The republic. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1849-1853, 1852-08-02


have exhausted the wisdom Of earth. Let us seek
the aid of Heaven in prayer" A better feeling
pervaded the convention, and our present admlra-
BILE form Of Government was the result.
General Pierce paid glowing and eloquent
tribute to the American Constitution. IL has madc
US all we nation, and he believed our only
hope of continued prosperity, eafety, strength, ana
glory depended upon faithful adherence TO lts
provisions and cheerful acquiescencc in its re-
qurements. He thought the Union had been in
imminent peril, and believed that nothing but the
Compromise measures could have saved 1t, at the
time they were passed, under the then existing
feeling in the two great geographical sections OF
the country. He alluded to the calumnies which
have been circulated among snali-fry politi-
clans in relation to the Franklin dinner. Lam
guage had been ascribed to him which he never
uttered. He remembers political expression
made by him to MIR. Webster except one to the ef
feet that they had never agreed upon political
question before, and probably might never again.
lie then spoke of bis personal agency in the At.
wood controversy. He had always been friend
to Mr.. Atwood, and nobody knows it better than
sug es,ion q Colonel Monroe, to secure TO Mr..
Atwood the Office Of State Treasurer, and was on
his bond, with several other prominent Democrats
| of Concord. for 100000. for the whole time he
| held that office. He was Mr.. Atwood's friend at
| the time of his nomination for Governor; and IT
was such that nc advised him, through Colonel
| Gale, to STAND clear Of the angry controversy
which was likely to arise in reference to the Com
| promise questions - never doubling for a moment
that II he spoke at all it would be to sustain them,
In accordance with the resolutions of the convon
4 ton from which he held his nomination. MIR. AT.
wood replied that he need feel anxiety upon that
point--that lac should take no step which would
emb,rrass the party with which he had so long
| acted
| A few days subsequent Whig member OF the
| convention informed General Pierce OF the White
| correspondence and lite character. He was totally
| ncredulous, but his doubts were speedily removed
by its appearance in the Lde4s5 -
| Many of the Dcnforr,kiG &sceSUtts OF the convcn.
| ton were In favor Of shaking of MIR. Atwood at
| once General Pierce threw his influence against
| such movement. The relations of frienciness
and confidence he had always sustained towards
| Mr. Atwood not only justified but required his
friendly offices TO avert the mischief which threat
cncd alike the Democratic party and its nominee.
| He sought an interview with MIR. Atwood. The
result 10 known. No uniriendly word was uttered.
Tho second letter prepared in a rough draft,
! partly by him and partly by Mr.. Atwood. Gene
| raj Pierce then left him to finish il he pleased,
with these parting words: "Mr. Atwood, write
what commends itself TO your judgment and your
conscience, and then stand by H." Mr.. Atwood
| followed him to the door, shook him cordially by
| the hand, and remarked that he "ehoud never
/ forget the kindness he General P.) had shown
| him - They have not met sincc; but, as Mr.. AT
wood was traversing the State with an entirely