The Hillsdale standard. [volume] (Hillsdale, Mich.) 1851-1909, 1852-09-07
HE PRESIDENCY.
Observation-Disclosures PIERCE
Their eualiftionsand fitness for that high 0fide.


and Navy the United States, and of the
militia of tb several States, when called into
the actual svico of tho United States" But
TINS power hnever exercises in person, though
strictly he lis a right to do so. He commands
the Army all Navy by tho officers belonging
TO each arm of the public defence, ordinarily
by the rulesof seniority; hence the duties Of
the Presderal Office are of civil character,
and II becomes important to inquire into the
| civil qualifications of Winfield Scott and
Franklin PIERCE, for one or the other of them
is morally certain to be the next President of
the United States.
This nquisy is very largo one-it looks
much beyond the endownents of nature and
acquisitions of nature and acquisitions of edu-
cation--it must have respect to moral quail
Gs and e IhQe an Xhish isr degte il st 9ns ms
fellow-mon; and, if of another, may sink him
far below.
Which of the two candidates has DISPLAYED
the greatest sbilitiesl Which has had the
largest experienced Which has been placed i'm
the most trying situationsl And which has
exhibited resources equal to every emergency!
Which of them entertans the most enlarged
and liberal views of national policy? And
which will, by his counsels and influence, be
most likely TO promote measures best adapted
to advance the common welfarel
Whose opinions are generous, comprehen-
sve, and truly national? And whose are mar
row, liberal, and unbecoming the chief mag
istrate of a groat peoplel
Who will stand at the head of tho nation.
as Washington did, with mind to conceive.
heart to embrace, and hand to execute all
that we may justly expect from our admirable
frame of government, and from tho unparallel-
cd resources of the "Ocean bound Republic!'
And who will be the chief of mere party.
executing the petty schemes of such as are
bound together by "the cohesive attraction of
of the public plunder,' and dwarfing the gov
eminent into tho exercise of such functions
only as will serve to satiate the voracity of
those who throng the doors Of the Treasury:
Who, as chief magistrate will know "no
North, no South, East or West" but will up
lift and hold with a steady and even hand
the SCI les of Justicel Who will exert himself
the most to preserve the peace Of the country
both externally and internallys And who is
bes, qualified to carry forward to successful
issue tho great experiment of selfgovernment,
which we are trying in the face of the worldi
The answer to these and similar INQUIRIES
will sufficiently indicate to every honest mind
the path of duty. Study well, ponder long.
conclude wisely, and act accordingly. Webe
gin with
He was elected to Congress, and took his
seat in the House of Representatives the first
Monday of December, 1885, he was reelected
and resumed his seat in that body the first
Monday of December, 1885. He was elected
Mr. Van buPrechs t@f called sessdn ssh,
i. 1897; served through that and the succeed
ing Congress- and the first Called and second
session Of the 9th Congress, upon the Fobru-
30 q - In 81. !
returned to New Hampshire to resume the
practice of the law.
His Measures.
1t will be perceived from the above, tha,
General Pierce was little over eight years in
Congress- a very considerable period, and
ample enough 10 enable him to devise and
present measures adapted to advance the well
fare of the country. Did he present any1-
Not one We have carefully examined the
records end speak ajvisedly; we challenge his
friends to turn to the journals of tho House
for the 23d and 24th Congresses, and of the
Senate for the 25th, 26tb, and 9th, and pro-
duce evidence TO the contrary of his ability
Where arc his measuresl Ye who sustain his
professions must produce the proofs and main
tain the issue: He MADE HIS MARK NO WHERE.
His Speeches.
These wero few and far between, but none
the worse for that if they had been of the
right sort. We have too much speaking in
Congress, and we would by no means consider
a man unfit for the Presidency because he
made feio speeches. But it is an old adage,
that cit is better to sit still than to rise up and
fall" and it is a pity General Pierce did not
attend 10 it. His speeches reflect no credit
on him; they arc narrow, iliberal, and jejeune
-ihcy are almost all of a negative character.
He spoke, February "a, 1884, against ''a bill to
provide for the settlement of certain revolu-
tionary claims" though according to its very
terms they were to bo adjusted on principles
of law and equity: June 80, 1886, against tho
"bll making appropriations for tho Military
Academy OF the United States, for the year
1886" and thus endeavored to bleak up that
invaluable institution; and June %, lS4l.
against tho "bill the rclie: of the widow of
General Harrison" and thus did all no could
to return her penniless to desola,e home.--
Ho appears on one occasion april %, 1880 as
tho especial friend and vindicator of the late
Judge Woodbury., then Secretary of the
deposito banks; and on another (July Let and
I'd, IS4l,) as the assailant Of the then Whig
administration, for ronoqals from office; setting
up the old cry, breach Of faith" ''Uiolated
picdges!' and acting on the idea that the
Democrats, whether in or out of power, are to
hare all the offices in the one case, and in the
other to kespthem all. He would occasionally
make some remarks on the presentation of a
petition. which were respectable. At several
sessions he said nothing but Yea! yea! Nay,
nayl Witness tho record of the I'd session
of 23d Congress- ID session of the 24th; and
| 1st session of the 25th.
But sometimes little talking will charac-
terise man as thoroughly as good deal,
and this happenes to be the case with Repre-
sentative Pierce, Senator Pierce--now, Gen.
Pierce. Let any one look over his speeches
against West Point Academy and against the
appropriation for Mrs. Harrison, and no cannot
fail TO form just estimate of the man. One
these wc propose to submit few remarks
His Speeches ia opposition TO The Miltars .qedd
emy at West Point.
About tho commencement Of General Jack
sons Administration, or soon after, thore
sprang UP in tie House Of Representatives q
Il v;olo,, onpositon IN tho Academv at WesI