Fight Hatred

Vice President Millard Fillmore becomes the 13th President of the United States upon the death of President Zachary Taylor.

The next year, President Fillmore opposed ratification of a treaty with Switzerland which contained the proviso: "On account of the tenor of the federal constitution of Switzerland, Christians alone are entitled to the enjoyment of the privileges guaranteed by the present article in the Swiss Cantons."

Fillmore declared "It is quite certain that neither by law, nor by treaty, nor by any other official proceeding is it competent for the Government of the United States to establish any distinction between its citizens founded on differences in religious beliefs."