The Woodville Republican. [volume] (Woodville, Miss.) 1847-1853, 1852-06-22

dto bAgat stturttS, Atlu us WuOtS inuueftCc
was vigorously put ia exercise for the pros
traIion OF the most mischievous body of
political incendiaries that have ever yet
combined Cor the destruction of our Tree
Institutions. When the contest was over,
the democratic party Of New Hampshire
again met in convention an re-afiTmed the
resolutions which had been once before y.
dopted, among which are the following:
"ReSolsel. That We regard the recent ad.
jas,menl of the great questions that so
violently agitsted the councils sni threaten
ed the existence Of the Union as the best.
II no. the only result which could be at
tanned consistently withlhe peace and the
honor Of the couatry."
/" Resolved, That unconditional obedi.
ence 70 the constituted laws of the land is
the duty OF every good citizen, TO support
and defend them is his highest glory; and
nothipg else so much as this can teud
to make this country prosperous and dis
tinguishcd among the ia ton"
nthose resolutions Gen. Piercesis known
heartily to have occurred and by tho con.
venIion which thus adopted them, was he
formerly teadered nomination for the
Presidency. This nonlinati ton he al once de-
cined in the most unequiyocai language.
evidently desiring and expecting that some
other Distinguished political leader should
be selected ut Baltimore as the Presidential
candidate Of the democratic party in pres
ference to himself Now, sir, # there be
another such instance of elevated disinter.
estedness which can be shown to have oc-
Cured in the United States within the last
twenty years, Ishould like to hear it men,
toned.
1t is true, sir, as you have already said,
that Gen. Pierce has been always firm aud
consistent supporter of the principles which
distinguish the democratic creed.
This ismuch to his credit, doubtless hut
allow me to say, that in my judgment. this
is not exactly his highest merit as patriot
ic and enlightened statesman. Sir, ne is
not only an excellent Democrat--bui aver
that it cannot he said of him, that he has
been ever so far transported by mere
partizan zeal as knowingly to do or say
anything the least degree repugnant to his
country's true honor aud happiness; nor
can he be charged with ever having done
intentional injustice to political adversary
He has been always wise and liberal enough
to acknowledge it to be altogether possible
for those who entertained political opinions
different from his own TO be both good pat
riots and honest men and he has known
how, on 81 table occasions, to rise far above
party aud its influences in order TO award
deserved honor TO great and reyered prin.
ciples, and TO those whom he knew to have
efficiently aided in their maintenance.
II is hardly necessary, MIR. Chairman,
tha, should furnish any evidence on this
occasion OF Gen Perce's entire soundness
upon the question o' domestic slavery
in its various aspects aud bearings. All
intelligent men already know that he has
sternly and inaexibly opposed the anti.slave-
ry agitation in the North for nearly twenty
years past. Perhaps. though, shall be
pardoned for calling the attention o. the
meeting to one Of his earliest congressional
speeches on this subject, and which will be
found in the 18th volume of Congressional
debates, From this speech l propose to
read a few extracts. 1t appears that me.
moriai had been introduced in the House of
Representatives for the abolition of slavery
in the District of Columbia. A motion has
been made for the consideration OF this me.
mortal with view TO its rejection, which
motion had been rather hastily adopted A
second motion was afterwards made by
MIR. Thomas Of Maryland, for the consid.
Grafton of the iolmer one when General
Pierce spoke as follows:
"He had no disposition to discuss the
merits OF this deeply exciting question at
any time, and his respect for the rules of
the House would prevent his attempting to
do so under the motion of the gentlemen
from Maryland (Mr. Thomas) to reconsider
which motion he hoped wonld be with.
drawn, and then the motion Of the gentle
men from New York. (Mr Beardsley.) be
so far modified as TO meet the appreciation
Of all who are most sensitive upon the agi.
tsting question; and he rose to add his re.
quest TO the suggestion made by his friend
(he hoped he might so call him) from Vrr.
ginia. This was not the last memorial OF
the same character that would be sent here.
1t was perfectly apparent that the question
must be met now, or at some future time,
fully and explicitly, and such an expression
of the House given as could leave no pos
sible room to doubt as to the opinions and
sentiments entertained by its members. lie,
(Mr P..) indeed, considered the overwhelm-
ing vote OF the House the other day, lay
ing memorial of similar tenor, and, he
believed the same in terms, upon the table,
as fixing upon 1t the stamp Of reprobation.
He supposed. that all sections Of the coun-
Try would be satisfied with that expression
but gentlemen seemed now to consider the
vote as equivocal and evssive. He was
unwilling chat any imputation should rest
upon the North, in consequence Of the
misguided and fanatical zeal OF few