Daily American telegraph., 1852-07-24
General Pierce. strong Point.l

They who have read the ample quotations we
yesterday made from the Life of General Pierce
will be prepared to assent to the following sum
mary of his strong points. 1t is made up, we
believe, by the Richmond Wing:
AS we understand it, the principal grounds re-
lied on in support of General Pierce's pretensons
to the Presidency may be summed up as follows:
|. On the score of mediocrity in intellect
This is the broad ground assumed by the Wash
iugton Union; and in defence of it, his whole
career may be adduced without fear of mpeach-
mentor no one act has arisen above the dead
level of commonplace.
2. As hero ofmany hard d-fought-BAT-
TIE lin support Of which, his wonderful
achievements on horseback in the battle-felds Of
Mexico-are they not duly chronicled in the Off
cial accounts of those bloody days, and do they
not supply irrefragable proof of heroism which
dims the glory of an Alexander or Caesar?
General Scott the villifed and illuminated COM
mander-in- chief, struck with admiration at his
chivalrous somersets, in the absence of any spe-
cial military feat to commemorate, characterized
him as the "galant Pierce"
3. His precocious learning. This is illustrated
by a narrative to the following effect: On his
return from college, his father, then governor of
New Hampshire, was writing his message. The
old gentleman, whose head was little wool
gathering, was bothered about his spelling
Frank, my son, (said hey tell me how to spell
'but'-these little words poster me--but such big
words as constitution | can spell as well as any
of you college larnt boys" Frank at once, with
out the slightest hesitation, and without having
recourse to his dictionary, like dutiful son and
accomplished scholar gave the paternal governor
the desired assistance by pronouncing very slowly
and distinctly the letters. but!
4. His noble birth--being lineal descendant
.1,,Go IF fhpp ,hoS1 ba
pedigree is not entirely made out, but both names
begin with P, which leaves no doubt of the fact
5. His charity and generosity. Illustrious as
may be his descent, brilliant as may have been
his feats in arms, and wise his counses in the
Senate, all pale before this most dazzling trait in
his character. We have heard Of generous people,
but we confess that the authentic accounts given
of General Pierce place him in advance of all who
have gone before him. The following extract
from speech delivered by Ex Governor Steele
of New Hampshire before Democratic conven-
tion in favor Of the nomination Of General Pierce
tells the tale. 1t is worthy Of an attentive peru
sal. as illustrating the benefcent spirit Of the
Democratic nominee, and the enlarged views of
bounty which distinguish the people Of New
Hampshire. The tale would be incredible if it were
not vouched for by such high authority:
"Sir," said Governor Steele, :" have known
the whole career of General Pierce from the day
he first took his seat IN this hall. have admired
his exploits III Congress and in Mexico. But
have an incident in my mind which l will relate
which, in my humble judgment, exhibits the
character of the man in more illustrous light
than all his efforts in the forum or the field:
"lt was something more than twenty years
ago General Pierce was then somewhat younger
than he is now) he was travelling through one #
the western towns of this State, and he entered
the principal village he beheld three boys eating
candy. At a brief distance he beheld another
boy sitting alone, and that boy was not eatiug
but he was crying. General Pierce, feeling in
terested in so strange circumstance, inquired
into the case, and ascertained that he was crying
because he had no money to buy candy. No
sooner had he learned the facts in the case, than,
with that noble generosity which has ever distin-
guished Pierce through his whole life, he. put has
hand in has pochet drew forth cent, bought stick
Of candy, and gave TO The boy, ALTHOUGH THE
BOY WAS TOTAL STRANGER TO GEN. PIERCE"