State of the Union Addresses

"State of the Union Addresses" by Millard Fillmore is a historical account containing a collection of addresses delivered by the 13th President of the United States during the early 19th century. Specifically, this work compiles Fillmore's addresses from 1850 to 1852, a transformative period in American history marked by growing tensions related to issues such as slavery, territorial expansion, and foreign policy. The opening of the collection presents Fillmore’s first address, delivered on December 2, 1850, where he reflects on the recent passing of his predecessor and acknowledges the nation’s grief. He articulates his views on national rights and duties, particularly emphasizing non-interventionist foreign policy and the importance of constitutional governance. Fillmore advocates for maintaining peace and neutrality with foreign nations while discussing domestic responsibilities such as the execution of laws and the management of internal affairs. His message highlights the delicate balance required to uphold the values of justice and honor in the face of political challenges, laying the foundation for the principles he would continue to address in subsequent annual sessions. (This is an automatically generated summary.)

Millard Fillmore was the 13th president of the United States, serving from 1850 to 1853, and was the last president to have been a member of the Whig Party while in office. A former member of the U.S. House of Representatives, Fillmore was elected the 12th vice president in 1848, and succeeded to the presidency when Zachary Taylor died in July 1850. Fillmore was instrumental in passing the Compromise of 1850, which led to a brief truce in the battle over the expansion of slavery.