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Millard
Fillmore
by George P. A. Healy, 1857
MILLARD FILLMORE
Thirteenth President,
July 9, 1850 – March 4,
1853
Franklin P. Rice, 1882:
MILLARD FILLMORE, the Thirteenth President of the United States, was born in Cayuga County, New York, on the seventh of January, 1800. He was not liberally educated; but, after learning the trade of a fuller, he studied law, and supported himself for several years by teaching school. He removed to Erie County and practised law for some years with success. In 1829, he was elected to the Assembly, where he distinguished himself by his advocacy of the act to abolish imprisonment for debt. He was a Member of Congress from 1833 to 1835; and again from 1837 to 1841, and took a prominent part in the business of the House. He supported John Quincy Adams in his struggle for the right of petition; opposed the annexation of Texas; favored the abolition of the slave trade, and of slavery in the District of Columbia; and sustained all the important measures of the Whig Party. He was elected Vice President on the ticket with Zachary Taylor in 1848, and by the death of the latter became President in 1850. In 1856, he was the candidate of the American Party. His last years were passed in quiet and dignified retirement. He died at his home in Buffalo, March 8th, 1874.
President Fillmore discharged the duties of his high position with dignity and propriety; and during his administration the American People had no reason to feel ashamed of the personal conduct of their President. The signing of the Fugitive Slave Bill appears to have been his only political sin; and in this, undoubtedly, he felt that he was acting for the best of the country.
Henry W. Rugg, 1888:
THE PUBLIC school system of America, now so firmly established, has been of gradual growth, beginning in the log cabins of the New World settlers, where teachers and pupils together struggled with the “three R’s,” among primitive surroundings and with few facilities for the pursuit of learning. The architectural pretensions of the modern school buildings mark progress in the estimate placed upon the value of a free education; but it must be remembered that in those days there were pioneers of this movement, or the log cabin school-houses would never have been builded by men forced to work early and late to keep their families from absolute want. Honor is due to those who believed in the benefits of a public school education when the thought was not popular as now; to those among the early settlers of our country who fostered the germ which has ripened into the present broad system, capable of such glorious results. One who thus appreciated the advantages of education was the father of Millard Fillmore, thirteenth President of the United States. This liberal-minded man, of Massachusetts origin, removed his family to what is now Summer Hill, in Cayuga County, New York, in the year 1795, and the son, Millard, was born there, January 7, 1800.
This region was then but sparsely settled, the schools offered few advantages, books were expensive luxuries not to be indulged in by the farmers of that region, the most prosperous of whom were in somewhat humble circumstances. Both the parents of Millard Fillmore, however, encouraged his liking for intellectual pursuits and his desire for knowledge, though they could do little towards placing him in a position where his intelligent mind could be developed to its full extent. When a lad of fourteen years he was sent to a mill in Livingston County, to learn a clothier’s trade. He was a diligent worker, but in his leisure hours he devoted himself to reading all the books available, specially those of travel, history, and biography. He thus rapidly trained his mental powers, while he acquired much information useful to him in his after life.
The lad of studious habits, quick intelligence and prepossessing appearance attracted the attention of Judge Wood, a man of kindly nature, who became friend and benefactor to the young clothier, taking him into his law office and giving him pecuniary aid for the pursuit of legal studies. Appreciating the advantages thus offered, Mr. Fillmore worked steadily in the way of
Millard
Fillmore
by Unknown Artist, c. 1843
preparation for several years under the guidance of Judge Wood, and afterwards in a law office of Buffalo, paying his necessary expenses in that city by teaching school. He was admitted to practice as a lawyer in 1823, and at that time established his residence in Aurora, Erie County, where his father had removed a few years before. In 1826 Mr. Fillmore married Miss Abigail Powers, the youngest child of Rev. Lemuel Powers of that village.
After a few years spent in a course of extended reading and the regular routine of a lawyer’s life in a secluded village, Mr. Fillmore returned to Buffalo and entered into partnership with two distinguished members of the bar in that city. Although his early education had been restricted, he partially made up for the defect by his diligence in the preparation of later years, so that, as opportunities were offered, he rapidly acquired a reputation for talents of a high order, for industry as well as ability in his profession.
During this period of his life Mr. Fillmore became actively interested in politics, having been chosen in 1829 a member of the State Legislature from Erie County. The Whig party, to which he belonged, was then in the minority in New York, nevertheless he exerted considerable influence, and was the principal mover in helping to secure the passage of the law abolishing imprisonment for debt, his speeches on the subject winning admiration for their clear, logical presentation of the matter. He continued to ably serve his constituents in the House of Assembly until 1832, when, in the autumn of that year, he was elected to Congress. In this capacity his abilities were more widely recognized, as there were greater opportunities for the display of intellectual gifts and political acquirements. But in this body, as in the State Legislature, Mr. Fillmore, being in the minority, was unable to render any large service, or make himself specially conspicuous, though he performed all his Congressional duties with characteristic faithfulness.
With the expiration of his term of office he resumed the practice of law in Buffalo, continuing it for two years. In 1836 he again consented to be a candidate, and was re-elected to Congress, being kept in that office by successive elections until 1842, when he declined further service. During these later years of his Congressional career, he held a foremost position as one of the
Millard
Fillmore
by James Boyle
leaders of his party, was popular throughout the State, and acquired a national reputation. He was painstaking and industrious in performing the duties incident to his position; he was skilled in debate, the solid basis of legal knowledge which he possessed enabling him to discuss public interests without special preparation. He was called to responsible labors as chairman of the Committee on Ways and Means, an office which required all the intellectual resources, the quick perceptions, the constant attention which he devoted to its service. During his several terms in office he was identified with many notable measures. He held pronounced views in the matter of protection, and was influential in securing many of the provisions incorporated into the tariff of 1842. Naturally conservative in feeling, he yet favored the restriction of slavery in the District of Columbia, the abolition of the slave trade between the States, and stood with John Quincy Adams in support of the rights of all persons, including women and slaves, to petition Congress. He left his place in the House of Representatives with an honorable record for his work in behalf of his country’s interests, while his retirement from office was deplored by his party and constituents.
For a brief period only was Mr. Fillmore relieved from an active participation in political affairs, for in 1844 he was nominated by the Whig party as candidate for Governor of New York. He was defeated, however, after an exciting canvass, by the opposing candidate, Mr. Silas Wright; but he drew to his support the full strength of his party. In 1847 he was elected State Comptroller. He resigned his lucrative professional practice in Buffalo to assume this position, removing to Albany shortly after his election, that he might better discharge the labors which devolved upon the incumbent of that important public trust.
Mr. Fillmore at this period was popular with his party, both in New York and beyond its limits. He had made an excellent record, and shown many statesmanlike qualities. His general reputation was that of a wise and skillful political leader, who well deserved to be called to a higher place than any he had yet filled. When the Whig Convention met at Harrisburg, Pennsylvania, in June, 1848, to nominate candidates for President and Vice-President, it selected for the first office General Zachary Taylor, famous as a soldier, but untrained in civil matters, and greatly deficient in knowledge of political affairs. In view of this selection it was
Zachary Taylor
/ Millard Fillmore Campaign Banner
Hand-colored Lithograph by N. Currier, 1848
thought best to associate with the popular soldier a man versed in government matters and more of a statesman, and therefore Millard Fillmore, holding the esteem of his party, was its choice as candidate for Vice-President. The election of 1848 resulted in the success of the Whig ticket, General Taylor and Mr. Fillmore being inaugurated in their respective positions March 4, 1849.
As the presiding officer of the Senate, Vice-President Fillmore showed marked ability, was dignified, firm, and always maintained order and decorum in debate. The exciting question of slavery aroused great interest on both sides. Party feeling was intense, the whole country was in a fevered condition; there were strong men in the Senate, and to preside over its deliberations called for more than ordinary mental equipment, but Mr. Fillmore was able to meet all the requirements which the position demanded. After this preparation there was soon to ensue a more responsible and trying charge. President Taylor died July 9, 1850, and Mr. Fillmore was his constitutional successor in office.
Thus unexpectedly called to assume the arduous duties of this exalted station, it yet seemed that Mr. Fillmore had special fitness for the discharge of the duties thus devolved upon him. He encountered many difficulties during the nearly three years of his career as Chief Magistrate, one obstacle being that the party in opposition was in the majority in both Houses of Congress for the greater part of this time. President Fillmore did not win the entire approbation of his party associates, much less of the people of the country. He disappointed the expectations of the North by approving the Fugitive Slave Law, and issuing a proclamation calling upon government officials to enforce its provisions. The various compromise measures regarding slavery adopted during his administration were by no means successful in conciliating the South, while they intensified the anti-slavery opinions of the North and resulted in the disruption of the Whig party.
Among the pleasant features which were notably associated with the nearly three years in which President Fillmore was at the head of the government, were the reception of the Hungarian patriot, Kossuth, the sending of an embassy, under Commodore Perry, to Japan, the passage of an act securing cheaper rates of postage for the American people. In recalling the history of this administration, not altogether a successful one, the discretion,
Millard
Fillmore
Hand-colored Lithograph by N. Currier, 1848
faithfulness and ability of the President are now admitted, however much of adverse criticism some of his acts may seem to deserve. In the clearer judgment of to-day more allowance is made for the mistakes he committed, while it is seen that these mistakes are offset by the earnest efforts he made to promote good feeling between the different sections of the country and to advance its interests. It is now generally conceded that he was “always honest, capable, and faithful to the constitution.”
Just before the expiration of his term of office Mrs. Fillmore died. The President, accompanied by his son and daughter, left Washington soon after the inauguration of his successor, and again entered upon the life of a private citizen in Buffalo. In 1858 he married Mrs. Carolina M’Intosh, of Albany, and not afterwards taking an active part in public affairs, he was able to enjoy his home and follow the quiet pursuits in which he took so much delight.
His views upon the questions of national interest were often sought, and sometimes freely given. On several occasions after his retirement from the Presidency he was called upon for public addresses, in which he avowed his opinions in a way to command attention. In one of these addresses he expressed a wish that both Canada and Mexico might be annexed to the United States. At one time he was prominent in the Native American party, and was named as its candidate for President. When the storm of Civil War broke upon the land Mr. Fillmore kept silence. Neither then, nor afterward during the four years’ struggle, did he speak the approving word which would have been most encouraging to patriotic hearts at a time when the American Union was in direst peril.
The ex-President died March 8, 1874, in Buffalo, New York, that city having been his residence for much the greater part of his life. He was held in high esteem by those who stood nearest to him – his neighbors, associates and personal friends. Whatever differing regard there may be as to some acts of his public career, this approving estimate is greatly to his credit. There can be no question as to the uprightness which marked his private life, nor the conscientious devotion with which he applied himself to the discharge of all official trusts. His plain, simple manners were never altered by the honors which he received, and his dignified, courteous bearing was the same throughout his long life, in the various conditions and circumstances by which he was influenced. To a man of this stamp there is due a meed of praise because of his intelligent labors, however much of criticism may attach to his plans of work, ideas of public policy, and some of his official acts.
Millard
Fillmore
Hand-colored Lithograph by N. Currier, 1848