Details
FILLMORE, MILLARD, President. Autograph manuscript of his "Copperhead" speech to the Great Central Fair of the Ladies Christian Commission in Buffalo, 22 February 1864, 16 pages, 8vo, neatly written on rectos only on lined paper -- FILLMORE. Autograph letter signed ("Millard Fillmore") to H.P. McIntosh of Cleveland, Buffalo, 9 March 1864, 1 page, 8vo, written on single leaf preceding the speech, sending the manuscript of "my recent address at the meeting of the Ladies Christian Commission Fair...in my own handwriting as I wrote and delivered it," explaining that "it is somewhat soiled because it has been in the hands of the printers. Though it has been attacked by the abolitionists, I adhere to it as it is without changing a word"; together 2 items, bound together in contemporary half black morocco gilt, upper cover gilt-lettered: "Millard Fillmore's Address Before the Buffalo Sanitary Fair, Feb. 22, 1864," edges rubbed.
THE SPEECH WHICH BRANDED A FORMER PRESIDENT A "COPPERHEAD"
An important manuscript of a key address in which Fillmore made public his dissatisfaction with the Lincoln administration and its conduct of the war. While President, Fillmore had damned himself in the eyes of the anti-slavery segment of the population by helping to engineer the Compromise of 1850 and by signing into law the Fugitive Slave Law. During the Civil War Fillmore was active in sponsoring pro-Union rallies, but in 1863 he wrote Lincoln in regard to the case of a nephew who had been dismissed from the Union Army for intemperence. Lincoln referred the matter to the Judge Advocate General for investigation, but apparently no action was taken. "Whether or not this sharpened Fillmore's initial distrust of the Republicans for causing what the ex-President regarded as an unnecessary war and heightened his war-weariness, in February 1864 he made a sudden about-face." In the present speech, which was widely circulated, he "declared the war a failure" (Mark E. Neely, Jr., Abraham Lincoln Encyclopedia, p. 110-111.
Fillmore begins by recollecting the celebration in Buffalo of Washington's birthday, 32 years earlier, noting that "Since then, rail roads have been built, telegraphs invented and constructed...and numerous labour-saving machines invented...and our beloved Country has enjoyed years of prosperity and happiness. But now, Alas! all this is changed. Three years of civil war have desolated the fairest portion of our land; loaded the country with an enormous debt that the sweat of millions yet unborn must be taxed to pay; arrayed brother against brother and father against son in mortal combat; deluged our country with fraternal blood; whitened our battle-fields with the bones of the slain, and darkened the sky with the pall of mourning...We can not...control the events of this desolating war. We hear its thunders and mark its track of desolation, and we must meet the emergency as best we can, but never despair of the Republic. It is no time now to inquire whether it might not have been avoided. Let those who seek light on this subject read Washington's farewell address. Nor are we now to criticize the conduct of those who control it...the impartial historian will do this when the passions engendered by this strife have cooled, and partisan prejudice...And much less are we called upon to predict when or how this war will end...But let us hope that an All wise and merciful Providence will incline the hearts of the people, North and South, to peace, -- to a lasting peace; with a restored Union, cemented by fraternal affection under our well tried and glorious Constitution...
"Nor is this the time or the place to express our opinion as to the policy that should be pursued to reach so desirable an end. But one thing is clear, that much must be forgiven -- if not forgotten -- on both sides, before this union can ever be restored; and, therefore it is to be hoped that all unnecessary acts of cruelty...in triumphing over a fallen foe should be avoided; for all such acts only fire the heart of our adversary with resentment and revenge, and thus protract the war, increase its horrors, and must leave a sting which will render a reunion more difficult, if not impossible..." But, he hastens to add: "it must be apparent to all that the first step towards bringing this war to a close is to conquer the rebel army. Any negotiations for peace before this is done would prove abortive...But when we have conquered their armies and disposed of their leaders then let us show our magnanimity and generosity by winning back the deluded multitude who have been seduced or coerced into this rebellion by extending to them every act of clemency and kindness in our power, and by restoring them to all their rights under the Constitution. This I conceive to be Christian forgiveness and the best policy, and the only one which can ever restore this union. But to accomplish this the administration must be supported in all constitutional efforts to conquer and disperse the rebel army...[P]resent appearances indicate a more bloody campaign the ensuing season, than any we have yet had....
"We must, therefore, give up the contest and consent to dissolution, which, I venture to say, that no man who loves his country is prepared to do, or we must send an army into the field sufficiently strong to ensure success; for if we do not conquer and disperse the rebel army the ensuing campaign, the war may be protracted indefinitely, and finally end in separation, dishonour & utter ruin of the country....I say, therefore, that the administration must have sufficient men and money; and this, though we may not always approve of the use that is made of either. We can only act in this matter through the powers that be. Any other course would produce a counter revolution that would end in anarchy...."
Ending with a call for support of the goals of the sanitary fair, he pleads they let the soldier in uniform "know that we think he takes his life in his hand from patriotic motives, to save us and our country...and that we are doing what we can at home to provide against the casualties of war....Therefore, my friends, go on with your good work...I am proud of my country women for what they have done and are doing to mitigate the evils of war....England is proud...of her Florence Nightingale...And has not America her Nightingale? Yes, many, though less conspicuous...Since this war began she has give her days and her nights, without compensation, to the service of the Hospitals....and when justice shall be done to those noble women...the name of Miss [Dorothea] Dix will be no less conspicuous and deserving than that of Florence Nightingale. But you are all Dixes and Nightingales in your several spheres...."
In the 1864 elections, Fillmore predictably supported the campaign of George B. McClellan. After Lincoln's assassination, Fillmore headed the committee which met and solemnly escorted the funeral train through Buffalo.
THE SPEECH WHICH BRANDED A FORMER PRESIDENT A "COPPERHEAD"
An important manuscript of a key address in which Fillmore made public his dissatisfaction with the Lincoln administration and its conduct of the war. While President, Fillmore had damned himself in the eyes of the anti-slavery segment of the population by helping to engineer the Compromise of 1850 and by signing into law the Fugitive Slave Law. During the Civil War Fillmore was active in sponsoring pro-Union rallies, but in 1863 he wrote Lincoln in regard to the case of a nephew who had been dismissed from the Union Army for intemperence. Lincoln referred the matter to the Judge Advocate General for investigation, but apparently no action was taken. "Whether or not this sharpened Fillmore's initial distrust of the Republicans for causing what the ex-President regarded as an unnecessary war and heightened his war-weariness, in February 1864 he made a sudden about-face." In the present speech, which was widely circulated, he "declared the war a failure" (Mark E. Neely, Jr., Abraham Lincoln Encyclopedia, p. 110-111.
Fillmore begins by recollecting the celebration in Buffalo of Washington's birthday, 32 years earlier, noting that "Since then, rail roads have been built, telegraphs invented and constructed...and numerous labour-saving machines invented...and our beloved Country has enjoyed years of prosperity and happiness. But now, Alas! all this is changed. Three years of civil war have desolated the fairest portion of our land; loaded the country with an enormous debt that the sweat of millions yet unborn must be taxed to pay; arrayed brother against brother and father against son in mortal combat; deluged our country with fraternal blood; whitened our battle-fields with the bones of the slain, and darkened the sky with the pall of mourning...We can not...control the events of this desolating war. We hear its thunders and mark its track of desolation, and we must meet the emergency as best we can, but never despair of the Republic. It is no time now to inquire whether it might not have been avoided. Let those who seek light on this subject read Washington's farewell address. Nor are we now to criticize the conduct of those who control it...the impartial historian will do this when the passions engendered by this strife have cooled, and partisan prejudice...And much less are we called upon to predict when or how this war will end...But let us hope that an All wise and merciful Providence will incline the hearts of the people, North and South, to peace, -- to a lasting peace; with a restored Union, cemented by fraternal affection under our well tried and glorious Constitution...
"Nor is this the time or the place to express our opinion as to the policy that should be pursued to reach so desirable an end. But one thing is clear, that much must be forgiven -- if not forgotten -- on both sides, before this union can ever be restored; and, therefore it is to be hoped that all unnecessary acts of cruelty...in triumphing over a fallen foe should be avoided; for all such acts only fire the heart of our adversary with resentment and revenge, and thus protract the war, increase its horrors, and must leave a sting which will render a reunion more difficult, if not impossible..." But, he hastens to add: "it must be apparent to all that the first step towards bringing this war to a close is to conquer the rebel army. Any negotiations for peace before this is done would prove abortive...But when we have conquered their armies and disposed of their leaders then let us show our magnanimity and generosity by winning back the deluded multitude who have been seduced or coerced into this rebellion by extending to them every act of clemency and kindness in our power, and by restoring them to all their rights under the Constitution. This I conceive to be Christian forgiveness and the best policy, and the only one which can ever restore this union. But to accomplish this the administration must be supported in all constitutional efforts to conquer and disperse the rebel army...[P]resent appearances indicate a more bloody campaign the ensuing season, than any we have yet had....
"We must, therefore, give up the contest and consent to dissolution, which, I venture to say, that no man who loves his country is prepared to do, or we must send an army into the field sufficiently strong to ensure success; for if we do not conquer and disperse the rebel army the ensuing campaign, the war may be protracted indefinitely, and finally end in separation, dishonour & utter ruin of the country....I say, therefore, that the administration must have sufficient men and money; and this, though we may not always approve of the use that is made of either. We can only act in this matter through the powers that be. Any other course would produce a counter revolution that would end in anarchy...."
Ending with a call for support of the goals of the sanitary fair, he pleads they let the soldier in uniform "know that we think he takes his life in his hand from patriotic motives, to save us and our country...and that we are doing what we can at home to provide against the casualties of war....Therefore, my friends, go on with your good work...I am proud of my country women for what they have done and are doing to mitigate the evils of war....England is proud...of her Florence Nightingale...And has not America her Nightingale? Yes, many, though less conspicuous...Since this war began she has give her days and her nights, without compensation, to the service of the Hospitals....and when justice shall be done to those noble women...the name of Miss [Dorothea] Dix will be no less conspicuous and deserving than that of Florence Nightingale. But you are all Dixes and Nightingales in your several spheres...."
In the 1864 elections, Fillmore predictably supported the campaign of George B. McClellan. After Lincoln's assassination, Fillmore headed the committee which met and solemnly escorted the funeral train through Buffalo.