Herald of the times. [volume] (Newport, R.I.) 1830-1846, 1837-08-03
WHOLE NO. 373-

ed to jhcksonism, (before the Uiscassef and
other speeches in which he so stfonsly CON,
demncd Jackson, Van Buren, StCo.-had. been
circulated among his constitueBts)a ray o6
light from the then fountain Of ADtimasODry
ia this State, struck upon his mind, and he
became impressed with the Importance OF the
cause. At that period. the Anti-mssopisz
party numbered about 200 voters, and Mr.
Pearco knew that if he joined Ant-masonry
with his Jacksonism, both might secure his
election. lie managed accordingly, and wus
sustained by both parties.
But some of the Arddeys; stiDng and innu-
cntial men too, such US ELISHA r. PoTrLS
and JAMES FEsSER, originally opposed his
prciensions, and favored the choice OF Will
kins updIkc, Esq. On the first trial the only
candidate elected was Mr.. Burgess. Mr.
rearce and his friends having circulated. n
story that Mr.. Potter was favorable to HIM
The latter wrote n letter to, Gov. Fenner,
which was published, in which I've avowed his
preferences for Mr. Updlkc. Gov. Fenner
repeatedly stated TINT in his opinion Mr..
Pearce had been a traitor to all parties an'h
ought to be trusted by none. In conformity
with this opinion the vote he then put intN
the ballot box was couched in the following
language:
mo HyPoCRIsY-NO TRtAcmERY.
) The True jackson Prox!
WILKINS UPDikE, Of South Kingstown,>
For Representative to 2:}i Congress"
AS Mr.. Burgess was the onlr candidate
elected, the Goth of Nove,nhc1 1888, was
fixed for the second choice. The Wing can
didate was Nathan +. DIXON; aud AR. Pearce'
being supported by Antlipusons, Van Buren,
men Mr.. Updkc having wthdrawn) and
some Uhigs, he was elected over Mr.. Dixon.
lie often declared himself against the Anti.
masons and for them. against Jackson and
for him, against the Wings and for them; aud
this triangular shape secured his re.chof''nl
His course in the 23d Congress cannot Us
forgotten; his votes were recorded against
the interests Of Rhode-lslan aud for the
party. lie was il s'rumental ia the election.
Of Mr.. Polk Us Speaker, he voted joy Mr re-
moral Of Public Deposiirs from the Bank Of
the United Sta,es--he voted against the ro-.
charter Of that institution, Which last two
votes have contributed in an essential degree
to bring upon tins nation It's now perllops
Condition. When the memorials were pre-
sented by Mr. Burgess, and especially the owe
adopted a: the great meeting IN tins city IN
1884. at which meeting John H. Clarke, Esq.
male an effective speech condemnatory of
the war which was going on against the cuS-
IcuSy, WI. ToSc iI niS StUi,. TWICu1t0
the statements made by all the persons in
this city and vicinity who signed that me
mortal, made personal attack on Mr.. Burgess
and in bold language assured the House tSas
il was all political trick; that the responsible
men whose names were attached 10 the paper
knew that the averncDtS made therein were
false; and did oil he could " cast rldicule auG
contempt upon the meeting and the memo->'
rialists. In strict accordance with this spirit
he is found through the whole session voting
directly contrary to Mr. Bwges. and against
The primary inisrcsis Of he people oCHiis State
Thus, was Dutcc }. Pearce engaged as N
member of the twenty third Congress Of the.
United States. BY referring to the papers
and letters ofthat day, and especially to some
of the speeches Of members, it will be seen
that most unite in n sentiment Of dislike for
the man, and rcprobation Of his political au-
piiciiy.
The next chapter in his evcntfuT ffe, wily
introduce to our readers some matters Of
farther Importance; aud which will help them
in determining the question, "Shall vote for
Dutec J. Pearcc, or tor RoBERr B. .CRANsrON-
the man whose life presents the same hon
orable, consistent and manly course, from the
beginning to this hours"
CHAPTER IH.
In the summer Of 1884, the Hon. gentleman
was proved TO have been guilty of a delib-
crate fdlsehOod, 1--WE repeat the tenn used in
the correspondence in relation TO a statement
made in his speech on memorial from the
citizens OF this State. In that speech Mr.
Pearce ventured some statements wherein
he introduced the names Of the Hon. Iobn
Lowell aud the Hon. Elisha r. Potter. Both
of these gentlemen publicly denied the truth
OF them in the newspapers, and Mr.. Pcarce
was convicted of wilful mis-statcments.
Another instance Of his rernciiy may be
noted. During the session of Congress in
1884, ncur the close of the session, the ayes
and nays were taken on bill then before tho
House. When the call had proceeded, Mr.
Pearcc, who had not answered. asked to have
his vote recorded. Mr. Bell, the Speaker,
inquired if he was within the bar Of the House
at the time his name was called, an inquiry
which conveyed in ITSELF no very crcditable
implication; 10 which Mr.. Pearce replied in
the affirmative; and his vote was ordered to
be recorded At this momcn, a member from
Kentucky, Mr.. Beottie, rose and informed the
Speaker, that.to his certain knowledge, the
member from Rhode Island was not only nof
rifhin the bor, but was not wifhin The House
ut the time his name was called. This
placed the Hon. Mr. Pearce in eomewht Of a
dilemma, and in his characteristic manner he
replied swell If il is so, let my name he takcn
off," or words to that effect Another MEM
ber declared that he too knew that Mr. Pearce
was not in The house, at the time his name
was called; for he came in at the time tbut
he, (hlr. P.l did Comment ON this transac-
ton is unnecessary.
The pnrt he acted in the conspiracy against
PotSpExrgR cannot but be renem-
as well how general the sentiment