Semi-weekly North-Carolina standard. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1852-1853, 1852-09-25
WASHINGTON, August Is, 1852.

DEAR SIR: Enclosed you Will md an article, In
which, of the editors of the Southern Press, of
this city, took issue with my colleague in ad vocacy
of your claims to southern support for the P:esiden-
cy. That action was predicated upon my belief of
your entire soundness upon the slavery question.
w thin the last week speech, purportng to have
been delivered by you in January last, has been
published from two Democratic papers in your own
State, (Which said now to support you.) On the
truth alsty of this, much depends. Neither those
with whom act, nor myself, can consent that any
doubt should rest a matter of such importance !;
but, placing full reliance the fearless fankness of
your character, their behalf AMI my own, respect
fully ask of you whether that report, which your
southern supporters believe to be without foundation
opposed to your previous course is correct!
The peculiar position which occupy must plead
my apology for troubling you with this letter.
Very respectfully, your obedient servant,
EDWIN DE LEON.
General F. PIERCE, Concord, N. H.
CONCORD, N. H., July %, 1852.
MY DEAR Sir Surrounded by pressing engage
ments, l seize the earliest opportunity to reply to
your letter of the 18th instant. [ much regret that
any thing connected with myself should have been
the of disagreement between you and gentle
men with whom you have been associated in the edi-
toral department of the Southern Press do not re-
member to have what purports to be re-
port of speech delivered by me at New Boston, in
this Stste in January last, until my attention was
called to 1t republished in the Republic. The pre-
tended report is, and presume designed be,
an entire misrepresentation. Il is merely un-
truthful, but is so grossly and absurdly false
render, IN this vicinity, any denial of its authenIic
tY entirely unnecessary. The two papers quoted
the Independent Democrat, published in this place,
and the Democrat published in Manchester-are tho
roughly abolition journals; and have been and are
Zeaousy opposed to the Democratic party. For a
long time prior to the meeting at New Boston, and
snce they have been unsparing in their attacks
upon me personally, and in their bitter denuncalion
of what they have been pleased 10 my po-save-
~ sentiments. But it would be something new for
! GeUV the of m
opinions upon the subject OF the constitutional rights
of the South in relation to slavery. My opinions and
the avo~al OF them have been everywhere the
Ever mindful of the difficulties and dangers which
so long brooded over the assemblage of wise men
and pure patriots 10 whose spirit of concession and
earnest efforts we are indebted for the Constitution
under which we have enjoyed such signal prosperity,
advancement, and happiness, have regarded the
subject too vital and delicate be used ee-
ment of sectional appeal in party conflicts My &C
lion and my language in New Hampshire, touching
this matter, have been all times and under all
cumstances in entire accordance with my action and
language at Washington. Nj votes in the Senate
| and House of Representatives were not republished
in the Era for the first time. They have beenagain
and again paraded the passions and preiu-
dices of people against me individually, and
against the party with which it has been my pride
and pleasure to act There has been no attempt to
evade the force of the record. 1t has been all times
freely admitted, and my position sustained upon
grounds satisfactory to my own mind. | am not sur
prised to know that the attempt to prove abo-
litionst provokes much merriment among of all
parties here; and this weak and untruthful sketch of
what purports to be my speech, is really ridcu
lous to be considered in any serious light
l am daily in the receipt of letters, propoundng
the greatest variety of curious questions, upon all
conceivable subjects. Letters of this character
! not be answered, of course. No individual could
| command either the time strength the herculean
task would require. may add, that such cores
pondence would by no means comport with my views
of duty. The Democratic party sent its delegates to
Baltimore not alone to nominate candidates, but to
reafirm principles and to present the leading issues
upon which the canvass should be conducted.
| If l could deem myself capable of improving the
platform there adopted is quite certain that should
decline, either at the call of individuals associa
tons, to incur the charge of arrogance which any
attempt to alter, amend, enlarge 1t, would nevita
| bly, subject Inc.
Your letter is of an entirely different character.
seeks truth In relation to alleged fact; speaks Of
history, TO which too searching appeal cannot be
| made appreciate the estimate you seem to have
OF my character for directness and beg you to &C.
cePt my thanks for your efforts vindicate my claim
10 that trait, at least, before the public.
want, FRANK PIERCE
} EDWIN DE LEON, Esq, Washington, d. CO.
r. F. stands for Frank Pierce Faithful Patriot and
Soui.eenth President. w. S. stands for Winfield