Eastern times. [volume] (Bath, Me.) 1846-1857, 1852-10-14

| vi 'idl otdte. IL was written In reply 10 some
inquiries made by Rev. Mr.. Converse, of Phil
adelPhia, and not intended for publication =
"You make inquiries respecting Gen.
Pierce, my honored townsman and neighbor,
which regard 1t both as pleasure and duty
to answer. You know have never been a
political partzan; or if have had any politi-
cal preferences and partialities, they have been
IN another direction, reckoning myself whig
rather than democrat. What | say, there
fore, is entirely free from any political consid-
Grafton or feeling.
have known Gen. Pierce personally about
twelve years, and may say, somewhat inti-
mately, as we have lived in the same neigh
borhood, have attended the same church, and
have been brought together almost every week
In going TO our pl aces of business. II under
stand any mans character, think it is that of
Gen. Pierce, for he is so frapk. generous and
open, that he is incapable ,croncealment.
know of no man Of such generous nature, so
ready to sympathize with poverty and sorrow,
and SO liberal in relieving them. His heart
and hand are always open TO whoever appeals to
him in distress; indeed, the appeal is not wait
ed for when the distress is known. In all his
domestic relations and social Intercourse, and
business transactions in his large professional
practice, his life has been marked by purity.
justice and generosity. The breath of censure
has never fallen, SO far as | know, upon him !;
while his character, in all these respects, is
universally admitted and admired.
Not only is Gen. Pierce firm believer in
Christianity as a Divine revelation, but in its
highest and most peculiar truths, as a system
adapted to the moral condition of man, and
which can alone renew and save him. While
he is no narrow sectarian, but honors all good
men of every name, and is ready to do them
good, he is All attendant at an orthodox Con-
gregatonal Church, and no one is more con-
slant IN his attendance, or serious in his devo-
tions. For some time he was teacher in the
Sabbath School, and have often seen him at
the monthly concert and other social meetings.
| have known of his generous acts in relev-
ing poor ministers, unasked, and where he
sought c0ncealment.
Should Gen. Pierce be elected 10 the Presi-
dency, doubt not that he would carry to
Washington that reverence for religion and
observance of its worship and institutions,
which he has so long shown here and will
add, though this is not included in your in
quires, that the White House was not honored
with the presence of more accomplished, iE-
iSSht, anu IuiJ III hlS L YIN
than it would be in Mrs. Pierce.
You refer 10 'rumors respecting the use of
intoxicating beverages | will first say in re-
ply, that in all my long and somewhat init
mate acquaintance with General Pierce, l hare
neUer kn0Wn him TO use ardent spirit, nor hare
euer seen him vhen l thought or suspected he
had used 1t. In the next place | will say, that
knowing DIR. Thomas Chadbonrne, one of our
most distinguished physicians, total absti-
nence man, and member of the church with
which Gen. Pierce worships, had been for
years the family physician of Gen. Pierce,
took the liberty 10 hand him your letter, en-
closed in a note to which | received the fol-
lowing rePly
Il have attended Gen. Pierees family, as
their medical adviser, more than seven years,
and the delicate health of Mrs. Pierce and her
son during most of this period, has occasioned
an intimacy in the family, that hardly any 9TH
er circumstance could have done; and [ am
free TO say, and | say it with perfect truthful
ness, that hare neUer seen, in the family or
ont of IL, anything in the appearance Of Gen.
Pierce, TO ercite IN my mind suspicion that he
ind,tlged in incorporate habits, or anything that
would afford the LEAST PROOF of the reports al
luded to-
have now answered your inquiries, and
though no politician, take pride as yon do,
in New Hampshire men, and take pleasure,
whatever the party to which they belong, in
vindicatng their character from reproach.
Very truly yours, your Friend and Bro.
P.S You ask if Gen. Pierce is Straight
forward, honest man, who dares to do what he
believes to be right, anywhere and every
where!' Gen. Pierce is universally known as
a man of great decision and independence
of character, and will do what he thinks TO
be his duty, in the face OF any consequence;
and though nominated by party, he will be
more than a partiZan, being in every inch
and feeling and impulse national man,
whose motto and watchword will be that of
our New Hampshire statesman, we both
honor and admire-'Our country, the whole
country, and nothing but our country"
The above is triumphant vindicaton of
Gen. Pierce from the charges 10 which we
have referred. Here is a clergyman who
has known Gen. Pierce for twelve years,
personally, and met him almost every week
yet, during that long period, he has not
only 'never seen him use ardent SPIRIT" but
has never seen hin when he thought or
suspected he had used it," Here, 100, is the
family physician-himsef total abstinence
man, and protesting christian brought in
to close relations for seven years with Gen.
Pierce, and has never seen sin the family or
out of it, anything to justify even a suspicion
| Of Incorporate habits"
We are perfectly willing TO rest this testi.
mony against an anonymous newspaper
communication. Let the public judge be.
tween them. 1t is not n question Of party
interest, but of personal reputation and
when the latter is falsely attacked, it be-
comes the duty Of all good and true men
whatever he their political creed, to STAND
BIZ THE RIGHT.-Argus.
n l. L