The Democratic sentinel and Harrison County farmer. [volume] (Cadiz, Ohio) 1851-1852, 1852-07-21
Gen. Pierce and the Fourth.

Gen. Franklin Pierce was present at the
meeting of the Cincinnati Society, of Mas
saehusetts. reported series ofresolutons,
and delivered an eloquent eulogium on the
death of Henry Clay. Gen. Pierce's father
was an original member of this patriotic So
Iiety when Washington was President of it.
At the Democratic celebl alton Of the day in
Philadelphia. the following beautiful and
patriotic lette was read from Gen. Pierce:
CONCORD. n. H., June 80, 1859.
GENTLEMEN:-Thtre are many reasons
why 1t would, bepeculiarly gratifying to me,
to accept your kind invitation, and pass the
next anniversary Of Independence as ma
ton in PHILADELPHIA.
Wherever an American citizen is found
on the recurrence ofthat day, whether upon
his own, or upon foreign soil. his thoug hts
instinctively turn to the conSecrated locality
of the most sublime spectacle presented in
the history of governments, and his heart
beats quicker and warmer for his own coun-
try, and most earnestly for the discnthral-
ment Qf the oppressed eberywhere, as his free
glance is turned toward Independence
Hall"
The suggestions of severe prudence may,
for the moment, be the less controlling, but
it is we'll that once in every year full latitude
be given to the impulses that gush out, and
the generous ardor that glows, for the firm
establishment Of constitutional liberty thro'
out the world. 1t is we'll that we recount
the sacrifices at which this glorious UniCn,
with all its multiplied aud multiplying bles-
sings, was purchased. 1t is we'll that, in
the midst Of our congratulations, we remem-
Der, that in the WCa6ness Of our infancy as a
people, not enly words Of cheering were
sert across the Qcean to greet Us, but upon
It's bosom, Were borne to our shores hearts to
symrathize and arms to strike. How the
cherished memories of the noble dead of
other lands, whose blood mingled with that
of our fathers in the struggle that followed
the Declaration, the anniversary of which
you are to commemorate, come thronging
with the grey dawn Of that day of general
jubilee. So may Il ey ever come. So will
they ever come, while We are faithful to the
Constitution, true to our mission, and heed
full Of the lessons Of wisdom which have de-
Gccndcd to us.
independent of he inspiring associations
to which | have advcrted, it would be plea
SAINT to participate in the National festival in
Philadel phia, because | should meet numcr-
Gus friends whose acquaintance l enjoyed at
Washington many Years ago; and more per-
haps, for whom formed ties of unalterablc
attachment in that different field Of service
to which so many ofyour citizens were called
in l847.
With these strong inducements for COM
pliance, you will readily appreciate the deep
regret l fesl in being compelled to deny my
self the pleasure of meeting the sterling de-
mocracy Of your city aid county, as propo-
Ised.
have made arrangements to attend the
anniversary of the Society of the Cincinnati,
instituted bv the officers of the American
army. at he close of the Revolution, of
which my father was an original member.
There is no longer hope of meeting the pa
trarchs whose names appear With that Of
the Father Of his country upon the old Con-
Istitution of the Society, but | feel strong
desire to be with their descendants on that
day.
Accept. gentlemen, for yourselves, and
present to the Democracy for whom YOU
speak, my gratr(ul acknowledgements
With the greatest respect,
Your fellow citizen,
FRANZ. PIERCE.