Glasgow weekly times. (Glasgow, Mo.) 1848-1861, 1852-09-09
From the Washington Republic.
Gen. Pierce's Position on River and Har-
Dor Improvements in 1852.

assigning to the candidates of the Democra-
cy definite position for the present gear, up |
on some of the questions Of general interest
TO the American people in the canvass now
going ON in this country. This difficulty
has arisen partly from the fact that General
Picrce's services in the cabinet as well as
in the field, have been of that moderate char
acter which failed TO attract the attention of
the country at the time they were perform
ed, and he has thus passed through the pc
riod of action without making his ''mark;"
partly from the fact that, belonging TO the
progressive" Democracy, and not having
Of late years been in Congress, it has been
impossible for us to aver, with absolute GER
tainty, what vagaries and errors Of his par
ty he had outgrown within the last ten years.
and what he still adhered to-, in spite of the
light every year shed upon our path.
But we are able this morning to lay be-
fore our readers conclusive proof of Gen.
Perce's views in 1852, upon one of the
great questions involved in the approaching
election. We congratulate the country up
on being able to fix this wary politician
upon the subject of river and harbor i'm
provements. We now know Just what to
expect for river and harbor improvements,
if the Democratic nominee is elevated TO the
Presidency. Ii these improvements shall be
arrested BY the election Of Gen. Pierce, the
| deed will be done with the eyes Of the peo-
| pie wide open, and the inhabitants Of the
| lake shores and of the borders of our great
rivers should never afterwards send any
petitions TO Congress for opening or improv-
ing their waters. People Of the Northwest
and OF the Southwest, understand the issue
before you, and in November next promul-
gate your decision whether 10 receive or re-
iect the improvements you have been asking
| for of the General Government. If you
vote for Gen. Pierce. you condemn the poll
cy Of the petitions you have yourselves pre-
sented TO Congress, and, TO the extent Of
your ability, you voluntarily render all your
hopes impossible of fulfillment.
But to the proof. We present below the
views Of the Democratic nominee, as pro-
mulgated by him in January last on the sub
ject under consideration. On account OF
the facility of reputation of imputed opin-
ions, exhibited by General Pierce and his
friends, we have been careful to ascertain
the exact reliable truth on the subject, be-
fore laying the following statement Of his
views before the public. We enow challange
contradiction of any part OF the statement
hereafter set forth. Mr.. Harvey, whose
name appears below stands above all reach
Of Impeachment. He is reputable magis-
trate of New Hampshire, and has once or
more been member Of the Legislature.-
We also understand that Messrs. Lite and
. inb
whom no one will deny to be fully entitled
TO belief.
1t is a worthy remark that General Pierce
in his attempt (Which was successfully tC
win back the Anti-savery Atwood Demo
Gratis into his party at the then approaching
election, did not criticise the votes Of Mess
Hale and Tuck in favor of the WIImot pro.
viso, or their votes against any Of tie Com.
promise measures. No; he was "as much
opposed to slavery as any body" no doubt
But he must hold up before the Atwood
men the gulf OF federalism" into whicl
Hale and Tuck, he said, were plunging.-
The Federal" abominable, anti-Democrat.
ic acts which General Pierce lays at III,
door of these men, and alleges against then
as crimes, consist only in their votes for III,
River and IIarbor bill of the last Congress
Here follows the account of Gen. Pierce
views at Bradford, n. H., January, 1852.
| The undersigned, having been requested
TO make public the views of General Frank
lin Pierce on the subject Of River and Har
Dor Improvements, as expressed by himsel
= at a political meeting in Bradford on th'
, 23d of January, 1852, respectfully state tha
l was present at said meeting, which wa
: addressed by Hon. Geo. w. Morrison an,
General Franklin Pierce, and took full note
Y for the purpose of reporting the speakers
5 A press of business at the time prevente
r my completing the report in season for it
/ appearance in the journals Of the succeed
0 ing week, and therefore was hot published
4 The speakers, among other things, Spok
l of the Improvement Of rivers and harborS b
the General Government, and denounced
1 as being Federal policy; ard that Nlessrs
4 Hale and Tuck were justly chargeable wit
D Federal sympathieS for supporting sue
measures in Congress. Mr.. Morrison, VIII
preceded General Pierce in his remarks. at
ter asserting the unalloyed Federalism {
the measure in question, and of Mcssr>
Hale and Tuck for supporting them, state
that the Democratic delegations is Congress
from this State lad uniformly voted agains
these measures. He alluded to bill re
Gently before Congress, and said that I'll
i proportion of this State to pay under il
provisions would he about fifty thousan
dollars; and then asked what New Hamp
shire expected in return for this outlay.
General Pierce followed Mr.. Morrison
y y giving great prominence TO this question:
u He endorsed the remarks OF Mr.. NJ. res
spectiug it, and said, in substance, that ar
: preparations by the Federal Government ic
It the improvement Of rivers and harbors ws
: of a purely Federal character, and repug
= nant 10 the principles and practices OF til
d Democracy of this State; and that Messr
e Hale and Tuck were justly obnoxious to III
,, charge OF Federal sympathies for haviu
l. supported such measures. He pointed
y affirmed that no person elected to Congre,
as a Democrat from this State had ever su,