Washington telegraph., 1852-09-08
Letter From Gen. Pierce.

Below we insert letter from Gen. Pierce, which
appeared in the Washington Republic of the 18th
inst, giving his own version of his position before
the country on the slavery question: and denying
the correctness Of the reports of his New Boston
speech, published by the Concord hsdegendent De
nlocrat and Manchester Democrat. references to
whlch, IN whole or in part, have frequently ap-
peared in columns The letter is addressed
to Mr.. Edwin De Leon formerly one of the edi-
tors of the deiunct Southern Press and is an an
swer to an epistle dated 18th July enquiring
whether the reports of the aforesaid speech Were
correct. We readily publish the letter entire, not
only to render General Pierce full and exact Jus
tice, but to prevent all imputatons of unfairness
on ouI part. The letter of Mr.. De Leon to Gen.
Pierce well as his note to the editor of the Re
pH6fic, communicating the reply, we omit, as not
essential to the subject:
CONCORD, N. H. July %, 1852
My dear Sir: Surrounded by present engage
ments, | seize the earliest opportunity to reply to
your letter of the 18th inst. much regret that
anything connected with myself should have been
the cause of disagreement between YOU and gen.
temen with whom you have been associated in
the editorial department of the Southern Press. |
do not remember ever to have seen what purports
to be report OF a speech delivered by me at New
Boston, in this State in January last, until my at
tention was recalled to it as republished in the
Repu5lic. The pretended report is, and presume
was designed to be, entire Misrepresentation.
1t is not merely mtruthtul, but is so grossly and
absrrdly false to render, in this vicinity any de-
NAL OF its authenticity entirely unnecessary. The
two papers quoted-the Independent Democrat
published in this place, and the Democrat publish
ed at DlancheSter-are thoroughly abolition Jour
mails. and have been and are Zeaously opposed to
the Democratic party. For long time prior to
the meeting in New Boston, and ever since. they
have been unsparing in their attacks upon me
in HON to- ri finn ncf1 not
they have been pleased to term my pro-slavery
sentiments. But it would be some thing new for
either of these papers to deny the consistency of
my opinions upon the subject of the constitutional
rights of the South in relation to slavery. My
opinions and the avowal of them have been every
where the same. Ever mindful of the difficulties
and dangers which so long brooded over the as
semblage of wise men and pure patriots to whose
spirit OF concession and earnest efforts we are in
debtcd for the Constitution under which we have
enjoyed such signal prosperity, advancement and
happiness. have regarded the subject as too vital
and delicate to be used as an element of sectional
appeal in party conflicts. My action and my Ian
guage in New Hampshire, touching this matter
nave been at all times and under all circumstances
in entire accordance with my action and language
at Washington. My votes in the Senate and
House OF Representatives We're not republished
in the Era ior the first time They have been
again and again paraded to the passions and
prejudces OF our people against me Individually
ana against the party with which it has been my
pride and pleasure to act There has been TO at
tempt to evade the force Of the record. 1t has
been at all times freely admitted and my position
sustained upon grounds satisfactory to my mind
am rot surprised to know that the attempt TO
prove me an aboiitionist provokes much rlerri-
ment among men of all parties here; and this
weak and untr1lthtul sketch of what purports to
be my speech, is really TOO ridiculous to be consid
cred IN any serious light.
am IN the daily receipt Of letters proponnding
the greatest variety OF curious questions upon all
conceivable ubects Letters OF this character
cannot be answered, OF course No individual
could command either the time or strength the
hercuean task would require. | may aud that
such a correspondence would by no means COM
port with my views of duty. The Democratic
party sent its delegates to Baltimore not alone to
nominate candidates. but to reaiiirm principles and
to present the leading issues upon which the can
yass should be conducted.
Ii could deem myself capable Of improving the
platform there adopted. it is quite certain should
decline either at the call OF individuals or ass0ca-
tIOns, to incur the charge of arrogance to which
any attempt to alter or amend or enlarge it. would
inevitably subject me.
Your letter IS OF an entirely different character.
1t seeks truth in relation to an alleged fact: it
speaks Of history, to which, too searching an ap-
peal cannot be made. | appreciate the estimate
you seem to have Of my character tor directncss;
and beg you to accept my thanks i0r your efforts
to vndicate my claim to that trait at least before
the public
l am, with high esteem,
your most obedent servant