The daily union. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1845-1857, 1852-07-13

Reputation and Services OF Franklin Pierce as
a soldier Of the Republic.


"Ifmy suftaga is asked for the hgbes, civil office Of my
county candidate however iasuious and sueo Assl
he may be, must present Other tide than sarels,
however goriousy gained on the blood stained dsd "
iHsary Clay
TO THE VOTERS OF THE UNION
FrLLow-c IrzESs: The democracy have never mis-.
taken the character nor The capacity OF any candidate
which they have named for the presidency; nor have
they ever selected candidate whose claims rested solely
or manly upon military services and renown. They
accused by the federal rary OF resong TO the DIS
honorable principle OF availability" in the selection OF
General Jackson. who by that party denied those
civil attributes which necessary to enable Chief
Magistrate of the republic to discharge his duties
But the impartial pen of history has indicated the jadg
ment OF the great democratic family jackson, years
before he became the slandar bearer OF the democracy
bad eyinced trying profound knowledge
of the law OF nations; he had received instruction in that
school for statesmen, the Senate Of the United States
he an able jurist; and with these advantages he
possessed the admiration OF his countrymen for that mil
ilary skill courage, aud prudence which. while il
b.ed him defeat superior force of troops sdg
esed the Of sauing hs blood Of me brace 1so
composed ms army.
The federal party erroneousy a,rbuing the election of
General jackson to his military rcnown. and thus insult
ing the intelligence OF the democracy SEIZED in despite OF
their denuncations against military heroes the first OPP
poruniy to present to the people candidate for the pes
dency who had seen /" some service" in the field, aud
whose election advocated by that party mainly for
his qualities and services soldier General Harrison
was elected but will not be contended that the
brancy Of his military caused the defeat OF the
democracy Nor will it be said, in view OF facts
bered by all that the federal candidate in SlS Gene
raj Taylor, owed his to his military services
Mo- while il is admitted that the brave and able SOL
der of the republic well deserves adequate reward for
his labors and his hazards will not insult the MAORI
y OF her citizens by admitting il to be possible that the
eyes OF their judgment in selecting their Chief Magistrate
can be blinded by the glare OF military renown.
Elaled, however, by TWO fortunate experiments, po
,ical opponents, rejecting their abes statesmen, have
again. ellow-czens, presumed to test your wisdom BY
presenting for your suages general of the standing
army whose sole claim them rests upon bis capacity
and fame soldier of the republic and already
the mode in which they have resolved manage the
vass. Already the mails burdened with handbills
and pamphlets adorned with numerous wood cuts repre-
sentng their candidate in several battesnow charging
with bayones, now rushing upon batteries vomiting
showers of grape, now scaling the high walls of for
resses, anon ceaving the skulls Of Indians with his
huge sword, attending sick soldiers in hospitals and
extending charity to freshmen. &c., &c. These pictures fell
owcilz ems, prepared long time in advance of his
nomination by those politicians who believed they could
control the choice of the late federal convention OF a
more. They ha We been expensive and those who
have advanced money for them expect to be repaid by the
effect which they will produce upon your judgment and
action when you called upon to use that glorious
privilege of freemen-the right OF suffrage!
Resting their hopes OF upon solitary quaf-
cation OF their canddate--his military renown--the fed
era party will make the most OF it, and while noisy par
tisans will vociferae his praise great soldier in
every Of the land they will not in the reckless
of their desperation, hesitate 10 decry aud deny the
services and the soldershp OF Franklin Pierce during
his brief and glorious in Mexico and that you
may be enabled silence these noisy and dshonorabe
parsans it is suggested fellow citizens, that you coll
ec and keep by you extracts from the official reports OF
Generals Scott, Pillow, Worth Quitman Smith, Shields
and other distinguished officers, in which they speak OF
bis eminent services, capacity. and bearing. while
batting the enemies OF country. While rely for
the support OF the candidate OF the democracy upon his
eminent qualities statesman. and without which no
man discharge the high duties OF Chief Magistrate.
we cannot but admire and point to his character as
soldier. His kindness TO the soldiers Of his command
and his Of the sickhis constant vigilance and
vty to prevent surprise and Illustrate the plans OF the
enemy-hs promptitude to attack and remove the enemy
when his march obsructed by ihem--ganed for him
the love and confidence OF the soldiers under him. and
rendered them invincible when he led them. In
fine, every step OF his brief military career in Mex
leo is evidence that -itmness OF purpose. cool
and dauness courage, sound judgment, facility and
variety OF resource, industry and other high quali-
ties of soldier, united to gentlemanly and unas-
suming demeanor render franklin Pierce, American
officer, example and honor TO the army-approach
near 10 The character DOrne Dy the faner oil his Coun
| try when leading our forefathers 10 victory
There be no stronger evidence OF the purity and
goodness OF mans heart than his attachment to his
country and his hearths,one, and his love for the
dearmenis OF the domestic and social circles-and in
this respect, too, does Franklin Pierce approach the
exalted character OF Washington. When his services
were not really necessary the we'll being OF the
public and the duties OF Office could be well discharged
by others. Washington preferred his fresde. his library
and the calm enoyments OF the social circle 10 the hon
os and the turmoil OF public lfeand. partakng OF like
pure aspirations, Pierce has never sought office
has he ever retained office longer than his duty de
manded His neighbors required his services in the
State legislature and his faithful performance Of his dn
ties there suggested them that the State would be hon
ored and the interests Of the country advanced by placing
him in Congress He yielded to their wishes, and took
his place in the House OF Representatives. In the ca
pacily OF a representative, intent only upon dong his
duty he soon found himself placed by his State in tho
more exalted and responsible seat OF senator of
the United States in which capacity he labored for
the prosperity OF the country for five years, when he
found an opportunity TO resign his trust without haz-
arding the public interests. In s42 he returned 10
the bosom of his family. In 1s45 a vacancy render
ed il necessary for the governor Of New Hamp-
shire TO appoint citizen to I'll the seat OF United States
SENATOR and he notified Pierce that he the choice OF
the State and solicited him TO receive the appointment
But il was declined mainly for the reason that those who
had employed him 10 attend TO their affairs had claim