A Recent Letter from Millard Fillmore.
In the annals of American history, President Millard Fillmore may not stand out with as much sparkle as his more famous counterparts. However, this quiet figure deserves another, more appreciative look from us. Why? Because his 19th-century views had a long-lasting influence on the evolution of the United States' infrastructure, aspects of which continue to shape our experience today.
Recently, a letter penned by Fillmore, dated August 30th, 1850, came to light. Addressed to John Skinker, G. W. Whitman, James Allen, and W. W. Upton, the letter provides insight into Fillmore's stance on infrastructure, particularly on the topic of a Pacific Railroad. If the concept of a 19th-century president discussing something as seemingly modern as railroads seems strange or anachronistic, it serves us well to remember that the railroad was the central artery of 1850s America, as perhaps the internet is to us today.
Fillmore's words tell us a lot, not just about infrastructural policies of his era, but also about his personal leadership values. In response to the men's inquiry about his views on the railroad and government involvement in internal improvements, Fillmore wrote, "My past life is the only guaranty which I can give for my future conduct." Judicious words, which reflect on his refusal to commit to any specific policy path to gain political favor. Instead, he advised them to look to his previous actions and decisions for an understanding of how he might approach future challenges.
In an age so far removed from our own, phrases like "a Railroad to California" might seem quaint, insignificant. But this was no alternative to the steamboat or the horse-drawn coach. It was, in fact, the much-discussed major infrastructural goal of the time – encompassing thousands of miles of unmapped territories, daunting terrains, and the simmering socio-political situations of the then divided nation.
It's worth noting, then, that Fillmore saw the value in such a project. "I have seen no cause to change my sentiments on the subjects of your inquiry," he wrote, signaling a consistent belief in the transformative power of infrastructure.
Fast forward to the 21st century, and we see vast networks of roads, railways, airports, and more recently, the digital infrastructures that bind our cities and towns, making us a truly interconnected society. The conversation today has shifted towards high-speed trains, renewable energy, and 5G networks. Still, underlying it all is a fundamental motive that echoes Fillmore's sentiments: infrastructure as an essential driver for progress.
Consider, for instance, our current visage of the Transcontinental Railway system. Its now-ubiquitous presence makes it easy to forget that it was once merely an ambition – a dream scribbled on parchment letters and passionately debated within hallowed political halls. When Fillmore corresponded with his contemporaries about the 'Railroad to California', he envisioned something that many may have scoffed at: a unifying line of steel stretching coast to coast. Arguably, this infrastructural wonder played a huge role in shaping the America we know today – facilitating the movement of goods, people, information, and thereby intimately shaping our nation's economic and demographic Template.
It is thus interesting to trace our modern-day infrastructure debates back to Fillmore's era. His steadfast belief in internal improvements steered by the government, and especially in the importance of an ambitious project like the Pacific Railroad, echoes through history.
In the present day, as we find ourselves embroiled in debates concerning the expansion of digital networks, renewable energy deployment, and urban planning, it is prudent for us to take a leaf out of Fillmore's book. To continue to use infrastructure as a boon for societal progress, but temper it with a refusal to be swayed by political winds.
As we move forward and continue to shape our surroundings, it seems apt to close with another quote from Fillmore's letter, "My past life is the only guaranty which I can give for my future conduct." Perhaps, as a nation, we too can look to our historical achievements in infrastructure as a guarantor for our potential to make real the ambitious infrastructural goals we set for ourselves in the future. After all, infrastructure isn't just about concrete, cables, and coding; it is about collectively trying to realize the dreams we have for our nation.
And so, we move forward, carrying with us the resilient spirit of those like Fillmore from the past, an understanding of the present, and a vision sculpted for the infrastructure of tomorrow. In this dynamic interplay between yesterday, today, and tomorrow, we stumble upon the revelation that while times change, the essence of progress stays much the same. For, isn't progress, after all, the engine that runs on the rails laid by vision, courage, and unyielding belief in a better tomorrow?
**Citation**:
- Trinity Journal, [A Recent Letter from Millard Fillmore., 1856-10-11]
https://cdnc.ucr.edu/
Original Article:
We publish the following letter from .Mr. Fillmore, in reply to one addressed to him in August last, by Messrs. John Skinker, G. W. Whitman, James Allen and W. W. Upton, upon the subject of the Pacific Railroad. Some of the parties to whom this letter is addressed, are well known in Trinity. Our citizens will therefore feel some interest in reading it : UriT.u.o, N. Y., August 30th, 1850. 0 rnti.f.men 1 have the honor to acknowledge the receipt of your letter of the 4th inst., in which you inquire whether my sentiments remain the same in reference to internal improvements by the General Government, and especially with reference to a Railroad to California, as they were in 1850, when 1 sent my first annual Message to Congress. In reply to your inquiry, permit me to state, that 1 have invariably refused to pledge myself to any particular course of policy in case of my election to the Presidency. My past life is the only guaranty which 1 can give for my future conduct.— Rut I have no hesitation in saying that 1 have seen no cause to change my sentiments on the subjects of your inquiry, and consequently they remain the same as they were when 1 penned my annual Message to Congress in 1850. 1 am, gentlemen, your obedient servant, MILLARD FILLMORE. Messrs. John Skinker, G, W. Whitman, James Au.en, W. W. Upton, Sacramento, California
Recently, a letter penned by Fillmore, dated August 30th, 1850, came to light. Addressed to John Skinker, G. W. Whitman, James Allen, and W. W. Upton, the letter provides insight into Fillmore's stance on infrastructure, particularly on the topic of a Pacific Railroad. If the concept of a 19th-century president discussing something as seemingly modern as railroads seems strange or anachronistic, it serves us well to remember that the railroad was the central artery of 1850s America, as perhaps the internet is to us today.
Fillmore's words tell us a lot, not just about infrastructural policies of his era, but also about his personal leadership values. In response to the men's inquiry about his views on the railroad and government involvement in internal improvements, Fillmore wrote, "My past life is the only guaranty which I can give for my future conduct." Judicious words, which reflect on his refusal to commit to any specific policy path to gain political favor. Instead, he advised them to look to his previous actions and decisions for an understanding of how he might approach future challenges.
In an age so far removed from our own, phrases like "a Railroad to California" might seem quaint, insignificant. But this was no alternative to the steamboat or the horse-drawn coach. It was, in fact, the much-discussed major infrastructural goal of the time – encompassing thousands of miles of unmapped territories, daunting terrains, and the simmering socio-political situations of the then divided nation.
It's worth noting, then, that Fillmore saw the value in such a project. "I have seen no cause to change my sentiments on the subjects of your inquiry," he wrote, signaling a consistent belief in the transformative power of infrastructure.
Fast forward to the 21st century, and we see vast networks of roads, railways, airports, and more recently, the digital infrastructures that bind our cities and towns, making us a truly interconnected society. The conversation today has shifted towards high-speed trains, renewable energy, and 5G networks. Still, underlying it all is a fundamental motive that echoes Fillmore's sentiments: infrastructure as an essential driver for progress.
Consider, for instance, our current visage of the Transcontinental Railway system. Its now-ubiquitous presence makes it easy to forget that it was once merely an ambition – a dream scribbled on parchment letters and passionately debated within hallowed political halls. When Fillmore corresponded with his contemporaries about the 'Railroad to California', he envisioned something that many may have scoffed at: a unifying line of steel stretching coast to coast. Arguably, this infrastructural wonder played a huge role in shaping the America we know today – facilitating the movement of goods, people, information, and thereby intimately shaping our nation's economic and demographic Template.
It is thus interesting to trace our modern-day infrastructure debates back to Fillmore's era. His steadfast belief in internal improvements steered by the government, and especially in the importance of an ambitious project like the Pacific Railroad, echoes through history.
In the present day, as we find ourselves embroiled in debates concerning the expansion of digital networks, renewable energy deployment, and urban planning, it is prudent for us to take a leaf out of Fillmore's book. To continue to use infrastructure as a boon for societal progress, but temper it with a refusal to be swayed by political winds.
As we move forward and continue to shape our surroundings, it seems apt to close with another quote from Fillmore's letter, "My past life is the only guaranty which I can give for my future conduct." Perhaps, as a nation, we too can look to our historical achievements in infrastructure as a guarantor for our potential to make real the ambitious infrastructural goals we set for ourselves in the future. After all, infrastructure isn't just about concrete, cables, and coding; it is about collectively trying to realize the dreams we have for our nation.
And so, we move forward, carrying with us the resilient spirit of those like Fillmore from the past, an understanding of the present, and a vision sculpted for the infrastructure of tomorrow. In this dynamic interplay between yesterday, today, and tomorrow, we stumble upon the revelation that while times change, the essence of progress stays much the same. For, isn't progress, after all, the engine that runs on the rails laid by vision, courage, and unyielding belief in a better tomorrow?
**Citation**:
- Trinity Journal, [A Recent Letter from Millard Fillmore., 1856-10-11]
https://cdnc.ucr.edu/
Original Article:
We publish the following letter from .Mr. Fillmore, in reply to one addressed to him in August last, by Messrs. John Skinker, G. W. Whitman, James Allen and W. W. Upton, upon the subject of the Pacific Railroad. Some of the parties to whom this letter is addressed, are well known in Trinity. Our citizens will therefore feel some interest in reading it : UriT.u.o, N. Y., August 30th, 1850. 0 rnti.f.men 1 have the honor to acknowledge the receipt of your letter of the 4th inst., in which you inquire whether my sentiments remain the same in reference to internal improvements by the General Government, and especially with reference to a Railroad to California, as they were in 1850, when 1 sent my first annual Message to Congress. In reply to your inquiry, permit me to state, that 1 have invariably refused to pledge myself to any particular course of policy in case of my election to the Presidency. My past life is the only guaranty which 1 can give for my future conduct.— Rut I have no hesitation in saying that 1 have seen no cause to change my sentiments on the subjects of your inquiry, and consequently they remain the same as they were when 1 penned my annual Message to Congress in 1850. 1 am, gentlemen, your obedient servant, MILLARD FILLMORE. Messrs. John Skinker, G, W. Whitman, James Au.en, W. W. Upton, Sacramento, California
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