times have been willing to do them justice, and have done their utmost to maintain their constitutional rights, and to go there and inform them merely of this fact, which is all we can do, is in my opinion a work of supererogation. What they want, and what I want, is some assurance from the Republican party, now dominant at the North, that they, or at least the conservative portion of them, are ready and willing to come forward and repeal all unconstitutional state laws; live up to the compromises of the Constitution, execute the laws of Congress honestly, and faithfully, and treat our Southern brethren as friends. When I can have any such reliable assurances as this to give, I will go most cheerfully and urge our Southern brethren to follow our example, and restore harmony and fraternal feelings between the North and the South. At present, our labors should be here. Let us put ourselves right, and then we can with more confidence and justice appeal to them; and I am happy to say that recent indications lead me to hope that this may be done. I am especially grateful to see the patriotic and sensible article in the Albany Journal of last Monday. Standing, as the senior editor of that paper does, at the head of his party, it required great moral courage and good sense and devoted patriotism to indite and publish such an article. But I regard it as evidence that there are men in the Republican party, who have been regarded as most ultra, who see the danger that threatens, and are willing to sacrifice all false pride, and even party itself to save the country. I cannot doubt that there are many more such, and from that source I look for the salvation of the country. But I cannot say more. I have written in the utmost haste, that a substitute may be appointed in my place. I am truly yours MILLARD FILLMORE. On Dec. 15, 1860, a meeting, ostensibly of merchants, was held in a Pinestreet office, New York City, "to consult as to the best means to be adopted to avert the danger now threatening the Union, and to assure to the South sufficient protection to their constitutional rights within the Union." Ex-President Van Buren and numerous prominent Democratic politicians were present. Although claiming to be non-partisan, the meeting voiced the sentiments of the Democratic party; its chief result was a request to ex-President Fillmore to visit South Carolina "as commissioner from New York to exhort temperate action and delay" on the part of the former State. Mr. Fillmore's reply was withheld by the committee, on the ground that it was not intended for publication. At length, however, on Jan. 22, 1861, it appeared in the New York World, as above printed. A COOPER INSTITUTE MEETING. BUFFALO, Jany 18, 1861. GENTLEMEN: I have your flattering invitation to attend a meeting of the Citizens of New York at the Cooper Institute on Monday next, but regret to say that it is out of my power to accept it. I am Respectfully your obt. servt. MILLARD FILLMORE Messrs. T. BAILEY MYERS, E. J. BROWN & others, Committee &c. MS. collections, New York Public Library, Lenox branch. TO THE HON. JAMES O. PUTNAM. BUFFALO, Jan. 28, 1861. MY DEAR SIR: I have your favor of the 22d and am happy to hear you say that "All men capable of Statesmanship have learned that there is a wide difference between contesting for power and wielding it." If the Republican party should appreciate this sentiment in time and act upon it, they may save the Union, but I fear that a majority can never be brought to take so sensible a view. Most men have but one idea, and if that gives a wrong prejudice there is no help. I am not one of those who is disposed to impute the whole blame for the calamities which have fallen upon the country exclusively to the North or the South-both have been to blame, nor am I disposed to censure any of my old political friends for the course which they took at the last election; they doubtless acted conscientiously, and did what they thought best for the country. But knowing what I did of the temper of the South I feared the result which we now witness, and so warned my friends in 1856. But I know that they did not have the same apprehension. But while I feared and predicted this-and at all times have done what I could to avoid it—yet I by no means approve of the course of the seceding States. I think their acts are suicidal and wholly unjustifiable. I have great confidence in President Lincoln's conservatism, integrity and patriotism, and could this unfortunate rebellion have been delayed for 6 months after his inauguration, I think it would have been morally impossible. But I greatly fear that all is lost! Still I try to believe in the old Roman maxim, Never to despair of the Republic. I have read with great interest and satisfaction the article from the Princeton Review, and must say that my old friend Thurlow Weed, for the course he has recently taken, deserves the thanks of his country, and for it I am ready to forgive him all his hostility to me and my administration. With sentiments of respect, I am truly yours, MILLARD FILLMORE. Hon. JAMES O. PUTNAM. Original MS. owned by Mr. Harvey Putnam, Buffalo. |