 Meanwhile, Taylor died of an illness in July 1850 and was succeeded by Vice President Millard Fillmore.The Compromise of 1850 and the enforcement of the Fugitive Slave Act of 1850 badly divided the country as a whole and the Whig Party in particular.Northerners strongly objected to the stringent provisions of the act, while Southerners complained bitterly about any perceived slackness in enforcement.