Spirit of Jefferson. [volume] (Charles Town, Va. [W. Va.]) 1844-1948, 1852-09-07
ADDRESS
ADDkSE ESSS
OF THE
Democratic State Central Committee.
no THE PEOPLE OF VIRGINIA.

dent of the United States, for four years from tht
4th of March next. AT no former period IN th'
history of our country, has this election peer
iraught with deeper interest, or more ImPortan
consequences 10 the happiness of the people, o.
the permananCe of our glorious Institutions
SolemnIy impressed with this belief, we address
you, and earnestly recommend organization, con
cert, harmony and zeal in the support oil those
candidates who have been nominated by the De
mocratic party.
Let every voter be animated by determined
purpose to maintain the time. .honored principles
of Virginia, and exert every honorable means to
ensure success. The candidates presented g
the country, by the Democratic party, are
worthy of your Jealous support, and the cause
which they represent, demands your untiriDg
energy.
We confidently believe, that it is BY apathy
and over.con6dence alone, that the vote OF Vlr'
gnia can be lost.
FRAxxLIx PIERCE, Of New Hampshire, is our
candidate for the office of President and WE. K.
KING, of Alabama, for that Of Vice President OF
the United States.
OF Col. King it is not necessary that we say
more, than that he has served his country for
forty wears, in both branches of Congress, and in
diplomatic stations abroad, and now presides
over The Senate of the United States, with un-
questioned fidelity and with distinguished ability
Thus qualified by ripe experience, he enjoys
spotless personal character; and the highesttri-
bute 10 his merit and competence has been offer
ed by political opponents.
The Democratic candidate for the Presidency
is a native of New Hampshire; a State which
has given 10 the service of the country, John
Langdon, Levi Woodbury., and many other OF
our most Virtuous and distinguished public men.
Gen. Pierce has been trained in the school OF
strict Democracy. Having received an excel
lent education, he was elected by those who
had known him from his bOvhoOd, as soon as he
-al.,- kNa.Ra Hoo I,rR
was soon distinguished and elevated 10 its high
est hOnOr-then 10 the House OF Representatives,
and then to the Senate Of the United States
He has thus had experience in the affairs oil Go.
yenment, both State and federal, and no man has
commanded larger share OF the esteem and re-
spect of those with whom he was associated, both
for his public and private character. Possessing
talents of high order, sngularIy eloquent and
impressive as a public speaker, with a strong
practical Judgment, faithful TO the Constitution
in all his views Of public policy, and Contided in
and beloved by his constituents, he had every
to ambition, and every reason to know
that its highest qualification was within his reach.
His preference, however, was for the quiet COM
forts of home, and his choice was to labor for the
support of those dependent on him, rather than
to seek for the qualification of selfish pleasure,
in the emOIumenls or the trappings OF office. his
are manliness, moral and PhysI-
cal courage, modesty, frankneSs aud generosity.
Not vet fifty years of age, he has exhibited proofs
of patriotism, and of devotion to the COnstitu-
tion of profound attachment-to the Union of the
States and TO the rights of the States, worthy
of the best days Of the Republic. While in Con-
press the disturbing influence of the agitation Of
the abolitOnists was constantly felt, and his flrm
aud manly opposition to their wicked purposes,
was so uniform as TO command the admiration OF
the South and of patriots of every section, and
to draw down on him the unmitigated hatred of
the apitalors themselves. And when, before
New Hampshire audience, John p. Hale, de-
Clared that he desired TO abolish slavery, either
by "Deace or blood" Franklin Pierce boldly re-
Dlied. s.that he did not think Iiale's party could
mean what1h said that's, 10 effect the abotiOn
OF slavery by force of arms; and if they did, he
was sure that every good citizen would be will
ing at least he would, to lay down his dead body
to protect the Constitution"
President Polk who had long known and ap-
preciated his worth, invited him to aid in his ad
ministratiOn of the Government, as Attorney
General of the United States, an office comforting
high honor, aud promising professional fame
and large emOluments. lie mOdestly declined
the flaltering distinction, and declared his pur-
nose TO be, to devote himself as private citizen,
with one reservation: that ii his country should
be involved in war, he would hold himself ready
10 enter the military service. War did come,
and he volunteered as private soldier. He was
promoted 10 the rank of Colonel, and to that Of
Brigader General.
When the war was ended, and, the restoration
of peace certain, his services not required, acting
on principles which had marked his whole life,
he returned home and rendered the resignation
Of his commission. We have it from high
thoritv, that the President advised him to post
pone The execution of this purpose, as it was not
certain whether Congress might not hnd It ne.
cessarv TO give protection to our extended terri
torv bv an increase of the army, and thus retain
him in his rank. He promptly replied, that he
liked the military service, but he had entered the
armv because the country was at war, and now
that peace was restored, lie could not consent to
retain high rank, to the exclusion of those who
had served in lower grades, and had adopted the
military service as a profession.
His nomination bY the Baltimore Convention,
was as unsolicited as it was unexpected. The
Democracy of New Hampshire had, in State
Convention by an unanimous nomination, pre-
sented his name to the National Convention as
a suitable person to be the candidate of the De-
mocracy tor the office Of President OF the United
States He promptly declined the tlattering dis
tinction. When the Convention at Baltimore,
had in vain, attempted to unite on any one OF
the other eminent public men whose names were
presented, the name Of Franklin Pierce, without
his authority or knowledge, was brought forward,
and his unanimous and enthusiastic nomination
stilled all angry discomfort, and was sent forth
to the Democracy of this great country, as the
harbinger of peace, union aud success. II gives
Us the highest pleasure 10 assure you, that from
Maine to California, from Michigan to Florida
the party is united in his support; and if there
be not an over-confdence, his election is certain.
With him it is emPhatically true that the PTesi'
dency has been neither sought nor declined. He
has accepted the nomination; and i his county
tion of the Government those principles on which
he has always acted. He is the friend Of reli'
gious federation; and will never be found favor
iin0 measures which aggrRndiZe the few at the
exoense of the many, which disturb the relations
OF business, or enable debtors voluntarily to dis
charge themselves Of their obligations to theII
creditors, but will in all things favor those mea
suTes which will secure to labor its just reward
and promote the great interests Of agriculture
commerce and manufactuTes with equal justice
He viii never discourage the oppressed Of othel
nations from seeking an asylum under oEr Con
s,itution and laws, nor will he hesitate to exer
else the great conservative veto power vested II
The President, for the protection Of the Constitu
tiOn from violation, or the rights OF the mtHoLl MINORITY
Conclusive evidence, that be was prepared t
sdont those principles of strict construction