The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1852-10-11
NATIONAL, STATE AND CITY POLITICS.
GENERAL PIERCE AND THE RELIGIOUS
TEST OF NEW HAMPSHIRE

TEST OF NEW Fl HAMPSHIRE
THE QUESTION SETTLED FOREVER.
JAMES GORDON BENNETT. ESQ
Desr Sir-A strenuous effort has been made to
mpugp the sincerity of General Pierce's opposition
10 the religious test
Men will naturally distrust professions made by
an individual after he has become candidate, when
not consistent With his previous acts and decarations
but when candidate appeal to consistent re-
cord be acquires perfect title to public confidence
A conclusive proof of the entire frankness and sin
cerity of General Pierce has come into my posses.
sion, which you will greatly favor me by giving to
the public in your widely circulated journal.
In November, 1851, a stranger to me, whose name
now appears to be L. Flood, but whose signature
could not decipher, addressed to me, by letter,
from JacksoDport, Arkansas, an inquiry concern
ing this celebrated religious test in order TO deter
mine o wager
On the strength of a casual interview, occupying
few minutes, some twelve or fifteen years ago, aud
induced thereto by the fact of his having been Presi
dent Of the recent constitutional convention of his
State, forwarded the inquiry to General Pierce.
His reply was received by the 2ith Of March,
1852. forwith cut from the letter of my unknown
correspondent his unreliable signature; and, using
ID for the address, forwarded directly to him, Gene
raj Pierce's original letter.
That letter and my short note at the foot of it, are
~ follows
CosconD, N. H.
To CHAnLEs 0 CoNoR, Esq, New YoaK CRY
Ny Dear Sir-YOu must have ben surprised at my
failure to your letter Of December oath.
The fact Is ashamed to make the confession which
truth would then have demanded At the time of the
adoption Of State constitution in 1854 the religious
test inserted to repe taunts that had been flung out
after the French alliance that there to be an
vii he All
Of here BY the convention Of l79l the provision was
rejected BY decided vote and the rejection ratified
by majority of the peoples but two thirds vote being
required for the adoption of the amendment the 0dous
feature still retained its place.
In the convention OF 1850. consisting Of about 270
MEMBER, the vote strike out this test almost
tire)y upanimous-l think not more than six members
yotlsg in the negative The amendment OF the eonsti
tuition this respect submitted to the people at
the late election and although not in the receipt
Of full there is to believe that the
sto be no longer dgraced by such provision in its
hope visit New York in May ami to have an oppor.
unity TO renew the pleasant acquaintance 1t was my
good fortune to make with you many years since.
With the highest respect your friend
FRANK PIERCE.
New YoRK, March "a, 1852
Dear Sir-Not being any better acquainted with the
laws Of New Hampshire than yourself addressed dis
tipguhed lawyer OF that State on the question men.
TONED In your favof Of November 80, 1851 that s:
whether Roman Ca hoics excluded from Office
IN the State Of New Hampshire Or prohibited from hold
have just received his answer, and nov forward it
you Y seems that they were 50 excluded from office
At the date of your letter But the disqualification
49, - ''N '' CHARLIE CHARLES 'o'coNoR.
Shortly after the nomination, l addressed to the
postmaster at Jacksonport, request to procure
for me return of this letter, without disclosing to
him its contents or my motive. On the LIST inst
Mr. Flood returned it to me, attributiDg the delay
70 an accidental cause, explained in his note.
I leave the whole original correspondence with
you for free perusal.
At the time that General Pierce wrote the letter
to me he not a candidate for the Presidency.
Indeed he had refused to acquiesce in the presenta
ton OF his name to the Baltimore Convention.
have never seen him but once, never before his no.
mination had any other correspondence with him
Than what is above related, or had any expectation
that be would be candidate for the Presidency at
the ensuing election.
Thus il is that, from the daily walk and converse
tien Of an honest man, from his casual and unpre.
meditatsd words and actions, there is arising
come convincing evidences of his integrity--some
effectual shield against Misrepresentation.
The annual election in New Hampshire was held
on the 9th March, 1852 The letter of Gen Pierce,
a. will be seen was written shortly prior to the oath
Of that month He forbore to answer me until the
amendments abolishing the religious test had been
submitted to the people, and conviction had arisen
IN his mind that it would be adopted. ''The wish
was father to the thought" Though it was not
adopted, the responsibility for its rejection rests not
upon the liberal and enlightened citizen who al
ways favored It l am, dear sir,
Yours, respectfully, On. O'CoHoR.
October 6, 1852.