Wilmington journal. [volume] (Wilmington, N.C.) 1844-1895, 1852-09-10
From the Norfolk Argus.
Hon. A. Atkinson.

Hon. A. Atkinson.
We cannot refrain from publishing though not in
accordance with his feelings, the following excellent
letter from A Atkinson, ESQ, of Isle of WIGHT and
four years since the representative in Congress from
this District. We have always looked upon Mr.
Atkinson as one of the safest, most consistent and
sogacious politicians in the commonwealth 1t will
be seen, from perusal of his letter. that he has been
examining the Congressional journals to satisfy him.
self as to the political career of Mr.. Pierce while in
the national councils and he arises from the inves-
tigation thoroughly satisfied with his soundness and
the steadfast support he has invariably given to the
Constitution and the institutions of the South Mr.
Pierce's course an eCery particular meets with Mr.
AS entire approval Such an endorsement from
such source--from retired from politics. and
asking nothing from either of the great parties of
the country-is worthy of being appreciated:
SM1rHF1ELD Aug. 81 1852.
Dear Sri do not think that any man in his
senses, who has read anything of the political course
OF Cen franklin PIERCE can believe he is tnctnred
in the sma lest degree with abolitonsm yet as the
wing speakers and writer's using every unfair
means to deceive the people Of the South as regards
the faithfulness of Gen. Pierce to the Constitution
and their rights it is but proper that the friends and
supporters of truth should call the attention of the
public to the remarks of Mr. Pierce in the Senate of
the United States upon presenting memorial ask
ing Congress to abolish slavery in the District of CO.
lumbla. 1t that speech, made in 1889 more than
thirteen years ago-does not satisfy every wbig who
will read it that Gen. Pierce was at that day even Il
staunch friend to the South and to the Union, then
evidence Is worth nothing in political controversy
have taken great pains to the speeches and
votes of the nominee of the Democratic party, and
say unhesitatngly, that prefer him to any man
who could have been presented to the American
people His votes in both houses OF Congress show
him to be truly State ghts man according to the
resolutions OF 1879. have not found a single rotc
that can condemn Let any read the proceed
ings of Congress, and he will perceive that no repre-
sentative did more work and no man did his work
better than Franklin Pierce. | send you manu-
script of his remarks presenting the memorial for
abolition in the District and you may use it as you
may think BEST My purpose is that the truth shall
be known. Again. ask you TO look to the speech of
Mr.. Pierce, in the House of Representatives the
28th of December, 1885, (Cong ressional Globe, p
33, I'd session Oath Congress- THAT, too is COM
plete yindicaton of our candidate.
am pretty much out of the political world, not
being progressive Democrat in & Young America"
but do feel the deepest interest for the of
the Democracy for that will ensure the of
the Union, with all the rights of the people constitu
tionally preserved. If you chose to make any
of this, there will be occasion for my being
prominently exhibited in your paper.
Very truly, yours, A. ATKINSON.
To S. L. SAWYER, Esq.
In Senate United States 2la February, 1889, (sce
| page 20S, Congressional Globe 3rd session 18th
Congress-
MIR. Pierce of New Hampshire, presented the me-
shire, for the abolition of slavery in the District of
Columbia.
He said that the memorial came to him, accompa
MED by letter from highly respectable clergyman
residing in his native county. The letter says
though We aware that your views may not
respond with those of the petitioners, they have
doubt of your readiness to present IA respectful petit
ton coming from any portion of the citizens Of New
1ampshire.''
1t is certainly no task to present the memorial
in to nlv0y vi n
duty, comply with the request without expressing
my deep regret that these petitioners many of whom
am sure are actuated by pure motives, should so
far mistake their own moral responsibility and the
power and duty of Congress in relation this subject
do earnestly hope that every honest man who has
sincerely at heart the best interest of the slave and
the master may no longer be governed by 4 blind
subject, full of decacy and danger in all its bear
ings; and that when called upon to lend their names
and influence to the of agitation they NAV re-
member that we live under written Constitution
which is the panoply and protection of the South as
we'll as the North; that it covers the entire Union
and is equally guarantee for the unmoesed enioy-
ment OF the domestic institutions of all its parts =
and trust further, that they will no longer close
ther eyes to the fact that so far those in whose
welfare they express so much feeling are concerned,
this foreign interference has been and must nevit-
bly, continue to be evil and only evil
| having on former occasion expressed my views
somewhat at length, will not detan you further
been made, and a thousand times repeated with re-
gard TO my own course and that of the representa-
lives of New Hampshire in both houses of Congress
We have been charged with having denied the
right OF petition and although the charge is Who'll
ly without foundation have no doubt that from its
frequent repetition, it may have had an influence up
on the minds of many honest and patriotic men, So
tar from having denied we have uniformly maintain
ed this right. But after defamation and argument
had been exhausted on both sides of the question ;
after the memorials had been referred to a select
committee during the Oath Congress, and an elabo-
rate report sent forth to the American people we
thought it our duty 10 take such course with petit
tons OF this character woul1 enable Congress t.
proceed with the consideration of subjects of neces-
sary and legitimate legislation. The whole ques-
ton since that period has been with regard to
the disposition ofmemoras when received and no de-
nunclation Or false representations will drive us from
a course demanded alike by a regard for the people
and necessary legislation of Congress- the rights Of
the South, and the interest of the whole country.
After the declara lions which have come from high
sources during the present session in both ends of
the Capitol, am encouraged to hope that the agta-
ton of this question in New England for political
purposes will that there will be no more at
temps to deceive and excite the people by incuca-
ting the impression that the right of petition has
been invaded.
The New Postage Bul.
The new postage bill in the amended form in
VI oh has Al