Page:The Presidents of the United States, 1789-1914, v. II.djvu/211

MILLARD FILLMORE 165 of 1852), as being a statesman of large civil ex perience, and one in whose career there was nothing inconsistent with the highest purity and patriotism. After leaving Washington for the last time, Web ster said to a friend that Fillmore s administration leaving out of the question his own share of its work was no doubt the ablest the country had possessed for many years. The same great states man, in his speech at the laying of the corner-stone of the capitol extension, said: "President Fill- more, it is your singularly good fortune to perform an act such as that which the earliest of your prede cessors performed fifty-eight years ago. You stand where he stood; you lay your hand on the corner stone he laid. Changed, changed is everything around. The same sun, indeed, shone upon his head which shines upon yours. The same broad river rolled at his feet, and now bathes his last rest ing-place, which now rolls at yours. But the site of this city was then mainly an open field. Streets and avenues have since been laid out and completed, squares and public grounds inclosed and orna mented, until the city, which bears his name, al though comparatively inconsiderable in numbers and wealth, has become quite fit to be the seat of government of a great and united people. Sir, may the consequences of the duty which you perform so auspiciously to-day equal those which flowed from his act. Nor this only; may the principles of