

assumption of executive power, he

of conciliation, in the

was

piloting the ship

of state to whatsoever port he thought proper, dismissing all officers

of the old vessel

who

refused to render implicit

LIFE OF MILLAKD FILLilORE.

182

Excitements engendered by the recharter of the United States

obedience to his commaiids. bis veto of the bill for

Bank, were agitating the country from one end to the other. The commercial business that had been transacted with the cities and states of the south, south-west,

and the Atlantic with

to a

states, the people alleged

was

interfered

Checks which they received produce and stock on the United

material extent.

in the south for their

States Bank, at a

premium

of one-half per centum, they

averred would be exchanged for one of two and a half per centum, thereby producing an aggregate expenditure

on the part of the producer that would be enormous.

Some

of the western states, entirely deficient in soecie-

paying banks, had but

medium, except of the United States Bank and its branches. little

circulating

the

bills

The

thirty millions of dollars with

which they were supwas a great

plied through that institution, they alleged,

stimulant to industry and enterprise. facility in the liquidation of

such a sum, .inevitable ruin

and general bankruptcy was predicted. public lands, they said,

was

Deprived of that

The purchase of The mer-

interfered with.

chants and manufacturers of the Atlantic states complained that, in the destruction of the checks on the

United States Bank, for which they had been supplying the merchants of the west, their business sustained a

The

serious injury.

annihilated,

department.

facilities of

remittance they declared

and business essentially crippled

A

public distress,

in

every

bankruptcy, and general

business prostration was predicted, in various forms, as

LIFE OF MILLARD FILLMORE. an inevitable result of the veto of

tlie

183

and the con-

bill,

sequent removal of the deposits.

The

Bank was incorporated

old United States

in 1816,

under a charter limited to twenty years, and so long had it

been regarded as the protector of American finance,

that the evils predicted to result from the veto of the for its recharter

were greatly magnified, and have been

subsequently proven

to

be pregnant with no such disas-

The excitement

trous consequences as were anticipated.

was very

the veto created

bill

intense,

out the extremities of the Union.

and prevailed through-

The

charter, according

A bill for its twenty years recharter had passed the senate by a majority of eight

to the

limit,

votes, and, after going

expired in 1836.

into the house,

and being

dis-

cussed, and having produced crimination and recrimination, it

passed that body by a majority of twenty-two

votes.

This was a leading, and the most engrossing of

all the

Both

questions involved at that time in national politics.

The

and

in the senate

in the house, it elicited the

and excited interest from

considerations,

measure regarded

friends of the

it

all

gravest parties.

as of extreme

vitality to the existence of a healthful currency, while its

enemies were equally sure that the country.

sentatives regarded

the fact of the

it

was a disadvantage

That both the senate and house

bill's

it

as of essential utility,

passage through both.

is

The

to

of repretested

by

recharter

of the bank they regarded as sure, and the currency of

the country safe

;

but on the tenth of July, 1832, President

Jackson returned

it

to the senate with his veto, and, for

LIFE OF MILLARD FILLMORE.

184

want of a concurrence of favor of the

bill, it

two-lliirds of the

members

in

was defeated.

Both branches of the national legislature were being flooded with petitions in regard to this, then considered, act of the president, praying for the enact-

high-handed ment of measures avertive of the ruin they saw foreshad'

owed

in the

destruction of the United States Bank.

Henry

Clay was pouring forth his eloquent denunciations against the president, and portraying the sufferings he presumed

would grow out of a refusal to recharter that institution. All parts of the country seemed to be startled by his alarms, and infected with his feelings, until Jackson, the

and the deposits formed a theme of discussion among and of excitement for all communities. Such

Yeto,

all parties,

was

the

condition of one of the leading measures of

national politics, in

1832,

thrown upon the arena,

The

when Mr. Fillmore was

first

to take active part therein.

old protective tariff that

had been

in operation for

years met with bitter denunciation and the deadliest hostility

from the southern

headed by Mr. Hayne. tion

was vigorously

states, especially

South Carolina,

The American system

assailed,

of protec-

and the assailants as vigor-

ously and promptly met, Clay figuring with his usual conspicuity

among

the defenders of protective industry.

existing system, by its assailants,

was alleged

The

to be un-

constitutional and legally inoperative, and defended by its friends tariff,

by enumerating the advantages

and reference

ton for

to the signature of

its constitutionalitv.

of a protective

George Washing-

Thus, the debates and ex-

citements upon that subject were continued until

uumer

LIFE OF MILLAED FILLMOEE.

185

ous propositions for the reduction of duties on various articles

1S32,

In July,

imported were brought before the house.

John Quincy Adams

presented a

bill

modifying the existing protective system.

was not the old

satisfactory entirely to those tariff;

but, inasmuch as

it

in

Congress,

This measure

who had

was

less

assailed

obnoxious to

their feelings than the old one, and reductive of former

made

duties, they

1832, as

it is

a virtue of necessity, and the tariff of

called in the political history of the country,

was adopted, and became the American

protective system,

subsequent measures embraced

until the

compromise

tariif of

imported commodities

in

Mr, Clay's

1833 made the scale of duties on still

more diminutive.

This was a

leading feature in the political controversies of the day for

a

number

of years, and cuts a pretty conspicuous

figure in the history of the country's politics.

reduction of duties embraced in the "was

still

With

the

Adams' measures,

it

a measure of Congressional interest at the time

of Mr. Fillmore's election to that body.

The ish of

public land question, also, had just received the pol-

Mr. Clay's genius and statesmanship, by

his devis-

ing his great plan for the distribution of their proceeds

among

all

the states.

The

large bodies of public lands,

over the distribution of the sale of which there existed for

a number of years such an incessant excitement, out of

which was

built so

many

hobbies of political preferment,

consisted in parcels ceded to the government by the Atlantic states, in very extensive possessions in the west-

ern states and territories, and in immense parcels acquired

by

treaties

and negotiations with the aborigines, and the

4,^

LIFE OF MILLAED FILLMORE.

1S6

purchase of Louisiana and Florida.

owned by

part of the lands

cession

At

came

the time that

into the

hands of

the government, a large portion of the old Revolutionary

war debt remained unliquidated, and these lands were signed to assist in

its

de-

During Jackson's adminsome indications of the entire liqui-

payment.

istration there existed

dation of that old debt, and he recommended to Congress to

convey the public lands

they were situated.

wherein

to the several states

Disputes in regard to the public

lands were of very early origin.

Jeflferson,

will

it

be

recommended the adop-

remembered,

as far. back as 1806,

tion of such

measures as would secure the proceeds of

lands

these

to

internal

improvements and educational

purposes.

During the presidential campaign of 1832, Clay and Jackson both being in nomination, the friends of Jackson required of the then acting committee on manufactures, information as to the most suitable appropriation of the public lands.

Mr. Clay was chairman of that committee,

and just at that particular time, the duty required at his bands was of a very delicate nature. For the presentation

of such a report, without incurring the censure of

either the

old thirteen states, or those recently

into the union,

dom and

coming would have taken more than human wis-

sagacity.

Mr. Clay, however, by one of those

masterly strokes of ability for which he was so justly celebrated, devised his plan for the distribution of the

proceeds of the public lands.

This was the

first

occasion

on which that plan, as a famous article of the old whig creed,

became incorporated

into the party.

It afterwards,

LIFE OF MILLAED FILLMORE. however, cut no small figure Until

in

187

the history of

its politics.

then, this great plan for the distribution of the pro-

ceeds had not been devised.

Thus,

this

new plank had

just been hewn, and put into tne whig platform, about the

time Mr. Fillmore was ushered upon cial capacity.

it

in a national

offi-

The sub-treasury — another measure that

afterwards figured pretty largely in the political discussions of the country

— had not then assumed the importance,

as a national question,

it

eventually acquired.

Internal

improvements and other measures were not themes of to

legislative discussion,

any great extent, everything

being swallowed up in the more engrossing topics of

banks and

tariffs.

Such was the condition of the great leading political measures of the country in 1832. The bank veto and protective system were the most exciting questions of

much monopolized the national Congress. The

the day, and pretty

talents of both

houses of the

blaze of nulli-

was being kindled into a perfect fury in South Carolina, and Mr. Clay was putting forth his greatest efforts to allay the excitement. Mr. Fillmore took his

fication

seat in Congress at a time of great political excitement

a time

when some

America were

—

of the most talented statesmen of

figuring in

her national councils.

In the

senate, Mr. Clay, Mr. Calhoun, Mr. Benton, Webster, and

many all

other statesmen of eminent distinction, figured in

their

members

power of eloquence and wisdom. of Congress

who

Among

the

distinguished themselves both

there and in subsequent capacities, were Polk, Dickinson

and others of no

less

note.

The

senate and house of

ISS

LIFE OF MILLAED FILLMORE.

representatives, in their combined capacity, presented an

array of talent and patriotism rarely convened together at the capital of any nation.

The names connected,with

the proceedings of the twenty-third Congress have had a

powerful influence

and

in

in

shaping the destinies of

moulding public sentiment so as

with the dictates of patriotism.

Of

this country,

make

to

it

accord

the greatness and

worth of the men who composed that Congress, the tutions of our

common

country, in

all

insti-

their glorious

ma-

jesty stand unniarred, as living authority.

The house was

Andrew

organized by the election of

Stevenson of Virginia, speaker, and Mr. Franklin, clerk.

On

the third of March, 1833, President Jackson sent his

annual message to Congress, from which I make the

lowing extract, as questions of

fol-

having direct reference to the exciting " Since the

the day

last

:

adjournment of

Congress, the secretary of the treasury has directed the

money

of the United

States to be deposited in certain

state banks designated

by him, and he

will

immediately

lay before you his reasons for this direction.

I

concur

with him entirely in the view he has taken of the subject;

and some months before the removal,

I

department the propriety of taking that

urged upon the step.

The near

approach of the day on which the charter will expire, as well as the conduct of the bank, appeared to me to call for

this

measure, upon the high consideration of public

interest and public duty.

The

extent of

its

misconduct,

however, although known to be great, was not at that time fully developed by truth. It was not until late in the

month

of

August that I received from the govern-

LIFE OF MILLARD FILLMORE.

ment

an

directors

official

189

report, establishing

institution question, that this great and powerful

actually engaged

attempting to influence the election

in

of the public officers, by

means of

its

money; and

express violation of the provisions of

by a formal

its

that, in it

charter,

had,

resolution, placed its funds at the disposition

of the president, to be

******

employed

power of the bank. " In

beyond had been

my own

in sustaining the political

sphere of duty, I should

feel

myself called

on by the facts disclosed, to order a scire facias against the bank, with a view to put an end to the chartered rights

charter

has so palpably violated, were

it

itself will

expire as soon as a

it

not that the

decision

would

probably be obtained from the court of last resort."

The language

of the foregoing extracts

was well

cal-

culated to produce in Congress the very results that were manifest.

The United

the deposits to which

it

States Bank, and the removal of

had reference, were, from the

first

of the session, the leading topics of congressional discussion,

and the causes of excitement throughout the entire country. Of those who were most fierce in their denunciations, and irreconcilable to of

what they regarded as an unjust exercise was the acknowledged

executive 'power, Mr. Clay

leader in the deliberations of Congress.

assigned

The

Mr. Fillmore was on the committee

District of Columbia, a position

position

on

the

where he had no power

particularly to display his talents and capacities for legis-

which he possessed to an eminent degree. In an assemblage of the ablest and most experienced could not legislators that America has ever produced, it

lative usefulness,

LIFE OF MILLARD FILLMORE.

190

man

reasonably be expected that a young

of Mr. Fill-

more's modest, unassuming deportment, would evince any great exhibitions of talent and intellectual po^Yers cially in the

— espe-

midst of that kind of an assembly, the lead-

ing topic of whose discussion he could not feel interested to the

same

extent.

Subsequent events have shown Mr.

Fillmore's views on the leading questions exciting the deliberations of that day to have been

advance of the times and

his party.

most wise, and

Keen and

in

penetrat-

ing as was Mr. Clay's sagacity, he attached a fictitious to the evils resulting

magnitude ter the

the deposits. to bin.

from the refusal to rechar-

United States Bank, and the subsequent removal of

The

disastrous consequences that seemed

foreshadowed

in the

consummation of those meas-

ures have never befallen the country.

Mr. Fillmore never

fully

endorsed the denunciatory

views entertained by a large number of his party,

in re-

gard to these measures and the evils apprehended there-

He

from.

ness of crisis

never attached that importance to the useful-

a United

quences of in

States bank, to feel that a financial

and a severe panic would be the inevitable conseits

veto.

Instead, therefore, of participating

the discussions of a subject definitely settled, and in

regard to which, the president had already asserted that

"the responsibility had been taken,"

—

a

measure whose

pregnancy with such direful calamities to the country he could not discover stituency,

;

he studied the interests of his con-

and the country generally, with reference to

their promotion,

and devoted himself

his duties with characteristic

to the discharge of

energy and devotion.

LIFE OF MILLARD FILLMOEE.

Though,

in the twenty-third

made

great civic laurels, he

it

Congress, he

191

,

won no

veiT"

an excellent school to leara

the fundamental basis of government organization, and

won

the respect and esteem of the house.

as he was, no duty

was neglected, and

Unpretending

in all

measures of

he was always at his post, and ready to promote

Interest,

The support he gave his party was firm and unwavering. He made no long speeches, nor evinced the the right.

smallest desire of attaining notoriety. deliberations of

entire

rill more,

Throughout the

the twenty-third Congress, Mr.

though a new member and the representative

of a minority party, was vigilant in the discharge of every

duty devolving upon him as a member of the house, and in

studying the interest of those

whom

he was deputed to

represent in that body. in this and the subsequent sessions of which he was elected, exemplified the time-

Mr. Fillmore, to

Congress honored maxim

As

defence.

of,

will

in time

of peace keep prepared for

be seen in his subsequent labors

Congress, he urged upon that body the necessity of fying the northern

frontier,

in

a very

This principle of being prepared

for

in

forti-

masterly style.

emergencies

he

means of preserving the dignity of and injury. The Canadian insurinsult from the nation

regarded as the safest

rection,

and developments connected with that movement,

that occurred no very great while after this, evinced the

wisdom

of the measure, and suggested the necessity of

keeping the northern frontier cient to

awe the

in

invaders, and

Uitentione into another channel.

a state of defence divert

On

their

suffi-

rapacious

the twenty-third of

LIFE OF MILLAED FILLMORE.

192

December, Mr. Fillmore introduced the following

resolu-

tion into Congress, regulative of the military department.

"

Resolved, that the committee on militarv

affairs

be

instructed to inquire into the expediency of so modifying

the existing law in relation to the militia of the several states

as to permit each state, in time of peace, in the

discretion of its legislature, to require no person to bear

arms, under twenty-one or over forty years of age; and to permit the inspection of

arms

instead of by regiments

to be taken

by companies

and

or battalions;

also, into

the propriety of providing arms and accoutrements at the

public expense, for those liable to bear arms; and that

they be required to

to

report

this

house by

bill,

or

otherwise."

This resolution was afterwards changed, with

its refer-

was

to inves-

ence to a select committee, whose duty

it

tigate measures of this character.

The

objects

embraced

from military service of

in

the resolution are the relief

all

persons over the age of forty

and under twenty-one, and the supervision, on the part of committees, over the condition of the militia, thereby insuring an efficiently organized corps brought under the

immediate superintendence of the national legislature. Mr. Fillmore, though strictly a conservative man, and opposed to

all

dangerous innovations

to the country, has

means of public defence was an

essential prerequisite to the this, his

public services

always advanced the doctrince that

to be well prepared with

In

in his

maintenance of public peace.

views have been in uniform coincidence with

the wisest patriots

who have

presided over the destinies

^

LIFE OF MILLARD FILLMORE. ©f our country.

193

and even Washington himself,

Jefferson,

embodied

this principle in their respective administrations,

as being

the safest measures of insuring tranquility by

presenting an appearance of being prepared for the attacks of

the

foes

exposed

The northern

of freedom.

was

frontier

more than other portions of the

to these attacks

country, and hence the solicitude in regard to her prepar-

Already had she been the theatre of

ations of defence.

a devastating invasion, and

felt

the heel of the foe

cities

upon

Her towns and

the very vital seat of her existence.

had been burned by the incendiary torch of foreign whole frontier thrown into the greatest

troops, and the

consternation. actions,

To

prevent a recurrence of these trans-

and the reenactment of such scenes as were com-

mitted through the want of means of public defence,

was

certainly the duty of

all

it

the lovers of their country

to take these preparations for defence into consideration,

and

to

make them

subjects of legislative action.

This

is

a duty of paramount importance, on the legislation of

which our government has, perhaps, always been too With those at the head of affairs who justly remiss. appreciate the measures

pared

for

war

in

of defence, and of being pre-

time of peace, the vast resources of

America could soon be

so developed,

and put into such

shape as to present giant military preparations that would be equaled by no power under heaven.

More

deficient

than perhaps any other feature has been the govern-

ment

in

regard to these preparations, and the keeping

cient operative

means

at

command

to

effi-

combat the events

of any unforeseen emergency, great soever as

it

may

be.

LIFE OF MILLARD FILLMOREi

194

Few

seem

legislators

to

have understood the Tery great Mr. Fillmore, throughout

importance of such measures.

much

his labors in Congress, manifested

He

particular.

solicitude in this

wished to see his country, while conser-

vative and patriotic, occupying a position of defence cal-

culated to

awe

into respect the invidious monarchies who^

were watching with a jealous eye the development of her gigantic proportions.

As

the celebrated compromise tariff of 1833 had just

m

gone into operation when Mr. Fillmore took his seat Congress, and produced a temporary settlement of some of the leading measures of political controversy, a brief

history of that act, though not strictly pertaining to our narrative,

On his

is

deemed necessary.

the twelfth of February, 1833, Mr. Clay introduced

measures

in the

United States senate, with some able

remarks, of which the following " In

the

presenting

which I

am now

in view.

My

is

an extract

modification

:

of the tariff law&

about to submit, I have two great objects

first

object looks to the

I

tariff.

am com-

pelled to express the opinion, formed after the most deliberate reflection that, in

and on

full

survey of the whole country,,

whether rightfully or wrongfully, the

imminent danger.

this session, it

must

If fall

it

tariff

stands

should be preserved through

at the next session.

By what

causes, and through what causes has arisen the necessity

of this change in the policy of our country, I will not

pretend differ

now

to

elucidate.

Others there are who

from the impressions which

on this subject.

Owing, however,

my

may

mind has received

to a variety of concur-

t

LIFE OF MILLARD FILLMORE. rent cauFses, the

danger

and

;

it

now

exists

is

in

imminent

system can be preserved beyond

the

the next session,

must be by some means not now

it

human

the reach of

as

tariflf

if

195

sagacity.

The

fall

in

of that policy

would be productive of consequences calamitous indeed. "

History can produce no parallel to the extent of the

mischief which would be produced by such a disaster.

The

repeal of the edict of Nantes itself

comparison to

sir,

That condemned

it.

number

to ruin a great

of persons.

was nothing

to exile

But, in

in

and brought

my

opinion,

the sudden repeal of the tariff policy would bring

ruin and destruction on the whole people of this country.

There is no evil, in my opinion, equal to the consequences which would result from such a catastrophe." This bill came into the deliberations of that body under "

the denomination of

fourteenth

of

thirty -two,

and

The

act, of

all

which

was the Adams' to.

The

lows.

An

July, one

act to modify the act of the

thousand eight hundred and

other acts imposing duties on imports." it

was designed

to be a modification,

act of the previous year, before referred

provisions of the act were substantially as

That

all

ad valorum

fol-

duties of -more than twenty

per cent, should, on the thirty-first of December, 1833,

be reduced one-tenth, and such reduction to take place on the

thirty-first

of

December, 1835, and so continue,

once in two years, until 1841, one-half of the excess to

be taken

off;

and from June, 1842, the other

half.

In

this bill were involved some very excellent and wise

principles.

It

was the

effectual

abolishment, from and

LIFE OF MILLARD FILLMORE.

196

after the thirtv-first of June, 1833, of all credits for

amounts

due the government on foreign imports, thereby requiring

payment before the goods exchanged hands. By its all value of goods had to be assessed

requirements, also, in the ports at

which they were landed

;

thereby prevent-

ing any advantages by practicing fraudulent invoices,

etc.,

on the part of foreign speculators.

Such

measures introduced

vrere the provisions of the

the legislative councils of the preceding Congress

into

by Mr. Clay, since known

"Compromise

in our political history

Act- of 1833."

This

excitement both in the senate and

by the

created

great

in the house.

The

bill

diminutive scale of reduction on duties on imports was

In the discussion and eventual enact-

firmly resisted.

ment

of this measure, difficulties of the greatest magni-

tude were to be overcome.

Its

hammer

immediately under the

to final adoption

way

was

of the veto of President

Jackson, and over the heads of South Carolina nullifica-

The

tion.

It

fiery ordeal of the

was subjected

to the president,

in a perfect blaze.

in

hesitancy

was

Between Jackson and Clay, the

not personal, enmity existed. He no wav favorable to Mr. Clav, or anv measures in

greatest

was

who had no

Nullification in the south

in taking responsibilities.

raging

heated southerns passed.

political,

if

whose origin and advocacy he took an active part. Old party lines were to be redrawn, and able advocates and

warm

friends

were

to

against the other in

become alienated and arrayed one

all

the heat of talented antagonism

Friends were to change place with of

things

to

undergo

a

foes,

political

and the aspect

transmogrification.

LIFE OF MILLARD FILLMORE. Majorities were to be created for

of

its utility

it

197

by convincing proofs

and through ihe influence of

to the country,

such majorities Jackson was to be conciliated and the veto withheld.

come

All these

difficulties

were

be over-

to

before the compromise tariff could be adopted

Congress.

The

opposition to the

by

measures of that com-

promise was led by some of the most talented

men

in the

senate and house, and was of the most relentless nature. It

was a complete and masterly change of the old system was regarded by some as a very

of protective policy, and

Mr. Forsyth, of Georgia, was among the So far did he carry his op-

dangerous one.

formidable of the opposition. position, that

he heaped ridicule upon some of the mea-

sures of the act, and contested the passage of others with zeal and warmth.

He met the arguments of its

advocates

with sarcasms and inuendoes, and in every fested the deadliest hostility to the entire ster, of

way manimeasure. Web-

Massachusetts, was identified with the opposition to

the compromise.

Other northern senators of no

tinction

it

The

opposed

with

all their talents

less dis-

and energies.

position they took was, that the proposed diminution

was too great a surrender, and too great a sacrifice of proWebster took that view of the case,

tective principles.

that

it

was equivalent

American policy of

to an entire destruction

protection.

talents into the opposition with

He all

of the

threw his mighty their force.

That

great excitement should be engendered by the collision of two such minds as his and Clay's, should be no matter of surprise is

when

the resistless perseverance of bo4.h

taken into consideration.

Together they had been used

LIFE OP MILLARD FILLMORE.

198

to laboring long

and hard, and \vhen they thus labored

they overcame 'all opposition; but when one was arrayed

was the only opposition they could Clay and Webster could rule a senate

against the other,

not overcome.

it

when combined, but when one came in contact with other, one man was more than either could overcome.

The compromise

tariff

was

finally, after

in all its ramifications, submitted to the

in

being discussed

house of represen-

tatives on the twenty-sixth of February,

majority of twenty votes.

the

and passed by a

Mr. Fillmore, as will be shown

was always a friend and had a fair oppor-

the passage of the tariff in 1842,

to the

American protective

policy,

tunity of giving evidences of that friendship in the various discussions upon that branch of

American

politics

during

the different sessions he served with such distinguished

This compromise act was among the most im-

ability.

portant measures adopted by the preceding Congress. From the discussions it had elicited, and the vote of Congress on the subject, all doubts in regard to

its

being a

which was an objection urged against it by some of the opposition, were removed, and on the tenth

revenue

of

bill,

March

it

passed the senate by a majority of thirteen

Thus

votes.

opposition

it

the measure, notwithstanding the fierce

encountered at every step, and the great

obstacles that impeded

its

progress from

its

incipient

agitation, by the almost superhuman efforts of the friends

of protective policy, passed both

houses, and

escaped

the veto.

Bank by President the and hi^ of removal Jackson, deposits which had just

•As

the veto of the United States

LIFE OP MILLARD FILLMORE.

199

fallen place prior to the convention of the present Congress,

formed the principal grounds for discussion and excitement In that body though in such discussion Mr. Fillmore par;

ticipated to a very limited extent, to be enabled

more

thor-

and appreciate his views upon these in regard to them are deemed remarks some measures, oughly to understand

indispensable.

On

the second of March, 1833, from inferences

from the president's message

in

regard to the

the deposits, the following resolution the house of representatives posits

may,

in the

Bank

" :

drawn

removal of

was introduced

into

That the government

in the opinion of the house,

of the United States."

de-

be safely continued

This resolution passed

by a vote of a hundred and ten for, and forty-six against it. This resolution, however, was effective of no good or harm, so far as the deposits were concerned.

Over-

looking the fact entirely, that the secretary of the treasury, as the executive of Congi-ess,

was amenable

to that

body for his action in the discharge of his official duties, he was regarded by the president as rather his agent, for the execution of his requirements.

On

the third of June,

the president. communicated to Mr. Duane, the secretary

of the treasury, his intentions concerning the deposits, forming him, that his cabinet

was divided

in-

in opinion in

regard to their removal, and desiring him to give his opinion in regai-d to that measure.

On

the twenty-second

of July, he was asked whether his intention was to refuse to

remove the

stance, that he

deposits, to

which Duane replied in sub-

would resign

his office, in case of a non-

eoncurrence with the views of the president in regard to

LIFE OP MILLAED FILLMOEE,

200

This course of Mr. Duane was by no means

the measure.

satisfactory to the president,

and a pretty lengthy corres-

pondence, of no very amiable nature, ensued between the parties, until a positive refusal of the secretary to

the

elicited

deposits

president

the

following

remove

quietus from the

:

The President of the United States

to the

Secretary of the

Treasury :

September Sir

:

Since I returned your

twenty-first,

first letter

23, 1S33.

of

September

and since the receipt of your second

letter

same day, which I sent back to you at your own request, I have received your third and fourth letters of of the

the

same

date.

The

last

two as well as the

first,

contain

statements that are inaccurate; and as I have already indicated in

my

you that a correspondence inadmissible, your last two letters

last note to

of this description

is

are herewith returned.

But from

all

your recent com-

munications, as well as your recent conduct, your feelings

and sentiments appear after

your

letter

to be of such a character that,

of July last, in which

j'our views not accord with mine,

**

you

say, should

I will, from respect to

you and myself, afford you an opportunity to select a successor, whose views may accord with your own on the important matter in contemplation," and your determination

now

to disregard the pledge

myself constrained

to notify

you then gave, I

feel

you that your further services

as secretary of the treasury are no longer required.

I am, respectfully, your obedient servant,

Andrew •Niles' Register.

Jackson.*

LIFE OF MILLARD FILLMORE.

201

This dismissal of the secretary of the treasury, who had accepted the post by solicitation, because he refused to indorse

and

assist in the

removal of the deposits from

the United States Bank, was regarded by Mr. Clay and others opposed to the Jackson administration as an un-

warrantable exercise

of executive

to Beersheba,

and awful results predicted from the catas-

trophe, which, however, never anticipated.

power, and created

The alarm 'was sounded from Dan

very great excitement.

came

to pass to the extent

Mr. Taney, who was afterwards

chief-justice,

was appointed secretary of the

treasury, in the place of

Duane, the former incumbent.

On

the

first

of October,

1833, Mr. Taney, in compliance with the president's com-

mand, removed the deposits from the United States Bank, and placed them in the different banks specified and on ;

the convention of the twenty-third Congress,

body a

full

treasury.

made

to that

report of his proceedings as secretary of the

On

the reception of that report, the subjoined

resolutions were presented by Mr. Clay " Resolved, that by dismissing the late secretary of the :

treasury, because he

would

not, contrary to his sense of

own

duty, remove the money of the United States deposited with the bank of the United States and its

his

branches, in conformity with the president's opinion, and

by appointing

his successor to effect such

removal which

has been done, the president assumed the exercise of a

power over the United States treasury not granted to him by the constitution and laws, and dangerous to the liberties of the people." **

Resolved, that the reasons assigned by the secretary

9*

LIFE OF MILLARD FILLMORE.

202

the

of the treasury for

United States, deposited

and

its

removal of the money of the in the

bank of the United States

branches, communicated to Congress on the third

of December, 1833, are unsatisfactory and insufficient."

The

resolutions were adopted almost

by acclamation

;

so intense had the excitement become, that any resolution denunciatory

of

movement would have been

the

adopted, even though they transcended the bounds of

moderation and propriety.

During

the excitement

all

and prediction of ruin to the country incident measures, Mr. Fillmore third

examined

Congress

with solicitous care.

as a

the

member causes

The United

to these

of the twenty-

engendering

it,

Bank and

the

States

removal of the deposits, and their bearings upon the prosperity of the country, he studied, with an ardent desire to acquaint himself familiarly therewith.

With

that keen and penetrating sagacity which so eminently

him

to foresee the result of important national

measures, he

acquainted himself thoroughly with the

qualified

whole subject.

With

nature, as will be

no ordinary

financial capacities of

shown when we come

to investigate his

duties as the incumbent of an office exclusively financial,

he weighed well the circumstances likely to grow out of the measure.

Coolly and dispassionately he went to work, as though it

in

was a great mathematical problem he had the

solution paid great attention

involved.

The

to

to solve,

all

and

the points

result of this investigation, notwithstand-

ing the excitement of those about him, and the predictions of such ruinous consequences to the country,

was

LIFE OF MILLARD FILLMORE. Ills

203

conviction that the calamitous consequences appre-

hended were not

by the aspects of the case. they were magnified, and were

justified

felt well assured that

ating unnecessary alarms.

He cre-

Subsequent events have shown

that these convictions were correct, and that his foresight

upon the great question of the day was superior to the leading men of his party, and in advance of the times. This

is

Be

a very happy faculty of Mr. Fillmore's.

questions exciting as they may, though the whole spirit of the country be fanned into a

terriffic

blaze, he stands

unmoved, facing every danger, looking coolly making safe and reliable calculations of escape.

on,

and

These

calculations and conclusions are seldom incorrect, as

is

proven by his views on the great questions of which we have been speaking. Not being infected with the excite-

ments that rage around him, he forms them by judgment and wisdom, and the subsidence of the excitement discloses their correctness, as in the case of the measures

discussed in the foregoing.

tance to a United States

He

never attached the impor-

Bank and

that Mr. Clay and the leading

men

the deposit operation

Mr.

of that day did.

Fillmore's views in regard to these measures were correct

j

time has demonstrated their genuineness and wisdom.

As

a committee-man on the District of Columbia, the

plan for the construction of the

Potomac bridge devolv-

ing on that committee, Mr. Fillmore, with the aid of his associates, proposed a plan for the erection of the

by which

it

would not exceed

in cost the

sum

work

of $130,000,

while the president proposed a plan to the secretary of

the treasury running up the cost to three millions.

This

LIFE OF MILLARD FILLMORE,

204

/

was

a difference well worthy of eliciting the considera-

tion

and action of the house.

the house, comments were to

The

made by

"

members as

several

more properly belonged, claims of the comadvocated the Mr. Fillmore

what committee's jurisdiction

when

question being before

it

mittee of the district to have the subject referred to them,

and he considered that

it

was unreasonable

that this committee would not be as

much

to suppose

disposed to

check extravagance as any other committee.

Without,

from the intelligence,

therefore, wishing to detract

patri-

otism, and purity of conduct, which the chairman of the committee on roads and canals, and the other members

of that committee, acted, if

the subject

was sent

it

was only fair

to suppose that,

to the committee on the district,

they would act up to their economical views and, having an opportunity to examine witnesses, from their testimony ;

Here we light thrown upon the subject." have a principle by which Mr. Fillmore has been guided He learned in all his relations, both public and private. have new

in early

boyhood

to entertain economical views, and he

demonstrated them through the career of his studentship,

and practiced them

in his profession.

"When he became

the public repository of the people's interests, he careful

still

ing, as

much

funds.

to give

them a

strict adherence,

was

by retrench-

as possible, all expenditures of the public

In this respect, in

all

the capacities in which he

has served as a public servant, he has been especially careful.

His disposition to check extravagance

in

outlay of the public fund has been manifested en occasions in a happy degree.

The

careless

the all

manner of

LIFE OF MILLAED FILLMORE.

205

transacting business and making appropriations for public

works on the part of those to whose views of expediency and propriety the squandering of vast sums of public treasure

is

a matter of no

moment, never

failed to receive

the proper censure of Mr. Fillmore.

In propositions Defore legislative assemblies of which it

has been his fortune to be a member, to make appro-

priations for public improvements, his first object

investigate the utility of the measure proposed,

was

to

being

thoroughly satisfied of which, with economical views he devoted his attention to the ascertainment of

its cost,

and

opposed a heavier draft upon the treasury than was absolutely necessary to

its

completion.

Being a man of great

practical as well as theoretical talents, he

was always,

in

proposing such plans and arrangements, happily constituted to see what was necessary, and to retrench useless

The

expenditures.

public treasury he has always watched

with a jealous eye.

During the

entire deliberations of

the twenty-third

Congress, the interminable bank excitement raged incessantly,

and

the

halls

of

legislation

were continually

flooded with petitions praying relief from the oppression

weighing upon

diflferent sections

of the country, in regard

to the veto of the United States Bank, ter of that institution.

number

large

sented,

by the

On

of petitions

for a rechar-

and remonstrances were pre-

citizens of different states

pective representatives,

and

the seventeenth of March, a

among

others,

through their

res-

was one from the

city of

Boston signed by several thousand citizens of that

place

one from Vermont, signed by a large number of

;

"

LIFE OF MILLARD FILLMORE.

206

voters of that state; one from the city of Buffalo, pre-

sented through their representative, Mr. Fillmore, signed several hundred names, and accompanied

b}^

resolutions, expressive of their views

by

certain

upon that exciting

measure, without reference to party or party feelings.

Mr. Fillmore presented the memorial and resolutions, desiring to explain the hostility manifested by his constituents against a

United States Bank on former occa-

After the memorial was read, settuig forth their

sions.

and the disastrous consequences they saw

grievances,

impending over them by the veto of the bank, and praying

sal

recharter or some

its

moved

that

it

mode

of relief, Mr. Fillmore

This was the univer-

be laid on the table.

consignment of that species of document.

So numer-

ous had they become, the bestowal of more time than

was required

for their reception

was

utterly impracticable.

This shows the extent to which these memorials were sent into Congress, praying redress for the infliction of

what was conceived

to be an incurable ulcer upon the American currency. This was a duty which Mr. Fillmore several times had

system of

to

perform during the sessions of Congress.

seemed

to take greater interest, or manifest

in reference to the

movements

the people of western

New

No

section

more concern,

of the president, than did

York.

These

petitions

and

memorials, when they came to his hands from his constituents, invariably received the attention

the people from their public servant.

to the preservation of the interests of those

senting,

from him due

Faithfully devoted

he was repre-

whether he attached the importance to certain

LIFE OF MILLARD FILLMORE.

207

measures they did was not a consideration to deter him from giving his attention to their views and wishes. Representative he construed into

and

felt

that he

their place

was there

— and

was

its

proper interpretation,

for the people

to

faithful

— standing

their interests.

iij

He

stood up to his party with the same unflinching zeal that characterized his labors in the state assembly, giving his influence and his vote to the advocacy of his principles

upon

all political

eral nature

of

ests

his

measures, and in

matters of a gen-

he was assiduous

to promote the local interThere have been men in

constituents.

Congress who, during their brilliant

all

first session,

developed a more

career than did Mr. Fillmore

ever more faithful

;

but none were

,•

none were ever the recipients of

greater approbation, in both the plaudits of his constit-

Some may have won

uents and his conscience. laurels, but

On

brighter

none ever more enduring ones.

the seventeenth of August, 1834, an

the annual appropriation

bill

amendment

to

being before the house, and

the exorbitance and inequality of

many

officers' salaries

government employ under discussion, Mr. Fillmore

in

urged the reduction of certain high salaries, as follows *'

He

had the

effect

the opposite side they depreciate the it

:

measures of the government of raising the value of money, whilst on

insisted that, as the

was only acting

means

justly to the people,

of subsistence

from

whom

;

these

in

were derivedrto place them on a similar footing, and he contended that, these points, with themselves

if

three dollars could

it

formerly would have taken four

salaries

;

now purchase

those articles which

to do, the salaries of

208

LIFE OF MILLARD FILLMOEE.

their public officers, with the reduction

now contemplated

by the amendment, would be practically as high as they

The

had been.

objection as to the time of

making these

reductions 'did not appear to him to be so essentially important,

when

erally conceded. bill

the necessity of doing so

He found there were

so gen-

propositions in the

granting increased compensation.

then, in the estimation of the

was

If

it

was proper,

committee, thus to alter

the salaries of officers, fixed by law, he could not see the force of any objection to their reducing the amount.

instances

how much more were

offices in that state

York, as

economically the

highest

comparison with those

filled, in

under the general government that, as these offices

were

all

He

New

referred to the salaries paid in the state of

;

from which he inferred

well

filled,

and the appoint-

ments not objected to, but sought for on the score of emolument by the most competent men in the state, one or the

other of the rates of paying for public services

might be unjust.

He

referred to the fact that the judges

of the supreme court of

thousand dollars a year.

New York He desired

received to

but

two

have a reduction

now, instead of waiting the result of an inquiry, for another reason.

It

would become the interest of those

whose

salaries are reduced,

do

any other case, to

in

effects

upon them, and

and which they would never

come forward and oppose the

in this

way

only could they expect

that any inquiry could be promoted with any hope of a

good

result."

From

the considerations embraced in the

extract, he voted for the

amendment

foregoing

to the appropriation

LIFE OF MILLARD FILLMORE. for

having

bill,

salaries,

land

among

office,

its

209

the curtailment

object

of certain

others that of the commissioner of the

whose salary was as much as the judge's of the

The argusupreme court of the state of New York. ments in the foregoing are plain, practical, sound, and common-sense

like,

displaying the reasoning, penetrative

qualities of his mind, characteristic of all his speeches.

The

sentiments embodied in the remarks are those which

he has evinced in every public capacity, a disposition to a retrenchment of the expenditures of the public

effect

moneys, to give to the various public servants luent employ nothing

more nor

less than value received

such services, with a watchful care that

for

expended were

in govern-

all

moneys by the

for services absolutely required

government.

Among other improvements of a national character promoted by Congress, was the erection of a harbor at George's Island, the design of which was for fortification more than otherwise.

Judicious investments for internal

improvements, especially

means

the

if

their design

One

of the leading

sition to the construction of this

It

to increase

of public defence, always found in Mr. Fillmore

a zealous advocate.

He

was

men

in the

oppo-

harbor was Mr. Polk.

opposed the measure, and Mr. Fillmore advocated

is

for,

a

little

singular that Mr. Fillmore, the leading

and Mr. Polk, the leading

man

it.

man

against, that measure,

should have both been elevated to the chief magistracy of the United States.

is

The circumstance

harbor

of the

was an enterprise of no great magnitude but it illustrative of the spirit of the tinies, and shows m

erection

;

LIFE OF MILLARD FILLMORE.

210 what

attitude these

each other

in

two statesmen stood

Mr. Polk was

careers.

in relation to

the comparative outset of their political

majority party, and the

in the

•warm friend of President Jackson

;

Mr. Fillmore was

in

the minority, and not identified with the Jackson party

consequently the former

was

at that time in the

;

smoothest

Subsequent developments threw them both were incumbents both into the presidential chair

way

to success.

—

of that high

office

during times of great excitement

evinced great capacities as statesmen their

names upon the pagesof

;

both

;

both have

their country's history

left ;

and

both were great men.

Many

other very important measures

came before the

twenty-third Congress, both of a local and general natm*e,

upon the action of which Mr. Fillmore participated with great credit to himself, and usefulness to his constituency

and country. The proceedings of that Congress were marked by a spirit of excitement and party feelings, engendered by the course of the president the bank

bill

in his

veto of

and the removal of the deposits, rarely

But amid

witnessed in a legislative body.

all

the excite-

ments of party and party animosity, he maintained his characteristic firmness, and guarded with special care the interests reposed in his keeping, throughout the session.

The compromise

tariff of

entire

Mr. Clay, as before

had effected a temporary settlement of some of the leading measures advocated by his party, and to the stated,

remaining ones he gave an undeviating adherence. nal improvements found in cate,

who, on

all

him

a

warm and

Inter-

zealous advo-

proposed investments of a nature to

LIFE OF MILLARD FILLMORE.

211

develop the resources of the country, took favorable and

The

decided ground. his constituency

for a

he elevated himself to a very enviable position,

young member

at his

suffered not

Modest, unassuming, courteous, and

the least neglect. dignified,

whose passage

local measures, in

was immediately concerned,

in his first session.

He was

always

post rendering service in the various measures of

the day, never exhibiting the least neglect of duty as

a legislator.

He won

the respect and esteem of the entire body, and

established himself in the hearts of his constituency.

He was among members

An

the most industrious

enumeration of

ticipated,

all

the measures in which he par-

and proposed, during that session of Congress,

would swell the pages of length.

and vigilant

of the twenty-third Congress.

Suffice

it

this chapter to too

to say, that every

great a

measure he advo-

cated and every vote he cast met the entire approbation of those he represented, from the assemblage of Congress to its adjournment.

LIFE OF MILLARD FILLMORE.

212

CHAPTER

VI.

—Van Burenism — Distinguished characters — Polk elected speaker — Fourth installment of the Deposit Act —A — passes the postpone the payment of the installment — Mr. Fillmore's opposition — His able speech against the — Mr. Fillmore gives views of the U. Bank — The pas— Mr. Fillmore and Mr. Clay — Slavery the sage of the — Mr. Clay chamof Columbia — The right of the house — His views on the senate, and Mr. Fillmore pion — that time The North and the South — the subject of slavery nature as a statesman — His Fillmore's Mr. conciliatory

Reelected to Congress

It

bill to

seiiate

his

bill

S.

in

bill

District

its

petition

in

in

at

patri-

otism.

The commencement

of this chapter takes Mr. Fillmore

again from the retirement and pursuits of his professional labors, so congenial to his feelings, in which he was

placed by the adjournment of the twenty-third Congress. After the close of his labors in that body, he resumed the practice of his profession in the city of Buffalo, which he

continued with marked success and distinguished ability until 1836.

The high

estimate placed upon him by his

fellow citizens, from the faithful

manner

in

which he had

discharged his duties as a public servant, would not per-

mit him long to eujoy the retiracy of private fall

of 1836 he

was again elected

ple of his district. political

to

life.

In the

Congress by the peo-

Since his last labors in that body, the

elements had again been stirred with the thun-

ders of party

strife.

in the ascendant,

Jackson's star was not so brightly

and the bank deposit excitement had,

to

LIFE OF MILLAED FILLMORE.

some

by Van Burenism and the Van Buren and Harrison were the presi-

extent, been supplanted

sub-treasi*iy.

dential candidates during the

Van Buren

majority for son,

213

The

campaign of 1836.

over the whig candidate, Harri-

was overwhelming, while White received the vote of

a fragmental portion of the democratic party.

incoming administration bid

fair to

give

its

Thus, the

adherence to

the Jacksonian principles of the previous one, with a

strong progressive tendency opposed to the fostering of

conservative measure.

The democrats

the house by a pretty large majority. bers of the twenty-fifth Congress

still

held sway in

Among

who have

the

mem-

figured con-

spicuously in the politics of the nation and enrolled their

names high

in the

book of fame, was Millard Fillmore, J.

Q. Adams, J. E. Underwood, James K. Polk, and Henry

A. Wise.

To

the great service these gentlemen have

been to the country, her own great institutions bear the

Three of them

best attestation. chair.

A

filled

the presidential

fourth occupied an elevated position in

the

United States Senate, as the colleague of Henry Clay, second to none; and in the adjustment of the fearful culties of

1849 and 1850, rendered

services that entitle

country.

A fifth

five of these fifth

is

him

efficient

and

diflfi-

patriotic

to the lasting gratitude of the

the acting governor of Virginia.

All

gentlemen were colaborers in the twenty-

Congress.

Congress was organized by the election of James K. Polk to the speakership, and the message of President

Van Buren was One

of the

received on the

first

fifth

of September.

measures of importance proposed in

LIFE OF MILLARD FILLMOHE.

214 the

first

session of this Congress

on finance.

was from the committee

This committee, the day after

itsL

appoint-

ment, reported, through their chairman, the following *'

Bill to Tostpone the

Payment of the Fourth

Installment

of Deposits with the States. "

Be

it

enacted by the senate and ho.use of representa-

tives of the United States of

the transfer

that

bled,

deposits directed to be

of

America

same

is,

assem-

fourth installment

the

made with the

thirteenth section of the act of

the

in congress

June

states,

of

under the

23, 1836, be,

and

hereby postponed until further provision by

law."

This

bill,

opposition

having originated in the senate, elicited the Calhoun, and the non-concurrence of

of

"Webster, though he

whence

it

was

of the finance committee, from

These two gentlemen were the

was reported.

leaders in the opposition to the

bill,

The

while Mr. Wright

was warmly discussed in the senate for several days, until it became the leading subject. After being before the senate for two

was

its

warmest advocate.

or three weeks,

it

bill

was, after some amendments, submit-

ted to that body, and passed by a majority of eleven votes

— Mr. Clay voting against

The

deposit act of 1836

it.

made

it

the duty of the sec-

retary of the treasury to ascertain the precise

surplus that would be due each state on the

the ensuing January.

In compliance with that

his report to Congress, he eral amounts,

amount

first

of

day of act, in

had specified exactly these sev-

and three of the installments had been duly

^

LIFE OF MILLARD FILLMORE.

215

paid over to those properly delegated to receive them. The bill introduced into the senate by the committee on finance

was

to postpone the

payment of the fourth

install-

ment, upon the ground of the embarrassed condition of the government, without specifying any time

payment should be made, leaving that discretion of Congress.

Taking

when such

entirely to the

into consideration the

having already made his report, and giving the amounts of these several installments, the

fact of the secretary's

opponents, with great justice, argued the inconsistency of the measure that

would counteract

their

payment as

promised.

This

was introduced

bill

eenth of September ensuing

into the house on the eightits

passage in the senate.

became a subject of great interest, in the house of representatives, and on the twenty-fifth of September, it It

being the special business of the house, a very animated

was being carried on, in regard to it, by some most prominent members, when Mr. Fillmore, among others, delivered the following speech, which is

discussion of the

inserted as showing the views he entertained at that time,

on the great questions of national politics, and the style of his address in legislative bodies : " I am now prepared, sir, notwithstanding the lateness of the hour, to offer

but

if

what

I

have to say on

this subject

j

the committee prefer to rise, and continue the dis-

cussion to-morrow,

it

will suit

me

quite as well.

For the

purpose of testing the sense of the committeee on that point, I will cheerfully yield the floor for a

"

What

then,

sir, is

motion to

rise.

the history of this surplus revenue.

LIFE OF MILLARD FILLMORE.

S16

upon which the bill upon your table is to operate, and which has elicited such a warm discussion ? It is this, sir

— our revenue had

ciently large, for

been graduated upon a scale

many

suffi-

years, to collect from the people,

by duties, a sum, which, together with moneys received from the sale of public lands, not only defrayed

chiefly

the expenses of government, but left annually a large

all

surplus to be applied in payment of the national debt.

This debt, stitution,

sir,

which, at the adoption of the federal con-

was upwards

of $75,000,000, had, by the opera-

tion of this system, been gradually reduced, so that, in

commencement

1812, before the

of the last war,

The expenses

only about $45,000,000.

again increased this debt, so that, in 1816,

A

of $127,000,000.

wise forecast had

vision for its payment, until 1834,

when

it

same system of

it

sir,

was upwards

made ample proit was lessened,

finally extinguished.

sir,

finally liquidated, that

was

and year by year

was

"It was apparent,

it

of that war,

to

all,

when

before

this

debt was

that event did occur, the

indirect taxation,

which could not sud-

denly be changed without injury to our manufactures,

must throw a large amount of surplus revenue treasury.

the people, or being the avails of the public lands,

thought no more than reasonable, as for

the

into

This money having been thus collected from

it

It

was

was not wanted

government purposes, to return it again to the people, whom it had been taken, and whose it was. I shall

from not

now

stop, sir, to inquire into the justice or constitu-

tionality of

the measure.

government had

this

It

was

clearly

just.

The

fund as the agent of the people.

I

LIFE OF MILLARD FILLMORE. hold,

sir,

that the governinent, in

all

217 is

cases,

but the

agent and instrument of the people, constituted to execute their collective will.

"

To

restore this large

those from

whom

it

amount

of

to the use of

money

had been taken, with as

little

injury

as possible to the country, Congress passed a law on the

twenty-sixth day of June, 1836, by which

was declared

it

that the secretary of the treasury should, on the

of January, 1837, ascertain in

how much money

first

there

sum

the treasury, and deduct from the whole

day was thus

found $5,000,000, and that the remainder should be deposited with the several states, or such of

th^m as should

consent to receive the same, one-fourth on each of the first

days of January, April, July, and October, in 1837,

upon the conditions prescribed that the states should keep

it

in

the act; which were,

safely,

and return

it

again

sums not exceeding $10,000 per from one month, state, and so in the like proportion any from other states, when wanted for the use of the govto the

United States,

in

ernment, and demanded by the secretary of the treasury.

But

the secretary

was authorized

giving thirty days' notice.

to

draw

I do not pretend,

the words of the act verbatim, as I have

and I only speak from

for

recollection.

But

it

$20,000 on sir,

to give

not before me,

this is the sub-

stance of the act of Congress. "

was the proposition on the part of the United States of the terms upon which they were willing This,

sir,

to deposit this

money with

the states.

a proposition emanating from the highest

This, too,

was

— nay, from

the separate departments of this government. 10

It

all

was

LIFE OF MILLARD FILLMORE.

21S

pledging the national faith in the most solemn manner that

could be pledged, by a law \vhich received the

it

assent of both houses of Congress, and the approbation of

th^.

"

president.

The

state of

Xew

York,

sir,

by an act of

its legisla-

ture, passed, I think, in January, 1837, agreed to accept

made by

this proposition

the United States, and to receive

the money, and safely keep and return the same

according to the terms of said act of Con-

called for,

gress

and pledging the

;

when

faith of the state for the faithful

performance of these acts.

This, then, constituted the

contract or compact between the parties. "

The

secretary of the treasury, as directed

by the

act

of Congress, ascertained, on the 1st day of January last,

the amount of

money in

the treasury, and after deducting,

as he supposed, $5,000,000 from that sum, found there

remained

to

be deposited with the states $37,468,859.97.

I say, as he

'

supposed,'

sir

;

for

now

it

late report to this house, that there in the treasury, (that

is, sir,

in the

appears by his was $1,670,137.52

pet banks.) on tbat

day, of which he had received no account. ality,

Well,

state

that, in re-

he reserved $6,670,137.52, instead of the $5,000,000,

as directed '*

So

of

by the

sir,

Xew

act.

the portion of this which belonged to the

York, by the terms

of the compact,

was

$5,352,694. 28, three-fourths of which has been received

by that

state,

and the

bill

now on your

table proposes to

postpone the payment of the remaining $1,338,173.57, to

which that state next,

will

be entitled on the

by the terms of the compact.

first

day of October

LIFE OF MILLAED FILLMORE. "

Now,

sir, let it

be borne in mind that this to one entire

contract, in reference

that

it

sum

has been partially performed.

is entire.

Although

it

was

219 is

I say,

sir,

sum

that should

That sum,

be found in the treasury on a certain day.

was the money

in the

set

sum

the

to be paid at different times,

yet the appropriation was of the entire

when ascertained

one entire

of money, and

manner prescribed

in the act,

apart for this specific purpose.

It

was, in legal intendment, as definite and fixed as though the

money had been counted out

where

it.

object.

several banks

at the

was deposited on that day, and laid aside for this True, it was to be paid out at different times

;

but this was to accommodate the banks, and prevent a

derangement of the currency, and consequent

distress of

the community, by calling for too large sums at once. " But, Mr. Chairman, I am opposed to the bill upon

am opposed

to it, first, sir, on the ground and in its language. false The title hypocritical act to postpone' the payment of this of the bill is an

that

I

table.

your

it is

'

fourth installment.

This

through which we are bill.

But

let

is

a false label,

us look at the

provision hy

repeal of so

payment

much

laiv'

'

shall be postponed until

What

is this,

payment

until laio

further

It does not

%

merely

to a definite time, then to be

without any further legislative action '

then,'^r, but a

of the act of 1836 as authorizes the

of this fourth installment

postpone the

to the door

It declares that

bill itself.

the payment of this installment iwx'Oii^x

sir,

to enter into the mysteries of this

;

but

provision by law,' that

Congress shall direct

this

payment

is,

it

postpones

until

to be

made it

by a new

made.

If

220

LIFE OF MILLARD FILLMORE.

this

money

Then

to the states.

to repeal the

law of 1836.

Why

so,

•'

not say

then

absolutely revoke?

their right

names

action that

it is

Is there

?

give

my

among

Sir, I disdain

]

the effect of this

some

vote for a law

that-,

bill is

iniquity in the trans-

necessary to conceal

excite expectations

ever give

Why profess to postpone Why not call things by

1

when you

be realized

new law can

nothing short of a

this bill pass,

Is

?

intended to

it

the people tlmt are never to

such a course. on

its face,

I will never

bears evidence of

fraudulent concealment and hypocritical designs. " I am aware, sir, that an amendment has been offered

by the gentleman from South Carolina, (Mr. Pickens,) But as that, if adopted, would obviate this objection. that

amendment

this

nauseous

some who

is

loathe

it

to the bill if the

which I

who is,

undoubtedly intended to sugar over

pill, to

make

it

a

now, and as

little

more palatable

should

to

still

be opposed

amendment were adopted,

for reasons

shall hereafter give, I

I

am

inclined to let those

are prepared to swallow anything take the dose as

it

and vote against the amendment as well as the bill. money be not now paid, I have no idea that the

If this

states will ever receive

ing to

it.

Let us have

promise, or tell us at once

expect.

Do

it

now, accord-

we have nothing

to

not tantalize us by exciting further hopes

that are never to be realized.

"But,

sir,

I

am

reason, and that

of near ten

is,

also

opposed to the

bill

for

another

that this sudden change of the destiny

millions of dollars

to derange the currency

is

calculated

still

further

and business operations of the

LIFE OF MILLARD FILLMOKE.

221

country, and add to the accumulated distresses of the

community under which they now truth, above

If there be one

labor.

well settled in political economy,

all others,

this that if you would make a nation prosperous and happy, give them a uniform and unchangeable currency. It is as essential as uniformity and stability in it is

;

yoar weights and measures. blood of the body

and uniform.

politic.

Every throb

ysis

heart

of the

languor and faintness follow; but

the president calls

it,

istered

upon

The

political

and

dose,

experiment, until the patient

is

was a nation or an individual to peculiarly appropriate,

" I

is

felt

to the

'

overaction,'

as

is

it

this

after

experiment

prostrate and hopeless, If ever there

relief.

whom

was

that epitaph

nation and this admin-

:

am

Its object

nation.

life-

empyrics have admin-

tried

writhing in agony and imploring for

istration

the

often produces instantaneous paral-

and prostration. dose

is

supply should be equ'al

If the regular fxow and -pulsation

Utmost extremities. fail,

This currency Its

"

I

was well

I

took physic, and here I am."

;

I

wished to be better

also opposed to this

and intent

is

bill, sir,

;

for another reason.

to violate the plighted faith of this

I shall not enter into an examination to

whether the

offer

see

on the part of the United States, which

by the state of New York, in the manner that I have already stated, was or was not a pecuniary

was acceded

to

contract, according to the strict rules of the

common

a court of justice.

law,

This

which might be enforced point has been most fully and eloquently discussed by in

LIFE OF MILLARD FILLMORE.

222

my

colleague immediately in front of me, (Mr. Sibley.)

I could add nothicg to It

is

what he has

have received no consid-

said that the United States

eration for the promise. this question

nation or the

daughters

sir,

I

on higher grounds.

American

about the redemption of of

But,

the

said on that subject.

am

disposed to place

Does

become

it

plighted faith to one of the

its

Union, on

the

ground that

received no consideration for the promise which

made

Has

1

this

takes shelter from

nation, indeed, its

this

Congress to stand here paltering

it

has

it

has

sunk so low that

engagements, when

it

finds

it

it

incon-

venient to perform them, behind the statute of frauds

The

reason

why

a consideration

is

1

required to enforce a

contract between individuals does not apply to this case.

That

is

a rule adopted by the courts to protect the incon-

siderate and the

own tion.

unwary from the consequences

of their

making hasty promises without consideraBut, sir, even as between individuals, if the man-

fully, in

ner in which the contract has been

made

evinces a due

degree of deliberation, then the courts will enforce If,

for instance, the contract

be sealed, that

is

it.

regarded

as so solemn an act, and evidences such caution and

by the common law, preclude

deliberation that the courts, all

inquiry into the consideration, and compel the obligor

This case shows the reason of

to perform his contract.

the rule, and I submit that

it

has no applicability here.

Will gentlemen say that Congress was surprised into the promise

?

the subject

?

that there

was not due

or that the

deliberation

congregated wisdom

had on of

this

nation requires such a miserable subterfuge as this, to

LIFE OF MILLAED FILLMORE. justify to its faith is

Sir,

%

among

own conscience

the Tiolation of

was not the contract

sufficiently

223

,

its

plighted

solemn

%

It

It is of

the sacred archives of your nation.

the same high and solemn character with your treaties

with foreign nations.

possible,

is

it

sir,

still

A

treaty

only sanctioned by the president and the senate.

This,

more obligatory upon the

higher, and is

if

Nay,

sir,

nation.

has been sealed with the national honor, and attested faith of both

by the national the executive treaty,

is

it

;

and you may

branches of Congress and

call it contract,

compact, or

clearly a promise by the nation, in the

most

solemn form that a promise can be made. **

Sir,

have gentlemen who are

reflected

upon

its

in favor of this bill

duly considered the value of the national

duly

Have they honor ? Would

nature and consequences

1

any one dare to make a proposition to break our national faith, if it had been pledged to a foreign power, as it has been to the several states of our Union ]

Then,

sir,

is

states of this confederacy, especially

benefit of the people

money

%

faith here,

I trust not.

the obligation less sacred to the various

I hope not.

may we

when made

for the

themselves, in reference to their But,

not do

it

sir, if

we

own

violate our plighted

in other cases

1

Your pen-

sion laws, passed for the relief of the care-worn veteran

and hardy mariner, promise to those individuals a mere gratuity.

It

bestows upon

is

its

the bounty

which a generous nation But it has no elements

brave defenders.

of a pecuniary contract.

There

is

no such reciprocity in

those cases, as in this, to continue a contract. ise or service is required

No prom-

from the pensioner, as a

quid.

LIFE OF MILLAED FILLMORE.

224

in this case yon fro quo for the bounty you bestow. But have required and received the plighted faith of the state

of

New York

repay

to

receive the money, keep

have the hardihood

safely,

and

Would any member

in certain proportions.

it

this house

it

of

to propose a bill to with-

hold the payment of these pensions, and then assign as a reason that there is no valid contract for paying them 1 Sir, there is

I presume not.

ken

They should be

faith.

" One

We " is,

The

that

why

honor

— unbro-

as spotless as female chastity.

false step in vain fall like stars

reason

something of more value to

It is untarnished

a nation than money.

we may

deplore

that set to rise

;

no more.

every promise should be performed

has raised expectations which, in justice, ought

it

not to be disappointed.

The whole

business of

life

is

an endless chain of confidence growing out of these promexpress or implied.

ises,

And

frequently the breaking of

one link sunders a thousand. " Whatever hnk you

strike,

Tenth, or ten-thousandth, breaks the chain alike.

"

Look

New

at its effects, in this case,

York.

That

state, relying

upon the

state of

upon the plighted faith

of this nation, has gone on and agreed to loan out all this

money

to citizens

throughout the

state, giving to

each town and ward their ratable proportion.

Bonds and

mortgages have been taken for the whole amount and the three-fourths which has been received by the state ;

from

this

government, has been paid over to the bor-

rowers, and promises

in the

shape of certificates given to

LIFE OF MILLARD FILLMORE.

pay over the remaining fourth on the

The

state has relied

ment

for the

pay these

money can be

unless the

state, if these

of October.

first

upon the promises of

to

money

225

this

certificates.

govern-

Now,

sir,

some other way by the those numerous borrowers

raised in

be withheld,

all

Those who have struggled from from week to week, to bear up against and day,

must be disappointed. day

to

the pressure of the times, until they could obtain this pittance of

relief,

"But,

what

sir,

down

are to sink is

the part of the state to loan this

and the promise on the part of this

money with the states

the person with

whom

A

?

to individuals,

money

government

deposit

to deposit

a loan

is

;

and

made becomes

is

money according

to the

the

terms

This government, then, has agreed to loan the

agreed. to

the state of

New

bond and mortgage of that act of

this

the deposit

borrower, liable to pay the

money

in utter despair.

the difference between the promise on

its legislature, to

York; and has taken the shape of a solemn on certain terms. The

state, in the

repay

state has agreed to loan the

it

same sum

to individuals,

and

has taken their bonds and mortgages for the repayment of the same.

Then,

in breaking, this

New

York be

if this

justified in the

the individual borrowers.

the

high

government can be

agreement, much more

breach of the agreement to

The

state

may

example of this nation in

promise, but

may

justified

will the state of

urge, with

the

not only plead

breach of

perfect justice,

that

its

the

breach of faith by the United States, on which the state

had unfortunately filling its

relied,

engagements.

had prevented the state from fulWill any of my colleagues who

LIFE OF MILLARD FILLMORE.

226

now urge States, in

on the part of the United

a breach of faith

withholding

lieve the state of

say that they be-

this installment,

New York

will be

guilty of a similar

breach to the. borrowers of this money

how can

?

know they Then

I

her honor by such an insinuation.

will not stain

thev iustifv themselves to their

God

or their

country, in lending their votes or their voices to dishonor

such a manner as would be regarded a

this nation in

proach and disgrace

to the state in

hope gentlemen will pause and Jb

«!.

I

"

Let

say.

I

me

reflect before


•£!>

I regard

evil.

not now.

I

-^

about to

let

It has it

it,

as I do all other banks, as a

I have never been its advocate,

gone down

rest in

'

to

the tomb

And

peace.

Bank

I should

it

in operation

aggravate than mitigate our sufferings.

am

have great

new United communitv.

would rather

But on

not necessary to express an opinion.

and

of the Cap-

at this time, for the relief of the

I fear that an attempt to put

is

re-

they finally

am

doubts of the expediency of establishing a

it

1

have never been a particular friend of the United

necessarv

States

live

A^

•&fr

not be misunderstood in what I

States Bank.

ulets;'

^U

which we

this point

I only allude

it, to prevent any improper inference, and that the committee mav understand that all I have to sav of the

to

United States Bank opinion, as

to its

Times have

is

as matter of historv, and not of

expediency or usefulness at this time.

essentially

changed

been proper or useful then, useless now.

;

may

and what might have be wholly improper or

Then, such a bank, with the confidence of

the government and people, might be useful in regulating

LIFE OF MILLARD FILLMORE.

227

Since the war upon that institution, banks

the currency.

have multiplied beyond all former example. To add another at this time, and collect together the requisite specie to put

in operation, ^vould, I fear,

it

add greatly to

People must learn from much more easy to tear down

our present embarrassments. actual suffering that

it

is

than to build up, to destroy than to create, and to derange

Ignorance and

than to restore. one

folly

may accomplish

the

wisdom, prudence, and time can alone perform the

;

other.

"

was opposed to these measures, no because they promised permanent relief to the country. But,

Why this

sir,

I said I

has the president, after witnessing the sufferings of

community

—

after calling us together, as every

some measure of

supposed, to propose coldly away, without

a uniform currency

?

relief

one

— turned thus

recommending anything to restore Are the prayers, and tears, and

groans of a whole nation, suffering

all

the horrors of im-

pending bankruptcy, not worthy of his consideration'?

Are members of the administration prepared and look

their constituents in the face without

effort for the relief of the

We

country

1

We,

to return

making one

of the minority

But you have all Then not it to the days of exert back why bring power. prosperity and sunshine that existed before this fatal war can do nothing.

are powerless.

*#*^*#**

upon the currency, and commerce, and business of our country. "

up

But,

sir,

this

war against the United States Bank, got

for political effect, regardless of the

or the interests of the country,

peace of society

was made

to unite the

228

LIFE OF MILLARD FILLMORE.

extremes of society. class never

engaged

The more in

it

;

or

intelligent of the middle

were drawn into

political associations, with reluctance.

war of the

It

was

it,

from

really a

banks against the United States Bank,

state

got^up by artful politicians to elevate Mr. Van Buren to the presidency. They tempted the cupidity of the thou-

sand

and stockholders interested

officers

in these banks,

with the bribe of the public deposits, and the prospect of destroying a hated rival that kept them in check, and

loaned money at six per cent.

On

of avarice and revenge.

It

was a Shylock

the other hand,

all

feeling

the

affili-

ated presses connected with state banks cried out against the monster, until the more ignorant part of the com-

munity thought their liberties in danger, and joined the strong bank party against the weaker, to put down the United States Bank. Having effected this and brought the country to the verge of ruin, and overwhelmed these state

banks with

infamy and disgrace, is it strange that the same unprincipled course should be pursued against them, that has been pursued against the United States

Bank *

It is

?

what they had a right

commending the poisoned

We

may

pity their folly

perfidy tiat tituted

them

until their

casts

we may condemn

It

own

is

but

lips.'

the heartless

first

seduced them from their duty, and pros-

to

the vilest purposes of partisan warfare,

infamy has rendered them useless, and now

them aside

hand of

;

to expect.

chalice to their

;

but

we cannot deny

that the retributive

seen in their sufferings. " Sir, in corroboration of what I have said about this justice

is

being a war of the state banks against the United States

LIFE OF MILLARD FILLMORE. Bank, got up by designing few facts connected with a subject in *'

It

my own known,

is

It

system.

had

little

wlW mention a

secret history on this

state.

that

sir,

in the state of

banking

politicians, I

229

we have

New

a peculiar system of

York, called the safety-fund

origin with Mr.

its

governor of the state in 1829.

Van Buren, when

Although he did not claim

the merit of an original inventor, yet he adopted

own, and recommended tem,

establishing a

sir,

it

as his

This sys-

to the legislature.

it

community of intjrest between the

banks, and being under the immediate supervision of three

bank commissioners, as a political engine.

than

it

It

was no sooner put

to bear

in the legislature of that state, resolutions

into that

Bank.

bodv

These

in that state.

in operation,

upon the legislature of that I was honored with a seat while 1831,

was brought In 1830 or

state.

admirably well calculated for use

is

asrainst a recharter

resolutions,

Kot one

sir,

were introduced

of the United States

originated with the banks

solitary petition

from the people

on that subject had been presented to the legislature. The bank then had three branches in that state one at :

New

York, one at Utica, and one at Buffalo

;

and the peo-

furple were contented with the currency which they from the heard was no No nished. murmur, complaint,

people.

But,

sir,

under discussion

day by day, as those resolutions were

in that legislature, the birds of ill-omen,

that deal in bank stock, hovered round that hall, and

watched the progress of

this

unholy proceeding with an

intense anxiety. " But no farmers, no mechanics, were there.

They had

LIFE OF MILLARD FILLMORE.

230

not been consulted

They bad no

ing.

tliey

;

took no interest in the proceed-

share at that time in this conspiracy

of the state banks against

delving at their labor,

their

Thev were

interest.

and slumbering

security, while

in

these banks were forging the chains with which they have since lieve

bound them. it,

Yes,

sir,

I

was informed, and met

lutions, their supporters in the legislature in

I be-

that nightly, during the discussion of those reso-

one of the principal banks in that

and means

city, to devise

them through.

to carry

in conclave,

ways

They were carried.

These banks, with the aid of the party screws, proved too powerful for the independence and honesty of that body and the result was proclaimed as the sense of the people ;

This

of that great state against the United States Bank. state bank, sir,

my

sir,

had

colleague

reward —

its

it

He

eulogize his safety-fund system.

a charm.

I shall not deny,

to

am

that

sir,

far

from thinking

honorable colleague.

I doubt not

qualities; but

my

shared the

(Mr. Foster) has taken

I

many who

share in

exclusive privileges

;

its

spoils.

it

says

But,

occasion to

works

like

has some good

it

charming as

it

so

it

appears

so, sir,

golden harvest, and enjoy

its

but to the great majority of the

people, who, like myself, deal not in bank stock, but occasionally see or feel the tyranny of these little monsters,

the working

of Sir, I

cliarming.

embraces of avarice. iniquity.'

'

this

political

conceive

it

engine

had

its

is

anything but

origin in

political ambition, and cunning,

It

was conceived

in sin,

the foul heartless

and brought forth

in

It has spread its baleful influence over that

state, corrupting the fountains of

power, and demoralizing

LIFE OF MILLARD FILLMORE.

231

the whole communit}-, by the manner in which

its

privi-

leges have been granted and its stock distributed. Banks have been granted, and the stocks distributed, to party

reward

favorites, as a

for party

They have

services.

been the mercenary bribe offered to the community to sap the foundations of moral honesty and political integrity.

But

As

I will not enter into the disgusting details.

those

tem

who wish

my

of

to see the

to

workings of this charming sys-

colleague, I will refer

them

to

an examination

of our state legislature, last winter, and the proceedings

body upon the report of

of that

was made,

their

committee upon a

which the report showed such abominable corruption and

I believe the very day on

single bank. it

abuses, that a

was introduced

bill

to repeal its charter,

and, within one or two days, passed through

all

the forms

of legislation in the popular branch without a dissentive

vote

and also passed the senate with but three or four

;

votes against

Does my honorable colleague think that

it.

a system which produces banks like

charm tion

But,

%

sir,

between the

festering

from

its

at the

works

like

a

I perceive that this incestuous connec-

politics

and corrupting

own

this

rottenness.

and banks of that state has been until

it

is

I, for one,

about to

have no tears

I only regret that

dissolution.

asunder

fall

many

to shed

of these

banks, since they were chartered, have passed into the hands of honest and honorable men. I fear that the

odium which in

my

rests

opinion,

is

upon in

this

corrupt system, and which,

nowise necessarily connected with

banking, will sink the whole, without discrimination.

The

vengeance of an insulted and oppressed community

is

232

LIFE OF JIILLARD FILLMORE. and overwhelming

terrible

It stops not

in its course.

{Al-

between the *just and the unjust,' ways and improper abuse of a particular use between the proper to discriminate

sj'stem

;

but

wild madness of popular fury, they

in the

hurl the whole to destruction.

I

warn them

Let us not destroy, but purify

this

is

^Ye

odious system.

Credit in some

cannot live without banks and banking.

shape

to stay their

All sudden changes are dangerous.

desolating hands.

"Were we

indispensable to our prosperity.

re-

duced to a specie circulation; as now proposed by the would not be worth twenty-five per

president, property

what

cent,

it

now

and would soon be wholly absorbed

is,

by the wealthy capitalists of our country. The debtor Then part* of the community would be utterly ruined. let us

and of

purge this

vile

system of

its

corruptions and abuses,

of

its

odious monopoly, and open the privilege

banking to

all

who comply with such

strip

it

of the legislature as

generally from fraud and imposition. to see the

day when

prescribed rules

secure the bill-holder and public

this

shall

I hope,

******* foregoing speech

party spirit raged

in the

was delivered

unknown." *

It

when

a time

at

legislative halls of our country

Tvith a fierceness rarely excelled in the annals of the lic.

to live

be done, and the moral

pestilence of political banks and banking shall be

The

sir,

repub-

was not directed against the United States Bank,

but against the

bill

before the house for the postponement

of the fourth installment, as before stated. struction having been placed

upon

it

in the

Globe, Mr. Fillmore sent the subjoined

A

miscon-

Congressional

Tiote to the

pub-

LIFE OF MILLARD FILLMORE.

233

where, upon the bank subject, his

jishers of that paper,

views are sufficiently indicated

:

"House of Eepresentatives, September 27th, 1837. "

Gentlemen

drawn

to a

:

remark

attention has been this

My

in the

Globe of

moment

last evening, purport-

ing to give the proceedings of the house on

Monday

eve-

ning, in which I find the following statement " Mr. Fillmore resumed and continued his remarks on :

*

the subject, with the addition of a lengthy argument in

favor of a

Bank

of the United States.'

"

Passing over some evident misapprehensions of your reporter as to the purport of my remarks generally, I wish to say that he

is

saying that I

made

entirely

and most singularly mistaken

in

a lengthy argument in favor of the

United States Bank.

I

made no argument

in favor of the

United States Bank, nor of a United States Bank

;

but, on

the contrary, expressly disclaimed ever having been the particular friend of the

United States Bank, and expressed

sincere doubts whether the incorporation of a

my

new United

States Bank, at this time, would relieve the present embar-

rassments of the community. to correct the mistake

" " Messrs.

Will you do

the justice

?

Eespectfully yours,

Millard Fillmore.

Blair and Rives."

This speech, though not remarkable eloquence, embodies a vast fund of

speaker to

me

for its features of facts,

showing the

have been thoroughly informed upon the con-

dition of the finances

and matters of public interest gen-

LIFE OF MILLARD FILLMORE.

234

During

erally.

its

delivery, he exhibited a tabular

view

of the annual expenses of the government for twelve confjecutive yeais,

prepared with the exactest mathematical

precision.

"We rarely have the good fortune to read a speech of no greater length, that

is

so replete with evidences of research

and sound judgment. specimen of his

The

bill,

I have inserted these extracts as a

political oratory.

against the passage of which this speech

made, passed the house, after being so cify the first of transfer,*

January, 1839, as the day of making the

in the senate in

measure was Mr. Fillmore's

The many the

was

as to spe-

and was approved the second day of October,

Mr. Clay's position

1837.

amended

regard to this

in the house.

coincidence of the views of these gentlemen on

subjects of vital interest can but be observed

student

of

their

respective characters.

by

Mr. Clay

had assumed that leadership in the senate which, as we shall presently see, Mr. Fillmore assumed in the house, and though the excitement in regard to the bank question was participated in by Mr. Clay to a much greater extent than Mr. Fillmore conceived the circumstances justified exhibiting himself, on

many

other subjects

their views

were as similar as though they were colleagues acting concert upon them.

in

Subsequent events will show, too,

that there were feelings of unison between these two dis-

tinguished gentlemen, not restricted to the conventional formalities of public station.

Petitions and memorials for the abolition of slavery in

the District of Columbia poured in upon the deliberations

LIFE OP MILLARD FILLMORE. of the present session of Congress from

no

elicited

little

The

controversy.

these controversies was the

On

subject of slavery.

quarters, and

subject involved in

right of petition

upon the

the eighteenth day of September,

New

1837, Mr. Wall, of

all

235

Jersey, presented a memorial in

the senate from the ladies of

New

Jersey, praying for

the abolition of slavery in the District.

Many members,

very tender upon this subject, were disposed to look unfavorably upon the memorial, and even went so far as to say that

The

it

was prompted by a

spirit of fanaticism.

right of petition has always, in the estimation of

the wisest statesmen and purest patriots of our country,

been regarded as sacred, and the petitioners as entitled to courtesy and respect, at least.

To

wise statesmen,

who

wish to pursue a peaceful, conciliatory course, prudence, if

no higher consideration, should dictate the extension

of respectful attention to such memorialists, on all occasions.

And

who

those

refuse such respect, unless of no

ordinary nature, upon the ground that the petitioners are fanatics,

merely because they presume,

memorial, to

couch their wishes

in

important measu'-es, usually evince a

in the

regard

much

of fanaticism themselves than do those

form of a to

certain

greater spirit

who produce

the

petitions.

The memorial elicited

referred to

by the

New

Jersey ladies,

quite an animated debate in the senate, com-

mencing as follows

:

" Mr.

Hubbard moved to lay the motion on the table. " Mr. Clay wished the motion withdrawn for a moment

It

was manifest that the subject of slavery

in the Dis-

LIFE OF MILLARD FILLMORE.

236

of Columbia

trict

was extending

itself

the public

in

mind, and daily engaging more and more of the public

His opinions, as expressed in the legislature of the country, were, he believed, perfectly well known. attention.

He

had no hesitation

in

saying that Congress ought not

do what was asked by the petitioners without the con-

to

sent of the people of the District of Columbia. desirous of inquiring of the senator from

New

He was

Jersey, or

any other conversant with the subject, whether the

feel-

was extending itself in whether it was .not becoming

ing of abolition in the abstract their respective states, or

mixed up with other matters

— such,

for instance, in the

belief that the sacred right of petition

became the duty of the senate

It

ness,

"

had been

and understand the subject

well.

There were many, no doubt, of these

did not

mean

assailed.

to inquire into this busi-

petitioners,

to assert that slaverv should

who

be abolished,

but were contending for what they understood to be a great constitutional

right.

Would

it

not, then,

under this

view of the subject, be the best course to allay excitement, and endeavor to calm down and tranquilize the Would it not be wiser to refer the subpublic mind 1 ject to

the committee for the District of Columbia, or

some other committee, that would

elicit all

the facts, rea-

son coolly and dispassionately, presenting the subject in all

its

bearings to the citizens of non-slaveholding states,

manner worthy of the great subject ? Would not such a proceeding be well calculated to insure harand

in a

mony and amity

in all parts of the

ject there was, he

Union

was aware, a great

?

On

this sub-

diversity of opinion,

LIFE OF MILLARD FILLMORE. and he rose merely

for the

gestions to the senate. " Mr. Calhoun said he

would come

to,

he knew

than was supposed;

purpose of making these sug-

had foreseen what and that

its origin,

grew out of

it

237

this subject

it

lay deeper

a spirit of fanaticism,

which was daily increasing, and, if not in limine, would, by and by, dissolve the Union. It was particularly our duty to keep the matter out of the senate halls of the

These

national legislature.

— out

of the

fanatics were

what they had no right. Grant the receptions of these petitions, and you will next be required to act upon them. He was for no conciliatory with

interfering

course

— no temporizing;

instead of yielding one inch, he

would

rise in opposition,

and he hoped every man from

down this growing There was but one question that would ever destroy Union, and that was involved in this principle. Yes;

the south would stand by him, to put evil.

this this if

was potent enough for it, and must be early Union was to be preserved. A man must

the

into

what

is

going on,

if

arrested,

see little

he did not see that this spirit

was growing, and that the rising generation was becoming more strongly imbued with it. It was not to be stopped by reports on paper, but by action

— very decided

action."

Mr. Clay opposed the above remarks conciliatory

Union was

manner, in

assuring the

in a very mild,

gentleman that the

no danger of dissolution.

No man

ever

understood better than Mr. Clay the effect of a conciliatory course.

Bold and

required, he

was always

fearless as for

he was, when occasion

cementing the bonds of union,

LIFE OF MILLARD FILLMORE.

238

by the golden chain of national brotherhood and decided as were his convictions on the subject treated of in the peti;

tions that

came

into Congress, he

knew

that by their dis-

respectful repulsion, the very excitement they wished allay would be kindled

into an intenser heat,

to

and courte-

ous petition be changed to indignant denunciation.

Then,

besides the motives of policy and prudence, to the dic-

which

tates of

all

legislators should give watchful heed,

by which he was actuated

memori-

the right of petition he conceded as an inherent

alists,

one

to the defence of the

in

the free exercise of which, no barrier should be

raised between legislators and the people-between the sentinels

and the camp.

petition presented

defender

;

it

attitude, the right of

the senate, with Mr. Clay for

its

remains to be considered in what light

was regarded there

in

Such was the

in the

house, and who was

its

it

defender

.

On

the twelfth of December, 1837, J. Q.

Adams

pre-

sented in the house a petition praying the abolition of slavery in the District of Columbia. This, in connection with former petitions presented by

that gentleman,

was signed by fifty-thousand persons,

embracinPT the most influential of his constituencv.

moved

He

that the memorials be referred to the committee

on the District of Columbia.

Mr. Wise moved that

it

be laid on the table.

The

house voted on Mr. Wise's motion, which was carried by a large majority, Mr. Fillmore voting with the minority in the negative, sustaining the right of petition.

Several

lengthy memorials were presented by the samo gentle-

239

LIFE OF MILLARD FILLMORE.

man, of the same nature, all of which, on motion of Mr. Wise, were tabled, Mr. Fillmore, with characteristic conMr. Fillmore

sistency, voting uniformly in the negative.

entertained the tion that Mr.

same views

Clay did

;

regard to the right of peti-

in

on the presentation of the memorials

that flooded Congress during that session, though they

were most usually tabled, he occupied grounds favorable and respectful consideration. Many of

to their reception

Mr. Fillmore's constituents, however, notwithstanding the uniformity of his votes in Congress sustaining the right of petition, were not satisfied with his views upon that

and other subjects connected with the delicate question There was then in Erie county an antiof slavery. slavery

society,

who regarded

the considerations con-

nected with that subject as paramount to w^hen Mr. citizens

Fillmore

was again placed by

the people,

before

all

for

a

seat

in

others, his

and

fellow

the twenty-

sixth Congress, the chairman of a committee appointed

by that society addressed the following interrogatories Mr. Fillmore

to

:

" 1st.

subject

Do you

believe that petitions to Congress on the

of slavery

received, read,

and the slave trade ought

to

be

and respectfally considered by the repre«

sentatives of the people

1

" 2d. this

Are you opposed to the annexation of Texas to Union under any circumstances, as long as slaves are

held therein "

3d.

?

Are you

constitutional

in favor of

power

it

Congress exercising

all

the

possesses to abolish the internal

slave trade between the states

]

240

LIFE OF MILLARD FILLMORE.

" Are you in favor of immediate

legislation

abolition of slavery in the District of

From

for the

Columbia 1 "

the subjoined reply to the above questions, Mr.

Fillmore's views are fully ascertained

and appreciated

upon the subjects under consideration:

"Sir:

— Your

"Buffalo, October

17th, 1838.

communication of the 15th

chairman of a committee appointed by

'

The

inst.,

Anti-slavery

Society of the County of Erie,' has just com.e to hand.

am much

I

engaged, and have no time to enter into an

argument or ion.

as

to explain at length

I shall, therefore, content

answering

all

my

reasons for

myself

my

opin-

for the present

by

your interrogatories in the affirmative, and

leave for some future occasion a morg ext^j^ed discussion of the subject. I would, however, take this occasion to say, that in thus frankly giving

desire to

At

have

it

my

opinion, I

would not

understood in the nature of a pledge.

the same time that I seek no disguises, but freely give

sentiments on any subject of interest to those for whose suffrages I am a candidate, I am opposed to giving

my

any pledges that shall deprive

me

hereafter of all discre-

tionary power. " My own character must be the guarantee for the general

my legislative deportment. On subject I am bound to deliberate before

correctness of

every im-

portant

I act,

and

especially as a legislator, to possess myself of all the in-

formation,

adduced by

and

my

listen

to

every argument that can be

associates, before I give a final vote.

If

I stand pledged to a particular course of action, I cease

LIFE OF MILLARD FILLMORE. to be a responsible agent, but I

241

become a mere machine.

Should subsequent events show, beyond all doubt, that the course I had become pledged to pursue was ruinous to my constituents and disgraceful to myself, I have no alternative, no opportunity for repentance, to absolve

power

me

from

my

and there

obligations.

is

no

Hence the

impropriety, not to say absurdity of giving a pledge. " I am aware that you have not asked any pledge, and I believe I

know your sound judgment and good

well to think you desire any such thing.

sense too

It was, however,

to prevent any misrepresentation on the part of others,

that I have subject. " I

felt

it

my

duty to say thus much on

this

am, respectfully, your most ob't servant,

"Millard Fillmore.

W.

*'

Mills, Esq., Chairman, &c."

Here, by an emphatic, unequivocal affirmative reply to the questions proposed by the chairman, his views are

upon the right of petition on the subject of the Distri<3t of Columbia. There is certainly

fully elicited

slavery in

power of conciliation embraced courtoous and respectful deference to the

an

effective

such views

differ

in

widely from our own.

If the northern and southern states into

consideration the important

many members ative

feelings

A and

both public and private stations, is the surest way of quelling excitements, even though

views of others,

much

in them.

is

liberty,

11

fa-ct,

of a united family,

would but take

that they are

whose maternal

so

deriv-

and study their relative duties as such,

LIFE OF MILLARD FILLMOREV

242

other's

institutions,

peculiar

would be

upon the subject of ea(^ muck trouble and alarns

excited

instead of being so

instead of croaking disunion, ruin,

If,

allayed.

slavery, and civil war, they

would occupy

ative ground, conceding to each their

liberal conserv-

own

views, and

manifest a respectful bearing to those entertaining them^, the storm clouds would soon roll from the political horizon,

and leave us with a clear national sky, each independent star undimned.

would be

of the country

If the public servants

willing, in the true spirit of liberality, to

some concessions, instead

make

of piercing each other with the

porcupine quills of sectional partisanship, our Congress,, instead of becoming a gladiatorial amphitheatre for ban-

dying opprobrious epithets and originating

affairs

of honor,

would be an assemblage

of patriots studiously endeavoring promote the national welfare. When, in the spirit of mutual concession and good-will, the north and the south to

will shake

&

hands across Mason

their animosities in the hav^e attained a

Than Mr.

'*

Dixon's Line^ and bury

tomb of oblivion, we

consummation devoutly

will certainly

to be wished."

Fillmore, no one has evinced a greater

or manifested

more

He

of a dangerous tendency. in his views

desire,,

solicitude in subduing all excitements

upon what tends

is

no partisan, though firm

to the public good.

In a

long career of usefulness to his country, he has discharged the duties of

official

ative principles,

and

station in

a

upon the soundest conserv-

spirit of

liberality,

the greatest anxiety of equal rights to of party faction or local prejudice.

all,

showing

irrespective

Mr. Fillmore, as a

LIFE OP MILLAED FILLMORE. statesman, though

decisive

and

243

patriotic, is

eminently

conciliatory.

There

whose cull

is

life

not in the Union another

man

so

has been devoted to public service,

from his antecedents so

many

much

of

who can

evidences of concilia-

tory capacities.

In the defence of the right of petition, side by side we again find him with the immortal Clay, earnestly, though in a minority party, defending those liberal conciliatory

principles. hibit

His whole congressional career was an exand a casual retro-

of earnest desire to be useful,

spect of

it

when we

arrive at its close will be sufficient

to convince us of their gratification.

244

LIFE OF MILLARD FILLMORE.

CHAPTER

VII.

— The outrageous conduct of the Caroline — Mr. Fillmore's

His views on the subject of public defence

—Awful —A urging redress

fate

of British oflScers resolution

— He rage

committee reports upon the out-

opposes the report

— Prompt, but not excitable — — The celebrated Jersey

His sohcitude for the northern frontier

—

— Mr. Fillmore's determination to — Foul — Proceedings of the committee on — — Letter Democratic contestants successful play uents — Twenty-seventh Congress — Great change — Party poh— Harrison and the Whig party— The nominal president — — Committee of ways and means — John treachery of the country — Giant of the twenty-seventh Con— Equal to the emergency— Great innovations. gress case

gate

it

Its

investi-

importance

elections

fairly

to his constit-

tics

Dis-

Tyler's

tress

efforts

"We have Fillmore

felt

before indicated that,

as

a legislator, Mr.

the necessity in time of peace of being pre-

pared for war, and making such arrangements for public defence as would be necessary to protect the national

honor and prosperity against any sudden or unforeseen attack or outrage. His course in the present Congress, in regard to the requirement of redress

from Great Britain,

for an outrage perpetrated upon the northern frontier,

upon the subject of public defence more and also furnishes evidence of his activity as a

sho^ys his views fully,

member

The

of Congress.

cause for the demand for redress on the part of

Congress, originated in the dastardly conduct of a British officer stationed at

Chippewa,

in

Canada,

in

command

of

a

LIFE OF MILLAED FILLMORE.

245

large body of troops, toward a citizen of Buffalo, in seiz-

ing a vessel belonging to him, then plying on Niagara River.

It

was during the Canadian

Patriot war.

Chippewa,

McNab,

fitted

they

the British officer in

command

at

out an expedition against the Caroline,

the vessel alluded to. fired

insurrection, or the

On

the twenty-ninth of December,

a heavy volley of musketry into fhe vessel at

Black Rock, on the American

She sustained no

side.

and had the outrage have been done. But harm no would stopped here, great after nightfall, while cabled at Schlosser's dock, and after

injury, however, from this

insult,

the larger part of the crew were asleep, she

by the piratical expedition of

McNab,

over the rapids of Niagara,

set on

wrapped

in

was boarded fire,

and sent

flames,

with

twelve souls on board.

On

the 5th of January, 1838, Mr.

Van Buren

sent a

message to the senate and house of representatives, in regard to the northern frontier, of which the following

an extract

:

is

" Present experience on the southern bound-

ary of the United States and the events

now

daily occurr-

ing on our northern frontier, have abundantly

shown that

the existing laws are insufficient to guard against hostile

invasion from the United States of the territory of friendly

and neighboring nations."

In the senate, on the recep-

tion of the message,

"Mr. Clay

rose to express his full conviction of the

some early action on this important subject. No spectacle could be more revolting to the feelings of a necessity of

free people than either a

another country.

war among themselves or with of the executive met his

The views

LIFE OF MILLARD FILLMORE.

246

highest approbation

examine, and

if

but

;

it

was the duty of Congress to

the existing laws were not adequate to

prevent the alleged interference of our citizens, others should be forthwith enacted for the

He

of an object so desirable.

full

accomplishment

adverted in connection to

the vexatious and unsettled state of our northern boundary,

which

state

of things tended to increase the danger

which now threatened

He

us.

had witnessed a similar

course of policy, on the part of our citizens, during recent

occurrences of a similar character in another quarter, on

which

subject, however,

ions, nor should

a subject

embodied

he had never expressed

This, in the senate, was

he do so now."

of very great

his opin-

interest,

and the sentiments

message were approved by most of the members. The necessity of placing the northern leading in the

frontier in a position of protection, after the perpetration

of so flagrant an outrage against ship,

to

and revolting

be overlooked.

to

humanity

Canada,

all

neutrality relation-

itself,

was too paramount

as

the

rendezvous

of an

armed band of twenty-five hundred soldiers, led by such hyenas as McNab, who would not hesitate to send an unarmed crew, engaged

in their daily

avocation, in a

burning ship over the cataract of Kiagara, was too contiguous to the territory of the United States not to excite serious alarm on the part of the national legislatures.

The message coming up

in

Congress the same day, Mr.

Fillmore offered the following resolution

:

"Resolved, that the president be requested to communicate to this house any information in his possession of acts endangering the amicable

relations

between this

LIFE OF MILLARD FILLMORE,

goYeTnment and

tliat

of Great Britain, either

jects of Great Britain, or by our

Canada

247

own

by the sub-

citizens,

on the

and what measures have been adopted

frontier,

by the executive

to preserve

our neutrality with said

kingdom, or repel invasion from a foreign country that he furnish the information called for

;

and

by each of these

resolutions, in separate communications."

Various resolutions and amendments were presented,

among

others an

the president

all

amendment by Mr. Adams,

requiring of

documents and information

in

regard to

the preservation of our neutrality with Mexico and the British provinces north of the United States.

An amendment follows

" :

And

municate to

this

to this

was

offered

by Mr. Fillmore, as

that the president be requested to com-

house any additional information

in his

possession of acts endangering the amicable relations of

government and that of Great Britain, either by the subjects of Great Britain or by our own citizens, on the Canadian frontier, and what measures have been adopted this

by the executive to preserve our neutrality with that In support of this amendment Mr. Fillmore •kingdom." remarked, that the house was aware that there had been,

and now was, a great excitement existing on the Niagara and that there had been movements in Buffalo in

frontier,

reference to the revolution

now

raging in Canada.

They

were probably aware that an armament had been fitted out, mostly by American citizens, which had made a stand upon tory, in

two

Navy

Island, which

is

within British terri-

Niagara River, twenty miles from Buffalo, and

or thi'ee miles above the Falls, the lowest point at

LIFE OF MILLARD FILLMORE.

248

which a crossing can be

mam

safely effected from the

shore."

Mr. Fillmore here gave a of

McNab upon

full

account of the outrage

the United States government, in the

destruction of the Caroline, and read letters, containing of the same, and desired to

full particulars

know

if the-

president was in possession of any information in regard

Mr.

to the proceedings.

support of his original

Adams made some remarks

in

amendment, indicating that the

various suggestions and amendments were postponing the question, and deferring action

upon

until

it

it

would be

too late to accomplish their object.

In reply to the remarks of Mr. Adams, Mr. Fillmore said he " could not conceive how his proposition could possibly tend to embarrass the action of the house upon,

the resolution offered by the committee on foreign It

was

certainly very easy for the president to

guish between the for

by the

other

way

different kinds of information

He

different propositions.

had

it

For

if it

in

were

would take

to expose

offered

it

its

it

in the

to

it

it

its^

now

offered as an independent resolu-

place behind

all

such a

risk,

others

now on

the

would not permit

and he had,

therefore,,

form of an amendment to the original

resolution of the committee on foreign

shape he hoped " As to the

and

any form which would secure

Its great importance

speaker's table.

him

sought

tried every

immediate consideration, excepting that in which stood.

distin-

to bring his proposition before the house,

could not present

tion, it

affairs.

affaii's,

in

which

would pass.

expression which he had used in relatioB

LIFE OF MILLARD FILLMOEE. to the

249

disturbances of the Niagara frontier, that this

country was on the eve of a war with Great Britain,

But certainly was too strong an expression. danimminent that there was the facts demonstrated it

perhaps all

The

ger of such a result.

citizens of the

United States,

while in the peaceful pursuit of their business, had been attacked by an armed force from a foreign nation, and a portion of the militia of the country

"He

is

even now ordered

such hostility.

to repel

well

knew

that the spirit of the people on the

would not permit them These to stand tamely by, and witness such assaults. were facts, vouched for by respectable citizens as true United States side of that

and authentic

;

frontier

and he must ask

if

they were not such as

to warrant the offering of such a proposition as he

moved.

It

makes no

difference,

had

he contended, whether

one or one hundred miles of the territory of the United States has been invaded by the arms of a fq^ign nation

the jurisdiction of this country

utmost limits of her

territory.

was attacked had been carrying revolutionists on

Navy

is

;

coextensive with the

Even

if

the vessel which

inunitions of

Island, she

war

was only

the

to

liable,

he

contended, to be attacked while within the British lines.

As

it

was, he agreed with the gentleman from Massachu-

setts,

(Mr. Adams,) that there was scarcely a parallel to

this act it

upon the pages of our history as a nation

was to suppose an absolute impossibility,

for a

;

and

moment

to imagine that the people on that frontier will ever submit to the occurrence of such acts, without complaint and redress.

It was, therefore, in any view, highly important

11*

t

LIFE OF MILLARD FILLMORE.

250 that the

house should obtain

all

possible information

upon a subject so important." These extracts are sufficient indications of Mr.

Fill-

more's patriotism, in resisting the taunts and insults of a Buffalo being so near the seat of

neighboring nation. strife

during the insurrectionary movements of the Cana-

dians in 1837-8, that

hensions should be

commercial

is

it

not surprising, serious appre-

by the

felt

citizens

interests, especially after

concerning her

such an outrage as

had been committed upon the Caroline by McNab. The following extract from some remarks of Mr. Fillmore's, delivered on a subsequent occasion in Congress,

shows the views he entertained upon the neces-

means of public defence. It was while urging the adoption of some resolutions he had presented sity of preparing

and the neu-

relative to the northern frontier difficulties,

trality of our government toward that of Great Britain.

An Individ^

had been

arrested,

in certain disturbances,

and the

raging most

The

urging

fiercely.

before

elicitation

Congress

who was

resolutions

passed,

and

of all the correspondence

governments

in

a participant

frontier excitement

was

which he was resulted

in

the

between the two

regard to the transactions of the British

troops, and the frontier

difficulties generally.

The

occur-

rences growing out of the insurrections in Canada were of a very unpleasant nature.

Buflfalo, situated

not

much

further than a stone's throw from Canada, of course in incessant alarm,

dreading a repetition

upon her commerce Caroline,

as

by McNab,

was in

inflicted

the

fall

of.

was

such outrages

upon the unfortunate of

1837.

After the

LIFE OF MILLARD FILLMORE,

251

correspondence had been laid before Congress,

it

was

referred to the appropriate committee to report thereon.

The

report

with

it

made by the committee to whom the correspondence was referred was so inflammatory, and coupled such evidences of bitter

hostility,

whose evident

tendencies were to excite rather than allay the existing

many members

troubles, that

against

its

of the house were decidedly

his patriotism,

Notwithstanding he felt his country had

mous conduct

of

for

was Mr. Fillmore.

these

Among

adoption.

and the just cause which

being indignant at the infa-

McNab, and

other outrages she had

endured, his conciliatory nature forbade his concurrence in

a report whose tone was to fied his

and not

Satis-

allay.

country had been insulted, with the truest dignity

he was the

way

excite,

resent

first to

to resent

it.

But there was a proper

and, with characteristic firmness and delib-

;

eration, that proper

way he wished

pacific negotiations.

And

if all

to be the executor of

other

means

failed, then

the sword.

These are of national

his principles in difficulties

—

regard to the adjustment

principles of

which

public career has been an exemplification.

his

whole

Prompt and

conciliatory, he leaves no means untried to retain amica-

ble relations

;

but

and decided, he

is

if

those measures

fail,

equally prompt

ready to meet the emergency.

case of the Canada troubles, he was

first to

In this

introduce a

resolution in the house, asking information, etc.

When

the information was received, and the committee reported thereon, he

opposed the report because

fraught with too

much

excitement.

Try

its

tone was

pacific, concilia-

LIFE OF MILLARD FILLMORE.

252

tory measures

first,

if

No man

expedients.

they

has

then resort to other

fail,

ever

been more prompt

iis

resenting national insults than has Mr. Fillmore, and

by he has man-

the sound judgment and spirit of conciliation

none

ifested,

has evinced

a

This

is

elicit

into the pro-

the warmest esteem.

a combination rarely possessed to the same ex-

by the

tent

awe

or those better adapted to

qualities,

foundest respect, while they

legislators of the country

;

it is

yet

certainly

The

one of the most essential to correct statesmanship.

ready to make every consistent

by

all

here.

he

effort for peace,

case of failure, equally ready for war

But one

— while he

man

very tenor of the subjoined shows the

"

of

happier combination

is,

is

in

:

mind

thing, at all events, should be borne in

whose duty requires them to act on this subject There is a great state of excitement on that which migJit hy possibility lead

frontier,

an outhreah.

to

My

objection to the printing of the report was, that

was

calculated to inflame the public mind

governed

in that

vote by three reasons.

it

and I was

;

In the

first

place,

I did not wish that anything should be done here which

might have a tendency

who

is

York.

to

do injustice to the individual

soon to be tried by the laws of the state of I desire that the law should have

its

that no excitement should be raised against

which might prevent a

fair

and impartial

Xew

free action,

McLeod,

trial.

In the

second place, I do not desire that any action on the part of this house should

compromise or control the executive now pending between

of this nation in the negotiations the

government of the United States and the government

LIFE OF MILLAED FILLMORE.

I have all confidence in the incoming

of Great Britain. administration.

253

If this controversy can be amicably and

honorably settled between the two governments, I desire that

should.

it

But there

a third and very strong

is

my mind against anything being done to exasthe perate public mind on the subject of war with Great reason in

It

Britain. all

is

this

:

tion,

which

for three or four years I

my

the exertions in

power

responsible to the country, to provide

is

means

of defence on our northern frontier.

efforts

were

in vain.

And

Carolina (Mr. Pickens)

pursued to her that,

to avoid a

—

tells

—

But

I

I

if

preparations

to stand

up

may have been

mis-

to

avoid a war with Great Britain,

reasonable

is

and

know

would submit

prepared to meet her,

my

to take a high stand;

he says, will avert a war.

words.

all

us that the course to be

war with Great Britain

taken in the meaning.

But

some

yet the gentleman from South

now

threaten her

to

have used

to induce this administra-

there for

I

that those were not his

him that the best way to is to show that we are is

to be

defence

war;

because

are better than

gasconading."

Mr. Fillmore then alluded to the defenceless condition of the northern frontier.

He

the whole country desired, that

we should

desired,

and believed

yield nothing to

the demands of Great Britain, to which she was not fairly entitled.

But, at the same time, he regarded

the act of a

war before man.

it

it

as rather

madman, to precipitate the country was prepared for it, than the act of a

into

a

states-

In his section of country, the people would yield

nothing to Great Britain to which she was not justly en-

LIFE OF MILLARD FILLMORE.

254

would yield

titled; or they

But he

their blood. into

war

i\}i^

not

only with the last drop of

did not wish prematurely to be

if

we had

of bragging.

way find

his

The

coast.

come

yet to

people

If

it

true plan it

was

were

but to do.no' aing in

;

not

we made was stir

the

—

their property,

willing

to

a declaration of war, to prepare for ;

and

their if

devote,

But

wisdom and prudence, before

part of

he desired

all

would

from their just share

need be, to the service and honor of their country. it

in-

to prepare

did come, gentlemen

shrinking

— they everything

lives,

to

All they had

of responsibility.

was

drawn

war; he did not wish to invite Great Britain to

vade our defenceless for

it

if

this report

it

This

?

was calculated

to

up a war feeling, without corresponding preparation

being

made

opposed

to

to it.

meet the consequences, he, for one, was He did not wish the country to be dis-

When

graced by defeat.

to see her prepared for

it

she must go to war, he desired ;

he desired to see her placed in

a situation which would enable her to bid defiance to the

power of any government on earth."

No member

of Congress manifested the solicitude, in

regard to fortifying

and putting

in a condition of

the northern frontier that Mr. Fillmore did.

he put forth in that body

were incessant.

for the

defence

The

labors

attainment of this object

Living on that frontier himself, he had

the fairest opportunities of understanding and appreciating the evils incident to their defenceless condition, open as

was

it

to the inroads of an insurrectionary soldiery.

The

deliberations of the twenty-sixth Congress com-

menced amid the greatest excitement engendered by the

LIFE OF MILLARD FILLMORE. contest for their seats by the

255

New Jersey members. On the

second of December, the clerk of the house called the

when he got pronouncing the name

of the members, and

to the state of

Jersey, after

of one

roll

New

member from

that state, he remarked that the seats of five of the six representatives of that state were contested.

Considerable

feeling upon the subject ensued immediately in the house,

New Jersey representation. Mr. Fillmore, on the second day of the session, while various propositions were being made, arose and desired in regard to the claims of the

that

all

the facts and the

laid before

law regulating the case be

the house before proceeding to debate the

This was a case of great importance, in which the rights of a sovereign state were involved, and he felt matter.

much

interest

in

behalf of the

Jersev members, and

evinced a determination, at this early stage of the proceedings, to

commence

its

regulating such cases.

investigation upon facts and laws

Had

this wise course

been pur-

sued when subjected to the law and the evidence governing elections, the difficulties of the

several

claimants

would have been easily adjusted, and, instead of deferring the organization of the house for weeks by an incessant

wrangle over individual opinions,

it

would have been

or-

ganized immediately.

That portion of the

New

Jersey members who pre-

sented certificates of election endorsed by the executive of the state averred they had a right to their seats under

the laws of the country, and a right of participation in the proceedings of the house, until effected, and the oaths of office

its

came

organization

was

to be administered.

LIFE OF MILLARD FILLMOEE.

256

On

who had

the third day of the session the clerk,

fered with the organization

Xew

members from

of the

by a refusal

inter-

to call the roll

Jersey, upon the ground of

conflicting evidence, proposed reading a prepared docu-

ment

to the house,

purporting to lay information before

reading of this prepared document, on the ground that

was calculated

to

produce false impressions

the claimants to seats from

On was

the 16th of

effected,

had but

and

fairly

it

Several members objected to the

concerning the case.

New

regard to

Jersey.

December an organization still

in

it

of the house

the investigation of the Jersey case

commenced.

Mr. Fillmore was appointed

one of the committee on elections, the responsibilities of which, next to those devolving upon that of ways and

means were,

in

view of the contested Jersey

case, the

greatest belonging to any committee of the house.

the 28th

of February the

On

house adopted a resolution

directing the committee on elections to report forthwith,

which

five of the ten delegates

state of

Xew

claiming seats from the

Jersey received the largest

at the election in that state in the

more was anxious of which

number

is

to

amend

of votes

Mr.

Fill-

the resolution, the substance

embraced above so as

of lawful votes.

number

year 1838,

He was

to read, the greatest

anxious the case should

be fairly investigated, and so adjusted as to do justice to all parties.

In view of-the above resolution, and the fact

that in the adjudication of the case there tion to take all sorts of votes into account, in his possession that illegal votes

election

before

was a

disposi-

and of evidence

had been polled

at the

mentioned, Mr. Fillmore introduced a

LIFE OF MILLAED FILLMORE.

257

subsequent resolution, in substance, as follows

That

:

the committee take their report into consideration, with instructions to ascertain, with all possible dispatch, five of the

ten claimants to seats

from

New

which Jersey

received the greatest amount of lawful votes at the pre-

ceding congressional election in that state.

The solicitude he felt in regard to that contest was exceeded by that of no member in the house \ but in this, he was determined that his great life principle should govern him, and that right should be his aim, in connection with

its

investigation.

The law and

the facts were what

he wished laid before the house, the second day of the the law and the facts were what he desired ta session

—

ascertain

still.

developed his

Indications, of an unfair issue

in the house,

and

to counteract

whole great talents and energies

ful investigation

ballot-box.

The

of the whole

affair,

had become

them he threw

into a fair

and law-

commencing

at \^q

report that had been made* to Congress

established the right of five claimants to seats, to the

exclusion

of

som^e

valid than theirs,

if

whose claims were evidently more subjected to the strictly legal inves-

tigation proposed by Mr. Fillmore's

On

New

the tenth of

resolution.

the democratic contestants from

March

Jersey were recognized as members of the twenty-

sixth Congress, duly qualified, and took their seats, under

a resolution to that nition

was

effect,

with a proviso that such recog-

any way, to interfere with any subse-

not, in

quent investigations the committee might think proper to institute.

Their

firmed by the

title to

final

seats in

that body was

con-

adoption of the majority report of the

258

LIFE OF MILLARD FILLMORE.

committee on

On

elections, the sixteenth of July.

the

adoption of this report, the minority report of the com-

A

mittee was presented.

portion of the committee on

among whom was

elections,

Mr. Fillmore, was satisfied

that three of the gentlemen, (whigs,) excluded by the adoption

of the majority report,

were entitled

to

seats,

and

'had been dealt with unfairly by being deprived of them

After through testimony believed to be incompetent. in all the evidence the from case, that being satisfied these three whigs were the rightful claimants to seats,

Mr. Fillmore became warmly interested

in their behalf.

But a majority of both the house and the committee were against him the whole investigation was conducted upon party considerations, and in a legislative body where the ;

majority was democratic, and on a committee where the

majority were opposed to his views, the result was what

—

the whigs, to a man, were might have been anticipated excluded, and the democrats admitted.

The views he the whig

entertained in regard to the justness of

claimants, were

minority of the committee,

endorsed by a respectable

who

presented the

referred to, elaborately giving their views

upon the whole


final

the 6th of

is

March preceding the

adoption of the majority report adjusting the Jersey

contest, in

the substance of a part of which

On

above enumerated.

report

and convictions

its

when

fiercest

remarks

the excitement in regard to heat, Mr.

Fillmore, while

in reference to the superior

those embraced in called to order.

it

was raging

making some

claims to seats of

the minorit}^ report, was suddenly

Appeal was made

to

the chair,

who

LIFE OP MILLARD FILLMORE.

259

decided Mr. Fillmore was in order, and had a right to

proceed with his remarks.

The

objector appealed from

of the chair to the

this decision

members

of the house.

Mr. Fillmore then required the gentleman to reduce his point of order to writing, saying that he had been often

enough put down by a mere numerical force in everything Gentlemen on the relating to this New Jersey election. other side would hear nothing

—

see nothing

— but would

decide everything.

The

objector

decision of the

a

by

leap in

for their

appeal from the

was determined

that

force

reason, propriety, and

Congress

in his

and Mr. Fillmore was silenced

chair,

numerical all

was sustained

favorite

to

over-

securing seats

fairness, in

claimants.

As

a free-

man, representing as high-toned a constituency in the national Congress as any over which that body exercised one that had proven the highest appreciation jurisdiction

—

by

his third election as their representative

felt

indignant at this infringement

speech.

It

was not the

first

— Mr. Fillmore

upon the freedom of

time during the exciting

Jersey controversy a disposition had been manifested the dominant

party to render

inefficient as possible,

by

resorts to various tricks

by

his talented opposition as

calls of previous questions

of legislative chicanery.

and

The

firm stand he took, on the second day of the session, to

have the

affair

investigated by subjecting

it

to the infalli-

ble test of law and facts, and his subsequent avowals and

determined energy to have justice prevail, made him an antagonist

much

to be feared

j

and the talents they could

260

LIFE OF MILLARD FILLMORE.

not compete with in argument, they resolved to silence

by questions of order. Speaking of the unworthy manner in which Mr. Fillmore was treated on this occasion, a leading paper in "

When

New

York made the following remarks

a party or faction,

for the time

being

:

the

in

majority, are resolved to accomplish merely party objects, to break through

all rules

rights of the minority,

it

and trample on the laws and

has always been deemed expedi-

ent to prostrate. the freedom of speech, in order that the

enormity of their acts

may

not be exposed on the

This has been eminently the fact the

Xew

few days

in the

spot..

management

Jersey case in the house of representatives. since,

of

A

Mr. Fillmore, a member of the committee

on elections, in adxlressing the house, attempted to read a resolution passed by the committee, which was decided not to be in order.

He

speech without reading

then attempted to proceed in his it,

and the house decided he had

which

lost his right to speak, except

by

he scorned to accept, refusing

to receive, as a matter of

their permission,

grace from a majority, what he claimed as a

Mr. Fillmore,

after receiving

right.'"

such treatment from the

house, and seeing the utter hopelessness of being heard in the halls of Congress, addressed a letter to his constit-

uents, in

which he went into a detailed elaboration of the

Jersey case, and

The

letter is

judgment statesman.

more

all

the difficulties connected therewith.

an able document, evincing the soundest

and the wisest patriotism as a The following extracts from it will indicate

as a legislator,

fully his

views in regard to that the most exciting sub

LIFE OF MILLARD FILLMORE. of the

ject

Speaking of the

Congress.

twenty-sixth

261

ourageous proceedings of the majority party, he says *' Let us, like true philosophers, draw wisdom from :

calamity, and turn to that revered charter of our

this

liberties

clude

and calmly review

its

its

The

witnessed.

which has just been each house

constitution provides that,

tions of its

own members.'

qualifica-

It is clear that this clause

the

of the constitution created

house a high judicial

tribunal to hear and finally determine;

secondly,

1

and

shall be the judge of the election returns

;'

con-

venerated authors contemplated a proceeding

so revolting and dangerous as that

'elected

we

provisions, before

who was

'returned

;'

first,

who was

thirdly,

whether

the person thus elected and returned possessed the requisite

'

qualifications.'

I conceive that these three subjects

of judicial investigation

by the house are entirely disto confound them must inevi-

tinct, and that any attempt tably lead to confusion and

" It is obvious that one

receiving the greatest

some accident or

error.

man may be

number

duly elected, by

of legal votes

fraud, another

may

;

and

that,

by

be duly returned

;

and that a man may be duly elected and returned, and for the constitution expressly yet not be qualified " that no declares, person shall be a representative who ;

shall not have attained the age of twenty -five years, and been seven years a citizen of the United States; and who shall not, when elected, be an inhabitant of that state in

which he

"

shall be chosen.'

Mr. Fillmore continues length, showing

that

his letter at

the

parties,

in

some considerable the investigation

LIFE OF MILLAKD FILLMORE.

262 raised no

questions upon the most important of these

He

constitutional requisitions.

shows that

their inquiries

were directed upon the election and return, without any attention to qualification whatever.

After showing with

great clearness the partiality evinced in the adjudication of the case, and the palpable violations of the constitution

"

it

I,

developed, he says therefore, submit

stituents, to

whom

I

it

am

:

to you, as

my immediate conmy official act, to

responsible for

say whether I have done right in opposing this disorganizing and unlawful proceeding from the

whether I have done right

commencement;

in insisting that the persons,

only, returned should, in the first instance, take their seats

whether I have done

right, after these returns

;

and the

laws and commissions from the executive of a sovereign were trampled under foot, to insist on a full inquiry

state

into all the frauds charged, to ascertain

and, finally, whether I did right,

when

who was I

elected

;

saw the most

venerated and sacred principle of the constitution about to be desecrated,

and the right of speech tyrannically

suppressed, to stand up and resist the despotic assumption of

power to the last." His reelection to the next Congress, by a larger majority than was ever given in his district to any congressional aspirant, told in the plainest terms that he

was

right.

Before going into the investigation of Mr. Fillmore's career in the twenty-seventh Congress,

it is

necessary to

notice briefly the passing current of intermediate events, replete with glorious

results

to

our

common

country,

LIFE OF MILLARD FILLMORET.

263

but which were afterwards a source of the most mournful melancholy.

Another political revolution had swept over the country and nipped the opening flower of progressive democracy with a withering blight. Van Burenism and the adherent Jacksonian administration had been

of the

principles

eclipsed by the unprecedented triumph of the hero of

Tippecanoe. The campaign of 1840, between Harrison and Van Buren, was, perhaps, the most exciting that ever occurred in

our political

annals.

Unprecedented was

the intensity of feeling that manifested itself on every hill

and

in

every vale

of the Union,

from Maine to

Texas.

Old party lines were destroyed

;

the rivalrous feelings

of factional antagonisms were subdued

;

the adherents to

democratic principles, so long in the ascendant, seemed to forget

the

hero of

New

Orleans,

whose

star,

though

resplendent with the halo of ''battle target red," had

gone down.

Men

"

of all parties seemed, for once, to bury

of a radical

the animosities

partisanship,

change," the evanescence of whose label

"

Change,'*

is

stamped upon all earthly measures, seemed to be the watchword of each *' battalion, that, to the notes of Tippecanoe and hard

The

cider,"

marched

victory

was a glorious one and, but for the perfidy of a would have resulted in a triumphant

into the political battle of 1840. ;

partisan Iscariot,

establishment

and

vindication

of

conservative,

time-

honored principles. Harrison was borae into executive mightiest tide of revolution

—of

power by the

prosperity

—

to the

whig

LIFE OF MILLARD FILLMORE.

264

party that ever swelled the current of national politics

Whig

principles

had not only been successful

in his

elevation to the presidency, but were brightly in

the

'

ascendancy

in

both branches of the national legislature.

So triumphant had been the

revolution, that the veteran

chief at the head of affairs could looli

long line of subordinate

officials,

down through

a

and see a large majority

marshaled under the same banner.

In Congress, a large

majority presented an array of patriotic talent, rendered

courageous by their success, to sustain his administration.

The by

by the successful charge led Macedonian phalanx around

senate, reinvigorated

their

Clay,

a

stood

their civic chief, ready to vindicate his

Of

this

been predicted; and, upon the tions that

marked the

ism, the sage of

line of

results

had

terrific ruins of old institu-

march pursued by Jacksonto build them up again

Ashland thought

in all their primal purity.

been fought and

administration.

most glorious

administration the

The

great battle of 1840 had

won under banners

inscribed with the

avowed

flung to the breeze,

principles of a party

whose

maturity they presumed would be the result of victory. After that victory had perched upon their banners, as the surest

means of putting those

operation, on the thirty -first of

principles into successful

May, 1841, an extra

session

of Congress was called. But, before the convention of that Congress that was to be a realization of the hopes entertained

by the whig

party, Harrison died, and in his grave was buried the

prospects of the whig party.

Enshrouded

sheet as dark — aye, darker, because

it

in a

winding-

was the blackness of

LIFE OF MILLARD FILLMOEE. treachery

—

ples were

as

265

wrapped their lamented chief, their princiJohn Tyler, like Judas Iscariot,

buried.

betrayed his master

and, with a

;

more horrid

steel

than

Cascas' blade, murdered the party that placed him in

power.

Tyler was called President at the time the twentyseventh Congress

By what

was so designated, I shall not presame right, I presume, the famous

right he

tend to say.

By

met.

first

the

Captain Kidd retained the name of Captain

commissioned

to clear the seas of pirates

ting

among them, he buried

self,

and he was

is

certainly

he was

but, after get-

his Bible, turned pirate him-

In the cases, there

Captain Kidd.

still

;

:

some analogy.

Tyler was commissioned to assist

in the

promulgation

of whig principles, and upon the endorsement of those principles

was elected by

his

party

;

but when he came

and plunged

into power, like Kidd, he buried his

creed,

the stiletto of treason in

The infamous

tude

of

its

heart.

turpi-

Tyler, in the betrayal of his party, stands a

blackened monument of political treachery that will tower conspicuously through distant ages. president.

But we must discriminate.

And yet he was He was not pres-

was he president by the moral force He was elevated to the vice-pres-

ident by election, nor

of constitutional power.

have been president, in the true sense of the term, he should have been reelected idency by the people

;

but

to

upon the principles he endorsed, after his repudiation of After the those upon whose avowal he was elected. death of Harrison, the constitution empowered him to )2

LIFE OF MILLARD FILLMOREr

266

Did he do

take his place as president. chair,

but murdered his principles

,-

He

it ?

took the

instead, therefore, of

taking the place of Harrison, he took his chair merely

and

}

as executive, occupied a position directly opposite to

him, in the administration of the government.

The

reversional revolution produced

by the summerset

of whig principles, under the treachery of

Tyler,

was

almost as dark as the one of Harrison's election was glo-

The

rious.

great measures, whose enactment the party

anticipated with joyous gratification, were knocked

under the hammer of his veto with as

though he had been elected

The

old Harrison cabinet,

body-guard

by the winds,

off as-

expected to

selected as a

be carried out

seeing them cast to the four

administration, on their

hesitancv

for their express repudiation.

who had been

to the principles

resigned

little

places with

unfeigned

disgust.

The language applied to him by a distinguished gentleman who witnessed* with regret his dastardly conduct, for its

peculiar applicability

at the

change

is

worthy of

insertion.

in the aspect of affairs,

cause was the recreant Tvler, he exclaimed

"False to his friends and

to himself,

Looking

and knowing the :

he stands before

the American people as a warning alike in the disinterest-

edness of a patriot, the fidelity of an associate, and the

honor of a gentleman."

One

of his earliest measures, after his

was the veto of the bank session.

The

bill

inauguration,

passed by the

called

principle doings of his wrzZ-administration

consisted in his undoing.

The most commendable

he possessed, was a

developed imbecility.

finely

quality

LIFE OF MILLARD FILLMORE.

The most

efficient

services he rendered the country,

The

were those he withheld.

was

267

consistency of his deceit

the only spot in his character sufficiently bright to

The

be labeled with treason.

only bright sun that shone

administration was the one that set on

upon

his

day.

Hufus Choate would have

of language for

its

to cull

most opprobrious

its last

the vocabulary

epithets, to write

an

eulogy for John Tyler. "Is there not some chosen

Some hidden thunder

Red

Who

On

with

uncommon

owes

curse,

in the storms of heaven,

wrath, to blast the man,

his greatness to his country's ruin

'*

?

the assemblage of the twenty-seventh Congress, in

consequence of the experience and legislative capacity evinced on previous sessions, Mr. Fillmore was

made

chairman of the committee on ways and means, by the most responsible position in that body.

The most important measure

of the ever

twenty-seventh Congress was the passage

far

memorable

of the tariff of

The political revolution that placed the whigs in had made them hope for the establishment of many power other cherished measures belonging to the old whig creed. 1842.

The bank

bill,

as

we have

seen, passed

by Congress imme-

diately after the convention of its extra session

The

was vetoed.

distribution of the proceeds of the public lands

was

prevented through the faithless perfidy of the executive. Yet, than that body, never were legislators more faithful.

They had been placed

in

power by the uprising

masses of a people smarting under the lash of misrule, that

LIFE OF MILLARD FILLMORE.

§6S

had marked the course of national

A

of twelve years.

officials for

embodiment of patriotism never convened

The

gressional assembly.

before

them required

ance of

in

any con-

vast amount of labor looming

just such a Congress.

emphaticalh' a business of reconstruction.

country was

the period

nobler array of talent and a wiser

Theirs was

In 1823, the

prosperous condition under the safe guid-

in a

first principles.

Subsequent

to that period, " bar-

"

was saddled upon her purest patriots. Old and time-honored institutions were toppled from their

gain and intrigue

base, and regal assumptions of

the national executive

destroyed

:

the principles of

;

power were exercised by

the currency of the country was

Washington were forgotten

"who knew

another race arose up,

their progressive innovations

had

;

not Joseph ;" and in

left

a cancerated ulcer

upon the national system, that had been preying upon its yitals for a dozen years, with the most destructive

The

yirulence.

business of the present Congress was

its

ancy, as

them the people looked with hopeful expectthe great physician that was to extract the in-

fectious

seeds of extravagance and corruption that had

removal

;

to

found their

and were

way into

the very heart of the national system,

fast polluting

tuted organism.

The

every fibre of

its

delicately consti-

administration of Jackson

began

the work of demolition, and Van Buren, in the development

and elaboration of

his

magnified the ruin.

stupendous sub-treasury schemes,

The awful extravagancies

of these

administrations, the despotic assumptions incident to their

development, and the admirably concocted plans to secure

payment

to all officials,

were

it

not for names, times, and

LIFE OF MILLARD FILLMORE. places, the student of

ing the history of

269

them would conclude he was read-

some consulate

The enormous extravagance tures were so unparalleled

or triumvirate.

of government expendi-

that

serious

apprehensions

were entertained on the part of the people

in

regard to a

curtailment of iheir privileges, by the imposition of oner-

ous taxations to maintain a tyrannous oligarchj^ whose ad-

With

hesive principles were the loaves and fishes.

the

deepest solicitude, then, they looked for an alleviation of their distresses to

the

twenty-seventh Congress.

sequel will show they did not looli in vain.

The

The

political

revolution that placed a majority of whigs in the present

Congress developed a distressing condition of American nationality, rarely, if ever, witnessed in times of peace.

With sword

as in

little

compunction as Csesar

hand, he took the gold from \he

did,

when, with

Eoman

guards

making war against his own commonwealth, the treasury had been robbed, and its contents pandered to the caprice of a corrupt official crew, until it was alto aid

him

in

most bankrupt. The old system of protective policy had been tattered and torn piece from piece, until but fragmental shreds remained scarce once useful proportions. lation had, one

The

by one, been

sufficient to indicate its

reservoirs of specie circu-

eifectually demolished, until

from the happiest mediums of remittance and circulation, we had been hurled into the stagnant consequences of a

broken-down currency.

Commerce,

tures, the great heart of national

trade, and manufac-

prosperity, to

healthful pulsation a sound circulative currency sential as

is

is

the blood to the life- throb of the

whose as es-

human

270

LIFE OF MILLARD FILLMORE.

heart, in consequence of the destruction of these arterial facilities,

distress,

was

in a state of

Gloom,

hopeless inactivity.

and national depression stared

in the face of

the

twenty-seventh Congress, with the question, "Is there no balm in Gilead ? " On that Congress devolved the arduous task of taking the old ship of state from the high and dry strand whereon she was run by Jackson and Van Buren, and reconstructing her after the old model.

had

to

pour the

elixir of life into a

They

jaundiced nationality,

and

reinvigorate it with healthful vitality. They proved themselves worthy; and, with the cooperation of an effec-

whom they had been deprived by Providence and treachery, they would have relieved the

tive chief magistrate, of

public distress entirely.

As

before

remarked, the business of this Congress was a reorganization of things that had been so transformed into a pell-mell,

topsey-turvey heterogeneousness, that

powers, prerogatives, accounts and salaries, were

gamated system. salaries

in

indiscriminate

For

confusion,

years, nothing

without

had been fixed or

and expenditures had been particularly

all

amal-

order or definite

—

indefinite.

The

progressive rates of extravagant licentiousness developed in the few years preceding this would

Congress

have resulted, before now,

in the

quarters into sumptuous seraglios.

conversion of

Eight

official

faithfully did

they commence ihe work of investigation and retrenchment. Mr. Fillmore, from the of his peculiarity

position,

and with a natural acuteness of perception that sees any" rotten in Denmark " almost thing by intuition, was enabled to assist in discoveries of a startling nature.

LIFE OF IMILLARD FILL:\I0RE.

The

271

universal complaint of a financial distress, that

weighed like an incubus upon all departments of business and thrilled them with strokes of incurable paralysis, Congress very justly concluded must be attributable to

some remedial

cause.

But on investigating the condition

of the national system, the corruption which they

knew

was preying upon it was seen to have eaten much deeper than was imagined. It was an ulcer that would take time to heal. to

ascertain

•exerted

by

They th-e

instituted true searching committ-ees

extent

of

the

influences

corruptive

In this duty,

the precedent administrations.

these committees were faithful to the veiy letter.

The

first

discovery resulting from this scrutiny was the

economical proceedings of a

Van Buren

administration,

showed two hundred and eighty-seven dollars and a quarter for each member's stationery, for a period

Item

first,

of nine months, in a democratic Congress

;

item second,

showed twenty-five dollars for each member's wafers, for the same length of tim.e. These awful expenditures, and a perfect recklessness on the part of

duced the great

They

officials,

had pro-

financial crisis.

greatly diminished

appropriations, and boldly

the

amount of the annual

marched ahead

mendable work of retrenchment.

The

in the

com-

closer the investi-

gation, the deeper the infection of licentiousness

became

Every department of the whole government had become infected. The expenses of the machinery it was seen, were twice as enormous as they government, perceptible.

had been

in

former years, and they resolved on

efi'ecting

a

reduction to their reasonable limits before the political

LIFE OF MILLAED FILLMORE.

272

Eobespiere and Danton commenced their Eeign of Terror,

and raised the guillotine

to the

head of American

finance.

They spared tions, all

neither time nor pains in these investiga-

and counted by thousands

extravagance developed by

instances,

in their curtailments of

their scrutin3\

The many

and the largeness of the amounts lopped

off

by

these conservative financial excisors, would swell these

remarks to too great a length by their enumeration. The military expenses were greatly curtailed, and the whole system remodeled.

By reference

to the proceedings of that Congress, I find

that a complete transformation

was

effected in

a

little

The navy and the army were recipients of wise and judicious legislation extra pays, contingent allowances, and loose means of doing government business,

time.

;

were

all

went a

done away with. radical change.

In

Everything, in all

in

under-

these reformations, Mr.

Fillmore, as chairman of the committee of

means, led the van

fact,

ways and

the house, and helped to wipe out

the traces of political vermin that had usurped the offices of government for a

number

of years.

273

LIFE OF MILLARD FILLMORE.

CHAPTER Tariff of 1842

— A remedy —

for

Tariff

a feature in politics

Early statesmen's views

VIII.

an existing

men in

— Clay

all

evil

— Protective

tariff as

— Jackson's views — parties

calls

the American system

it

—

— Conclusions to be drawn Confrom his course in regard to the Tariff — His high position — The Morse xA.ppropriation — Cave Johnson — Close of his gress — Q. Adams and Mr. Fillmore — Campaign of congressional career — Mr. Fillmore urged as a — 1844 Prospects of the whig party — Defeat of Clay — Causes which candidate for the vice-presidency led to that result — Mr. Fillmore nominated for governor — Letter to Thurlow Weed — Foreign influence — Letter to Henry — Extracts showing the cause of defeat — The ComptrollerClay — arduous duties — His report to the state — abihty— ship Mr. Fillmore's speech on the Tariff

in

J.

Its

Its

His sympathy for the sufferers of the Emerald

The

tariff of

enumeration of

1S42 its

is

too well

Isle.

known

to require

principles in this connection.

an

Then

was regarded a wise measure, and denominated by Mr. Clay, The American svstem. The friends of the measure

it

were prompted by the immediate remedy of the times, to lend

it

for the distress

Like the old bank-

their support.

rupt law enacted by the same session,

it

was

to

meet the

demand

of an existing, but very undesirable necessity. Mr. Fillmore, though the author of that measure, was not ultra, or

prompted by any advocacy of it. He saw the

spirit of partisanship,

financial distress,

the measure would be remedial of

12*

it,

in his

and thought

and true to hia

LIFE OF MILLARD FILLMORE.

274

The

nature, he wished to test his conviction.

origination

of that measure by Mr. Fillmore, then, instead of being

construed into an endorsement of the peculiar views of a party in regard to protective policy, should be regarded as an earnest desire to of

remedy the existing

Men

evils.

from the

all

earliest days of the republic, parties, have been friends of a protective policy, though they have differed widely in regard to the establishment of

such systems.

It has been a leading feature in the his-

tory of party politics, from the earliest administrations.

The

country has, time and again, been convulsed with

disastrous revulsions, that have

made

the enactment of

different protective principles imperatively necessary. Periods of financial depression have existed, the only rem-

edial

agency of which consisted

protect the revenue. tions,

These

in certain

tariffs,

and

enactments to

tariff

modifica-

have resulted as did the one of 1842, from the ab-

solute necessities of Xh^ case.

Jackson himself was a

protectionist, convinced of its propriety

from

\\i^

wants

of the country at a particular time.

The advocacy

of a protective tariff has been regarded as

belonging to the whigs, exclusively,

an

article in the

of

all

and that measure as

whig creed, that received the repudiation

other parties.

The

following extract of a letter

from Jackson shows that men may entertain views favorable to protective principles, and not be whigs.

from peculiar exigencies, ure, as an

It shows,

men may advocate such

a meas-

immediate operative remedy, without reference

to the abstract principles involved in

platform of a great party.

The

it,

letter

as a plank in the

was written

to a

LIFE OF MILLARD FILLMORE. friend of the General's,

in

North Carolina,

275 in

August,

1824. *'I will

turist

what

ask,

Where has

?

surplus produce foreign nor a

when

there

is

is

the real situation of the agricul-

the American farmer a market for his

Except

?

home market.

has neither a

for cotton, he

Does not

this clearly proVe,

no market at home or abroad, that there

too niuch labor employed in agriculture at once points out the remedy.

Common

?

Take from

is

sense

agriculture in

the United States six hundred thousand men, women, and

and you

children,

market

will at once give a

for

more

Europe now furnishes us with. In short, sir, we have been too long subject to the policy of British merchants. It is time we should become breadstuffs than all *'

a

little

more Americamzed, and, instead of feeding

paupers and laborers of England, feed our own in a short time,

by continuing our present

;

policy,

or else,

we

shall

be paupers ourselves. ''It

is,

therefore,

cious tariff

is

my

opinion, that a careful and judi-

much wanted,

to afford us the

means

to

pay our national debt and

of that defence within ourselves

on which the safety of our country and

and

last,

liberties

depend

;

though not least, to give a proper distribution of

our labor, which must prove beneficial to the happiness, wealth, and independence of the community. " I

am

very respectfully, your odedient servant, **

Jefferson,

and

all

Andrew

Jackson."

the early presidents, irrespective of

party, saw clearly the necessity of establishing

some pro

LIFE OF MILLAED FILLMORE.

276 tective

to

measures,

remed}^ the

of a

ctIIs

defective

The frauds practiced for years upon the country by foreign speculators, and the imposition of heavy duties upon our people, showed to all parties the importance From the subjoined remarks of some protective system. revenue.

of Mr. Fillmore, delivered in the advocacy of his "will

be seen that, as the originator of

remarks are clearly indicative of the it

as a

remedy

" I prefer is

that

for existing evils

my own

we must

fact, that

he viewed

country to

and

my opinion

all others,

take care of ourselves

;

or negotiation an advantage

my own

I admit that duties

may

is

I of

am

for

my

by legislation one over

to-^be given to

country to

all

the world besides.

be so levied, ostensibly for rev-

enue, yet designedly for protection, as to hibition,

and while I

and any foreign

this

illiberal restrictions, yet, if

the other, I prefer

The

:

would not embarrass trade between country by any

bill, it

he took no ultra

upon the measure whatever.

grounds

partisan

it,

amount

to pro-

and consequently to the total loss of revenue. no such protection as that. 1 have no disguise

opinions on this subject.

restrictive

I believe that

the

if all

systems were done away with, here and

every other country, and

we

in

could confidently rely on

continued peace, that would be the most prosperous and

happy

state.

The

people of every country would then

produce that which their habits, situation enable

tage

;

them

each would then

to

produce

sell

skill,

climate,

to the greatest

soil,

where he could obtain the

most, and buy where he could purchase cheapest

thus

we should

or

advan-

see a trade as free

among

;

and

the nations of

LIFE OF MILLARD FILLMORE. the ^r^rlJi a3

we now

this Jnion.

But, however beautiful this

witness

among

the several states of

may be

I look for no such political millennium as

man changes

will occur until

his nature

be imposed upon our products

man

shall cease

to

be

277

;

in theory,

this.

Wars

and duties will

in other countries, until

selfish, or

kings can find a more

convenient mode of raising revenue than by imposts.

"These, then, form the true ties in a

war

—

way

for

own

to protect our

nations

foreign

a

First,

:

justification for laying du-

industry against that of

reasonable apprehension

of

no nation can always hope to be at peace.

therefore, there

is

If,

article that is indispensably neces-

any

sary for the subsistence of a nation, and the nation can

produce it is

it,

that nation

not independent

is

if it

do not.

If

necessary, the production should be encouraged by

high duties on the imported

This should be done,

article.

not for the benefit of persons

who may engage

in the

man-

ufacture or cultivation of the desired article, but for the benefit of the

a

whole community

higher for the

little

otherwise would

time of war.

,

He

what though each pays

:

time of peace than he

article in

yet he

is

fully

compensated

then has this necessary, of which he

would be wholly deprived had he not provided little self-sacrifice.

vidually

;

and

why

We

all act

should

we

cumulate in time of plenty tress.

for this in

upon

for it

not as a nation?

for a

We

day of famine and

Every man pays, from year

by a

this principle indi-

to year, a small

acdis-

sum

to insure his house against this (if

fire, submitting willingly to annual tax, that, when the day of misfortune comes,

come

it shall,)

the overwhelming calamity of having

LIFE OF MILLARD FILLMORE.

278

mav

destroyed

all

be mitiirated bv receiving back from

the insurer a partial compensation for the loss.

It

is

same principle that we maintain an army and a time of peace, and pour out millions annually for

upon the

navy

in

their support: not because is

we want them, but because

reasonable to apprehend that war

they will be wanted

and

;

it is

may

a matter of

it

come, and then

economy

to pro-

vide and discipline them in time of peace, to mitigate the

war when

evils of

it

does come.

The same

reason re-

quires us to encourage the production of any indispensable

now

article of subsistence.

I shall not stop

what these

Every one can judge

articles are.

But that there "

But

I

are

make

manv

government

for himself.

such, no one can doubt.

a distinction

between the encouragement

and protection of manufacturers. to

to inquire

encourage

its

It

is

one thing for the

citizens to

abandon their

ordinary pursuits and engage in a particular branch of industry; and a very different thing whether the govern-

ment

is

bound

to protect that industry

those by which

In the

first

ernment. It

may

or

it

encouraged

by laws similar embark in

citizens to

to it.

no obligation on the part of the gov-

case there

is

Its act

entirely voluntary and spontaneous.

may

is

not encourage the production or manufac-

ture of a particular article, as

whole community.

it

shall

Before attempting

should weigh well the

which are

its

the government

advantages and disadvantages

likely to result to

particular class which

judge best for the it,

may

the whole, and not to the

be tempted to engage.

particular branch of industry

is

If a

so important in its bear-

LIFE OF MILLAED FILLMORE. ings upon the public wants, on account of in

279 its

providing

time of peace for some necessary article in time of

war, then, as the strongest advocates of free trade them-

government may and should legislate its establishment and so, like-

selves admit, the

with a view to encourage wise,

products

;

be necessary to provide a

if it

in

home market

But

countries.

all

tions to be decided according to the

each

our

consequence of the prohibitory duties levied

upon them by foreign

case

particular

made with

for

;

and

the

these are ques-

circumstances of should

decision

a view to the benefit of

all,

be

and not of a

few, or of any particular class or section of the country.

But when the government has decided that

it is

best to

give the encouragement, and the citizen has been induced

by our

legislation to

abandon

and apply

invest his capital

his

former pursuits, and to

his skill

and labor to the pro-

duction of the article thus encouraged by government,

then

a

new

— and that

subsequent legislation, citizen

whom we

in a particular

public,

not to

arises

question

become interested

—

for

is,

whether we

another party will,

has

by our

withdraw our protection from the

have thus encouraged

branch of business

for

to

embark

his all

the good of the

and overwhelm him with ruin by our unsteady, say perfidious, legislation. I can consent to no

such thing. act in the

It

first

seems to

me

instance

is

to be manifestly unjust.

give the encouragement or not public faith

is,

and voluntary.

free ;

We

but, having given

to a certain extent, pledged.

it,

Our

may the

Those who

have accepted our invitation, and embarked in these new on our pursuits, have done so under the implied promise

LIFE OF MILLARD FILLMORE.

2S0

part that the encouragement thus given should not be

and that we would not tear

treacheroLisly withdrawn,

down what we had encouraged them to build up. This I conceive to be a just, clear, and broad distinction between encouragement beforehand and protection afterward. The former

is

voluntary, depending wholly upon considerations

and expediency

of public policy

who have

of good faith to those

the latter

;

is

a matter

trusted to the national

honor."

The high

occupied by Mr. Fillmore

position

twenty-seventh Congress, and the

assumed

in that

is

body,

published in a leading

in

the

absolute leadership

evinced by the following

paper of the metropolis.

letter,

We

can

but think of the "legislative portrait," elsewhere published in this work, while he

a political leader.

mendatory of ence in

was a member

of the assem-

was predicted he could never be Though both letters are highly com-

bly at Albany, where

it

3Ir. Fillmore, there is considerable

their tones

stances justified

;

not

differ-

more, however, than circum-

:

" Millard Fillmore

is

the distinguished representative

from the city of Buffalo, and at present chairman of the committee of ways and means, a situation both arduous

and resposible.

He^ stands

United States government

in the

in the

same

relation to the

house of representatives

that the chancellor of the exchequer does to the govern-

ment, of Great Britain in the houses of Parliament. is

emphatically the financial organ of the legislature.

the house of representatives originate.

all bills affecting

He In

the revenue

These are presented by the ways and means

LIFE OF MILLARD FILLMOIiE. committee

— matured

He

—

and its chairman has to by it object and the data upon which they are

explain their based.

231

is

make

to

obliged

himself

thoroughly

acquainted with the situation of the national treasury has to examine its

its details;

familiar with

be ever ready to give the house a the measures he

its

full

charge the duties which this

;

and

exposition of all

present for consideration.

may

;

wants,

income, present and prospective

its

expenditures,

become

To

dis-

post enjoins, faithfully,

requires both physical and mental

capacity of a high

order; and I believe they could not have devolved upon

an individual better qualified than the subject of this In every respect will he be found equal to the

notice.

*********

task assigned him.

"

His judgment

is

very

which ever over-ride

clear,

and he has no emotions

it is always to be whatever he undertakes he will master. ;

a stride without testing his foothold. rare class

use

in

;

and

never takes

belongs to that

whose merits are developed with every day's

whose minds new beauties and new riches are

legal reputation in conversation,

;

agreeable

is

upon general subjects, varied and extensive. As a

— by

in

this I

do not mean that

—

*****#*«4»

haps none.

—

mere partisan strategy the country superior to him per-

particularly skilled in

men

;

has a high is

his information

shrewd, sagacious politician

there are few

He

possesses great industry

and

without being profound,

is

He

He

discovered as they are examined into.

he

relied upon,

282

LIFE

"As

a public

OB^

MILLARD FILLMORE.

man, I know of Done

He

greater promise than Mr. Fillmofe.

highest attributes of greatness, and

estimation as

has

his

one

many

— of

of the

a

young man, and must continue

is still

not to exceed forty-one years of age, to rise in public

— not

character shall be

He has been a member of Congress some and was previously an active member of the &tate assembly. As a useful, practical, efficient, and

developed. six years,

enlightened legislator, he has no superior, and very few

equals

among

His career

his associates." in

Congress was drawing

As

to a close.

indicated above, he had been four sessions a

member

of

that body, and served with distinguished ability to the

The twenty-

country and the greatest credit to himself.

seventh Congress was a very active one

measures

;

many

useful

had been passed; the sub-treasury act was

repealed, and useful appropriations

had been made.

One

appropriation was made, against much opposition, that deserves notice. Prof. Morse was just on the eve of

making a successful experiment of

his telegraph,

by put-

ting a line in operation from Baltimore to Washington City.

He

asked Congress for an appropriation.

depended on

his getting

it.

He was

Much

there with scarcely

a dollar in his pocket, and the lightnings of heaven at bav.

Mr. Fillmore became his warmest

friend,

and,

through the great influence he had with that body, procured the Morse appropriation. It

house.

was violently opposed by many members of the Cave Johnson was furious at the result, and pub-

licly declared that the appropriation of the

same amount

LIFE OF MILLARD FILLMORE.

283

by Congress for the purpose of investigating mesmerism, would have been more useful. Time has shown who had the soundest judgment in regard to

Mr. Fillmore addressed a the

summer

of 1842, containing his determination not to

be a candidate for reelection. ter,

it.

letter to his constituents, in

Notwithstanding

this let-

however, he was nominated by acclamation,

in their

But he adhered

ensuing convention.

From

tion.

may

to his determina-

his letter of declension, the following extracts

prove interesting

;

''Fellow Citizens: Having long

since determined

not to be a candidate for reelection, I have

felt

that

my

duty to you required that I should give you seasonable The chief causes which notice of that determination.

have brought

me

to this resolution, being

mostly of a

personal character, are unimportant, and would be uninteresting to I

am

you

or the public.

It

is

sufficient to say that

not prompted to this course by anything in the

present aspect of political

affairs.

Many

of you

know

that I desired to withdraw before the last congressional election, but,

to the importance of that contest,

owing

the desire for unanimity, and the hope that, istration

local

if

the admin-

were changed, I might render some essential

service to

who had

my

district

and those generous friends

so nobly sustained our cause, I

was induced

to

But how sadly have all been dishas that sun, which rose in such joyous

stand another canvass.

appointed

!

How

brightness to millions, been shrouded in gloom and sor-

row

!

The lamented

Harrison, around

whom

clustered a

LIFE OF MILLARD FILLMOEE.

284

nation's pra^'ers and blessings,

now no more.

is

For

rea-

known only to an all-wise moment of triumph,

sons inscrutable to us, and

Providence, he was cut down in a

and

in his

lie

grave

buried the long-cherised hopes of a

suffering nation.

*Jlr

.^ TT

TP

" It

is

now

*tt «»

M, ^

.i^

-TT

.^ W

nearly fourteen years since you did

unsolicited honor to nominate

me

^

^

M,

M^

me

the

you in the Seven times have I received renewed

state legislature.

to represent

evidence of your confidence, by as

many

elections,

with

constantly increasing majorities; and, at the expiration of

my

present congressional term, I shall have served you

three years in the state, and eight years in the national I can not call to

councils.

generous devotion from so dear to

my

gratitude.

You

mind the thousand

many

friends

who

acts of

will ever be

heart, without feeling the deepest emotion of

I

came among you a poor and

kindly took

friendless boy.

me by the hand, and gave me your You have conferred upon me

fidence and support.

condis-

which I could make no adequate return but by an honest and untiring effort faithfully to discharge the high trusts which you confided to my keeptinction

If

ing.

and honor,

for

my humble

efforts

have met your approbation, I

freely admit, that, next to the approval of science,

it is

days of unceasing

ties of

our nature.

that I

was highly

;

con-

and nights of sleepless anxiety. above or below the common frail-

toil,

" I profess not to be

gress

my own

the highest reward which I could receive foi

I will, therefore, not disguise the fact

my that my

gratified at

yet I can truly say

first

election to Con-

utmost ambition has

LIFE OF MILLARD FILLMORE. been

2S5

I aspire to nothing more, and shall retire

satisfied.

from the exciting scenes of political

my own

enjoyments of

satisfaction than I felt

the quiet

strife to

family and fireside with

when

first

still

more

elevated to this distin-

guished station. " In conclusion, permit

warmest thanks graven upon

my

for

me

again to

return you

your kindness, which

my

deeply en-

is

heart.

" I remain, sincerely and truly, " Your friend and fellow

citizen,

"

The

Millard Fillmore."

close of the twenty-seventh Congress placed Mr.

Laden with honors, he

Fillmore again in retirement. turned to the shades of private

life,

with the complacent

consciousness of having done his duty.

A

number of

years he had spent in public

life,

of the people.

remarkable that, as

It

is

a

little

Mr. Fillmore has served

in

to the entire satisfaction

public

life,

much

testimony

was one

:

Adams

as

he has never

given a vote but was approved by his constituents. his career in Congress, J. Q.

re-

Of

bore the following

speaking of Mr. Fillmore, he said, he was

of the ablest, most faithful, and fairest-minded

men with whom Subsequent

it

had been

to that time,

ilar expressions,

his lot to serve in public

life.

Lewis Cass has made some sim-

and declared,

in substance, that his pa-

and correct judgment are above all quessummer of Mr. Fillmore's residence at tion. the During home, after the close of his congressional labors, and not triotism, ability,

long before that old and patriot statesman was seized,

LIFE OF MILLARD FILLMORE.

286

"

while at his post, in Congress, with a paralysis that ter-

minated J. Q.

in death,

Adams

and called from his

visited Buffalo.

]\[r.

lips,

" I

am

content,"

Fillmore was deputed

by the committee of arrangements, who had made prepaA large concourse of rations to give him a reception.

The

people had assembled to witness the occasion.

lowing

is

" Sir

Mr. Fillmore's address I

:

have been deputed by the

citizens of this

place to tender you a welcome to our city.

charge of this grateful duty, I

feel that I

mv own

when

sentiments, but theirs,

long and arduous public services

— your

ence

than

all,

vou that vour

lofty independ-

more

your unsullied and unsuspected integrity, have

calls forth the

in the estimation of this republic,

deepest feelings of veneration and

respect. " You see around you,

promote some

to

dis-

speak not only

I tell

— your

In the

punctilious attention to business, and,

given you a character

which

fol-

:

sir,

sinister

no political partisans seeking

purpose

assembled the people of our infant tion of party, sex, age, or condition

but you see here

;

city,

without distinc-

— — all

all

anxiously

vying with each other to show their respect and esteem for *'

your public services and private worth. Here,

sir,

are gathered in this vast multitude of

what

must appear to you strange faces, thousands whose hearts have vibrated to the chord of sympathy which your written speeches have touched.

Here

is

reflecting age,

ardent youth, and lisping childhood, to

venerated

name

is

all

of

whom

as familiar as household words

and your

—

all

anxious to feast their eyes by a sight of that extraordin-

LIFE OF MILLARD FILLMORE. ary and venerable read and thought so of that

man

old

'

man of whom they have heard and much —-all anxious to hear the voice eloquent,' on

distilled her choicest nectar

and read

in their

—

whose

here,

sir,

you

see

them

all,

eager and joy-gladdened countenances

and soul-stirring welcome,

they delight to honor.'

The

wisdom has

lips

and brightly beaming eyes a welcome heart-felt,

287

to

—a *

thrice-told,

man whom

the

"

occasion was an interesting one.

Mr. Adams,

in

of usefulness to the country, was an impersonation of the " awful virtues of the Pilgrim fathers." Ven-

a long

life

erable and experienced, he had stood on the battle-field

of

Between him and Mr.

a political struggle.

many

Fill-

more, from the congeniality of their virtuous patriotism evinced in years of public service, a

There was a peculiar

existed.

fitness

warm

friendship

Mr. Fillmore

in

being selected to deliver the address of welcome. is

following

from the reply of Mr.

Adams

:

"

I

The

Mr. Fillmore, Mr. Mayor, and Fellow Citizens must ask your indulgence for a moment's pause to take

:

breath.

If

because I

you ask me why I ask

am

this indulgence,

so overpowered with the eloquence of

it is

my

(the chairman of the committee of ways and I have so long been accustomed to refer to whom means, friend,

in that capacity, that,

with your permission, I will con-

tinue so to denominate left

to

answer him.

him now,) that

For

so

liberal

I

have no words

has

he been in

bestowing that eloquence upon me which he himself possesses in so eminent a degree that, while he was ascribing to

me

talents so far above

my own

consciousness in that

LIFE OF MILLAED FILLMORE.

2SS regard, I

was

all

the time imploring the god of eloquence

to give me, at least at this

him before you

in

moment, a few words

to justify

making that splendid panegyric which

he has been pleased

to

bestow upon

me and ;

that the

tering picture which he has presented to 3'ou,

may

tlat-

not

immediately be defaced before your eyes by what you

*********

should hear from me.

" I congratulate you again upon your possession of

another dear and intimate friend of mine, in the person of the gentleman

name, and

whom

who has

ways and means

the highest importance to you his constituents,

my

your

— the

which he has so recently rendered services of

favor he was enabled to render them

common

in

I have taken the liberty of addressing

as chairman of the committee of

capacity in

me

just addressed

country.

And

—

b}^

to us,

whose

and our

I cannot forbear to express here

regret at his retirement in the present emergency from

the councils of the nation.

and trust he

There, or elsewhere, I hope

will soon return

;

for,

whether

to the nation

or to the state, no services can be, or ever will be, ren-

dered by a more able or a more faithful public servant."

The

regret expressed

by Mr. Adams

in the above, at

Mr. Fillmore's withdrawal from the national councils,

was universal among

He

all

classes of his fellow-citizens.

remained true to his purpose.

twenty-seventh Congress brightest civic laurels. glorious one.

He

left

His

him

in

The

close of the

possession of the

political career

had been a

remained, after the close of that Con-

LIFE OF MILLAED FILLMOREo gress, in

tlie

shade of private

life,

and

his profession, until other events called

289

in the duties of

him again

to the

service of his country. It

is

now my duty

ical revolution,

to notice very briefly another polit-

pregnant with the most disastrous results,

one of which was the

infliction

into the heart of the

whig party of its eventual death-stab. The whig national convention met at Baltimore, for the purpose of nominating candidates for the presidency and vice-presidency of

The

1844.

was the

result of the deliberations of that convention

selection of

Henry Clay, of Kentucky,

for pres-

ident, and Frelinghuysen for vice-president. Clay was nominated by acclamation. Never did a party enter a political contest

whigs

in 1844.

more sanguine of success than Never was a nomination more

astically received.

From

New York

northern

did the enthusi-

the

to

Carolinas, a simultaneous outburst of joy arose from the

Banners were flung to the breeze in a thousand cities, and along the line peeans of ranks of the whig party.

victory were heard, and the blaze of triumph gleamed on

But, fair as were

every countenance. tions,

Clay was beaten.

Which were

all

these indica-

the more surprised

at this result, the whigs or the democrats, would be cult to say.

Among

Henry Clay may be enumerated the bankrupt law the north.

;

diffi-

the causes that led to the defeat of

and the

the annexation question

efforts of

;

Cassius M, Clay in

Tyler had some influence, which he exerted

against Clay's election.

The

large

amount of

Totes in the north contributed to his defeat.

of efficient party organization did 13

much harm.

abolition

The want

The

too

LIFE OF MILLARD FILLMORE.

290

sanguine hopes of the party was another cause

j

the out-

bursts of enthusiasm prevented their zealous cooperative

Corruption, in the large

labors.

cities, at

the ballot-box

These are some of the

exerted considerable influence.

minor causes that led to the defeat of Clay great and true cause was foreign influence.

alarming

In

Pennsylvania, and

means were resorted Polk

At

Louisiana,

Georgia,

New York to,

The

but the fraudu-

was developed

lent issue of naturalization papers extent.

;

an

to

Maryland,

City, this and other illegal

for

the

purpose of

electing

in 1844.

the Baltimore convention Mr. Fillmore

nomination for the vice-presidency

;

it

was put

in

was regarded by

many as unfortunate that he did not get it. It was well known that the result of the presidential election, in 1844, depended greatly upon the state of

New

Mr.

York.

Fillmore was the choice for vice-president throughout that state.

On

the ticket with Clay, the state,

thought, could have been carried. desires to place

him before the people as a candidate

the vice-presidency, the voters of

were unanimous

in

New York,

in their wishes to place

as candidate for governor.

engage

Disappointed

it

political

struggles,

felt

for

of his party,

him on the

Mr. Fillmore

was

in their

ticket

no desire to

and expressed

himself

opposed to complying with the wishes of the people. The following extracts from a letter published in the

Albany Journal, edited by Thurlow Weed, shows feelings in regard to the gubernatorial

his

canvass of 1844,'

LIFE OF MILLARD FILLMORE.

New

York, May

Thurlow Weed, Esq. — My Dear in attendance

been called to an

and

to

article in

my

Being here attention has

your paper of the 8th instant,

some extracts from other journals

that time, in which

16th, 1844.

Sir:

upon the supreme court,

291

my name

is

in yours since

mentioned as a candidate

nomination to the gubernatorial office in this state. You do me the justice to say that I have never desired for

*

the office of governor, though I admit the right of the

people to the services of a public

man

in

any station they

think proper to assign him.' My maxim has always been that individuals have no claim upon the public for official favors, but that the public has a right to the ser-

may

vice of any and all of public, however, fitness

and

demanded

must

in

some measure be

for the station designed,

qualified

Of the

by the

may be

and the propriety of

can only be properly determined

all his relations, social

account.

This right of the

ability of the person whose services

his accepting the trust

when

citizens.

its

former, I

and

am

political, are

ready

to

taken into

concede that the

public must be the proper and only judge.

In regard to

the latter, the individual himself has a right to be consulted.

These notices of the public press are from such sources, and so flattering, as to leave no doubt either of the sincerity or friendship of the authors.

And

the office

itself,

second in point of dignity, honor, and my United responsibility only to that of president of the held has been it that When reflect we States. by a Jay,

in

estimation,

is

a Tompkins, and a Clinton,

who

in the discharge of its

LIFE OF MILLARD FILLMORE.

292

various and responsible duties, acquired a fame that has

connected them with the history of our country, and rendered their names immortal,

all

must agree that its honors For my-

are sufficient to satisfy the most lofty ambition. I can truly say, that they are

self,

aspired

* **

more than I ever

to.

*

»

»

But the whig party of

#

this state

#

f»

now presents an array

of talent and of well-tried political and moral integrity

From

not excelled by that of any state of the Union. distinguished host

this

lect a suitable

one

who

is

candidate for the

who

to

se-

—

of governor

To

such a candidate I pledge in

most hearty and zealous support. Let us to those of Clay and Frelinghuysen, and

advance

my

add

name

"

office

difficult

will call out the enthusiastic support of

the whole whig party.

our success

can not be

capable, faithful, true to the cause and the

country, and

his

it

is

certain.

But while I thus withdraw from competition

for the

honors, be assured that I do not shrink from the labors or responsibilities of this great contest.

perform

in this state

which

We have a work

calls for the united effort

untiring exertion of every true whig. to be fought.

battle

is

war.

Wherever

willing to

go

;

For myself, I am

Here the great enlisted for the

I can be of most service, there I

I seek no distinction but such as

acquired by a faithful laborer in a good cause.

reward but such as results to well administered

;

all

to

and

am

may be I ask no

from a good government

and I desire no higher

gratification

LIFE OF MILLARD FILLMORE.

293

than to witness the well merited honors with which victory will

crown

numerous whig

my

" I

friends.

am

truly yours, <'

Millard Fillmore."

But, notwithstanding the reasons advanced in the fore-

and the unequivocally expressed preference to remain in private life, he was nominated by the state going

letter,

convention for governor, by acclamation. felt in

presenting him

The

evinced in the following resolution, adopted

by that convention

pride they

as the candidate of their choice, is

among

others

:

"Eesolved, that

we announce

to

the people of this

great commonwealth, with peculiar and triumphant

satis-

faction, the

name

of the state

— a nomination which we were called together

of our candidate for the chief magistracy

not to suggest but to declare, as the previously expressed will of the people

— a nomination which we have

there-

made unanimously without a moment's deliay, and and that we rejoice in the without a thought of dissent fore

—

opportunity thus to show a grateful people's high appreciation of the

modest worth, the manly public

spotless integrity,

and unchangeable

virtue, the

fidelity of that emi-

nent champion of whig principles, the dauntless vindicator of the outraged popular suffrage in the case of the insulted

'broad seal' of

New

torious leader

of the

Jersey in 1850, the valiant and vicpatriotic whigs of the immortal

twenty-seventh Congress in their long and trying warfare against corruption and despotism, the laborious author

and

eloquent

Fillmore,"

defender^ of

the

whig

tariff

— Millard

LIFE OF MILLARD FILLMORE.

294

Mr. Fillmore was beaten and shared the general fate of whig principles in 1844.

The same

agencies enumer-

ated in the causes of Clay's defeat, had been actively

This

worked against Mr. Fillmore.

the only instance

is

in which Mr. Fillmore has ever known defeat, and to him,

so far as he

of regret

doom

of

;

was concerned

personally,

it

was no source

but the great pang to him was,

Henry

it

sealed the

Depressed under a consciousness

Clay.

of this fact, immediately after the result, he wrote the fol-

lowing letter to Mr. Clay

:

"Buffalo, November "

My Dear

Sir

:

that I would write you, but really I

have no courage or resolution. hope, which hung

first

then upon Virginia,

11th, 1844.

I have thought, for three or four days,

All

upon the

am unmanned. is

city of

I

The

last

New York

and

gone.

finally dissipated, and I see nothing

is

but despair depicted on every countenance. " For myself I have no regrets.

much

against

pride

of success,

defeated.

my

will,

I was nominated

and though not insensible to the

yet I feel a kind of relief at being

But not

so for

you or

for the nation.

Every

consideration of justice, every feeling of gratitude conspired in the minds of honest

men to

and though always doubtful of never doubt yours,

till

insure your election

my own

;

success, I could

the painful conviction

was forced

upon me. "

The

abolitionists

us in this state.

and foreign catholics have defeated

I will not trust myself to speak of the

vile hyprocrisy of the leading abolitions

now.

Doubtless,

LIFE OF MILLARD FILLMORE.

many But

295

acted honestly but ignorantly in what they did. clear that Birney and his assaciates sold them-

it is

selves to locofocoism, and they will doubtless receive their reward.

"

Our opponents, by pointing

and

''

Americans

Mr. Frelinghuyscn, drove the foreign catholics

to

from

to the native

and defeated us

us,

But

it

in this state.

vain to look at the causes by which this

is

infamous result has been produced. that all

is

It

enough to say

is

gone, and I must confess that nothing has hap-

pened to shake

my

confidence in our ability to sustain a

much as this. If with such issues government and such candidates as the national contest presented, we so

free

can be beaten, what

may we

gloom hangs over the

future.

not expect

May God

?

A

cloud of

save the country,

for it is evident the people will not."

We

have stated that the main cause of these defeats

were the

effects of foreign influence

;

in support of this

assertion, read the following extracts of letters

to Mr.

Clay immediately afterwards, by distinguished gentlemen, and notice the corroborative evidence contained in the foregoing letter, from Mr. Fillmore himself:

From Ambrose Spencer, of New "York " The * * * foreign vote destroyed your election. One sentiment seems to prevail universally, that the nat:

uralization laws

must be altered

;

that they

must be

re-

pealed, and the door forever shut on the admission of foreigners to citizenship, or that they undergo a long probation. ^'

I

am

for the former.

The Germans and

Irish

are in the

same category

;

LIFE OF MILLARD FILLMORE^

296

not our language, and are as ignorant as the lazzaroni of It^ly, can never understandingly exercise those

who know

the franchise

;

and the

other, besides their ignorance, are

loafers of our population." naturally inclined to go with the

From

Philip Hone, of

New York

city

:

have 'no lot or inheritance' in the

"

Foreigners who matter, have robbed us of our birth-right, the

has departed from Israel.'

country which England lost

'

sceptre

Ireland has re-conquered the ;

but never suffer yourself to

believe that a smgle trace of the

name

of

Henry Clay

obliterated from the swelling hearts of the whigs of

is

New

Tork."

From John H. Westwood, " It

was foreign

vote, that

of Baltimore

influence, aided

caused our defeat.

by the

As

:

Irish and

Dutch

my

native

a proof, in

short space of two months there were

city alone, in the

over one thousand naturalized.

Out of

tenths voted the loco-foco ticket.

not speak our language were

number, nine-

this

Thus men who could citizens and became

made

who, at the polls were the noisy revilers Thus you have been well rewarded fame.

politicians too,

of your fair

for the interest

nations.

yon ever took

for the oppressed of other

Notwithstanding the ingratitude of the Irish

New

and German voters,

if

done their duty,

would have been weU."

all

the abolitionists of

From Mr. Frelinghuysen, of New- Jersey " The More foreign vote was tremendous.

York had

:

thousand, this

It

is

city,

it

is

confidently said,

(New-York) alone, since the

an alarming

than three

have been naturalized in first

fact, that this foreign vote

of October.

has decided

LIFE OF MILLAED FILLMOEE.

297

the great questions of American policy, and counteracted a nation's gratitude."

These

extracts,

results

disastrous

showing the great cause to which the of 1844 were attributable, are fully

corroberated by numerous other letters from distinguished

men from

all

parts of the Union, to Mr. Clay.

rence to Colton's

life

letters of the

above nature are found,

lished

for our purpose.

enough

arrived

at,

at this time,

refe-

The

'but

we have pub-

conclusions naturally

by the perusal of the above

connected with the formation of a great

extracts, are

American

By

and times of Henry Clay, many

party.

These

letters are suggestive of

an im-

some national step to of foreign influence. But

perative necessity of a resort to

counteract the pernicious effect

more of

this in the proper place.

In 1847 Mr. Fillmore was elected to the comptrollership of the state of

New

York, by a large majority.

endeavored by every means in his power solicitations of his fellow citizens to

bent of that

acceptance

office, it

He

to refuse the

become an incum-

and when he eventually

signified his

was with extreme reluctance.

As

superin-

tendent of the bank department in the Empire State of the

upon him were numerous and most onerous nature. Over the various funds

"Union, the duties devolving

of the

belonging to the state, he exercised entire control, as being at the

head of her

finance.

The

plain, matter-of-fact,

and his untirpractical qualities of Mr. Fillmore's mind, ing industry, eminently qualified him to

fill

that office

with service to the country, and credit to himself. The him precise accuracy of all his calculations rendered l.S*

LIFE OF MILLARD FILLMORE.

298

well fitted for the discharge of the duties of an office exclusively financial in ter, published in

its

nature.

The

let-

following

one of the ablest conducted papers of

the state, indicates both the nature of these duties, and

manner

which they were discharged whose duties and powers are so diversified, so extensive, and complicated, as

the faithful " There

is

no

in

:

officer of the state

those of the comptroller in a

more commanding

influence.

From

;

nor

is

there any

who

is

placed

position for exercising a political

a simple

auditor of accounts, and a

watch upon the treasury, he has sprung up of the first eminence in the administration

into an officer ;

supplanting,

by degrees, some departments which were once of equal, if not higher, regard, as auxiliaries and advisers of the

He

executive power.

He

is

There he

is

not simply an is

is

the one-man of the government.

officer,

but a bundle of

officers.

hardly a branch of the administration of which

not a prominent

member

— so

prominent, in some

cases, that the affairs of that branch cannot be conducted

without his actual presence, although personally, he

be a minority of those having chief of the finances

;

it

in charge.

He

may

is

the

the superintendent of the banks

;

and the virtual quorum of the commissioners of the canal fund, with all the power which such a position gives him

While other state departments have no more than maintained their original sphere of authority, or have suffered material diminution, particularly of influ-

in the canal board.

ence, the office of the comptroller has been a favorite of

the

legislature,

and the chief object of

its

confidence,

LIFE OF MILLARD FILLMORE. with high,

•entrusted

if

not

299

extraordinary, powers

of

government. " To form an adequate idea of the mass of duty he has in charge,

it is

necessary not only to survey the

summary

contained in the revised code of our laws, but to trace

out the statutes from year to year of his

office

;

and

to follow

;

to review the reports

him and

his

numerous

assist-

ants in the actual discharge of their various labors in the financial, banking,

But

it is

and tax bureaus of

his department.

inconsistent with the designed brevity of these

papers to enter into the details which alone can convey a suitable notion of the magnitude and responsibility of his

As the department is now organized, and cumbersome and to perform with ^is overgrown and conscientiousness, without error or delay, intelligence tTUst and influence. it

;

all

its

requisite

offices

and of

of supervision

action,

requires the sight of an Argus, with his hundred eyes,

and the activity of a Briareus, with Herein consists the

men

infinite

his

hundred hands."

advantages of having such

as Mr. Fillmore for public servants

—

plain, business,

In every capacity in which Mr. Fillmore practical men. has been placed, he has proven himself to be a working

man. This

Such men are of office of

practical utility to the country.

comptroller was one which required those

to peculiar kind of talents which Mr. Fillmore possessed

such an eminent degree.

In

all

the duties he has had to to be

discharge, the greatest

amount of labor

plished in the least time,

has been his desire.

accom-

Instead of

to be uselaboring for display and show, he has labored ful.

In his speeches, he says as

little

as possible, and says

LIFE OF MILLAED FILLMOEE*

300 it

In his writings he

as plain as possible.

is

careful to

The faithful and plain and accurate. correct performance of duty in any and all stations, has

make everything

been the great aim of his comptroller of the state,

The

life.

report he made, as

showed the exact condition of

Much

the finances, exhibited with mathematical precision. clearness and financial capacity troller's

office

The "

exhibited in the comp-

by Mr. Fillmore.

report, prepared

great amount of

is

The very

attention he devoted to the duties of the

clearly indicated in the report of its condition.

is

following

The

is

a portion of the report

:

comptroller believes that the safest

a sound paper currency

is

way

to have, at all times,

to

make

ample

se-

curity for its redemption in the possession of the state.

In order to make

this security ample, it should be not

only sufficient in amount, but should be of such a nature that

it

be readily converted into cash without

may

It is not

loss.

enough that the security be ultimately good or

collectable; delay in redeeming the circulation causes it to depreciate,

and

is

almost as fatal to the poor

cannot wait, as ultimate insolvency.

He

man who

becomes at once

the victim of the broker.

"A bond

and mortgage

may

be good

— that

is

the

whole amount secured by them may be collectable but the bill-holder can not wait for this. They must be con;

vertible into cash

by

sale;

and

if,

for

any reason,

this

can

not be done, they are not of that kind of security which should be required. All the experience of this depart-

ment shows that bonds and mortgages are not the best security for this purpose, and while better security can be

LIFE OF MILLAKD FILLMORE. had,

it is

ceived. title,

deeply to be regretted

The apprehension

they were ever re-

tliat

that there

that the lands niortgaged

tod high, or that there

may

301

may

be a defect of

may have been

appraised

be some legal defence to a

suit of foreclosure, all conspire to depreciate their value in the estimation of purchasers,

when

offered for sale at

auction on the failure of a bank. "Capitalists are cautious about purchasing, and the

consequence

that they have sometimes sold for less

is

than twenty per cent, on the amount received by them

and the average amount the last ten years,

hundredths per

is

cent.,

for

which

have been

all

;

sold, for

only thirty-seven and seventy-one while the average amount for which

the five per cent, stocks of this state have sold

is

ninety-

two and eighty-six one-hundredths per cent., or ninety-two dollars and eighty-six one hundredths for every hundred dollars of stock.

such as

is

now

This shows that a six per cent, stock, required,

would doubtless have sold at

par, and the bill-holder would have received dollar

for

dollar for the circulation.

" Should the country remain at peace,

it

can not be

doubted that the stocks of the United States will be a safe

and adequate

therefore,

The

security.

comptroller would,

recommend that the law be

exclude bonds and mortgages from shall hereafter

commence

now

require that ten per cent, per

annum

stocks of this

state,

banks which

business, and to prevent the

taking of any more from those

as security be withdrawn,

so changed as to

all free

and

or of

in operation,

of those

their places

and to

now held

supplied by

the United States.

If this

LIFE OF MILLARD FILLMORE.

302

recommendation be adopted, at the end of ten years the whole security

be equal to a six per cent, stock of

will

this State, or of the

will be

United States, which

security for the

ample

it is

presumed

redemption of all bills in

circulation. **

Could

this

system of banking be generally adopted

the several states,

note, secured

own

interest paid

in

would prove for their

upon them would be

Every man who held a bank-

citizens.

by such

it

would create a demand

The

state stocks.

paid to their

can hardly be doubted

It

highly beneficial.

own

it

stock,

would have a

direct interest

in maintaining inviolate the credit of the state.

The

blasting cry of repudiation would never again be heard,

and the plighted

faith of the state

national honor

and

would be as sacred as

lastly, it

would give them a sound

" If then, in addition to this,

Congress would authorize

;

and uniform currency. such notes as were secured by stocks of the United States to be received for public dues to the national treasury, this

would give

to such notes a universal credit, coextens-

ive with the United States, and leave nothing further to

be desired in the shape of a national paper currency. This would avoid all objection to a national bank, by obviating

all

necessity for one, for the purpose of furnish-

ing a national currency.

The

be made amply secure.

The law might

bills

national government might

provide that

all

secured by United States stock should be registered

and countersigned circulated

in the treasury department, as the notes

by the banks in this state are registered and

countersigned in this

office.

This would enable every

LIFE OF MILLARD FILLMORE.

303

collector, postmaster, or other receiver of public

to

know "

moneys,

that they were receivable for public dues.

The

stock of the United States by which their re-

demption was secured, might be so transferred to the state officer holding the same, that

transferred

its

could not be sold or

by him without the assent of the secretary of and, in case of the failure of the bank to re-

the treasury

deem

it

;

notes,

it

might be optional with the secretary of

the treasury to exchange the notes held by the govern-

ment

for

an equal amount of United States stock held for

their redemption, or let

be sold and receive the govern-

it

ment's share of the dividends.

In this

way

the national

government would always be secure against loss. " But this suggestion is foreign from the chief object merely thrown out to invite attention But in conclusion, the comptroller has no

of this report, and to the subject.

hesitation in

is

recommending that the

modified in the particulars

free

bank system be

above suggested, and that

it

be then adopted, in preference to the safety-fund system, as the banking system of this state. " It can not be supposed that the banking under this

system will be as profitable as safety-fund system. facility

it

has been under the

It is therefore desirable that every

should be given to capitalists

who engage

in it

that can be granted consistent with the security of the public,

and that no unreasonable or unjust system of tax-

ation should be adopted

against them

taxed like It

all

;

which discriminates invidiously

but persons engaged in banking should be other citizens."

was about

this time

when

the calamitous results of

LIFE OF MILLAJRD FILLMORE.

304

famine were sweeping over the land of Erin, and philanthropy was appealing across the waters to the humane feelings of Americans, for their manifestations of liberality in behalf of the suflPerers.

These appeals were not made

in vain to a people ever

alive to the dictates of an active benevolence.

were held of

all

prevailed

liberality

Among

Meetings

over the land, and the most munificent spirit

throughout the entire

Union.

the places of the North that responded with open

hands and hearts to her distressing appeal was the generDur

city of Buffalo.

expressive of their

Emerald of

Isle.

humanity,

expressive of their behalf,

philanthropy.

A meeting was sympathy

addressed entii'e

the

for

Mr. Fillmore,

ever

a letter

approval of the

and breathing the

held in that place sufferers

alive to

that

upon spirit

purest

of the

the calls subject,

manifested in

sentiments

of

LIFE OF MILLARD FILLMORE.

CHAPTEE conyention — Great

305

IX.

— Military glory — General Taylor nominated for the presidency— Millard FillmorD for the vice-presidency — Their election — Sketch of the U. Senate — names — Cahfornia asks admission — Sectionahsm in the senate — One man at the head — The " omnibus "— Death of President Taylor — Mr. Fillmore communicates the fact to the senate ^-Proceedings of the two houses — Mr. Fillmore takes the oath — Assumes the chief magistracy —

Another national

changes

S.

Illustrious

bill

Funeral obsequies.

During

the time he

was incumbent of the comptroller-

ship another whig national convention assembled at Philadelphia, for the purpose of selecting political standard-

bearers

for

the

campaign of

Previous to the

1848.

assemblage of that convention, much had been said regard to the presidential candidate. taken, place since

it

met

in

Great changes had

War

four years before.

had

raged with a neighboring nation, and victory perched

upon the banners that waved in triumph over the peaks of Texas had come into the Union as a

the Cordilleras. state,

and the

territorial

acquisition of California

fringed that side of our possession with

Banks and bank excitements had been silenced of progress.

The

The sage

fame of Taylor

of Ashland

Vista.

the heights of

in the din

had been

had dazzled, on the

fields

Alto, the heights of Monterey, and rose to

Buena

had

its golden colors.

its

defeated.

of Palo

acme

at

Scott had placed the American flag upon

San Juan

d'

Ulloa, flashed like a meteor

LIFE OF MILLARD FILLMORE.

S06

over the crests of Oerro Gordo, Molina Del Rey, and created his trophies

The proud

the halls

Montezumas.

of the

Tlascalan's land, the domain of the Aztecs,

had submitted

American arms.

to the

circled in the halo \

in

These two heroes

of military fame, were looked upon

with a view to the presidency.

A strong feeling

prevailed

throughout the country favorable to Taylor but so much of his life had been spent in the field and around the ;

eamp

fire,

that they were ignorant of his political creed,

or whether he had any creed other than pertained to military tactics.

The

following letter in reply to previous

Inquiries on the subject, which was circulated throughout the country, was far from being satisfactory upon the

subject of his political faith

:

"Baton Eouge, *'

La., January 30th, 1848.

In reply to your inquiries, I have again to have neither the power nor the desire to dictate to the American people the exact manner in which they Sir

:

repeat, I

should proceed to nominate candidates for the presidency of the United States.

If they desire such a result, they

must adopt the means best suited, in their opinion, to the consummation of the purpose and if they think fit to bring me before them for this oflBce, through their legis;

lature,

mass meetings, or conventions, I can not object

to their designating these bodies

native.

But

in being thus

as whig, democrat, or

nominated, I must insist on

the condition — and my immutaon point ble — that I the candidate not be brought forward position

shall

this

is

as

of their party, or considered as the exponent of their party doctrines.

LIFE OF MILLARD FILLMORE. " In conclusion, I have to repeat, that

if

307 I were nomi-

nated for the presidency, by any body of

my

fellow

by any name they might choose to it an honor, and should accept

citizens, designated

adopt, I should esteem

such nomination, provided

it

had been made entirely

independent of party considerations. " I

am,

sir,

very respectfully, "

(<

Peter

The more

servant, " Z. Taylor.

Smith, Esq., Philadelphia."

S.

following,

explicit

Your obedient

known

as the Allison letter,

is.

a

little

:

" I will proceed " 1. I reiterate

now

to respond to

what

I

your inquiries have so often said I am a :

:

If elected, I would not be the mere president of

whig.

a party. dominion.

I would endeavor to act independent of party I should feel

bound

to administer the govern-

ment untrameled by party schemes. " 2.

The Veto Power.

The power

given by the con-

stitution to the executive to interpose his veto is a high

conservative power

;

but, in

my

opinion, should never be

exercised except in cases of clear violation of the constitution, or manifest haste

Congress.

and want of consideration by

Indeed, I have thought that for

many

years

have past the known opinions and wishes of the executive exercised undue and injurious influence upon the legislative department of the

government and for this cause I was in danger of undergo;

have thought that our system ing a great change from

its

true theory.

The

personal

LIFE OF MILLAED FILLMORE.

308

opinions of the individual

who may happen

to

occupy

the executive chair ought not to control the action of

Congress upon questions of domestic policy nor ought be interposed where questions of consti;

* his objections to

tutional power have been settled by the various departments of government, and acquiesced in by the people,

"

3.

Upon

the subject of the

the currency, the

tariff,

improvement of our great highways,

rivers, lakes,

harbors, the will of the people, as expressed

presentatives in Congress, ought to

by

and

their re-

be respected and

carried out

by the executive." One point was pretty well settled by the above viz., that if he was a military chieftain, in case election to the presidency, he

and

in the

letter,

of his

would not be a Jackson,

assumption of the regal powers of the execu-

tive, forget the

democratical ones of Congress.

Taylor, Scott, Clay, Webster, McLean, and Clayton,

were presented before the convention as candidates the presidency.

On

for

the fourth ballot Taylor was declared

the nominee of the convention, over Scott, Clay, and

Webster sidered.

— McLean

and Clayton being scarcely con-

After the selection of a candidate for president,

Millard Fillmore and the late Abbott Lawrence were put in

nomination for the vice-presidency.

On

the second

Mr. Fillmore was declared the nominee, having received more votes than were given to Taylor. This an-

ballot,

nouncement was received with unbounded of Fillmore,

New

claims to that

been made.

delight.

Proud

York had long been advocating

office

;

his

a happier selection could not have

Mr. Fillmore was informed of the result of

LIFE OF MILLARD FILLMORE. the Philadelphia convention, and reply

309

made the following

:

^*

" Sir

:

Albany, N.

Y.,

June

17th, 1848.

— I have the honor to acknowledge the receipt of

inst., by which I am notified that whig convention held at Philadelphia, Gen. Zachary Taylor was nominated for president, and myself

your letter of the 10th at the late

and requesting

for vice-president,

"

The honor of being thus

my

acceptance.

presented by the distinguished

representives of the whig party of the

second

in the gift of the people

office

expected as

it

was

unsolicited

grateful emotions, which,

Union

— could not

while they

for the

— an honor as unfail

to

awaken

can not be sup-

pressed, find no appropriate language for utterance. " Fully persuaded that the cause in which we are enlisted is the cause of the

country

;

that our chief object

to secure peace, preserve its honor,

perityin

and

feeling,

is

pros-

is

presented for the

first

I shall always find a firm and consistent whig, a

safe guide

sume any "

its

moreover, a confident assurance that

General Taylor, whose name

office,

and advance

and an honest man, I can not hesitate to position

which

my

friends

Distrusting, as I well may,

may

assign me.

ability to discharge

duties of that high office, but feeling

satisfactorily the

that in case of

my

as-

my

election, I

upon the friendly aid of

my

may

with safety repose

fellow whigs, and that

efi"orts

guided by honest intentions will always be charitably judged, I accept the nomination so generously tendered,

and I do

this the

more

cheerfully, as I

such a cause and with such a man, to take

am

willing, for

my chances of

n

LIFE OF MILLARD FILLMOEE.

10

success or defeat, as the electors, the final arbiters of our fate, shall, in their

for the interests of

wisdom, judge best

•

our country. " Please accept the assurance of

esteem, and permit "

me

my

high regard and

to subscribe myself

Your

frieud

and fellow

citizen,-

"Millard Fillmore." The

result of this nomination

was an

by a

election

large majority.

Cass and Butler, the democratic candidates, were beaten

by

thirty-six electoral votes,

Mr. Fillmore was immediin

New

York City by the general committee, giving him

their

ately, after this

result

became known, honored

congratulations, and an address through their chairman.

In a private

letter,

written immediately afterwards, Mr.

Fillmore makes the following remarks "

The

cordiality

:

and unanimity with which the whig and south,

ticket has been sustained everywhere, north

east and west,

is

a just cause of national felicitation.

proves that the great party

— that

it

is

whig party

It

truly a national

occupies that safe and conservative ground

which secures to every section of the country

all

that

it

has a right to claim under the guarantee of the constitution

— that such

rights are inviolate

— and

as to all other

questions of mere policy, where Congress has the constitutional right to legislate, the will of the people, as ex-

pressed through their representatives in Congress, control,

and that will

is

is

to

not to be defeated by the arbi-

trary interposition of the veto power.

LIFE OF MILLARD FILLMORE, " This simple rule,

which holds sacred

311

all consiituiional

guarantees, and leaves the law-making power where the constitution placed

once from

all

it,

in Congress, relieves the party at

the embarrassing questions that arise out of

sectional differences of opinion,

moniously

for the

and enables

it

to act har-

When

good of the country.

the presi-

dent ceases to control the law-making power, his Individ ual opinions of

what the law ought to be, become comHence we have seen General

paratively unimportant.

Taylor, though attacked as a slaveholder and a pro-slavery

man

at the north, cordially supported

and triumphantly

by men opposed to slavery, in all its forms and though I have been charged at the south, in the most gross and wanton manner, with being an abolitionist and elected

;

an incendiary, yet the whigs of the south have cast these calumnies to the winds, and, without asking or expecting

any thing more than what the constitution guarantees to them on this subject, they have yielded to me a most hearty

and

larly so in

enthusiastic

New

This was

support.

particu-

Orleans, where the attack was most

violent.

these

"Eeally,

Would you for

southern whigs

are

noble

fellows

not lament to see the Union dissolved,

no other cause than that

it

if

separated us from such

and high-minded associates 1 But I regard election as putting an end to all ideas of disunion. It

true, noble,

this

up a national party, occupying a middle ground, and leaves the fanatics and disunionists, north and south,

raises

without the hope of destroying the stitution.

May

it

be perpetual

!"

fair fabric of

our con-

LIFE OF MILLARD FILLMORE.

312

Let the attention of

all parties, in

both extremes of our

union, be called to the noble, patriotic sentiments con-

Hen

tained in the foregoing. into your hearts

"Eeally,

Would you true, noble,

southern v/higs

these

are

noble

thsfn

that

it

;

if

and high-minded associates 1 "

Look again at the closing sentence of this It was a private letter, never intended eye

fellows.

separated us from such

ter. lic

sink

not lament to see the Union dissolved,

no other cause

for

them

of the south, let

and become impressed upon your minds.

hence,

patriotic letfor the

pub-

must be admitted as a true index of the

it

man. Mr. Fillmore resigned the comptrollership in rebruar5% 1849, to assume the responsible duties of the vice-presidency, and on the

of

fifth

Incumbent of that

March was inaugurated as The occasion was one

the of

office.

solemnity and importance.

Vast multitudes assembled

at the capitol to witness the ceremony.

The

following

are Mr. Fillmore's remarks to the senate on the occasion "

on

Senators

this floor,

:

and never having acted as the presiding

cer of any legislative body, you will not doubt ity,

when

:

Never having been honored with a seat

my

offi-

sincer-

you that I assume the responsible duwith a conscious want of experience, and

I assure

ties of this chair,

a just appreciation that I shall often need your friendly suggestions, and

more often your indulgent forbearance.

I should, indeed, feel oppressed and disheartened, did

not recollect that the

senate

is

composed

I

of eminent

statesmen, equally distinguished for their high intellectual

endowments and

their,

amenity of manners, whose

LIFE OF MILLARD FILLMORE. persuasive elof[uenc«

is

so happily

313

tempered with habitual

courtesy, as to relieve your presiding officer from all that

would be paiuful

in the

discharge of his duty, and render

his position as agreeable as

"

Thus encouraged and

it

must be

instructive.

sustained, I enter upon

assigned me, firmly resolved to discharge

duties

with impartiality, and to the best of

my

But I

ability.

should do injustice to the grateful emotions of heart, if I did not, on this occasion, express

the

them

my own

my warmest

thanks for the distinguished honor that has been conferred upon me, in being called

by the voice of the nation

to preside over your deliberations.

" It will not, I trust, be deemed inappropriate to congrat-

you on the scene now passing before

ulate to

it

in

us.

I allude

no partisan aspect, but as an ever-recurring event

contemplated by the constitution.

Compare the peace-

changes of chief magistrate of this republic with the

ful

recent sanguinary revolutions in Europe.

There the voice of the people has only been heard amid the din of arms and the horrors of domestic con*'

flicts

;

but here,

in our

own favored

land, under the guid-

ance of our constitution, the resistless will of the nation has, from time to time, been peaceably expressed, free will of the people,

and

all

have bowed

in

by the

obedient

submission to their decree. "

The

administration which but yesterday wielded the

destinies of this great nation, to-day quietly yields

up

its

power, and, without a murmur, retires from the capitol. " I congratulate you senators, and I congratulate my country, upon these oft-recurring and cheering evidences

14

LIFE OF MILLAED FILLMORE.

314 t

Let us hope that

of our capacity for self-government.

the sublime spectacle

we now

as often as the people shall

and that

this venerated

witness

may

be repeated

desire a change of rulers,

and

constitution,

this

glorious

Union may endure forever."

At

the time this administration

came

into power,

many

changes had just taken place of no ordinary nature, and

numerous discordant elements were about wrapping the It was on the eve of political horizon in a blaze of fire. the

fierce

struggle relating to the balance of power,

between the slaveholding states of the

tions

were being held

ings in the north.

in the south,

south',

and the

Secession conven-

non-slaveholding states of the north.

and anti-slavery meet-

Led by Ehett, Sharkey, and

the southern secessionists

others,

were fomenting the wildest

excitements, and were beginning to advocate disunion.

Headed bv Hale and

others, the anti-slaverv adherents

of the north were creating animosity of

nature, and saying

to slavery,

"

Thus

far

the bitterest

and no farther

shalt thou come."

Disunion conventions were beginning to be agitated,

and the southern disunionists subsequently met

in con-

vention, in the city of Nashville, with delegated representatives from political

most of the southern

organism had begun

to rock

states.

The whole

and heave with con-

vulsive throes, preceding the mighty shock that

pour

its

was

to

eruptive lava upon the green vales of union.

Lightnings of fanaticism flashed

in the

heavens, and the

muttering thunders of the approaching storm rolled their awful peals in the dititance.

Quick, and wild with the

LIFE OF MILLARD FILLMORE. fitful

315

blaze of exciteinent, the national leaders looked on

each other as rivals instead of colleagues, and kindled instead of allayed the furies of the coming crisis.

and fanatical discords of

tional strifes

diffused with the

most rancorous

It

was on the eve

such fearful

of the

different natures,

irritation,

fierceness from under the panoply of the

Sec-

sparkled their

Wilmot

Proviso.

mighty storm, pregnant with

bolts, that Mr. Fillmore assumed the speak-

ership of the senate.

Let us glance,

for a

moment,

at the elements of that

august body, over which he had to preside. the venerable Clay, his country,

who had

by the web of

for years

There was

been woven with

From Ashland he

destiny.

bent his steps again to the scenes of his early triumphs.

he was an intellectual giant that nothing could overcome. Curtius-like, he had gone

Though venerable

in years,

there to throw his virtue and patriotism into the breach

that

was opening about

his country's capitol,

a self-immolated martyr to patriotism.

Webster was

know no

and

The immortal

there, thundering forth his lion-tones of

Cdss was there, exhibiting the stern

and

I

"

thirty

as

the

Dickenson was there, with his great perceptive

powers, to raise his arm and voice for union.

tice

'"

north, no south," upon the ears of a captive

Benton was there, enthroned upon senate. " a pillar of firmness, fixed experience, years' poles.

to die,

The

patriot

inflexibility of jus-

right.

E. Underwood was there, side by side with Clay, throwing his talents into the task of pacification, with a J.

true as steel. spirit of patriotic virtue,

Footc was there

LIFE OF MILLARD FILLMORE.

316 the

What

south. into

of Benton, the Phocion of

antagonist

great

a seven were

as they were destined to be.

strife,

vast the mental volcano,

Imagine how

discord.

Imagine them

these.

when

lit

the

stirred

Imagine how

with the phrenzies of

resistless the

torrent,

when

that

realm of mind boiled over with excitement, and wonder

how they passed the ordeal of 1849-50. They had one MAN at their head fit to be their pilot. Such was the senate

— the memorable senate of

The

first

measure that tended

that fearful epoch. to fan

the elements of

discord into an unexampled fury, was the application of California to be admitted as

a

the

into

state

Before coming as a sister into the family of Union, insisted that the

wrap her

fair

it

was

mantle of the Wilmot Proviso had to

proportions.

slavery began to roll political sky.

Union.

its

Here the whole

subject of

dark evolvements thick about the

California, spreading her lap, a golden

El

Dorado, lured to her plains the restless adventurers from parts of the world,

all

and became densely populated, So fast had she been set-

with unprecedented rapidity. tled, that

she

under a state constitution adopted by the people,

was knocking

at the door for

admission into the

Union.

Her

admission, as the admission of

manv

other states

into the Union, involved the slavery question.

to

come

in

as a free or a slave state

admittance as a free

opposed

;

state.

1

Was

she

She demanded

This the South, of course,

and the only way of conciliating them was

to

compromise by the introduction of some measure possessing the merits of nmtual concession.

This resulted in

LIFE OP MILLARD FILLMORE.

317

the elaboration of the compromise measures of Mr. Clay.

We

have before remarked that Mr. Clay well understood

the principles of conciliation.

a masterly stroke of

By

consummate statesmanship, he demonstrated emergency. He was opposed

the most

this attribute in the present

Union

to California's admission into the

as a free state

without a corresponding area of territory to maintain the

The compromise he

balance of power in the senate.

introduced specified that certain parcels of territory which

organized into governments should decide by the voice Here was a of the people upon the subject of slavery.

it

concession to the south, in the event of California's

mate admission

as a free state.

His measure

ulti-

also settled

the Texas boundary question, and embraced certain portions

of the fugitive

adopted by congress. designs,

The

it

was

slave law,

which was afterwards

Embracing

as

it

did

all

these

denominated the " omnibus bill."

great quality

it

possessed was that of mutual con-

cession on the part of the jSTorth and South, so as not to

endanger the balance of power.

Had

the senate endorsed

these sentiments, the terrific excitements of that session

would have been development.

allaj^ed in the incipient stages of their

Webster, Cass, Underwood, and others,

and rendered patriotic services. While excited over this question, and that excitement

came

still

"

the

to

rescue,

on the increase, as

beware

!

if

to strike

an awful bolt of

" into their deliberations, General Taylor died.

General Taylor was a great and a good man, though politics

were evidently not his sphere.

ernment,

in this instance,

The

reins of gov-

instead of passing from old

LIFE OF MILLARD FILLMORE.

318

hands into now, passed from the hands of inexperience into those of skill, ability, and experience. They could

Taylor died on the 9th I have

have found no safer repository. of July,

do

tried, to

"/ am jprepared

1850, exclaiming,

my

communication Fillmore

On

duty:' \Y,as

—

the next day, the follo\Ying

by Mr.

sent to the senate and house

:

"Washington, July " Fellow citizens of the Senate and of the

presentatives

announcing

:

to

10th, 1850.

House

oi"

Ee-

I have to perform the melancholy duty of

you that

to remove from

this life

of the United States.

Zachary

He

God

has pleased Almighty

it

Taylor, late

President

deceased last evening at the

hour of half-past ten o'clock, in the midst of his family,

and surrounded by full

possession of

in the

all his faculties.

Among

his last

words

which he uttered with emphatic distinctness I have always done my duty I am ready to die my

were '

and

affectionate friends, calmly,

these,

only regret "

:

—

is for

;

the friends I leave behind me.'

Having announced

to you, fellow citizens, this

most

bereavement, and assuring you that

it

has pen-

etrated no heart with deeper grief than mine,

it

remains

afflicting

for

me

to say, that I propose this day, at twelve o'clock,

in the hall of the house of representatives, in the presence

of both houses of Congress, to take the oath prescribed

by

the constitution, to enable

me

to enter

on the execution

of the office which this event has devolved on me. "

Yours, respectfully, "

Millard Fillmore."

LIFE OF MILLARD FILLMORE.

The

319

senate, pursuant to previous arrangements, of a

committee appointed under resolutions for that purpose, proceeded to the hall of the house, wher« Judge Cranch -administered the oath of office to Mr. Fillmore.

The

following message

president

was then received from the

:

"

Washington, July

10th,-

1S50.

" Fellow citizens of the Senate and of the House of

Eepresentatives

A

:

a whole country

is

great

man

has fallen among us, and

called to an occasion of unexpected,

deep, and general mourning. " I

recommend

two houses of Congress to adopt may seem proper, to

to the

such measures as their discretion

perform with due solemnity the funeral obsequies of Zachary Taylor, late President of the United States;

and thereby

to signify the great

of the Amerieaii

people for the

has been devoted to the public

arms has not been surpassed

who has been

and affectionate regard of one whose

memory servi<:^e

;

whose career

life

in

in usefulness or brilliancy

;

so recently raised b}^ the unsolicited voice

of the people to the highest

civil authority in the

ment, which he administered with so

govern-

much honor and

ad-

and by whose sudden death so vantage have been blighted usefulness of future many hopes to his country

;

forever.

"

To

you, senators and representatives of a nation in

tears, I can say nothing which can alleviate the sorrow

with which you are oppressed.

"I

appeal to you to aid

fit^nces

which surround us

me

under the trying circum-

in the discharge of the duties,

LIFE OF MILLARD FILLMOEE.

320 from

however much. I may be oppressed by them-, I dare not shrink; and I rely upon Him, who holds in His Tv'hicli,

hands the destinies of nations, to endow quisite strength for the task,

and

me

to avert

try the evils apprehended from the'

heavy

with the re-

from our couneala^mity

which

has befallen us> " I shall

wisdom

most readily concur

of the

this deeply

two houses

in

whatever measures the

may

suggest, as benefitting

melancholy occasion.

"Millard Fillmore." The

funeral obsequies of the late president were per-

formed with great solemnity, on the 13th of July. Like Harrison, Taylor died immediately after he commenced the duties of his

office.

But, miYike Harrison, he

left

the

sacred trust reposed in his keeping in safe and reliable hands.

LIFE OP MILLARD FILLMORE.

CHAPTEE

321

X.

— He a cabinet — Wisdom — Excitement in the senate — Defeat of the omni— The Xorth and the South — Struggle for supremacy — bus the senate —Wisdom and patriotism — The great Three parties — Mr. Fillmore's firmness and patriotism — in New Mexico and Texas — Passage of the compromise measures — Calliinachus — Their submission to the president — A — — General Mr. Fillmore Law Attorney signs the Fugitive Slave — — assailed measures consequence violently compromise — — First annual McLean's message opinion Judge

Mr. Fillmore's Administration of

liis

selects

selection

bill

in

Difficulties

crisis

civic

in

Is

Its ability.

The

duty devolving upon Mr. Fillmore was the

first

selection

extent,

of

his

made

president and cabinet, he care,

and with reference

the measures that bid inet

was

Appreciating, to

cabinet.

importance of unison

the

to the

fair to

immediate adjustment of

His cab-

be so exciting.

Massachusetts,

of

fullest

between

the selection with great

composed of the following gentlemen

Daniel Webster,

its

of feeling

:

Secretary of

State.

Thomas CoRwaN,

of Ohio, Secretary of the Treasury.

James A. Pearce,

of Maryland,

Secretary of the

Interior.

William

A

Graham,

of

North Carolina, Secretary

of the Navy.

Edward Bates, of Missouri, Secretary of War. Nathan K. Hall, of New York, Postmaster-General John

J.

Crittenden,

14 *

of

Kentucky, Attorney-General.

LIFE OF MILLARD FILLMORE.

322

In addition to the eminent talent and ability combined i^ this selection, we see an entire absence of all local

From Lake

prejudices. to

tucky

Erie to Carolina,

Ken-

from

Boston, and from Maryland to Missouri,

able cabinet

was brought

together, to

him

aid

this

in the

administration of the government.

Simultaneously with the elevation of Mr. Fillmore to the presidency,

commenced

the fiercest political struggle

recorded in the annals of American history. culties originating in the

sion into the

Union

demand

The

diffi-

of California for admis-

as a state increased in

number and

magnitude, until the North and the South stood up in conflict. Two powerful rivals, they seemed to sever the bond of union, and in fierce hostility to struggle

deadly

for

There was a party

supremacy.

opposed the measures embodied the grounds that

it

in the

in

Congress

compromise, upon

was too much concession

to the South.

There was another party who averred that

much

concession to the North.

who

While

it

in the

was too midst of

these sectionalists stood a Spartan band of Union patriots, led by Clay, Webster, and others, and

encouraged by

Fillmore, laboring to conciliate with the mild measures of

the

compromise, requiring mutual concession, and guaranteeing mutual protection. But the very mutuality of these measures was what tended to elicit such incessant opposition. in the struggle

—

—

It was a crisis a very great crisis between North and South. The smallest

advantage gained by either party could be turned to great account. Each wanted to gain some supremacy, and, as

LIFE OF MILLARD FILLMORE. long as

323

the adjustment measures presented precluded

all

of any ascendency by either party of secboth tionalists, parties were arrayed against it. Adjustment was not what they desired so much as ascendency. tlie possibility

Clay, Webster, and the whole administration party threw themselves into the breach, with the determined spirit of

I call this the administration party, because

martyrs. their views

Of

tion.

were the same as entertained by the administra-

these

they were of the

nation.

sagacity

been

compromise measures,

the

of

only

nieans

The

lofty

those

who The

excelled.

Webster, and others,

and vibrated

The

it

of quelling

towering

be said

the

troubles

and

intellects

originated

may

them

penetrating

have

never

of

Clay,

eloquence

every part of the Union,

thrilled

in the old world.

conciliatory measures of the compromise, or the

omnibus

bill,

as

were submitted

it

was

derisively called

by the opponents,

to the senate, shortly after

accession to the presidenc3\

Mr. Fillmore's

That measure was defeated

by a vote taken amid the wildest excitement. After the defeat of this measure, the feeling became still more intense,

until

themselves. lilie

signs of red revolution began to indicate

A blaze of fanaticism flashed across the Union

a bolt of destruction.

The thunders

of discord rolled

their notes, with a terrific shock, that threatened to up-

heave the whole superstructure of our republican system. The great ocean of politics were ploughed from the very bottom, and foamed with

The

bend her spars

to

all

the rage of sectional

strife.

would sink beneath the surge, and the gale, then again she would rise above

old ship of state

LIFE OF MILLARD FILLMORE.

324 tlie

Amid

blast unharmed.

the storm that wrapped her

unmoved by

mast, the pilot was at the helm,

felt

parties

and guided the

all

vessel

"He was

national freedom.

of all

eyes were turned to him Calm and patriotic he breasted the

the shock, and

with intense anxiety. tempest,

the raging

Men

tempest, determined to guide her into port.

the

true

man

to

the

.

star of

for the crisis,"

nation

was groaning under the

what might be the Maine

to

Texas.

fearful anticipations as to

Disunion was spread from

result.

strife

Party

was

The

the opinion of patriots in all parts of the country.

between North and South.

opened wide the breach

Fanatics, with an Alexander

sword, stood ready to cut the Gordian knot of union, and rip out the heart of freedom.

The

stars

and

stripes of

liberty were being torn to fragmental shreds, and furled

about their shattered

staff.

Demarkation of Vernon.

waved where Warren

seemed ready

fell

lines

were being

The banners

drawn across the tomb

that

to dip in intestine

America shrieked a wild pang, as she saw sectionalism weave the winding sheet of her independence.

blood.

Columbia gasped convulsive throes of agony, as she lay half-prostrate, to see fanatics place a cypress wreath about her pale brow.

Freedom no longer sped her holy

message, but, quivering with anguish, hovered about the capitol, pierced

with an hundred darts, ready to shriek

her death gutterel.

At

the head of the union party as the nation's chief,

stood Mr. Fillmore, unmoved, erect and patriotic, destined to rule the storm,

and

to

whisper

"

peace, be

still."

With

prompt energy he commenced the task of allaving the

LIFE OF MILLARD FILLMORE.

325

excitement by ordering such military preparations as was necessary to suppress the

civil

New

war between

Mexico

and Texas, who stood with daggers drawn for fight, in regard to their boundaries, and advised Congress of the necessity of immediate action in reference to the difficulties in that quarter.

quate steps to

Congress responded by taking ade-

meet the emergency.

the great diiSculties originating

In the meantime the

in

compromise, a

pillar of patriotism, of

Eed Sea

to be regarded

:

California

settled;

of

organized for the territories the slave trade abolished

4,

The compromise em-

1.

came

into the

as a free state; 2, the boundary between

Mexico and Texas was

5,

architects, after

of terrific excitement, were begining

more favorably.

braced the following measures

Union

The

which Clay, Cass,

Webster, Underwood, and others were the passing a

of

application

California were beginning to be amicably adjusted.

in

3,

New

New

governments were Mexico and Utah ;

the District of Columbia

;

the Fugitive Slave Law, which provided for the recovery

of fugitives from labor.

Of

my

these measures and their several

province to speak.

of

not

All friends to the country are

are full well appreciated. friends to these measures.

much comment and

utilities, it is

Their great services to the country

They have been

the subjects

controversional excitements.

After the passage of these measures, they were submitted to President Fillmore for approval.

awful responsibility was

this.

He

could

What an

make them the

laws of his country, or he could dash to pieces by the refusal of his signature the giant structure of months.

LIFE OF MILLARD FILLMORE.

326

He

was, emphatically, the Poleniarch of the Union, the

Callimachus

of the

great American civic battle.

was no Van Buren or

Tj'ler, to leave the veto

He

upon the

great measures of the American Congress.

Mr. Fillmore's having signed the fugitive slave law, should endear him to the hearts of the people as their favorite son.

take into consideration the

They should

The

exalted patriotism that induced the act.

with which he knew he would be assailed by

North, — by

those, too,

no influence

who had been his

violence

men

of the

—exerted

friends,

Like Washington, as Millard

in his action.

Fillmore, he could pay some attention to the wishes of friends, but,

personal interests

Some

as

of the Union,

president

her

were the only dictates he obeyed. points in the Fugitive Slave

Law

Mr. Fillmore

The wisdom

feared were not constitutional.

measure he did not doubt.

of

some such

Circumstances transpiring

over the country continually demonstrated the necessity

Such

of such an enactment.

necessities

have alwavs

During the administration of Washington, such

existed.

an enactment was found to be necessary, and resulted in the

somewhat 1850.

similar

The

law of 1793

;

sectional feelings

then

how much more

South had become so great, that the to recover their fugitives

with expence and

eiforts of the

were not only

insult.

so in

between the North and

On some

futile,

owners

but attended

occasions,

when the

fugitives pursued them to the state to which they fled, and took them before the proper tribunals, the officials would refuse to investigate the case

legitimate owner of the

;

and

if,

without an investigation, he took his property back

LIFE OF MILLARD FILLMORE. to his state, he

was

327

indicted for violating law, and some-

times convicted, and would have to appeal to the supreme court for release.

Such were some of the absolute

The

necessities of the act.

clause in the constitution in reference to fugitives

some such law as the one under

certainly contemplates

But the

consideration.

constitutionality of

necessities for such a

some of

its

peculiar provisions,

passed, are widely different

;

was well

the other he

satisfied

— upon

that profound regard for

law and the

upon the

first,

was

not.

point,

was thoroughly submitted

it

to

and

to withhold his

investigated. his

With

the constitution which he has

always manifested, he was determined to become

upon that

when

Mr. Fillmore

He

signature until

studied

attorney-general.

satisfied

it

it

himself and

Mr. Crittenden

delivered a long and able opinion in support of

its

con-

After becoming satisfied of its constituMr. Fillmore signed all the measures of the

stitutionality. tionality,

Compromise.

Here we was seen panions

;

are tempted into a brief review.

Mr. Fillmore

making peace among his comthe commencement of his profession, he was

in childhood in

on the side of the people

;

in the assembly, laboring for

the people's rights, he removed the law that imprisoned for debt

;

in Congress,

when

universal distress prevailed,

as chairman of the committee of

ways and means, he

labored for the people, and retrenched government extrav-

agance

;

in the comptroller's office, a friend to the people,

he guarded their funds, and systematized their state finances as vice-president, he maintained the dignity of their ;

LIFE OF MILLARD FILLMORE.

328

laws, and ruled with oi'der

as president, looking at the

;

distresses of the people, he

Who

their freedom.

gave

relief,

and preserved

can present such antecedents as

these, in a life of public service

?

Who

can point

else

with evidences of devotion to the

to a career so replete

— the whole people? people As might have been

expected, the Fugitive Slave

created great excitement in assailed

by the

Seward, especially, poured

sectionalists.

his denunciations against

large share of the abuse

Law

the North, and was violently

Mr. Fillmore came

it.

— thick and heavy was

it

in for a

heaped

upon him. But, with the consciousness of having performed his duty, he never felt their bitter malignity. In Boston, and other places, so hostile were the demonstrations against the enforcement of the law, that they it

with

mob

resistance.

On

Fillmore issued his proclamation, calling on zens to suppress the

riot.

as the law of the land, he

opposed

learning these facts, Mr. all

The law had been was determined

good

citi-

passed, and,

it

should be

effectually enforced.

The prompt and

patriotic

manner

in

which he com-

menced the enforcement of the compromise measures, contributed greatly to restore the country to trancjuillity, after the terrible agitation that

had shaken

it

from centre

circumference. The main basis of the arguments advanced against the Fugitive Slave Law, and the denunciations heaped upon Mr. Fillmore, for having signed it,

to

was

its

alleged unconstitutionality.

The

following ablo

and elaborate opinion by Judge McLean puts that ques•tion

effectually to rest; and, he being a prominent

man

LIFE OF MILLARD FILLMORE.

329

the anti-slaTery party, it is certainly unbiased by any prejudices, and slavery predilections. ^-It is contended that the law authoiLziu^ the reclama-

among

tion of fugitives from labor is unconstitutional; that the

constitution left the

power with the

states,

and vested

no power on the subject in the federal government. " This argument has been sometimes advanced, and

may

have been introduced into one or more

forpQs.

In regard to the soundness of

first refer to judicial decisions.

The

it

political plat-

this position, I will

In the case of Prigg

v.

State of Pennsylvania, 16 Peters' R. 539, the judges

of the supreme court of the United States, without a dis-

senting voice, affirmed the doctrine, that this power in the federal government. it

was exclusively

was

A majority of them held that

in the general

government.

Some

of

the judges thought that a state might legislate in aid of

the act of Congress, but

it

was held by no one of them,

that the power could be exercised by a state, except in * * * subordination of the federal power. *'

Every

state court

has decided court.

No

it

in

which has decided the question,

accordance with the view of the supreme

respectable court,

it is

believed, has sustained

the view that the power is with the state.

Such an array

of authority can scarcely be found in favor of the con-

struction of any part of the constitution, which has ever

been doubted.

by the

But

this construction, sanctioned as

it is

entire judicial power, state as well as federal, has

also the sanction of the legislative power. '*

In a very few years

after

the

adopted by the states, the fugitive

constitution act of

was

1793 was

y

LIFE OF MILLARD FILLMORE.

330 passed.

That law

in force,

is still

except where the act

of 1850 contains repugnant provisions.

of the

lu the Congress

it is

believed that some

members had been members

of the convention.

which enacted the act of 1793,

They could not have been that instrument.

And bv

ignorant of the provision of the passasfc of that act thev

exercised the power, as one that belonged to the federal

Here

government. legislative,

is

a force of authority, judicial and

which can not be found on any other seriously

litigated ooint in the constitution.

"

Such a weight of authority

the question

is

is

not to be shaken.

If

not to be considered authoritatively settled,

The what part of that instrument can ever be settled surrender of fugitive slaves was a matter deeply interest'?

ing to the slave states.

was no provision

Uuder the confederation

for their surrender.

On

there

the principles

of comity amongst the states, the fugitives were delivered

up;

they were protected and defended.

at other times

This state of things produced uneasiness and discontent

A

in the slave states. called,

"An

was provided individual

remedv of

this evil, as it

was

in the constitution.

who

puts his opinion, as to the exercise

of this power, against the authority of the nation in

its

legislative and judicial action, must have no small degree

of confidence in his

Massachusetts the power is

own judgment.

mav have

was with the

A few individuals

in

maintained, at one time, that states

;

but such views were,

it

believed, long since abandoned, and they are re-asserted

now, more as a matter of expediency than of principle. ''But whether

we

look

at

the weight of authority

LIFE OF MILLARD FILLMORE.

331

against state power, as asserted, or at the constitutional

The provision provision, we are led to the same result. reads " No person held to service or labor in one state, :

under the laws thereof, escaping into another,

shall, in

therein, be dis-

any law or regulation

consequence of

charged from such service or labor, but shall be delivered up on claim of the party to whom such service may be due." " This, in the

first

place, is a federal measure.

It

was

was sanctioned,

adopted by the national convention, and

by the respective states. It is the of the land. Now a provision which cannot law supreme be enforced, and which has no penalty for its violation, is as a federal law,

no law.

The

highly respectable gentleman

who

ingenious argument in support of these views,

is

read an

too good

a theologian to contend that any rule of action which

may be

disregarded without incurring a penalty, can be

a law.

This was the great objection to the

articles of

There was no power to enforce its provisions. They were recommendatory, and without sanctions. " There is no regulation, divine or human, which can confederation.

be called a law, without a sanction. the garden,

felt

the truth of this.

violators of the divine or

Our

And

it

first

parents, in

has been

felt

human laws throughout the

by

his-

tory of our race. "

The

positive.

provision in the constitution

which escape

up such

is

prohibitory and

It prohibits the states from liberating slaves into them,

and

it

enjoins a duty to deliver

fugitives on claim being made.

The

constitution

vests no special power in Onngress to prohibit the

first,

332

LIFE OF MILLAED FILLMOEE.

or to enforce. the observance of the second.

Does

it,

therefore, follow that eiFect can be given to neither, if a state shall disregard it? " Suppose a state declares a slave shall be liberated, or that

who escapes

any one who shall

into it

assist in de-

him np

shall be punished. If this power belongs and not to the federal government, these regulations would be legal, as within the exercise of their This is not an ideal case. The principle discretion.

livering

to the states,

was involved

in the

Prigg case, and the supreme court

held the act of the state unconstitutional and void. " It

is

admitted that there

But,

is

no power in the federal

force any legislative action on a state.

to

government

the constitution guarantees a right to the master of a

if

and that he

slave,

shall be delivered up, the

given to effectuate that right.

what

stitution is not

It

A

federal law.

A law to

Is

framers supposed

to be.

its

to

things.

the states and to the people of

this

It

the form of giving advice or' recomis

the language of authority, to those

who

are

bound

den,

its

acts will be declared void. is

to obey.

If a state do the thing forbidIf

The

it

refuse to do

enjoined, the federal government, being a

government, has the means of executing "

it

It savs that the states shall not do certain

mendation?

that which

is

be a fundamental law of the Union.

was believed

the states.

power

If this be not so, the con-

constitution provides,

*

it.

that full faith shall be

given to public acts, records,

and judicial proceedings,'

of one state in every other.

If an individual claiming

this provision as a right,

and a state court

shall

deny

it,

LIFE OF MILLAED FILLMORE.

333

on a writ of error to the supreme court of tlie Union, such judgment woi^rld be reversed. And the provision each state shall be entitled to

that, 'the citizens of

and

privileges states.'

Congress unquestionably

manner a a

state,

under

immunities of citizens in the

provide in what

right claimed under this clause and denied by

may be

it,

may

And

enforced.

if

a case can be raised

without any farther statutory provisions, so as

to present the point to the

supreme court, the decision of

a state court denying the right would be reversed. state

is

Such a law the supreme

In these cases, and

court has declared void.

where a state

the remedy

is

is

The same

principle applies in regard

from justice

may

be delivered up under a

similar provision in the constitution.

person charged

who

in

It declares that, *a

any state with treason, felony, or other from justice and be found in another

shall flee

state, shall,

state from

many

from labor.

A fugitive

crime,

in

prohibited from doing a thing,

given by a writ of error under the legis-

lation of Congress.

to fugitives

"

So a

prohibited from passing a law that shall impair

the obligations of a contract.

others,

all

several

on demand of the executive authority of the

which he

fled,

be delivered up, to be removed

to the state having jurisdiction of the crime.'

This

is

contained in the same section as the clause in relation to fugitives from labor, principle.

in

which

it is

and they both stand

upoii the

same

In both cases Congress has provided a mode effect shall

be given to the provision.

No

one,

believed, has doubted the constitutionality of the

provision in regard to fugitives from justice.

334 *'

LIFE OF 3IILLARD FILLMORE.

The men who framed

which devolved upon them.

to the great duties

knew

the constitution were adequate

that a general government

between the

articles

the ne-

of confederation

a rope of sand, in all matters of con-

had been found as flict

The

country.

They

essential to preserve

They understood

the fruits of the revolution. cessities of the

was

different states,

and the people of the

Without a general government, com-

different states.

merce could not be regulated among the states, or with fugitives from labor could not be foreign nations ;

reclaimed

state boundaries could not be authoritatively

;

established.

"I

am aware

it

has been stated that the subject of

slavery was not discussed

in the convention,

reclamation of fugitives from labor a subject of

much

interest.

This

was is

and that the

not, at that time,

a mistake.

It

was

a subject of deep and exciting interest, and without a provision on the subject no constitution could have been

adopted.

I speak from information received from the

late Chief-justice Marshall,

actors in that day, than

who was one

whom

no

man

of the chief

then living was of

*******

higher authority.

"Various objections are stated to the Fugitive Slave

Law

of 1850.

The

duties of the commissioners, the pen-

alties inflicted, the bribe

secured to the commissioner for

remanding the fugitive, are all objected to as oppressive and unconstitutional. In regard to the five dollars, in addition, paid to the commissioner,

remanded

where the

to the claimant in all fairness,

it

fugitive is

can not be

LIFE OF MILLARD FILLMORE.

335

considered as a bribe, or as so intended by Congress as a compensation to the commissioner for

ment of the which

case,

Which includes the

his certificate

is

making

but

;

a state-

and to

facts proved,

In cases where the wit-

annexed.

nesses are numerous, and the investigation takes up several days, five dollars for the

Where

statement required.

charged, no statement "

would scarcely be a compensation

The powers

is

the fugitive

is dis-

necessary.

of the commissioner, or the

amount of

the penalties of the act, are not involved in this inquiry. If there be an unconstitutional provision in an act, that

But

does not affect any other part of the act.

I,

by no

means, intimate that any part of the act referred to conflict

tions

with the constitution.

made

to

it

is

in

I only say that the objec-

do not belong to the case under consi-

deration.

"

The

act of 18-50, except

not repeal the act of 1793. is

by repugnant provisions, did The objection, that no jury

given, does apply to both acts.

in trying

who

numerous actions

for

From my

experience

damages against persons

obstructed an arrest of fugitives from labor, or aided

in their escape, I

am

authorized to say, that the rights of

the master would be safe before a jury.

I recollect an

where a strong anti-slavery man, called an abolitionist, was on the jury in a case for damages, but

instance,

who, being sworn to

find as the evidence

and the law

quired, agreed to a verdict for the plaintiff.

He

re-

rightly

determined that his own opinions could not govern him in deciding a controversy between parties, but that, under

LIFE OP MILLARD FILLMORE.

336

he was bound by the law and the evidence of

his oath

the case. " It

was the power of Congress to give a jury in cases but the law contains no such provision,

like the present

;

and the question raised

is,

whether the act without

it

is

constitutional.

" This question has been largely discussed in Congress, in the public press, is

and

in

conventions of the people.

It

not here raised as a question of expediency or policy,

but of power. "

The

years.

In that aspect only

is it

to be considered.

act of 1793 has been in operation for about sixty

During that whole time

occasion required

;

and

judge, or other officer other respect,

it is

not

it

has been executed as

known

has held the

unconstitutional.

that any court,

act, in this, or

This

1-ong

any

course of

decisions, on a question so exciting as to call forth the

sympathies of the people, and the acuteness of lawyers, is

no unsatisfactory evidence that the construction

is

correct.

"Under inquiry

is

the

and act of Congress, the whether the fugitive be a slave or

constitution

not, strictly,

a freeman, but whether he owe service to the claimant.

This would be the precise question in the case of an In such a case, the inquiry would not be, apprentice.

whether the master had treated the apprentice so badly as to entitle him to his discharge. Such a question would

more probably ship,

arise

under the indenture of apprentice-

and the laws under which

it

was executed.

And

if

the apprentice be remanded to the service of his master, it

would, in no respect, affect his right to a discharge,

LIFE OF MILLARD FILLMORE.

wiere he

337

held, for the cruelty of his master, or

is

any

other cause. *'

It

The same

principle applies to fugitives from labor.

such cases, evidence

is true, in

is

heard that he

is

a

His freedom may be established by acts done

freeman.

or suffered by the master, not necessarily within the jurisdiction where he is held as a slave. Such an inquiry

may

be

made

as

is

required by the justice of the case.

But on whatever ground the it

fugitive

may

be remanded,

cannot, legally, operate against his right to liberty.

That

right,

when presented

'has generally tiality.

seem

to

to a court in a slave state,

been acted upon with fairness and impar-

Exceptions to this, if there be exceptions, would have arisen on the claims of heirs or creditors,

"which are governed by local laws, with which the people

of other states are not presumed to be acquainted."

Emanating, as it does, above opinion should put

fi\)m the highest authority, the

to rest all ideas of the uncon-

stitutionality of the Fugitive Slave

anti-slavery

party who

Law.

Those

of

th^^

censure Mr. Fillmore for signing

that measure, should look to this opinion, from one of their ablest

men, who was spoken of as their candidate and see the true principle of the law.

for the presidency,

But, in addition to the foregoing and other decisions of the supreme court, the act of 1793 stands upon the

Amer-

ican archives as a witness to the constitutionality of the

Fugitive Slave Law. 1793, and provided,

Ms

That

first,

was passed 12th Feb., the right of the owner to arrest

fugitive slave wherever he

owner of such 15

fugitive

act

may

be found

was allowed,

;

second, the

after the arrest, to

LIFE OF MILLAED FILLMORE.

S3S take

Ms

slave before a magistrate, to

have his claim

required such magistrate to invesinvestigated tigate the case without a jury, and to deliver up the fugi;

third, it

tive to his master

fourth,

;

it

established the right of the

remove such fugitive slave to his residence. This law was approved by George Washington, and

owner

to

remained

in force nearly sixty years.

Those who censure Mr. Fillmore Fugitive Slave priety,

Law

for

having signed the

of 1850, might, with the

denounce the Father of their country,

same profor havings

signed the law for the recovery of fugitives, passed

when

1793, especially, so

much

m

the necessities for the latter were

greater than for the former.

Our present Fugitive Slave Law passed a vote of twenty

for, to

patriots of the land voting affirmatively.

voting for

it,

were Houston,

To

Butler, and others.

Mr. Fillmore

triotic to

the senate

by

twelve against it— the purest

Bell,

Among

those

Underwood, Berrien,

attach motives in the least unpa-

for

having signed that

act,

would

be equivalent to saying that Clay, Webster, Cass, and the greatest idea

is

The

men

of our country

were no

patriots.

The

preposterous.

following extracts from the

of Mr. patriotic

first

annual message

Fillmore to Congress are so replete with the

wisdom

characteristic of the author, that their

In these pages we are endeavoring to delineate the qualities of the man about publication

whom we

is

not deemed amiss.

write, instead of the events transpiring in his

time, especially,

We

if,

in such events,

he did not participate.

have refrained from the relation of occurrences not

LIFE OF MILLARD FILLMORE.

339

connected with Mr. Fillmore's career, unless such relation

was considered

of his position.

"Among

essential to a correct understanding

But

to the extracts

;

the acknowledged rights of nations

is

that

which each possesses of establishing that form of government which it may deem most conducive to the happiness

and prosperity of as

its

circumstances

own

may

citizens

require

internal affairs according to its

;

;

of changing that form,

and of managing

own

will.

The

its

people of

the United States claim this right for themselves, and

they readily concede

it

to others.

Hence

becomes an

it

imperative duty not to interfere in the government or internal policy of other nations

;

and, although

we may

sympathize with the unfortunate or the oppressed, everywhere, in their struggles for freedom, our principles forbid us from taking any part in such contests.

wars to promote or

TVe make no

to prevent successions to thrones

maintain any theory of a balance of power

;

;

to

or to sup-

chooses press the actual government which any country to establish for itself suffer

We

instigate no revolutions, nor

any hostile military expedition to be

fitted out in

the United States to invade the territories or provinces of a friendly nation.

The

great law of morality ought

to have a national, as well as a personal and individual application.

We

should act toward other nations as

wish them to act toward us

;

we

and justice and conscience

should form the rule of conduct between governments, instead of mere

aggrandizement.

or the desire of power, self-interest, strict a neutrality in To maintain

LIFE OF MILLARD FILLMOEE.

340

foreign wars, to cultivate friendly relations, to reciprocate

every noble and generous

act,

and

to

perform punctually

—

these are the and scrupulously every treaty obligation duties which we owe to other states, and by the performance of which we best entitle ourselves to like treatment

from them; or enforce our

if that, in

own

any

case,

be refused, we can

and with a clear

rights with justice

conscience. **

In our domestic policy, the constitution will be guide; and in questions of doubt, I shall look for

my its

interpretation to the judicial decisions of that tribunal

which was established

to

expound

it,

and to the usage of

the government, sanctioned by the acquiescence of the I regard all its provisions as equally binding.

country.

In

all

its

it is

parts

the will of the people, expressed in

the most solemn form, and the constituted authorities are

but agents to carry that will into

which

it

good

but no pretence of

;

even, of

has granted

is

effect.

Every power

to be exercised for the public utility,

no honest conviction,

what might be expedient, can

justify the

assumpany power not granted. The powers conferred upon the government, and their distribution to the several tion of

departments, are

as

allow

;

and I deem

wisdom, add nullify its

its

it

my

first

to its provisions,

that

sacred

human language

will

duty, not to question

evade

its

its

requirements, or

commands. *

* "

in

clearly expressed

instrument as the imperfection of

Over the

»

*

*

*

m

objects and subjects intrusted to Congress,

legislative

authority

is

supreme.

But

here that

LIFE OF MILLARD FILLMORE. authority ceases, and every citizen

blessings, will resolutely

its

ference in those domestic affairs

has clearly and unequivocally ity

of the

truly loves the

and desires the continuance of

constitution,

and

who

And

states.

existence

its

and firmly resist interwhich the constitution

left to

the exclusive author-

every such

deprecate useless irritation

341

among

citizen

also

will

members

the several

of the Union, and all reproach and crimination tending to alienate one portion of the country from another.

The

beauty of our system of government consists, and safety and durability must

consist, in

collisions

and encroachments, and

action of

all,

while each

is

its

avoiding mutual

in the regular separate

revolving in

its

own

distinct

orbit.

*

*

^

u rpj^g

j^^

jg

^-^Q

Qjjiy.

g^j,g

protection

of the weak, and the only efficient restraint upon the

When

strong.

none

is

beneath

impartially and faithfully administered, its

protection,

and none above

its

control.

You, gentlemen, and the country, may be assured, that to the utmost of my ability, and to the extent of the

power vested

in

me, I

shall, at all times,

and

in all places,

take care that the laws be faithfully executed. discharge of this duty, solemnly imposed upon constitution and by

my

oath of

office,

In the

me by

the

I shall shrink from

no responsibility, and shall endeavor to meet events as they may arise, with firmness, as well as with prudence

and "

discretion.

The

appointing power

one of the most delicate

I regard it a sacred is vested. be exercised with the sole view of advancing the

with which the executive trust, to

is

LIFE OF MILLAED FILLMOEE.

342

It shall be

prosperity and happiness of the people.

standard of

effort to elevate the

official

my

employment, by

selecting for places of importance individuals fitted for

known

the posts to which they are assigned, by their integrity, talents,

and virtues.

with so great a population, appointed to office

In so extensive a countrj^,

and where

few persons

can be known to the appointing power,

mistakes will sometimes unavoidably happen, and unfortunate appointments be made, notwithstanding the greatest care.

In such cases, the power of removal

may

be

and neglect of duty or malfeasance be no more tolerated in individuals appointed

properly exercised in office will

by myself than

;

in those appointed

by

others.

" Citizens of the United States have undertaken the

connection of the two oceans by means of a railroad across the Isthmus of Tehauntepec, under grants of the

Mexican government

to a citizen of that republic.

It is

understood that a thorough survey of the course of the

communication

is in

son to expect that tic

preparation, and there

it

energy, especially

is

every rea-

will be prosecuted with characteris-

when

that government shall have

consented to such stipulations with the government of the United States as

impart a

ing of security to

their property

in

the

may be necessary to those who may embark

enterprise.

IS'egotiations

are

pending for the

accomplishment of that object; and a hope entertained that,

become duly try can not

when

feel-

is

confidently

the government of Mexico shall

sensible of the advantage which that coun-

fail

to derive from the work,

and learn that

LIFE OF MILLARD FILLMORE. •the

343

government of the United States desires that the right

of sovereignty of Mexico in the isthmus shall remain unimpaired, the stipulations referred to will be agreed to

with alacrity.

"All experience has demonstrated the wisdom and policy of raising a large portion of revenue, for the support

The

of government, from duties on goods imported. to lay these duties

power

is

unquestionable, and

But

object, of course, is to replenish the treasury. this,

doing

an incidental advantage

if,

in

be gained by

may

encouraging the industry of our own citizens,

duty

chief

its

our

it is

to avail ourselves of that advantage.

"A duced

duty laid upon an article which can not be proin this

country

— such

the cost of the article, and the consumer.

But a duty

may be produced of our

is

laid

to

— adds

to

chiefly or wholly paid

upon an

produce the same

by which

article

here, stimulates the skill

own country

and industry

article,

which

is

market

in

competition with the foreign

and the importer

is

thus compelled to reduce his

brought article,

as tea or coffee

into the

price to that at

which the domestic

article

can be sold,

thereby throwing a part of the duty upon the producer of the foreign article. creates the

skill,

The continuance

of this process

and invites the capital which

enables us to produce the article

finally

much cheaper than

it

could have been procured from abroad, thereby benefiting both the producer and the consumer at home.

consequence of this

is,

The

that the artisan and the agricul-

turalist are brought together, each affords a ready

market

LIFE OF MILLARD riLLI'IORE.

344 for the

produce of the other, the whole country

prosperous^ and the

beconies^^

ability to produce every necessary of

renders us independent in Avar as well as in peace.

life

* "

#

*

*

The papers accompanying

*

*

^f

the report of the secretary

of the treasury will disclose frauds attempted

upon the

revenue, in variety and amount so great as to justify the

conclusion that

it is

impossible, under any system of ad,

valorem duties levied upon the foreign cost or value of the article, to secure an honest observance and an effect-

The

ual administration of the laws. to

fraudulent devices

evade the law which, have been detected by the

lance of the appraisers, leave no ilar

room

vigi-

to doubt that sim-

impositions not discovered, to a large amount, have

been successfully practiced since the enactment of the

law now in

force.

This state of things has already had

a prejudicial influence upon those engaged in foreign comIt has a tendency to drive the honest trader

merce.

from

the business of importing, and to throw that important

branch of employment into the hands of unscrupulous and dishonest men, who are alike regardless of law and the obligations of an oath.

By

these means, the plain

intentions of Congress, as expressed in the law, are daily defeated.

impel

me

subject.

Every motive of

policy and duty, therefore,

to ask the earnest attention of Congress to this

If Congress should

any important changes this session,

it

will

in the

deem

it

unwise to attempt

system of levying duties, at

become indispensable

to the protection

of the revenue that such remedies, as in the

judgment of

LIFE OF MILLARD FILLMORE. Congress may mitigate the

evils

345 of,

should

territories

on the

complained

be at once applied. *

fi

*

*

$f

*

'ft

''The unprecedented growth of our

and population, and the consequent insocial and commercial relations with tho

Pacific in wealth

crease of their

Atlantic states, seem to render

ment

to use all its

it

the duty of the govern-

constitutional

means of intercourse with them.

power

to

improve the

The importance

of open-

ing 'a line of communication, the best and most expeditious of

which the nature of the country

will admit,' be-

tween the valley of the Mississippi and the brought to your notice by

my

Pacific,

predecessor, in his

was

annual

message and as the reasons which he presented in favor of the measure still exist in full force, I beg leave to call your attention to them, and to repeat the recommenda;

tions then

" I also

made by him. beg leave

to call

your attention to the pro-

priety of extending, at an early day, our system of land

laws, with such modifications as

may

be necessary, over

the state of California and the territories of Utah and

New

*******

Mexico.

"More than three-fourths in the

cultivation of the

of our population are engaged

soil.

The commercial, manu-

to a great exfacturing, and navigating interests are all, It is, therefore, the tent, dependent on the agricultural.

most important

interest of the

nation, and has a just

claim to the fostering care and protection of the govern15*

LIFE OF MILLARD FILLMORE,

346

ment, so far as they can be extended consistently with the provisions of the constitution.

As

this

can not be

done by the ordinary modes of legislation, I respectfully recommend the establishment of an agricultural bureau, to be charged with the duty of giving to this leading branch of American industry the encouragement which it

so well deserves.

*-*

*

*

"I commend,

also, to

*

*

#

*

#

your favorable consideration the

suggestion contained in the last mentioned report, and in the letter of the general-in-chief, relative to the estab-

lishment of an asylum for the relief of disabled and des-

This subject appeals so strongly to your

titute soldiers.

sympathies that

it

would be superfluous

anything more than barely to express

my

in

me

to

say

cordial appro-

bation of the proposed object. " I invite your attention to the view of our present

naval establishment and resources presented in the report of the secretary of the navy, and the suggestions therein

made

improvement, together with the naval policy recommended for the security of our Pacific coast, and for its

the protection and extension of our commerce with Eastern Asia.

Our

facilities for

a larger participation in the

trade of the east, by means of our recent settlements on the shores of the Pacific, are too obvious to be overlooked

•«***

or disregarded.

•

"I

also earnestly

recommend

authorizing officers of the

**

the enactment of a law

army and navy to be retired

LIFE OF MILLAED FILLMORE. from the

service,

when

incoinpetent for

make

active duties, taking care to

who have

those

awarding

faithfully

distinctions,

by

347

vigorous and

its

suitable provision for

served

country, and

their

com-

retaining in appropriate

mands those who have been

particularly conspicuous for

gallantry and good conduct.

While the obligation of the

country to maintain

and honor those who,

to the exclu-

sion of other pursuits, have devoted themselves to

duous service,

its ar-

this obligation should not be permitted to

interfere with the efficiency of the service itself. " I am grateful in being able to state, that the esti-

mates of expenditure for the navy less, by more than one million of

in the ensuing year ar«

than those of

dollars,

the present, excepting the appropriation which

come necessary for

may

be-

the construction of a dock on the coast

of the Pacific, propositions for which are

now being

con-

sidered, and on which a special report may be expected -early in

#

your present session. «

«

#

#

»*

#

" I entertain no doubt of the authority of Congress to

make

appropricitions for leading objects in that class of

public works comprising

what are usually

called works

of internal improvement. This authority I suppose to be derived chiefly from the power of regulating commerce with foreign nations, and among the states, and the power of levying and collecting imposts.

Where commerce

to be carried on, and imposts collected, there

is

must be

ports and harbors, as well as wharves and custom-houses.

If ships, laden with valuable cargoes, approach the shore, or

sail

along

the

coast,

lighthouses

are

necessary at

LIFE OF MILLAPvD FILLMORE.

348

suitable points

for the protection

Other

and

facilities

securities for

tion are hardly less important

;

of

life

and those clauses of the

which I have

constitution, therefore, to

and property.

commerce and navigahave

referred,

received, from the origin of the government, a liberal

and

beneficial construction.

"I

recommend

that appropriations be

made

com-

for

pleting such works as have been already begun, and for

commencing such others

as

may seem

to the

wisdom of

««### %^«

Congress to be of public

" It

was hardly

to

and general importance.

have been expected that the

series

of measures passed at your last session, with the view of

healing the sectional differences which had sprung

from the slavery and

territorial questions,

have realized their beneficent purposes.

should at once

All mutual con-

compromise must necessarily men of extreme opinions. And though

cessions in the nature of a

be unwelcome to

without such concessions our constitution could not have been formed, and can not be permanently sustained, yet

we have seen them made the subject of in

both

sections

of the

Eepublic.

months of discussion and deliberation

bitter controversy

It

required

many

to secure the con-

currence of a majority of Congress in their favor.

would be strange diate approbation

if

It

they had been received with imme-

by people and

states, prejudiced

and

heated by the exciting controversies of their representatives.

I believe those measures to have been required

LIFE OF MILLARD FILLMORE.

349

by the circumstances and condition of the country. I believe they were necessary to allay asperities and animosities that were rapidly alienating one section of the

country from

another, and

destroying

those

fraternal

sentiments which are the strongest supports of the con-

They were adopted

stitution.

and

tion,

for the

in the

spirit

purpose of conciliation.

of concilia-

I believe that

a great majority of our fellow citizens sympathize in that

and that purpose, and,

spirit,

in the main, approve,

and

are prepared, in all respects, to sustain, these enactments.

I

can

not

doubt that

the 'American

together by kindred blood and cherish fathers,

common

people,

bound

traditions, still

paramount regard for the Union of their and that they are ready to rebuke any attempt a

to violate

its

which

based, or to resist the laws which have been

it is

enacted under "

The

regarded stance

integrity, to

its

disturb

the compromise on

authority.

series of

measures to which I have alluded are

by me

as a settlement, in principle and sub-

—a

final

settlement of the dangerous and exciting

subjects which they embraced.

Most of these

subjects,

indeed, are beyond your reach, as the legislation which

disposed of them was, in It

cable. all

they free

may

its

character, final and irrevo-

be presumed, from the opposition which

encountered, that none of those measures were

from imperfections

;

but, in their

mutual dependence

and connection, they formed a system of compromise, the

most

conciliatory and best, for the entire country, that

could be obtained from conflicting sectional interests and opinions.

LIFE OF MILLARD FILLMORE.

350 For

**

recommend your adherence

this reason I

to the

adjustment established by those measures, until time and experience shall demonstrate the necessity of legislation to *'

By

that adjustment

we have been

rescued from the

wide and boundless agitation that surrounded'

have a

And

my

distinct,

firm,

and legal ground

countrymen if

to rally upon,

us,

to rest

me

the occasion, I trust, will justify

as the best,

farther

guard against evasion or abuse.

in

and

upon.

exhorting

and maintain, that ground

not the only, means of restoring peace and

quiet to the country, and maintaining inviolate the integrity of the

"

And

Union.

now, fellow

can not bring

citizens, I

this

munication to a close without invoking you to join

humble and devout thanks

to the Grreat

for the multiplied blessings

stowed upon

us.

com

me

in

Ruler of nations,

which he has graciously be

His hand, so often

visible in our pre-

servation, has stayed the pestilence, saved us from for-

eign wars and domestic disturbances, and scattered plenty

throughout the land. "

Our

liberties,

religious

and

civil,

have been main-

tained; the fountains of knowledge have all been kept

open, and ally

means of happiness widely spread and gener-

enjoyed,

greater than have

any other nation.

fallen

to

the lot of

And, while deeply penetrated with

gratitude, for the rest, let us hope that his all-wise Provi-

dence will so guide our counsels, as that they shall result in

giving satisfaction to our constituents, securing the

peace of the country, and adding

new

united government under which

live."

we

strength to the

LIFE OF MILLARD FILLMORE.

The

tone of the foregoing extracts

patriotic,

and indicates a

feeling,

is

conservative and

than which none could

be more desirable in a chief magistrate. prehensive, vigorous perception, in his

braces

and

all

351

With a com

message, he em-

the great subjects then agitating the country,

in their elucidation, expresses the soundest national

In the messages and writings of Mr. Fillmore there is one remarkable fact developed bitter and sentiments.

:

hostile as

may

be the feelings of party

opponents have never been able to

cull

strife,

political

from them a

sin-

gle expression that could be tortured into the semblance

of anything unpatriotic. his

whole

They can not

political career,

ently heap abusive denunciation.

which the extracts are taken, passed in

its ability

find a feature in

upon which they can

consist-

The message from

as a state paper,

is

and correct views of national

by any document on the American

archives.

of paper that will live among the records " model message." regarded a

ability,

unsurpolicy, It is a

and be

LIFE OF MILLARD FILLMORE.

362

CHAPTEE

— The

XI.

— Proclamation the of the adventurers — Their delusion — General — The Lopez expedition — Condensed history of that Quitman disastrous termination — The Crescent City and movement — General of Cuba — European interference — Their proCaptain — Mr. Fillmore's views — A second posals in regard to Cuba — Mr. Fillmore's course in regard to Cuba — Hulsemann Kossuth — His mission — His interviews with Mr. Fillmore and Mr. — Their views of mission — Sound views regard to Clay — foreign and domestic pohcy Wisdom of Mr. Fillmore's adminisand progress — Causes that tration — The American party — led to the defeat of the whig party — Mr. Fillmore's American— His nomination ism — His tour to Europe — Reflections, for the Presidency— Mr. Fillmore at home.

Fillibusteriiig

Cuban movement

of.

dent — Progress

presi-

Its

letter

in

his

Its rise

etc.

The

spirit of fillibustering, that

has since resulted in

the almost entire conquest of Nicaragua, began to ifest itself in

The sound

tration.

man-

the early part of Mr. Fillmore's adminisconservative doctrine communicated

to Congress, indicated the course he

would

take; in case

executive interposition should be deemed necessary to quell the restless

American

citizens.

spirit of

A

strict

adventure, on the part of

conformity to our neutrality

laws was very desirable, and by a perusal of the message,

it

will be seen

from sentiments embodied therein,

that in regard to them, he entertained sound and patriotic views.

In various parts of the Union, demonstrations of no

LIFE OF MILLARD FILLMORE.

353

very pacific nature were made, in regard to the island of

These demonstrations, and speculations

Cuba.

their ultimate result, furnished fruitful

themes

as to

for

news-

paper comment, and created quite an excitement.

Ad-

venturers, whose fortunes could not be worsted, but stood some chance of being benefited, were ready to

embark

was

in

The

any lawless enterprise.

interdicted

broilment with Spain and European

would have been the

As

the subject.

Cuba

invasion of

by our existing neutrality laws, and em-

result, in case of

afi^airs

no

official

generally, action on

soon as indications became sufficiently

manifest that an invasion of

Cuba was

to be the object

of the fillibusterers, the president issued the following

proclamation "

:

Whereas, there

expedition

is

reason to believe that a military

is

about to be

fitted

out in the United States

with intention to invade the island of Cuba, a colony of Spain, with which this country it is

is

believed that this expedition

foot chiefly

by foreigners,

who

at peace is

;

and whereas,

instigated and set on

dare to

make our shores

the scene of their guilty and hostile preparations against

a friendly power, and seek, by falsehood and misrepresen-

own

tation, to seduce

our

and inconsiderate,

into their

ful return for the benefits

citizens, especially the

wicked schemes

conferred upon them by this

people in permitting them to

from oppression, and

young

— an ungrate-

make our country an asylum

in flagrant

abuse of the hospitality

thus extended to them. "

And

whereas, such expeditions can only be regarded

as adventures for plunder and robbery, and must

meet

554

LIFE OF MILLARD FILLMORE.

the condemnation of the civilized world, whilst they are

derogatory to the character of our country, in violation

of the laws of nations, and expressly prohibited by our

Our

own.

statutes

'

declare,

that, if

any person

shall,

within the territory or jurisdiction of the United States,

begin or set on

provide or prepare the means for

foot, or

or enterprise, to be carried on

any military expedition

from thence against the territory or dominions of any foreign prince or state, or of any colony, district, or peo-

whom

with

ple,

the United States are at peace, every

person so offending shall be

deemed guilty

of a high mis-

demeanor, and shall be fined not exceeding three thou-

and imprisoned not more than three years.' Now, therefore, I have issued this, my proclamation,

sand "

dollars,

warning

all

any such

persons

who

shall connect themselves with

enterprise or expedition, in violation of our

laws and national obligations, that they will thereby subject themselves to the

heavy penalties denounced against

such offenders, and will

forfeit their

claim to the protec-

any interference on their to what extremities they may be

tion of this government, or behalf,

no matter

reduced in consequence of their therefore, I exhort all

illegal conduct.

citizens, as

good

And,

they regard our

national reputation, as they respect their

own laws and

the laws of nations, as they value the blessings of peace

and the welfare of

by

all

call

their country, to discountenance,

lawful means prevent, any such enterprise

upon every officer of

to use all efforts in his

this

government,

power

;

and

and I

civil or military

to arrest for trial

and pun-

ishment every such offender against the laws of the country

LIFE OF MILLARD FILLMORE. " Given under

my

hand the twenty-fifth day of

April,-

Lord one thousand eight hundred and

in the year of our fifty-one,

355

and the seventy -fifth of the independeiice of the

United States. "

" "

W.

Bv

S.

the President

Millard Fillmore.

:

Derrick, Acting Secretary of

State.'^

This timely proclamation, however, did not suppress The work of fitting out

the operations of the fiUibusters.

an expedition

still

went

on,

though with great caution.

General Quitman, of Mississippi, was implicated in the

movement, and many other men of note advanced means

The movement

and gave aid to these adventurers. tinued to gain strength until the

con-

equipment of the unfor-

tunate Lopez was ready to embark for Cuba, carrying

many deluded adherents to a fate awful to contemplate. With such secrecy and enterprise had the movement been conducted, that the

officials

were ignorant,

of the extent of their preparations.

at the time,

Through the

faithless

Pampero, bearing the crew of the Lopez expedition, got under way

collector at the port of Orleans, the ill-fated

before day-light on the third of August.

The

followers

they had been made to believe that the island of Cuba was on the eve of a rebellion, of Lopez were misled

;

and that the appearance of a band of United States troops on the island would produce general insurrection on tho part of the Creoles.

This they found

to be a great mis-

take, and paid for their folly with the forfeit of their lives

or liberties.

The following, from tho

in regard to the

Cuba

president's message,

difficulties, furnishes

a condensed

LIFE OF MILLAED FILLMORE.

356

-history of the expedition, and

some very

in regard to our domestic policy

early in

patriotic views

and foreign relations

:

the morning of the third of August,

"Verj^ a steamer called the Pampero departed from

Kew

Orleans

Cuba, having o^ board upwards of four hundred armed men, with evident mtentions to make War upon for

the authorities of the island.

The

eApedition was set

on foot in palpable violation of the laws of the United Its leader was a Spaniard, and several of the States. chief

and some others engaged

officers,

eigners.

The persons

citizens of the

corfiposing

it,

in it

were

for-

however, were mostly

United States.

" Before the expedition set out, and probably before

it

was organized, a slight insurrectionary movement, which appears to have been soon suppressed, had taken place in the eastern quarter of

movement was, the accounts of

Cuba.

unfortunately, so it

The importance of this much exaggerated in

published in this country, that these

adventurers seem to have been led to believe that the Creole population of the island not only desired to throw off

the authority of the mother country, but had resolved

upon that

step,

and had begun a well-concerted enter-

prise for effecting dition

were

steamer stealthily

in

it.

The

persons engaged in the expe-

young and which they embarked generally

and without a clearance.

Key West,

ill-informed. left

ISTew

The

Orleans

After touching at

she proceeded to the coast of Cuba, and, on

the night between the eleventh and twelfth of August,

landed the persons on board at Playtas, within about

twenty leagues of Havana.

LIFE OF MILLARD FILLMORE. "

The main body

of

them proceeded

to,

357

and took pos-

of, an inland village, six leagues distant, leaving others to follow in charge of the baggage, as soon as

session

the means of transportation latter,

The

could be obtained.

having taken up their line of march to connect

themselves with the main body, and having proceeded

about four leagues into the country, were attacked, on the

thirteenth,

bloody conflict place

of

by a body of Spanish troops, and a ensued after which they retreated to the ;

disembarkation,

where about

boats and reembarked therein.

obtained

fifty

of

They

them were,

however, intercepted among the keys near the shore, by a Spanish steamer cruising on the coast, captured, and

Havana, and,

carried to

after being

examined before a

military court, were sentenced to be publicly executed, and the sentence was carried into effect on the sixteenth

of August. "

On

receiving information of what had occurred.

modore Foxhall A. Parker was

Com-

instructed to proceed, in

the steam frigate Saranac, to Havana, and inquire into the charges against the persons executed, the circumstances under which they were taken, and whatsoever referred to their trial and sentence.

Copies of the instruc-

tions from the department of state to him, and of his letters to the department, are herewith submitted.

"According prisoners

all

to the record

of the examination,

the

admitted the offences charged against them At the time of

of being hostile invaders of the island. their trial

and execution, the main body of the invaders

LIFE OF MILLARD FILLMORE.

358

making war upon the Spanish authorAfter the lapse of some days, ities and Spanish subjects. the overcome Spanish by troops, they dispersed on being

\pas

still

in the field,

the twenty-fourth of August, **

Lopez, their leader, was captured some days

and executed on the

first

remaining followers were fatigue,

and the

of September.

after,

of his

hunger and Of those, none

killed, or died of

were made prisoners.

rest

Many

Several of them

appear to have been tried or executed.

were pardoned upon application of their friends and oth&rs, and the rest, about one hundred and sixty in number,

were sent to Spain. Of the final disposition made we have no official information.

of these "

Such

is

the melancholy result of this illegal and

fated expedition.

been induced, by

ill-

Thus, thoughtless young men have and fraudulent representation, to

false

violate the law of their

country, through rash and un-

founded expectations of assisting to accomplish

political

revolutions in other states, and have lost their lives in

the undertaking.

Too

severe a judgment can hardly be

passed, by the indignant sense of the community, upon

those who, being better informed themselves, have yet led

away

political

the ardor of youth, and an ill-directed love of liberty.

The correspondence between

government and that of Spain, relating tion is herewith communicated. "Although these

ofi'enders

feited the protection

ment may,

so far as

other countries, and

this

to this transac-

against the laws have for-

of their country, yet the governis

its

consistent with fixed

its

obligations to

purpose to maintain

and

LIFE OF MILLAED EILLMOEE.

359

enforce the laws, entertain sympathy for their nnofifending

and

families

friends, as well

for themselves.

as a feeling of compassion

Accordingly, no proper

effort

has been

spared, and none will be spared, to procure the release

of such citizens of the United States, engaged in this

now

unlawful enterprise, as are

but

is

it

to be

in

confinement in Spain

;

hoped that such interposition with tho

government of that country may not be considered as affording any ground of expectation that the

government

of the United States will, hereafter, feel itself under any obligation of duty to intercede for the liberation or pardon

of such persons as are flagrant offenders against the law of nations and the laws of the United States.

laws must be executed. respectability

among

If

we

These

desire to maintain our

the nations of the earth,

it

behooves

us to enforce steadily the neutrality acts passed by Congress,

and to follow, as

far as

may

be, the violation of

those acts with condign punishment. " But what gives a peculiar criminality to this invasion of

Cuba

is,

that under the lead of Spanish subjects, and

with the aid of citizens of the United States, in motives of cupidity. origin, with many,

advanced

by

individuals,

probably

in

it

had

its

Money was considerable

amounts, to purchase Cuban bonds, as they have been called, issued by Lopez, sold, doubtless, at a very largo discount, and for the

payment

of which the public lands

and public property of Cuba, of whatever kind, and tho fiscal resources of the people and government of that island,

from whatever source to be derived, were pledged,

as well as the good faith of the government expected to

LIFE OF MILLARD FILLMORE*

360

be established. All these means of payment, it is evident, were only to be obtained by a process of bloodshed, war, and revolution. None will deny that those who set on foot military expeditions against foreign states by means like these, are

the necessitous

far

more culpable than the ignorant and

whom

ostensible parties

they induce to go forth as the

in the proceeding.

These originators

of the invasion of Cuba seem to have determined, with coolness and system, upon an undertaking which should

disgrace their country, violate the

lives

of ill-informed

its

laws, and put to hazard

You

and deluded men.

will

consider whether further legislation be necessary to pre-

vent the perpetration of such offences in future.

*'No individuals have a right to hazard the peace of the country, or to violate

its

laws, upon vague notions

of altering or reforming governments in other states.

This principle

is

not only reasonable in

cordance with public law, but

is

itself,

and

in ac-

engrafted into the codes

But while such

of other nations as well as our own. the sentiments of this government,

it

may

are

be added that

every independent nation must be presumed to be able to defend its possessions against unauthorized individuals

banded together to attack them. United States, at

all

times since

The government its

of the

establishment, has

abstained, and has sought to restrain the citizens of the

country, from entering into controversies between other

powers, and to observe

all

the duties of neutrality.

At

an early period of the government, in the administration of Washington, several laws were passed for this purpose.

The main

provisions of these laws were reenacted by the

LIFE OF MILLARD FILLMORE.

361

act of April, ISIS, by which, amongst other things, it was declared that, if any person shall, within the terri-

tory or jurisdiction of the United States, begin, or set on

provide or prepare the means for any military expedition or enterprise, to be carried on from thence

foot,

or

against the territory or dominion of any foreign prince or state, or of any colony, district, or people, with

whom

the United States are at peace, every person so offending shall be

be

deemed

fined, not

guilty of a high misdemeanor, and shall

exceeding three thousand dollars, and im-

prisoned not more than three years; and this law has

been executed and enforced, to the

full

extent of the

power of the government, from that day to this. " In proclaiming and adhering to the doctrine of neutrality

and non-intervention, the United States have not

followed the lead of other civilized nations

;

thev have

taken the lead themselves, and have been. followed by others.

of

This was admitted by one of the most eminent

modern

British statesmen,

who

while a minister of the crown, that,

said in Parliament, '

if

he wished for a

system of neutrality, he should take that laid

America

in the

down by

days of Washington and the secretary-

ship of Jefferson

' ;

and we

see, in fact, that the act of

Congress of 1818

was followed, the succeeding

no similar law

England, except certain highly penal

year, by an act of Parliament of England, substantially the same in its general provisions. Up to that time there had been in

statutes passed in the reign of

George

II,

prohibiting

English subjects from enlisting in foreign service, the

avowed object of which 16

statutes was, that foreign armies,

LIFE OF MILLAKD FILLMORE.

362

raised for the purpose of restoring the house of Stuart to the throne, should not be strengthened

England

by recruits from

herself.

" All must see that difficulties

may

arise in carrying

the laws referred to into execution in a country

now hav-

ing three or four thousand miles of sea-coast, with an

number

infinite

of ports, and harbors, and small inlets,

from some of which unlawful espeditions may suddenly set forth, without the

knowledge of goYernment, against

the possessions of foreign states. " Friendly relations with all, but entangling alliances

with none, has long been a mission

is

maxim with

us.

Our true

not to propagate our opinions, or impose upon

other countries our form of government, by artifice or

but to teach by example, and show by our suc-

force

:

cess,

moderation and justice, the blessings of self-govern-

ment, and the advantages of free institutions. people choose for institutions

But, while selves,

we

and make and

itself,

to suit

its

own

Let every

alter its political

condition and convenience.

we avow and maintain are anxious to see the

this neutral policy our-

same forbearance on the

part of other nations, whose forms of government are different

from our own.

feel in the

ment

The deep

interest

which we

spread of liberal principles and the establish-

of free governments, and the

sympathy with which

we witness every struggle against oppression, we should be indifferent to a case in which

forbid that

the strong

arm of a foreign power is invoked to stifle public sentiment and repress the spirit of freedom in any country." With the disastrous result of the Cuban expedition the

LIFE OF MILLARD FILLMORE.

3G3

I

countr}^

here.

were

is

too well acquainted to need any recapitnlulion

Many

of

them

suffered the criielest deaths

sent to the chain

gang as

prisoners,

some

;

who were

sequently released by the interposition of Congress.

sub-

The

was dismissed, and the vessel that carthe expedition to Cuba was condemned, as the pen-

faithless collector

ried

alty of her offence.

Such was the conclusion of the famous Lopez invasion One would have thought, from the disasters

of Cuba.

and the prompt efficiency of the execuquelling such excitements, that further attempts

that attended tive in

it,

of that sort would not be contemplated.

not the case.

But such was

to the

Subsequent Lopez affair, the Crescent City and Purser Smith excitement created no small sensation.

The governor

of

Cuba prevented

the steamer

Crescent City from landing at the port of Havana, upon the allegation that the purser of the vessel, Smith, had

been inciting the citizens of the United States against the island. With the demand of the governor to remove that gentleman, as the only conditions by which he could

land the vessel, the commander refused to comply. this affair considerable diiSculty originated,

became a subject

of executive attention.

and

From finally

In the estima-

tion of the president, the conduct of both the

of

it

commander

the Crescent City and the

governor of Cuba was

The former was

informed that in case of

reprehensible.

a forfeiture of his ship in consequence of violating the law, by endeavoring to force his entry into a foreign port,

he could expect no remuneration from the government. The conduct of the captain-general was made a subject

LIFE OF MILLARD FILLMOIIE.

364

The

of investigation before the tribunals of his country.

excitement growing out of these fillibustering expeditions the

to

colony began to

alarm in Europe, and

excite

The

crowned heads.

elicited the considerations of the

Toluntary mediation of France and England resulted in the proposition to the United States, through her secretar}^ for a treaty

between the three powers, a stipulation

of which forever prevented either of the parties from interfering in the affairs of

to say, from the expressed

Cuba.

It

almost needless

is

and demonstrated views of Mr.

Fillmore in regard to our policy with reference to other countries, that he alliance,"

following

was opposed

such an "entangling

to

would

as this proposed treaty is

a portion of Hon.

Edward

The

create.

Everett's reply,

as secretary of state, to the proposition.

It

is

an able

document, and indicates the views of the administration

upon the proposition, and

sets forth

tions to its favorable entertainment

" .

some of the

But the president has a graver objection

into the proposed

He

convention.

objec-

:

to entering

has no wish to

dis-

guise the feeling that the compact, although equal in

its

terms, would be very unequal in substance.

and France by entering into fi'om

it

England would disable themselves

obtaining the possession of an island so remote

from their seats of government, belonging to another European power, whose natural right to possess it must always be as good as their own

—

a

distant island in

another hemisphere, and one which by no ordinary or peaceful course of things could ever belong to either of

them.

If the present balance of

power should be broker

LIFE OF MILLARD FILLMORE.

up

—

if

3G5

Spain should become unable to maintain the

island in her possession, and

England and France should

be engaged in a death struggle with each other, Cuba

might then be the prize of the

Till these events

victor.

take place, the president does not see

all

how Cuba can The United

any European power but Spain.

belong to

would by the proposed convenfrom making an acquisition which

States, on the other hand, tion disable themselves

might take place without any disturbance of existing foreign relations, and in the natural order of things. "

The

island of

Cuba

lies at

our doors

;

it

commands

the approach to the Gulf of Mexico, which washes the shores of five of our states river

great

continent,

its

it

bars the entrance to that the

North American

tributaries,

forms the largest

which drains

and, with

;

half

system of water communication

watch

at the

in

the world

;

it

keeps

doorway of our intercourse with California

by the Isthmus.

If an island like

Cuba, belonging to

the Spanish crown, guarded the entrance to the Thames, or the

Seine, and the United

States should propose a

convention like this to England and France, those powers would assuredly feel that the disability assumed by ourselves was far less serious than that which we asked

them "

to assume.

The

opinion of American statesmen, at different times differed as to the

and under varying circumstances, have desirableness of the acquisition of States.

Territorially

Cuba by

and commercially,

it

hands, be an extremely valuable possession. tain contingencies,

it

the United

would, in our

Under

cer-

might be almost essential to our

LIFE OP MILLARD FILLMORE.

366 safety

;

still,

for

domestic reasons on which, in a com-

muuieatiou of this kind,

it

might not be proper to dwell,

the President thinks that the incorporation of the island

Union

into the

at the present time, although effected

with the consent of Spain, would be a hazardous measure,

and he would consider

in a just

its

acquisition by force, except

war with Spain, should an event

so greatly to

be deprecated take place, as a disgrace to the civilization of the age.

The President has given ample proof

thrown the whole force of all illegal

attacks upon the island.

allow projects

has

his constitutional

perfectly easy for him, without

duty, to

of the

He

which he holds these views.

sincerity with

of a

power against would have been

It

any seeming neglect of formidable

character to

No amount

gather strength, by connivance.

at home, no embarrassments caused

of obloquy

by the indiscretions moved him

of the colonial government of Cuba, have

In

from the path of duty. general of the island, an

this

offirier

respect the captain-

apparently of upright

and conciliatory character, but probably more used to military

command

than the management of

has, on a punctilio in reference to the

vate steamship,

who seems

civil

affairs,

purser of a pri-

to be entirely innocent of the

matters laid to his charge, refused to allow passengers

and the mails of the United States to be landed from a vessel having

them on board.

extraordinary mode

This

is

of animadverting

certainly a very

upon a supposed

abuse of the liberty of the press by the subject of a eign government in his native country.

general

is

The

for-

captain-

not permitted by his government, three thousand

LIFE OP MILLARD FILLMORE. miles

off,

to hold

367

any diplomatic intercourse with tho is subject in no degree to the direc-

He

United States.

of the Spanish minister at Washington'^; and tho

tion

president has to choose between

compel the abandonment of

a resort to force to

this gratuitous interruption

—

of commercial intercourse, which would result in war

and a delay of weeks and months, necessary tiation with Madrid, with

deplorable occurrences in the interval, and that ought

have admitted

to

to a nego-

most

the chances of the

all

of

all for

a

trifle

a settlement by an

exchange of notes between Washington and Havana.

The

president has, however, patiently submitted to these

evils,

and has continued

faithfully to

give to

Cuba the

advantage of those principles of the public law, under the shadow of w^hich she has departed, in this case, from the comity of nations.

and which are

still

But the incidents

in the train, are

which point decisively

to the

to

which I allude,

among many

expediency of

others

some change

Cuba; and the president thinks that the influence of England and France with Spain, would in the relations of

be well employed istration of the

means alluded

of to,

in inducing her so to

government

modify the admin-

of Cuba, as to

afford the

some prompt remedy for evils of the kind which have done much to increase the spirit

of unlawful enterprise against the island.

That a con-

is proposed would be a transitory arrangement, sure to be swept away by the irresistible tide of

vention such as

affairs in

a

new

country,

president, too obvious

The

is,

to the apprehension of the

to require a labored argument.

if at project rests on principles, applicable,

all,

to

LIFE OF MILLARD FILLMORE.

368

Europe, where international relations

are, in their basis,

of great anti(|uity, slowly modified for the most part in

the progress of time, and events, and not applicable to

America, which but lately a waste, intense

is filling up with and on natural rapidity, adjusting principles,

those territorial relations which, on the

first

discovery of

The

the continent, were, in a good degree, fortuitous.

comparative history of single century

shows

Europe and America, even

for a

this."

The following extracts from Webster's famous Hulsemann letter, indicate the views of the administration. "While

it

manifests an active sympathy and a lively

interest for those struggling for it

freedom in

all countries,

conveys an avowed determiination to maintain invio-

late all neutrality relationships,

foreign alliances

all

*

*

*

United States

and

to

keep aloof from

:

"

But the

interest taken

in those events, has not

bv the

proceeded from

any disposition to depart from that neutrality toward foreign powers, which is among the deepest principles and the most cherished traditions of the political history of the Union.

" is

The power

*

*

#

*

of this republic, at the present

moment,

spread over a region, one of the richest and most

fer-

on the globe, and of an extent in comparison with which the possessions of the House of Hapsburg are but as a patch on the earth's surface. Its population, already tile

twenty-five

millions, will

exceed that of the Austrian

empire within the period during which

it

may

be hoped

LIFE or MILLARD FILLMORE. that Mr.

Hulsemann may yet remain

Its naviga-

and commerce are hardly exceeded by the oldest and its maritime means and its

most commercial nations maritime power

may

;

be seen by Austria herself, in

seas where she has ports, as well as

it

in all other quarters of the globe. erty,

honorable

in the

discharge of his duties to his government. tion

369

and

citizens,

all

may be

Life,

all

seen, also,

liberty, prop-

personal rights, are amply secured to

all

and protected by just and staple laws and and private, is as well established as in ;

credit, public

any government of Continental Europe. And the country, in all its interests and concerns, partakes most largely in all the improvements and progress which distinguish the age.

Certainly the United States

pardoned, even by those

who

may

bo

profess adherence to the

principles of absolute governments, if they entertain an

ardent affection

for

those popular forms

of political

organization which have so rapidly advanced their

prosperity and happiness

;

which enabled them,

own

in

so

short a period, to bring their country, and the hemisphere to

which

it

belongs, to the notice and respectful regard,

Nev-

not to say the admiration, of the civilized world. ertheless, the

United States have abstained, at

all times,

from acts of interference with the political changes of Europe.

They

cannot, however,

fail

to cherish

always

a lively interest in the fortunes of nations struggling for institutions like their own.

But

this

sympathy, so

far

from being necessarily a hostile feeling towards any of the parties to these great national struggles, consistent with amicable relations with them 16*

is

all."

quite

LIFE OF MILLARD FILLMORE.

370

The

course pursued by Mr. FillmoreT in regard to the

Cuban movements, countrymen of

all

elicited the universal

parties, not infected

From

fillibustering enterprise.

those movements, a

full

approval of his

with a

appreciation of his views upon

the subject of our foreign and domestic policy derived.

prompt

spirit of

his action in regard to

may be

was a sound, conservative, patriotic course, action, and conciliatory in effect, and affords

It in

an instructive example

for chief executives of our coun-

Another event, important from subsequent events try. whose maturity it tended to accellerate, affords an opportunity of ascertaining Mr. Fillmore's view upon foreign

I allude to the visit of

alliances.

Louis Kossuth to

America, during his administration.

Kossuth came '

fatherland.'

to this country to plead for

The

condition of that

Hungary, his unhappy country was

of itself sufficient to excite sympathy. els,

Eobbed of her jew-

deprived of her freedom, disrobed of her independence,

quivering with the Austrian bayonet in her heart, and

weeping over the fragments of her nationality, she presented a spectacle well calculated to arouse sympathy.

But when, trayed to

in all their

magnitude, her sufferings were por-

Americans by the burning words of her exiled possessed a double potency. Never did

chief, the picture

a warmer embrace of a nation, extend a more heartfelt

welcome than did we

to him.

The

deep, wide-spread

sympathy m^anifested for him wherever he went, was unbut he misconstrued it, and was much chaparalleled ;

grined when

and

policy.

forced to discriminate between

To

sympathy

unsettle the national policy of a country

LIFE OP MILLARD FILLMORE. consolidated on the

was a task he extensive

maxims

Washington and

of

.could not accomplish.

He

Jefferson,

visited our

and created sympathy everywhere. But from the elicitation of that, directed his

cities,

the wily chief,

hopes to "material aid."

lie

was

invited to

City, by a resolution of Congress. tation,

371

he visited the capital.

Accepting

was

this invi-

There he had an interview

with Henry Clay and President Fillmore. last acts of Clay's life

Washington

to extend to

Among

the

him a true sym-

pathy, and to utter an emphatic protest against his designs, in regard to bringing the

United States, as a party,

into the difficulties of Europe.

Let America engrave

with a diamond pen upon her heart of hearts, this almost

On the last day of the to Mr. Fillmore by Daniel introduced was Kossuth year, Webster. In the presence of the nation's executive, the dying advice of Henry Clay.

Hungarian delivered the following address " President

:

:

I stand before your Excellency a living

the violence of foreign interference, protestation against the sovereign right of nations to regulate their

oppressing

own domestic concerns. "I stand before your Excellency

a living protestation

the state right of against centralization oppressing

government. " May I be allowed to take

it

for

self-

an augury of better

this glorious times, that, in landing on the happy shores of I landed in a free and powerful country, whoso

republic,

honored chief magistrate proclaims to the world that

this

when the strong arm country can not remain indifferent

LIFE OF MILLARD FILLMOEE.

372

of a foreign po^Ye^

and repress the

spirit of

"I thank God and

to suffer for

" I thank

invoked to

is

that he

my

God

stifle

public sentiment

freedom

in any country. deemed me not unworthy

to act

fatherland,

that the fate of

my

country became so

intimately connected with the fate of liberty and, inde-

pendence of nations of Europe, as formerly

it

was

inti-

mately connected with the security of Christendom. " I thank God that my country's unmerited woe and

my

personal sufferings became an opportunity to seek a

manifestation of the spirit and principles of your republic.

"May God that you

may

great, glorious, justice,

the Almighty bless you with a long

life,

enjoy the happiness to see your country

and

free,

the corner-stone of international

and the column of freedom on the

earth, as

it is

already an asylum to the oppressed. "

Sir, I

pledge to your country the everlasting grati-

tude of Hungary."

To

the above Mr. Fillmore

priate reply *'I

am

made

the following appro-

:

happy. Governor Kossuth, to welcome you to

this land of freedom

gratulate you upon in Turkey,

;

and

it

gives

me

pleasure to con-

your release from a long confinement

and your

late arrival here.

As an

individual,

I sympathize deeply with you in your brave struggle for

The

the independence and freedom of your native land.

American people can never be

indifferent to

such a con-

but our policy as a nation in this respect has been uniform, from the commencement of the government and

test

;

;

my own

views, as the chief magistrate of this nation,

LIFE OF MILLARD FILLMORE. are

fully

373

and freely expressed in my recent message They are the same whether speaking to

to Congress.

Congress here or to the nations of Europe. " Should your country be restored to independence and freedom, I should then wish you, as the greatest blessing

you could

enjoy, a restoration to your native land

should that never happen, I can only repeat

but

;

my welcome

you and your companions here, and pray that God's blessing may rest upon you wherever your lot may be." to

Mr. Fillmore viewed Kossuth's mission as one having dangerous tendencies

He

sympathy.

if

encouraged beyond the limits of

took the same view of

It

was evidently the design

he

set foot

upon our

it

that Clay did.

of Kossuth, from the

moment

shores, to appeal to the hearts of a

people, who, he knew, were lovers of

liberty,

and

after

arousing their sympathies to procure the assistance of

men

or money, or perhaps both, for

succeeded, and

Hungary.

Had

ho

we had become entangled just at that time no human sagacity can tell where we

in foreign broils,

would have been placed by the storm that has just blown over the trans- Atlantic world. But with men at the head of affairs, entertaining the sentiments embodied in Mr.

Fillmore's reply to Kossuth's address, and demonstrated his entire administration, there is not the

throughout

remotest chance of bringing about such a result. during

this

It waf^

administration that the oppressed Madiais

were groaning under the cruel tyranny of the papal the Grand Duke of Tushierarchy. Mr. Fillmore wrote to cany,

through

his

secretary of

state,

Hon. Edward

Everett, to have that unfortunate family released.

His

LIFE OP MILLARD FILLMORE.

374 active

syinpathj'

their behalf ^vas,

in

dieted the denunciatory

eflfusions

journal, of which the following " It does not the

is

it

a specimen

:

independent judgment of the

escape

universe, that the administration,

been as bigoted as

what

doubtless,

of Archbishop Hughes'

now happily defunct, has The universe

has been imbecile.

congratulates the country upon having elected a states-

man

(Pierce

!)

for president,

and

for permitting the

Uni-

tarian ex-preacher, late secretary of state, to return to

proclaim that Jesus

his pulpit to

is

not God, and Mr.

Fillmore himself to become a village lawyer."

Under the broad

shield of our constitution, there is

certainly no true American who can endorse such a sen-

timent as the above. ]\[r.

ion

Among

true patriots, in regard to

Fillmore's administration, there exists but one opin-

— that

in

wisdom, virtue, and patriotism,

it

has never

been excelled.

Many

wise

and important measures were

Mr. Fillmore's administration.

during

adopted

Among

others

were extensive exploring expeditions, that were highly creditable to the nation.

opened.

A

three

The commerce

and a number of measures of

Never

infinite utility to

the country.

did a chief magistrate close an administration with

more unbounded approbation. office

Japan was

to

cent letter postage was established,

Never did one

retire

from

clothed with brighter lustre.

Never did crown.

hmself

official

term weave

for

man

Never did an individual more in the grateful hearts of his

a nobler, civic firmly enthrone

countrymen.

Never

LIFE OF MILLAKD FILLMORE. did one wear

more

375

fadeless laurels, and never were they

more proudly worn.

We

now propose

party, as being to

man

of

giving a brief notice to the American

some extent associated with the great

whom we

are writing, and figuring conspicuously in the measures of the country. Native Americanism had its

origin in the almost utter prostration of the ballot-box,

and the grossest abuses of the elective franchise municipal elections of our extensive

The York city

first

American movement was

The intolerant

in 1S34.

by

foreigners,

in the

cities.

in the city of

New

frauds practhied upon the

and the immense

influx into that city

of the thousands annually disgorged from the old world,

resulted in an organization for the purpose of counter-

acting their influence.

party for

mayor

table vote.

The

Morse was run by that and received a very respec-

Prof.

of the city,

appeals

made by

the young party to

the people in behalf of the sacredness of the ballot box,

and warning them against foreign influence, had a powerful effect, and it gained many adherents. This party, however, began, so

far as the organization

was concerned, to die away without having accomplished much more than the avowal of principles that were eventually to take deeper hold upon the masses.

The Ameri-

can feeling received a startling impetus again in 1S40, by the endeavors of Archbishop Hughes and Gov. Seward to set aside a portion of

fund

for the

New

York's cherished school

support of catholic schools.

This was the

most dangerous innovation, as they conceived, that had yet indicated itself, and to counteract it and other abuses

LIFE OF MILLARD FILL:M0RE.

376

they re-organized in 1843.

This time they published

their principles, calling on

other cities to follow their

Many

example.

cities

responded to the

and pursued

call

the same course, and several succeeded in discomfiting

In 1844, the

the foreigners entirely. elected their

mayor upon

The

of the city council.

again lost sight of

New York

city of

American

the

ticket,

and most

native American feeling

amid the smoke of battle

in

was

the presi-

dential canvass of 1844, to remain in comparative quiet

1851-52, when

until

than

it

had

at

it

assumed a more prominent aspect and continued to

any time previous,

increase until 1854 and 1855

The

it

was

tlie

question of the day-

resuscitation and rapid progress of the principles of

the party from that date

to a variety

of concurrent causes.

just passed,

may be attributed The compromise had

and, the difficulties adjusted that had caused such fearful agitation,

the minds of the people were called to the

more immediate investigation of foreign influence, and were brought to see the necessity of some counteracting efforts.

The

defeat of Clay in 1844 was, to a great extent,

the effect of naturalization frauds and the foreign vote,

and people began to open their eyes and become alarmed

power exerted by them. The and the excitement occasioned by and

at the fearful balance of

campaign

of 1852

over the foreign vote, tended to accelerate the develop-

ment

of the party's strength.

The

political

demagoguery and the

and chicanery that had been

riianifest for years,

prospect afforded for checking

its influence,

gave

stability to the party.

created a national

vacuum

The death

advanced and

of the

whig party

\Yhere the disaffected and

LIFE OP MILLARD FILLMORE.

who had become couvmced

those

of the folly of partisan

could marshal under the broad ban-

strife of all parties

As whig has been

ners of Americanism.

may

377

mentioned,

it

not be improper to advert to some of the causes

that led to the eventual decay and disruption of that party.

One thing

that operated against the whigs, even in their

palmiest days, was Ihe attitude in which they placed their

Instead of having that confidence in the

candidates.

man

that circumstances justified, and regarding his past

course

as a sufficient

guarantee for his future, they

required pledges and indorsements, until they complicated

with a multiplicity of national and local measures.

They

required too

much

so much, that infalibility

some of the

party.

organization in

their

at the

hands of their leaders

would not more than

They lacked

—

satisfy

consolidated, active

campaigns, necessary to

insure

These, however, and various others, needless

success.

to enumerate,

were secondary causes. The great cause was the defeat of Clay in

of that party's destruction

1844.

The acknowledged

many a hard-fought battle

—

leader of his party, through thrice rejected

by his country-

men, the people lost all confidence in their party. They thought if such men as Clay and Webster could not the support of their party, that ability and patriotism w^ere wholly unappreciated, and losing all confidence elicit

in the success of measures being carried in other hands,

that had failed in Clay's, they their party.

American

The campaign

politics,

unforeseen.

— the

From

bowed with

the ruins of

was an epoch in of Clay's defeat was not

of 1844

result

the very day the result became

known

LIFE OP MILLAKD FILLMOEE.

878 a

spirit of

No

A

" all

lost

is

"

hung

in

gloom over the party.

signs indicated renewed energies at another time. " disposition pervaded the entire perfect "give up

Such was the

party.

The vacuum

result of the defeat of

Henry Clay.

thus produced by the defection of the old

whig, was very appropriate for the re-organizatioii of the

American

predecessor, until

Eeared upon the ruins of its great gained strength from 1851, continually,

party. it

1854 and 1855

Of

entire states.

it

swept like an avalanche over several

its principles,

aims, and objects, I need

not speak here, they are known suffice

and

American

;

in letter

and number among their adherents the ablest

spirit,

men from

over the country

all

to say, they are essentially

it

all parties.

Mr. Fillmore became formally

identified

with

the

American order

in 1855. If any additional evidences Were needed, to those transpiring around him, to convince

him of the

utility of the

furnished by

unable to

American movement, they were

the conduct of Kossuth, who, finding himself

make any impressions

other than sympathy

upon the native born citizens of our country,

commenced

appealing to the foreign voters.

The

following it

results;

mans "

is

of .New

You

is

a sample of these appeals, and their

a portion of a speech he

York City

in

1852

to the Ger-

are strong enough to effect the election of that

candidate for the presidency to the

made

:

European

cause.

who

gives the most attention

I find that quite natural, be-

cause between both parties there

is

no difference as

regards the internal policy, and because only by the inan-

LIFE OF MILLARD FILLMORE. ity of the

German

will be such, that,

379

citizens of this country, the election

by and by, the administration will turn and give every nation

their attention to other countries,

No

free scope. first

stroke

you are

;

it is

citizens,

tree,

my German

as

and can command your votes, you sup-

port the candidate

who

will pursue the external policy in

our sense, and endeavor to free

friends, falls with the

therefore necessary, that, inasmuch

effect that all nations

and independent, such as

is

the case

in

become happy

America."

The

following resolutions are the result of a similar

effusion a short time afterwards *'

:

Hesolved, that as American citizens,

ourselves to the democratic party,

we

will attach

and will devote our

in America strength to having a policy of intervention

carried out.

" Eesolved, that

we

expect that the candidates of the

democratic party will adopt the principles of this policy, which has been sanctioned by all distinguished statesmen of this party.

"Resolved, that we protest against the manner in which, heretofore, the government of the United States has interpreted and applied

which

is

ilie

policy of neutrality,

a violation of the spirit of the constitution of

the United States.

''Eesolved, that

we

ask that every American citizen,

not being attached to the soil, may support the strength interof any other people in the sense as the juries have of the American constitution, and preted the principles of neutrality." especially of the policy

LIFE OF MILLAED FILLMORE.

380

And

here again

his

is

secret circular in very strict

" President keeping with his

:

I stand before your excel-

lency a living protestation against the violence of foreign interference, oppressing the sovereign right of nations to

regulate their

own

Germans, and thought

harp of another string

it

best to play on a

:

" Nevst

" Sir

addressing

In this circular he addressed him-

President Fillmore. self to the

Then he was

concerns."

York, June

28th, 1852.

hope you have read already my German farewell speech, delivered June 23d, in the Tabernacle at

New

I

:

York, and also the resolution of the meeting,

which was passed subsequently. " I hope, further, that the impression

which

this

matter

has made upon both political parties has not escaped

your attention. "

man

Indeed,

not easy to be mistaken, that the Ger-

it is

citizens

of

America

the coming election,

will

have the casting vote in

they are united in a joint direction

if

upon the platform of the principles

set forth in the speech

before mentioned. "

They may

decide

upon the exterior policy of the

next administration of the United States, and with that the triumph or the

fall

of liberty in Europe."

Whether Kossuth's

mission, and such effusions as the

had

upon Mr. Fillmore's feelings with

foregoing,

effect

immediate reference to his identification with the American party, or not, they were circumstances well calculated to induce serious reflection on the part of

all.

Mr.

LIFE OF MILLARD FILLMORE.

381

Fillmore's convictions on these principles had heen pretty well settled for a number of years they were the results ;

of a palpable necessity, of whose existence he had long

been

satisfied.

The

following letter, from Mr. Fillmore to a /riend

residing in Philadelphia, gives his views

the principles of the American party

**

more

upon

fully

:

"Buffalo, New York, Jan. Hespected Friend Isaac Newton

3d, 1855.

:

*

*

*

information

happy

u J i-eturn

you many thanks

on the subject of

to hear

what

is

politics.

going forward

;

for

am

I

your

always

but, independently

of the fact that I feel myself withdrawn from the political arena, I have been too

much

depressed in spirit to

take an active part in the late elections.

myself with giving a

silent vote

for

I contented

Mr. Ullman

for

governor. "

While, however, I

events, I

am by

am

an inactive observer of public

no means an indifferent one

;

and I

may

say to you, in the frankness of friendship, I have for a long time looked with dread and apprehension at the corrupting influence which the contest for the foreign vote exciting upon our elections.

is

This seems to result from

being banded together, and subject to the control of a few interested and selfish leaders. Hence, it has been

its

a subject of bargain and ical parties it

;

sale,

and each of the great

polit-

of the country have been bidding to obtain

and, as usual in

most corrupt

is

all

most

such contests, the party which successful.

The consequence

is is,

LIFE OF MILLARD FILLMORE.

382 that

it is

fast demoralizing the

whole countiy

ing the very fountains of political power ing the ballot-box into an

unmeaning mockery, where the

away

by those

corrupt-

;

and convert-

— that great palladium of our

born citizens are voted their

;

liberty

—

rights of native-

who

blindly follow

mercenary and selfish leaders. The evidence of found not merely in the shameless chaffering for

this is

the foreign vote at every election, but in the large dis-

proportion of offices which are

now

held by foreigners, at

home and

abroad, as compared with our native citizens.

Where

the true hearted American whose cheek does

is

not tingle with shame and mortification, to est

and most coveted foreign missions

-see

filled

our high-

by men of

Such

foreign birth, to the exclusion of native born

1

appointments are a humiliating confession to the

crowned

heads of Europe, that a republican sufficient talent to

does not produce

represent a republican nation at a

monarchical court. all

soil

I confess that

due respect to others,

it

seems to me, with

that, as a general rule, our

country should be governed by American-born citizens.

Let us give to the oppressed of every country an asylum and a home in our happy land give to all the benefits ;

of equal laws and equal protection; but let us at the

same time cherish

as the apple of our eye the great prin-

ciples of constitutional liberty,

had the good fortune

how

to appreciate,

"Washington, to his country

which few who have not

to be reared in a free country

and

still less,

how

in that inestimable

know

to preserve.

legacy which he

left

— his farewell address — has wisely warned

;

us to beware of foreign influence as the most baneful foe

LIFE OF MILLARD FILLMORE. of a republican government. different light

from

but he knew that

tliat in it

He

which

saw it

883

it,

to bo sure, in a

now

presents itself;

would approach

in

all

forms, and

hence he cautioned us against the insidious wiles of influence.

Therefore, as well for our

own

sakes, to

whom

this invaluable inheritance of self-government has

been

by our forefathers, as for the sake of the unborn mil-

left

lions let

its

who

are to inherit this land

— foreign and native —

us take warning of the father of his country, and

do what we can to preserve our institutions from corruption,

and our country from dishonor

by the people themselves

;

but

let this

be done

in their sovereign capacity,

by

makiug a proper discrimination in the selection of officers, and not by depriving any individual, native or foreignborn, of any constitutional or legal right to which he is

now "

entitled.

These are

my

sentiments in brief; and although I

have sometimes almost despaired of my country, when I have witnessed the rapid strides of corruption, yet I think I perceive a gleam of hope in the future, and I feel confident that,

when

now

the great mass of intelligence

in this enlightened country is once fully aroused,

and the

danger manifested, it wul fearlessly apply the remedy, and bring back the government to the pure days of "Washington's administration.

Finally, let us adopt the

Let old Eoman motto, 'Never despair of the republic' us do our duty, and trust in that providence which has so signally watched over and preserved us for the result.

But

I have said

more than I intended, and much more

than I should have said to any one but a trusted friend,

LIFE OF MILLARD FILLMORE.

384

Eemem-

as I have no desire to mingle in political strife.

me

ber

kindlj^ to

your family, and, believe me, "I

am

truly j^ours,

"Millard Fillmore." Since the close of Mr. Fillmore's administration, he

has been visited with the severest domestic that

fell

afflictions

with a crushing weight upon his heart.

He

has

continued to reside in Buffalo, a pattern for the old, and

an example

for the

young.

He

recently took a tour to

Europe, and visited the places in the old world hallowed

by

He was

their historic associations.

object of respect and admiration. tious

manner of

countrymen principles

his traveling,

The

won

everywhere an

plain, unostenta-

the approval of his

home, and demonstrated our republican He had personal interviews with abroad. at

Pope of Eome, and other crowned heads of Europe, and was on all occasions The reflections he the recipient of marked respect.

Queen

Victoria, Louis ISTapoleon, the

made upon

the governments of the old world were favor-

able to the highest appreciation for the beloved institutions

of his

American

in

own

country.

Mr. Fillmore

manners, looks,

and

is

feelings,

essentially

and

in his

intercourse with the friends of royalty evinced his purely

American

principles on all occasions.

At

a convention

of his countrymen, wholly unsolicited and unexpected,

held some time since at Philadelphia, he was nominated

by acclamation

as a candidate for the chief magistracy

of the United States

— the

position he filled with such

distinguished ability and patriotism through the struggle

LIFE OF MILLARD FILLMORE.

He

of 1850-51.

3S5

received notice of his nominalion at

Venice, in Italy, by a communication from the committee

From

appointed for that purpose. nifying his acceptance,

and giving

for his future course.

He

is

Paris he replied, sig-

his past as a guarantee

now,

in obedience

the

to

wishes of the American people, before the country as a candidate for the highest

On

office in their

power

to bestow.

the eleventh of June he left Liverpool fur his

On

native land.

reaching

New York

City, banners

were

and the entire population of the memass, to give him a heart-felt welcome.

flung to the breeze, tropolis joined in

New

York's ovation to her favorite son excelled anything

of the kind ever witnessed in America

— ever witnessed

was the spontaneous outburst of freemen. From New York City homeward to Buffalo, his the march of a journey was a triumphal march. Not anywhere, for

it

Caesar, with a coronet on his brow, and captive kings at his

the

car; not

march

a

Salladin,

with the red

one hand, and the trophies of vanquished

scimitar in

empires in the other reunion with panions. " welcome

of

;

it

was the tread and

his fellow citizens

of a freeman, in

his

boyhood com-

In Buffalo the same imposing manifestations of " him. The ovation of his

home

awaited

the lasting friends in Buffalo was, indeed, indicative of

regard

now

felt for

at his

him by

his friends

home, on Franklin

and neighbors.

He

Street, in Buffalo, in

is

ihe

excellent health, cheerful quietude of repose, enjoying

and contented. i;

LIFE OF MILLARD FILLMORE.

386

CHAPTER

XII.

man — His adaptation for — Amiability and industry of Mrs. FillmOre — Mr, FUlmore as a philanthropist — As a neighbor — His love of home — Mr. Fillmore as a husband — As a parent — His — His manners — His order and regu= dence and —His industry—His temperance —His morahty—Mr, Fillmore as a statesman — As a patriot —And as a man — Conclusion.

Character of Mr, Fillmore as a domestic the family circle

resi-

its sociabilities

larity

No man has of

life

ever sustained in

all

tke domestic relations

a character more worthy of emulation than has

Mr, Fillmore.

His spotless reputation

in a long career

of success and usefulness to his country has been tarnished

by no misdeed calculated to subject him remarks and criticism from those to whom actions have been open to inspection. his past

has

life,

in so strict a

to sensorious his every

day

In looking over

conformity to the golden rule

been, that the retrospect, instead of being dis-

it

agreeable

— instead

of

whisperings of remorse,

having to is

commune with

extremely pleasant, for

the it

is

accompanied with the plaudits of an approving conscience.

As

a domestic man, Mr. Fillmore

stituted

by nature

family circle.

to appreciate

The most

the

most happily conblessings of the

delightful enjoyments

most calculated to anjmate emotions

is

his

bosom with

— are those that eradiate around the

— those liveliest

fireside of

own home. Studiously careful to make h:*s home the abode of love and happiness, he looked to that alone for

his

LIFE OF MILLAED FILLMORE. the solid enjoyments of of his professional labors,

he would

life.

the cares and

toils

of

After the arduous duties

home

turn, where, in the

387

as the

bosom

Eden

of his heart,

of his family ho furgot

After a conclusion of services

life.

in a public capacity, with delightful emotions he turned to the

same haven, and

would be sure

to find

in the cup of domestic bliss, an anodyne for his weariness. In

the domestic circle, the amiability of his temperament shines most conspicuously.

The

gentleness of his nature

and the mild dignity of his manners seem to infuse themselves into the minds of all present, until an harmonious

His

assimilation of feeling pervades the entire circle.

cheerfulness

is

of such a nature as to convey an idea of

the most perfect felicity of feeling.

So manifest

cheerfulness, that his entrance into the circle to dispel all

He

peaceful quietude of

home

loves the family circle, and the better than the grandeur of

the palace, though decorated in ity.

all the

ensignia of royal-

His home has ever been the centre of

affections,

duties.

his

feelings, unless they are the result of

gloomy

an universal cause.

'

is

is sufficient

and those

his deepest

to his family regarded as his highest

In the bosom of

his family,

surrounded by those

he loved, he has experienced happier feelings and holier comforts than

when

in the halls of the great.

Often, after

the clouds of adversity began to disperse from the horizon of his future, were the smiles of welcome to his

homo

from those he loved prized more highly than the world's applause.

So admirably adapted life is

his

to the

enjoyment of domestic

temperament, that, in the seclusion of

his fam-

LIFE OF MILLARD FILLMORE.

388 ily,

performing

as

duties

little

head, he has spent

its

days, in preference to mingling with the great, where he

The

"would have been so justly welcome.

of Mr. Fillmore fact that display,

is

entirely divested of pride

it is

and has exhibited no

family history

Quiet, from the

a very quiet one.

and ostentatious

faults that could- subject it

The

to the criticisms of the community.

plain simplicity

of Mr. Fillmore's taste in the arrangement of family comforts,

while

combines neatness and

it

utility,

avoids

extravagant display and gorgeous fixtures. To have a comfortable home, and pleasant family occupants, was his

ardent desire

;

— in both he was successful, until the

interposition of Providence robbed

him of

his

most cher-

ished flowers.

The many

virtues of his wife, were not unappreciated

in the circle of their acquaintance.

a devoted one tionate.

The

as a mother, none

j

As

a wife, she

was ever more

was

affec-

guardianship she exercised over the house-

hold during Mr. Fillmore's absence, engaged in public

more

duty, could not have been

with

happier results.

Her

or

faithful,

gentleness

attended

and devotion

befitted her admirably for the position she occupied.

was anxious

at all times to

piness which she feelings,

knew was

She

promote that domestic hap-

so congenial to her husband's

and to make home the abode of those joys he so In consequence of Mr. Fillmore's fre-

highly prized.

quent absence, the entire management of the home especially

the

training

devolved upon her.

of

their

children,

affairs,

necessarily

These duties she discharged with

the successful devotion of a wife and a mother.

LIFE OF MILLARD FILL5I0RE.

Meek and mild to a fault, ment, all who knew her loved Quiet and unostentatious,

389

unobtrusive in her deporther for her purity of soul.

she charmed with her sim-

Possessing these traits of character, she was

plicity.

most happily moulded

to the feelings of

and

well caculated to promote around the domestic hearth. Her

Mr. Fillmore,

gentle

cheerfulness

efforts to

make home

happy by an exemplification of these

traits,

were

faith-

With such congenial no purer joys belonged to man

fully continued until her death. spirits as these to mingle,

than were Mr. Fillmore's in the midst of his domestic

These he treasures

circle.

his

— the Sabbath

life

as the genuine happiness of

of his soul.

Mr. Fillmore. as a philanthropist, if philanthropy means a love for our species, has no superior. The greatness of his heart can not resist the touching appeals of humanity,

come they from whom,

He

or in whatsoever shape they may.

essentially a feeling

is

The

word.

man

actions of his past

of these attributes of his nature. ity of his nature,

earliest

boyhood.

for the sufferers of the

susceptible of entire

No man

nevolence.

have been

The

has been evinced in

The

sense of the

in every

life

illustrative

peculiar sensibil-

all his

actions from

active sym.pathy he manifested

Emerald

Isle,

shows he has a soul

to the promptings of true be-

sway

can be for an hour in his presence,

without becoming impressed with the belief that he loves his fellow

men

;

he manifests

it

in

legibly written on his countenance est radiance

from his eye

voice

glows

;

anr!

in

;

it

all ;

speaks

it

his

actions

;

it

is

beams with mild-

in the tones of his

the chambers of his soul.

The

LIFE OF MILLARD FILLMORE.

390

deserver of alms can never say he applied in vain to Mr.

Fillmore for

His heart beats a warm response and is overwhelmed with grief

relief.

to the dictates of charity,

at the distress of a suffering fellow creature.

The

susceptibility of his nature to the deepest grief

—

the intensest agony

is

evidenced by the overwhelming

sorrow in which he was thrown, by the domestic tions elsewhere related in this book.

pose to open those

wounds

ashes of his loved ones. heart,

worn

To him

closely round

It

not

is

consume the

the

tomb

afflic-

my

pur-

upon the were jewels of the they

afresh, or to intrude

it

every day

;

when they were

torn from his bosom, the intensity of his feelings to

—

seemed

vitality of existence, and the portals of

to close every

avenue to happiness.

Lost to

the tender condolence of friends, in the voyage of mournful retrospection,

he

communed with

by-gone, and lived alone Insensible to

in a

world of

the offerings of

the visions of the

memory.

friendship,

he mused

" upon the loved and the lost," and in the mantle of misery

"mourned the gems

of his

pale ashes of his hopes."

home had ceased

to

gladden, and

alone on the Sahara of his hopes, to

Such bereavements

The beauteous

mourn

left

him

the departed.

as these, unstring the stoutest hearts

not chilled to every impulse; but to one of Mr. Fillmore's feelings, it

misery.

was the pierce of an

icicle

The wounds were deep and

— the

bitterness of

lasting,

and though

he has regained his wonted «erenity, they are healed. is

not a

still

un-

But, susceptible as are his feelings, Mr. Fillmore

man

with, and love

of impulse. for,

The

his fellow

feelings of

men do

sympathy

not have to be

lilFE

GF MILLARD FILLMORE.

-excited or aroused iu his

a part of

bosom by pathetic

kindness of a friend

and,

;

if

he manifests

He

this

attribute

As

a

man

of feeling,

of his nature, in the daily

life.

feels

deeply wounded over the wrongs of his coun-

try, as well as those of his fellow men.

when

As

he had one, he would never

forget the injuries of an enemy.

He

appeals.

and are always never forgets tho

his nature they exist there,

ready to manifest themselves.

walks of

391

the old ship of state

was about

In 1849-50,

to strand on the

rock of disunion, he manifested the deepest concern.

To

his friends he expressed himself as feeling willing to

make

any personal

sacrifice,

could

it

avail in conciliating the

elements of discord, and cementing the bonds of union.

To

this feeling,

humane nature

of Mr. Fillmore

butable the gi'eat esteem in which he

and

bors

friends.

is

attri-

held by his neigh-

This esteem can not properly be

worthy a higher appellation. It an absolute admiration on the part of the citizens of all

called popularity. is

is

It

is

parties for the intrinsic virtues of the man.

As with

to Mr. Fillmore's character as a neighbor, those

whom

he has lived the longest, and spent the greater

portion of his

life,

can bear the best attestation.

Let

the generous Bufi'alonians, who love him so well, and love to do him honor, speak out under this head, and not one

among her many

voices would say aught against him.

Mr. Fillmore's

not one of those characters to which

is

^'distance lends enchantment." its intervention ithe

No distance is

so great that

would keep him from being admired, but

nearer the approach to Buffalo, the more attractive

LIFE OF MILLARD FILLMOEE.

392 be becomes,

until

in the city

and

his county, his nam©'

The

becomes an embodiment of the purest patriotism. fact, that not a

man among

him, even though he

those

differ

who

are acquainted with

with him

in^ politics,

can say

aught against him, shows the euYiable position he occupies in the midst of his people, and how highly he is esteemed as a neighbor. his neighbors has

The

love Mr. Fillmore has for

always been peculiarly manifest.

while absent, in the discharge of his ters to his friends, he

expressed

From Europe he

midst.

official

Often,

duty, in let-

anxiety to be in their

frequently wrote, contrasting

the ceremonial formalities of court with the social

and expressing his and his friends. with neighbors

his fellow citizens,

the vessel

was about

was almost ready '^

his anxiety to

At

to bear

life

of

mingle

Liverpool,

when

him home, and he

turning from a foreign strand," his bosom

swelled with

delight

at

the

prospect of meeting his

friends.

On

his arrival in Buffalo, the position

the hearts of the peopl6 as a truly manifest.

The mutual

man and

he occupied in

a neighbor, became

joy, the outburst of enthu-

siasm from the assembled thousands who welcom^ed their neighbor home, told his valued worth.

The

greetings

and gratulations of rich and poor, official and peasant, wholly divested of formality, showed the unbounded joy they experienced at seeing him again in their midst.

The

honor and responsibility to the elevation of which he has always received the cordial support of the offices of

city of Buffalo

and a

citizen

and Erie county, show that as a neighbor he occupies an elevated position

in their

LIFE OF MILLARD FILLMORE.

393

No man

has natural qualities better adapted to the discharge of duties as a neighbor, than has Mr. esteem.

Fillmore.

Kind,

liberal,

and generous,

his intercourse is

marked with a great desire to render himself agreeable, and to make those happy around him. To all those neighborhood courtesies, Mr. Fillmore careful to devote

due attention.

is

particularly

Living on terms of

unrestricted sociability with his neighbors, his intercourse is

entirely free

and easy, accompanied frequently with

kind pleasantries, of a neighborhood, home-like nature.

Mr. Fillmore

is

known by almost

of the city of Buffalo, and

is

the entire population

beloved by

recent demonstration of his welcome,

In the

all.

classes and all

all

engaged in the reception of their fellow citizen. Old men were overjoyed and thronged to the stand, pre-

parties

pared to give a welcome. Ladies of all ages mingled in the occasion, and with a thousand handkerchiefs waved

welcome.

their

Men

occasion at which

all

of all parties harmonized on an

were equally

gratified.

ran joyously to him with boquets, as

with flowers."

men

One thing

is

if to

worthy of

"

note.

of Buffalo, and in the entire state of

admire Mr. Fillmore.

Little girls

strew his

way The young

New

York, all

There has never been a man who

has taken a greater hold upon the affections of the young

men

of a state than has Mr. Fillmore

York.

The

the young

upon those of

place Henry Clay occupied

men

New

in the hearts of

of the noble state of Kentucky,

is

equaled

in the hearts of only by that occupied by Mr. Fillmore

the young

men

of

New

York.

But the high esteem

for

Mr. Fillmore on the part

LIFE OF MILLARD FILLMORE.

394:

men

of young

is

not confined to the state of

This

prevades over the entire Union.

it

fact,

is

New

York,

a significant

and should be hailed as a good indication, as sho.wing

young men of the country place a higher estimate upon virtue and patriotism than upon the leaders It shows a disposition on the part of of party factions.

that the

young men

to

make moral worth

the basis of their good set in a

opinions, and to emulate a virtuous example, career of usefulness and honor.

Mr. Fillmore's love of home character. else,

He

loves his

is

a prominent trait of his

home

better than any place

and the friendship of

He

of the great.

plaudits

because he conceived

it

his

his neighbors better than the

has mingled in public

duty to do

fig-tree."

when

In his absence

in the

services of his country, his desires to experience solid joys of

home, and to be

have amounted

in the

bosom of

to the deepest yearnings,

life,

his per-

" the vine

him under

sonal inclinations would have kept

and shadow of his own

so,

the

his family

and he looked

forward to the conclusions of his labors, when no barrier

would interpose between him and

his loved ones, with

fondest anticipations.

The

pride he took in the city of his adoption, in her

growing prosperity and increasing commerce, and the successful operation of her well conducted educational systems,

are

evidences of his

he

feels

men

of that city,

the deepest solicitude, and encourages

enterprise tending to their elevation. of the

In the

love of home.

rising generation, especially the young

Young Men's

He

is

a

every

member

Association, whose objects are to

LIFE OF MILLAliD FILLMOEE.

395

Infuse a literary taste throughout society, and promote

the

facilities of reading.

The enjoyments he

feels in the

social intercourse of his neighbors and friends are, com-

pared to every other, of a transcendent nature. The city of Buffalo is the cradle of his fame, where his young aspirations were rocked into maturity, and he doats on

her citizens and her home associations with the fervor of filial

affection.

of his heart, he

The is

city of his adoption,

and the high-toned generosity of the

many

and the home

proud of her proverbial refinement, of her children.

Sensible

manifestations of regard for him on the part

of her citizens, he feels bound to them by the golden cord of friendship.

Coming

in their

midst a poor and

bosoms with parenpenniless boy, they took him to their and made him the recipient of their confi-

tal solicitude

dence and esteem.

Of

these kindnesses he

is

not forgetful,

but treasures them as a boon of friendship's offering, and in the enjoyment of free intercourse with his friends, he feels

he has vindicators of his name.

A resident

of the city for a quarter of a century, he

watched the development of her resources with pride, and cheerfully assisted in her progress.

The

friends of

his early career for his neighbors, in the quietude of repose

he would love to glide down the stream of life, till gathered to the grave of his fathers. In the shades of his Buffalo home, he wishes to pass the declivity of age,

among his

his friends,

and repose at

heart — the loved of

last

his youth.

by the treasures of This love of home,

on the part of Mr. Fillmore, no distance can damp, no and pomp can change or supgorgeous displays of power

396

LIFE OF MILLARD FILLMOEE.

His friends, with whom he has mingled so long-, and whose devotion has been evinced by an unchanging fidelity to his fortunes through his whole career, are so press.

associated with his feelings, that'thej^ have

And

part of himself. heart, the

Eden

ornaments,

asylum of

is

his

become

of his joys, though deprived of its fairest

the sanctuary of his repose

still

his heart.

Around

his

home and in

The

— and joys

— the

the midst

of his friends, stands the Ararat of his fortunes

the ark of his

as a

home, so long the bower of his

—

rests

blooms the olive of his love.

recent reception extended to Mr. Fillmore was

replete with incidents illustrative of this trait of char-

As the large procession moved on to the tune of Home, Sweet Home," and banners were streaming a

acter.

"

welcome across the

my full

streets of the city, "

This

is

my

own,

was traceable upon his countenance, of emotional joy. He was overwhelmed with feelings

native land,"

of gladness.

The

of his early career

friends

around him — the wives and daughters bors smiled him " "Welcome

In

flocked

of his old neigh-

" !

his response to the address

of welcome, the depth

of his feelings almost choked his utterance.

The expression

that he had, often, in his travels over the old world, longed to be in the city of Buffalo,

showed

his love of home.

and on the shores of Lake Erie

The

expression that he valued

that spontaneous reception by his fellow citizens, more

than such an one as Queen Victoria elicited in the city of

showed the high estimate he placed upon the good The deep feelings of his neighbors and his friends.

Paris, will

he could not suppress when the procession halted, to the

LIFE OF MILLARD FILLMOEE. notes of " Sweet

hijlowed to enshrined in

When

Home,"

at his

own

door,

397 showed how

him by the tenderest assoeiations, and how his bosom was that loved spot of the past.

he entered

its

lone portals, and

met no loved smilo

there that used to give so dear a greeting

joy to twine a fond embrace,

— no girlhood

we can but imagine how,

**

gush after gush," the fountain of feeling rolled its mighty waves into the deep bosom of the past, and hovered around the most pleasing recollections of its horizon.

No

warmer response to cherished reminiscences than does his. One of his first impulses on stepheart beats a

ping from the Atlantic, upon his native

God

that he

was a freeman, and stood

More than a

ports.

soil,

in

king, or a potentate, he

of Columbia, with the stars and stripes

head, and treading a

was

soil

to thank

no need of pass-

was a son

waving over

his

unpolluted by the impress of

tyranny.

His addresses

to his fellow-citizens,

who gave him

re-

ceptions of welcome at every point, from his landing in

New

York, until his arrival in Buffalo, are replete with

patriotism, and a spirit elevated by the love of home. To the " sea of upturned faces " that met him at every

he returned a response, showing the happiness he experienced on being again in the midst of his fellow

point,

freemen, and upon the

soil

of his home-land.

always loved his home, but by

its

it

more

has

contrast with the down-

trodden of other lands, he learned, ciate

Ho

if

possible, to appre-

highly.

Mr. Fillmore, as a husband, presents himself to our

view

in the light

of a model.

From

the time of his

LIFE OF MILLARD FILLMORE.

398

marriage, in 1826, up to the time of his tic

affliction,

first

great domes-

The

he was the kindest of husliands.

peculiar adaptation of his temperament to the enjoyment

of domestic happiness, and the exalted purity of his virtue could not have

made him

otherwise.

his

During

residence at Aurora, before success began to crown his

any great degree, and prosperity began to smile in his pathway, he maintained an equanimity of feeling and cheerfulness, and manifested the greatest devotion as efforts to

a husband.

He

felt

the responsibilities resting upon him

were of the heaviest nature, and was exceedingly faithful in their performance. He was never from home except on business, the prosecution of which was to promote interests,

its

and immediately on his release from such duties Mr. Fillmore's devotion to his it.

he would hasten to wife

was almost

excessive.

and seemed interwoven

To

She was the

in every

idol of his being,

ligament of his feelings.

her he was kind and tender to a fault.

the family circle of his

home

Looking

to

for the purest rays of his

happiness, he regarded his wife as the source from whence

they must emanate, and cherished her as a part of his being.

K-egarding virtuous purity as worthy his warniest its

impersonation in his wife, and

at its shrine.

Possessing the highest appre-

admjration, he beheld

did

homage

ciation for the opposite sex, in the

gentleness of his wife he

virtues and mild all

that

welfare, they lived a life of conjugal felicity,

by the

was

tenderly solicitous of her com-

woman, and was Thus careful to render her happy, and watchful

lovely in fort.

many

saw exemplified

slightest sign of indifference or neglect.

of her

unmoved

He was

LIFE OF MILLARD FILLMORE. uniform

in

his kind

solicitude

the

to

up

399 time of her*

decease.

Mr. Fillmore, as a parent, has pursued a course that He has had but

has only to be known to be admired.

two

children, a

and a daughter, but on these ho

son

doted with paternal fondness.

Mr. Fillmore has a fond-

ness for children and they a fondness for him.

the most

was connected with the

reception in Buffalo

Quite

a

number of

fair

young

number came

droppe^l

it.

to present her's,

With

him

the last one of

by some mishap, sho

the pleasantry of a parent, he

all

drew her to him and kissed her

He

of

children.

presented

girls

When

bunches of flowers, at the stand. the

One

pleasing incidents of the occasion of his recent

in the kindest

loves children, and regarding

them

as but

manner.

men

of a

smaller growth, he manifests a great interest in their welfare

and moral

In training his children to

culture.

sons of early duty, he pursued a course, while the most implicit obedience, endeared him to

purest

love.

He was

les-

produced

them

in

the

never harsh and reproachful in

In impressing a sense of right and

correction or reproof.

wrong upon

it

their minds, he would, with earnestness, point

out the proper course for them, and of a correct deportment.

He showed

tell

to

the importance

them the beauty

of an even course, and the deformity of a reckless one.

He

of a virgave them to understand the sure rewards of a certain the and punishments life, equally

tuous

vicious one.

love to have

He was them

careful to set an

follow,

what he taught by

example he would

and demonstrated by practice

precept.

He

desired to

make homo

LIFE OF MILLAED FILLMORE.

400

an agreeable place, that his children might always look "

to

most pleasing

for their

it

recollections.

to be of vital importance, he

was

Knowing

it

careful to set for his

children that glorious example they would be proud to

He was

contemplate.

careful to rear

He

industry and usefulness.

always

them

felt

to habits of

that duties of a

high order devolved upon every one, and wished his dren to be useful members of society.

man

no

their early education

sonal supervision, and all

chil-

his children,

ever manifested a greater paternal solicitude than

Over

he.

For

he exercised great per-

was extremely

careful to supplant

He

mistaken views with correct ones.

them

sent

to

ir.

good schools, and gave them excellent educations. He them to habits of regular industry, and gave them

trained

clear conceptions of duty.

His labors and

were rewarded.

up, possessed of accomplish-

They grew

ments, and universally beloved.

his solicitude

His daughter,

at the

time of her death, in 1853, possessed not only a highly cultivated intellect and the knowledge of those fine arts

that so

many

much adorn a

lady, but she

ficiency in

and a correct

He now

was a

life.

taste.

has but one child, M. P. Fillmore, a young

In the discharge of every duty as a

lawyer in Buffalo.

parent, Mr. Fillmore has been faithful. self

proficient in

She had made great prodrawing, music, etc., indicating an active mind

useful lessons of

His son and him-

compose the entire family, over whose interests he

presided

and

fidelity.

The

exercised

chain

such harmonious

is

guardianship with

broken that bound

felicity for

a

number

it

successful

together in

of years.

It

was

LIFE OF MILLARD FILLMORE. a golden one.

may

passed,

The

Its links

fever"

"life's fitful

it

is

401

were love and happiness.

"When

over, and the remaining links aro

be reunited in a better sphere.

residence of Mr. Fillmore, on Franklin Street, in

the city of Buffalo,

is in

one of the most beautiful parts plain and unostenta-

of the city.

Like

tious.

a two-story white Uuilding, exceedingly neat

It

is

and handsome.

its proprietor,.it is

The entrance

of rooms below and above.

is

into a hall, with a suit

rooms are very neatly, Everything in and about-

Its

but not gorgeously furnished.

his dwelling displays a taste of the correctest simplicity

and order.

In front of the residence

is

a row of trees

arranged with the hajipiest design, that look pleasingly cheerful. fully

The yard

is

decorated with shrubbery taste-

arranged, and cultivated with

great

care.

The

grounds embracing his yard and garden are not extensive, but sufficiently so for all purposes of convenience and comfort. plate

is

Plain, but exceedingly neat, upon the doorseen " M. Fillmore," to whose domicil the friend,

the citizen, and the stranger residence,

it

is

is

ever welcome.

From

his

but a short and a very pleasant walk to

the placid waters of Lake Erie.

It is in

every respect

temperament of Mr. Filldoor neighbors is Judge N. K. Hall,

adapted to the quiet, home-like more.

One

of his

former post-master-general during Mr. Fillmore's administration.

Between them a long and

friendly intimacy

has existed of the most disinterested nature.

His home,

like himself, bears the aspect of quiet cheerfulness

and

order, wholly divested of everything like display.

This has been Mr. Fillmore's home

for a

number of

LIFE OF MILLARD FILLMORE.

402

years, and the scene of the most generous hospitalities.

There

his friends, in the sacredness of his domestic circle,

always met the most cordial greetings, and were the To the good and recipients of the kindest generosity. the great, the rich and the poor, the peasant and the

of rank,

Go

its

there,

man

hospitalities are extended with free good-will.

and a

kind, reception

books or papers, or with

awaits yon.

some of

his

Among

numerous

his

friends,

he

spends the greater portion of his time there, ready to extend a cordial greeting to the friend or the visitor.

In manners, while Mr. Fillmore displays no studied

makes him a most agree-

formalities, his natural kindness

able companion.

We

often see

esteem as great, and they often position

we had

men whom

the world

fall infinitely

below the

assigned them in our conceptions.

rigid stiffness, indicative of feelings of superiority,

A

seems

to manifest itself in their looks and their entire manners,

that assumes to themselves an elevation at least surate with, and often above, that assigned people.

there

is

But between true greatness and its assumption, a very wide distinction. Between the man who

drinks the cup of adulation

till

his brain

with arrogant assumption concludes he

one who

commen-

them by the

is

grows dizzy, and is great, and the

really so above the effect of his fellow men's

plaudits, there is a

down upon

wide

his fellow

difference.

men from

While the one looks

the elevation of his

own

conceptions, and indicates a superiority of feeling not justifiable from any real merits, the other, with feelings

of gratitude, looks upon his fellow

and regards

men

as his brothers,

their happiness as a part of his own.

Mr.

LIFE OF MILLARD FILLMORE. Fillmore

403

an impersonation of true greatness.

is

we have been

And

we presumed

disappointed by those

if

great

below our conceptions, we are apt to be equally the contraction of Mr. Fillmore's acquaintance, for

falling

so in

he

is

and

sure to rise above them.

The plainness

of his person

attire, the easy dignity of his address, will

esteem of

monial formalities, are extremely dignified.

While

est respect,

charms with

its

He

the soul.

it

commands

elevates and

divests

it

you

of

all

the

all cere-

It is not that

assumptive dignity, however, that repels with arrogance.

elicit

His manners, though divested of

all.

its

formal

the great-

embarrassment, and

winning amiability.

It

is

meets his friends with a smile

a dignity of that, like a

ray from the sunshine of his bosom, melts the feelings into social

with

all

He

communion.

extends his hand of welcome

the cordiality of a true friend, and talks over the

general topics of the day with cheerfulness and freedom.

His manners are marked with the plainest simplicity, entirely divested of all semblance of affectation, and indicative of true refinement.

His natural courtesy, while

it

exhibits a polished exterior, indicates a yet higher polish

The extreme

of the soul. ity, his

forbid

nature,

all

freedom, ease, and sociabilsatiety

and uncomfortable

embarrassments.

There

is

more that the city,

a uniformity about the manners of Mr. Fillis

strikingly manifest.

among

In the white house,

his friends, in the quiet seclusion of

in

home,

mingling with his fellow citizens, or among the crowned

heads of Europe, he

is

the same plain, unostentatious,

amiable, and polished gentleman.

LIFE OF MILLARD FILLMORE.

404

In regard to Mr. Fillmore's habits, they have, in every He has led a life particular, been most unexceptionable. of extreme regularity.

He

has never embarked in any

enterprise with an active zeal that abated before

successfully completed. his

He

it

was

never pursued his studies in

boyhood with great zeal one day, and

trifled his

time

"With systematic earnestness he applied himself,

the next.

and continued

their prosecution with

unabated industry.

Let no day pass without one line," he has exemplified His regularity has been displayed in every as his motto.

•'

department of his business. In the domestic duties of his home, the exactest regularity was always manifest, and the history of a day

was the history of a

year, unless an

incidental interference prevented.

Order he regards as indispensable to success, and of the

first

forms

is

Nothing he ever perhasty manner. Regarding

importance in business.

done in an

indifferent,

an object worth doing dt all, he regards it as being worth doing well, and performs it with neatness and cor-

it

rectness.

From

his

strictest punctuality,

as he .

earliest boyhood he observed the and complied with his promises just

made them, when not unavoidably

prevented.

ing within his means, he contracted no debts

;

he made in every other respect were sure plied with.

So

earliest career

strict

was

Liv-

and promises to be

com-

his punctuality, that in his

he had the confidence of

all,

and was pro-

verbial for the certainty* with which he performed his

promises.

No

hastily

and badly performed duty can claim him

for its executor, for

he does everything in a proper man-

LIFE OF MILLARD FILLMORE. and with neatness.

ner,

405

His penmanship

is

neat and

regular, with no blots

—

are uniform

upon his manuscript. His manners the same to-day they were yesterday. His

whole character,

in fact, is

impressed with the most even

consistency.

Of Mr.

He

Fillmore's

scarcely need

industry I

He

hood he has been an active laborer. an industrious man.

No

is,

riser,

an early hour.

essentially,

He was

from

and began the duties of the day at

Having

in the beginning of his life to

sustain himself with the labor of his

own hands,

habits

"When ho

of regular industry were acquired in youth.

commenced his

child-

one ever pursued a profession

with more energetic activity than did he.

youth an early

speak.

From

has never eaten the bread of idleness.

profession, he applied himself with zealous

activity to master its intricacies, and after he got into

practice, the business of his

persevering attention.

He

received

office

did not

embark in

from any inducement to lead an easy determined

spirit

to

fessional life lorms a

for

one of triumphant success, but ease.

Far the greater portion

it

If a pro-

some men, Mr. His

more has not been one of those men.

most

but with a

life,

render himself useful.

bed of ease

the

his profession

life

Fill-

has been

has not been one of

of his

life

has been spent

in active labor, either in professional engagements, or in

a public capacity. His industrial habits have always been exhibited about his home in the happiest manner. It

is

his nature to be actively

engaged

in either

mental

or physical labor.

After he began to be successful in his career, and not

LIFE OF JIILLARD FILMIORE,

406

necessitated to do so, he labored with his

own

hands.

In

his garden, with the spade or the hoe, he superintended

the laborers, and assisted in

Out

in the early

morning

its

air,

arrangement and

he loved to sow his seed, and plant

Mr. Fillmore, there

his vegetation.

a morality in labor.

is

tillage.

with his gardening utensils,

To

Eegarding

idleness as the parent of misery, and a direct violation of

duty

itself,

he has shunned

it

as an

Upasian vale to

his

Thou shalt earn thy bread by the sweat of thy brow," he has thoroughly comprehended, and has com*'

hopes.

plied with the enactment to the fullest extent.

Man, as

having relative duties to perform, the neglect of which

would prove him recreant morafly bound to labor.

As

to his race, he regards

as

a result of his industry, Mr. Fillmore presents

himself to our view a statesman of extraordinary capacity

and world-wide renown. the most temperate of

men

to apostolic injunction, he

From

Mr. Fillmore has always been in every respect. According " all in temperate things."

is

intoxicating drinks he has abstained entirely, dur-

ing his whole

life.

He was never tempted,

in his younger His family, back to and the father of great-grandfather

days, by the lure of the wine cup.

John Fillmore, his all by that name in America sobriety.

So

strictly has

abstinence, that he

is

— — were remarkable

for their

he adhered to this principle of

scarcely acquainted with anything

of that nature.

The lessons of his boyhood, and the principles which were impressed upon his mind, in connection with his subsequent high-toned resolves, kept him aloof from the

LIFE OF MILLARD FILLMORE.

407

all such vices. Extremely cautious to preserve a correct deportment, and to establish a character of

sway of

moral rectitude, he never was thrown amichthc

The

ences of corrupt associations.

evil influ-

effects of this regu-

lie has always life, are most happily felt. almost enjoyed uinterrupted good health, and a buoyancy

lar,

temperate

of feeling

In his

unknown he

to the epicure, or the

is

exceedinly plain and citizen-like. tobacco, in any shape or form

;

wine bibber.

He

plain and simple. in regard to dress or diet. His attire diet

is

He

from the

is

always neat, but has strict

to his temperate principles, he has been

from the

and expenditures of

effects

He

this nature.

guage

never used

adherence

entirely

in

a single habit of

has never sworn an oath, or used lan-

in the least profane.

From

his

example

let little

boys learn lessons of temperance and industry, and

by putting them

As

free

this pernicious prac-

In boyhood, he never indulged

tice.

not fastidious

profit

in practice.

regards Mr. Fillmore's moral character,

it is

of an

elevated nature.

In childhood he was more moral than

most children

youth his morality was remarkable for

its strictness

;

in

;

in

manhood it was unexceptionable, and now

braced by the moral culture of years, to our

view

in

it

presents itself

noble proportions, without blemish. left his character

Mr. Fillmore, as a statesman, has

upon the

institutions of his country,

American mind.

upon the

tablets of the

patriotic,

and conservative.

all

Machavelian

artifice,

between a patriot and a

and impressed

As

He

is

it

decisive,

a statesman, shunning

he sees the wide distinction

politician,

and spurns the schemes

LIFE OF MILLARD FILLMORE.

408 of the

The

with the moral purity of the other.

Oiie

purity of his character as a statesman stands above the

men

of

day and

his

reminds us

of

our

illustrious

Washington. It

a little remarkable, that since the author has been

is

engaged on these pages, he has received numerous

letters

one of

different sections of the country, in every

fi'om

"which occur the enviable words "

man,"

Mr. Fillmore.

applied to

Our Purest States-

Mr. Fillmore, as a man,

possesses the attributes of God's true noblemen.

We

are

now

patriot.

Of

the

faithfully to

manner

ihQ reader must judge.

We

conclusion of our labors.

at the

have endeavored

in

record

which the task

If, in

a

the career of is

performed,

conclusion, the author of

these pages should be the means of casting a ray of light

along the dark path traveled by struggling youth in adversity

—

if

he should dispel a cloud of despair from

the horizon of impoverished worth-

—

if

he should

thrill

a

single heart that bleeds under the chill blast of penury

with hopeful pulsations

—

if

he should light a smile upon

the pale and fevered brow of friendless genius

—

if

he

should dry a burning tear that drops from the fount of and if, in the example of one so orphaned ambition

—

noble as the subject of these pag^s, the struggling youth

may

see a light to guide his steps

— he

will feel rewarded.

-^^

)^