The daily union. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1845-1857, 1847-06-19
COMMUNICATION.


''N9
graceful fact that we have IN very midst party
whose leaders alien to every impulse OF patriotism
and destitute OF every truly American sentiment il has
also furnished occasion for the display of of patriotic
devotion to the service and welfare OF the country honor
able to the American name, and worthy OF the best days
OF Greece and Rome
In numerous instances we have seen men of the high
est distinction civil and professional life surrounded
by all the comforts and endearmens OF home and family,
and with future holding out before them the most bril-
liant hopes and prospects, suddenly leaving all the call
OF their country and rushing to sustain her rights and
honor the peril Of life in the tented field But in IN
has the sacrifice of the Joys and pleasures OF private
fe or the prospects of an honorable ambition, sustained
by talents OF the highest order IN the pursuits OF noble
profession been greater than in that OF General Pierce OF
New Hampshire.
General Pierce descended from of the nobes stocks
in that State-a distinguished family of the Revolution.
His father, General Benjamin Pierce, entered the service
of his country at the very commencement OF the war OF
independence; was at the battle OF Bunkers HILL and
many others and served through the entire period OF the
war, honoraby distinguishing himself on numerous oc
casons The writer OF this had the pleasure of seeing
that old veteran at the age of eighty years With the eN
ception OF memory somewhat impaired, his faculties
remarkably well preserved and he displayed, IN ms
conversation, energy, eoquence, and hre, which al
struck and captvated the hearer That brave and
chvarc old patriot had more OF the elements OF General
Jacksos character i'll the composition OF his own, than
the writer has observed IN any other man. IL rs
from such General Pierce descended and II oppor
uniiy is gwen him. hazard nothing in saying that he
will not disgrace his Distinguished parenage. ara
Having served in the Legislature OF his native state sev
era years during which time he called to the Speak
er's chair-whch he filled with that urbanity, dignity
and ability, which gave promise OF the success OF his NJ
ture careerhe was, very after he became eligible
to that body, elected member OF the House OF Repre-
seniayes of the United States from the State oil New
Hampshire. In that body he distinguished himself as
able and eloquent speaker, and brave and chyalc
Al the end oil four years service IN the House, ne
was transferred the Senate OF the United Staeswn-
ming on this new and conspicuous theatre new honors
and more enduring fame. Few members so young as ne
ever gained high reputation ioraby and eoquence
in that distinguished body, were more successful IN
securing the respect and confidence OF ITS members, with
out distinction OF party
But, although gifted with faculties which could not
have failed to achieve for him OF the most brilliant
regulations orator and statesman ever attained even
in that body of distinguished men, his constant desire
was Tor the sweeter and more consong enloymens OF
home and private life And powerfully did thus con
santy cherished wish urge him. that he at length voun
arly gave up his enviabe position and his laterlng
prospects OF honors won IN the busy strie OF puphc ne
resgnng his Office before his first senatorial term
had expired, the great regret OF his native State, that
had clothed him with its most dignifed and expressive
testimonials of confidence and attachment, as well as OF
his numerous personal friends.
Gen. Pierce then returned 10 his practice as lawyer
lin New Hampshire, which, with his professional skull
and remarkable powers OF eloquence, soon increased to
an extent that has greatly tasked his physical powers
TO manage--at the same time with dlsinterestedness
which earnest devotion to has political principles alone
could prompt sacrificing ALL and devotng all his energies
the support OF the democratic cause when s servicesn
its behalf needed Since Gen Pierce lett the Sen
ate, no man in New England has made more political
speeches than he and has made speeches more eD
quent stirring, and effective
twas in the midst of such life as this, and in the
midst OF such occupations, that President Polk knowing
well his capacities and his great personal worth, sought
him out and voluntarily rendered 10 him the office OF At
torney General of the United States, after had been
Gated by the transfer of the Hon John. Mason 10 the
head of the Navy Department 1t might have been well
supposed that the tempting alurements OF that high po-
stion, opening such field for honorable and brilliant
distinction as it did to person possessing the genius and
qualifications of General Pierce, would draw HIM IRON
his retirement to the theatre of public lie
They had, however effect npoGn General Pierce. AL
though the personal friend OF the President,
diay supporting his administration, and approving all IFS
measures, he could not be induced to accept the high OF
flee which the partially of the President had designed
for him. but appropriate and grateful terms declined H.
and also declined all other oIice-reerang his deerm
nation remain in private life, except in contingent
cy That contingency is almost prophetcaiy referred to
in the following sentence from General Pierces letter of
decension the President, which the writer of this
permitted to see. General Z says:
'sWhen resigned my in the Senate, in 1872, did
araed from my family for any considerable length Of time,
except at the call Of country time Of and yet this
would be very key 10 result rom my accept
The contingency thus prophecally alluded to by Gen
Pierce happened very after his letter written
More troops wanted by the government tor service
in Mexico and it was resolved that portion OF them
should be called from the northern States It therefore
became necessary that commander should be selected
from that section of the Union. In looking about Tor
such the eye of the President rested at once upon
General Pierce He was therefore, first rendered the Of
flee OF colonel OF the 9th New England regiment,
which he promptly accepted and appointed brgadler
general the bill passed providing for the or
ganizaton of the new leves designed for Mexico With
the energetic aid of General Pierce the regiment from
New Enga land soon raised, and 1t IS now with ITS
first gallant commander IN Mexico
At the call of his country to her against hostile
foe he has promptly responded and has made those sac
fces of domestic enjoyment and professional prospects,
which no brllancy of public civil station could induce
him to make He has torn himself from the endearments
of pleasant and happy home--from wife most est
nal dpvOtp1-frOm children and tender
and needing greatly an aectionate fathers anxious
and protection The writer OF this knows how keen was
the agony of this painful separation, and with what hrm
ness it was subdned.
These are some of the sacrifices which patriots make
for their country. They are acts which deck the dla
dem of the republic like sparkling Jewels. In what no
bic contrast they stand with the conduct of the miscre
lis noble defenders and giving "ad and comfort" to the
enemy Without disparagement to others, think may
safely say that State has given 10 the service OF the
country a nobler Drawer spirit than New Hampshire
has offered in the person of her eloquent and avore
Franklin Pierce.
His friends hope that his life may not be perlled in
bae but, if il be, they confident that by no act OF
his Will the honor OF his country be stained, or his ma
tive State disgraced.
And may this spontaneous tribute of personal friend
ship and regard for whose pre- eminent virtues the
writer has seen displayed in all the relations of life, reach
him in the distant land to which he has gone to serve
his country and cheer him every peril and in every
desponding hour W any such he hasD with the
that whatever may be his fortunes he has ardent friends
at home who will take that his good name suffers
derment in his absence. d.
DIED,
This morning at hafpas O'Clock MARGARET FIrZrAr'