The daily union. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1845-1857, 1852-06-16


hehts IN avor oil revenue tariff merely, 10 pay the ex
pehses oil an ecoa9mCdt government~recrean to his own
welmatued opinions, expressed through his speeches
ana votes, opposing high taxation and progate expend
uIes-recfeant to the fundamental article OF republican
iath which teaches uncompomsng hostility TO all mo-
nopoy--as TO favor policy which would ihcfease the
taxes oil The people OF Maine TO Herewith canals or
rivers IN Missouri, require Tennessee farmer to pay
double the real value OF articles for domestic consump
uon, that a Massachusetts manufacturer may realize
twenty per cent upon his investment. when the farmer
IN no event can realize than five per cent on his
labor ANA capital the tariff of 1916 is disturbed at ALL
II ought 10 be 10 reduce, not increase existing duties
But other questions have arisen since his congressional
career opened. oil the delicate texture and gfages
Importance, winch he has met as patriot and states
man Ills voice was among the first heard ON the floor
OF Congress IN opposition 10 The fanauca schemes OF the
aboonlsis. when that queslionso full OF danger and
dssenson-was introduced here. lie proved himself
emineniy conservative upon that ISSUE and proclaimed
boldly Tor maintaining the constitutional rights OF the
south. His action was conformabe TO the creed you
adoptet last week at Baltimore, long before that creed
was reduced to form and shape paper Your resolu.
ton there is that Congress has power under the
shtuuon TO interfere with or control the domestic nstiu
ons ol the several States, and that such States the
sole ana proper Judges OF everything apperalnng TO
their own affairs, not prohibited by the constitution;
and that all efforts OF the abolionis,s others, made
10 induce Congress 10 h.eare with questions OF slavery
or TO take ncpent steps in relation Thereto, cacu-
laed 10 lead 10 the most alarming and dangerous
sequences and that all such Efforts have an inevitable
tendency 10 diminish the happiness OF the people and
cndanger The stability and permanency OF the Union,
and ought mol TO be couendoced by any friend OF ont
pOn1cal III llcre should De one cruel
ungencrous as to question his fidelity 10 the constitutional
rights oil my secuon--and do not ask than that
IRON any nan-le HIM rccu 10 his speech in reply 10
Mr. Slade, oil Vermont the abolition question To the
constitutional rights OF the South he has been faithful
among the fahless; when Others have been swept oil
by the wild waves OF ianacism, and turned their hearts
and hands against the just rights OF their southern
brethren, he through all the changes and vlcsstudes of
fortune, has stool fm his native granite hills,
solved that the constitution alone should be the polar star
OF his political acts, hopes and prospects. And although he
was saddened by seeing for brief that cloud OF
ianacism which lowered over the entire North obscure
the OF the republican faith even of New Hampshire,
he never quaed III the general gloom but trusted firmly
that returning reason and justice would dlspe lis murky
folds, and that would again shine forth in all It's bright
ness Nor was he disappointed; Tor abolition and its
allies there were swept oh "like autumn leaves before
the wlnry blast"
Let me, then, conuEe southern of the opposition
10 pause, and consider long and we'll before they enlist
under doubtful colors 10 wage war against one so
true, so faithful, bold fearless franklin Pierce
has proven himself TO be in upholding the constitution.
How many others fell when the lempter came. When
State alter State deserted and embraced abolunism aud
free-sollism and madness ruled the hour he calmly
veyed the impending ruin, sounded the alarm and rallied
hs native Stale on The side oil reason and justice. Be
not ungraleu 10 one who stood by you wien the issue
was tar more momenous than party triumph defeat
II would be sin not OF the smallest grade. II your
nominee has proved and still proves, his devotion 10 the
constitution, support him il your principles demand it
but never strike down true friend 10 aiihess
enemy..
General Pierce senator in Is4l, and during the
memorable extra session OF that year. His party was in
the minority The elections IN 1910 proved most disas
rous 10 the democracy IN fact, il total route. He
with hs associates, struggled long and ably oppo
son 10 the bank TO the Tariff 10 the repeal Of the sub
easuTy-whch he bad been instrumental before in pass
ing-o the distribution oil the sales OF the public lands,
to the bankrupt law and all the other high federal
schemes introduced at that long aforementioned ses
sion. The Senate then body of such ranscendenl
ability, that all America witnessed with intense interest
the battles Of the giants" Ii was noble intellectual
spectacleOne which Rome, in her palme8t days. might
well have been proud OF.
But his opposition was unavaing lie and his allies
were borne down by superior numbers, and all these
measures, against which they so long conlended,
passed. The terrible blows however, which the oppos
ton received finally pTosraled them, and not OF the
statutes of that memorable epoch remains upon the
statute book unrepeasd How sad the thought but
how few OF his associates still ilumine the Senate
with their eloquence learning and experience Where
is StIas Wright, Felix Grundy, Calhoun, Linn, Wood
bury How maay great men have fallen in our
political Israel in few brief, neeng years! Gen.
eral Pierce resigned his seat before the expiration
Of his term, in lsl2. 1t is said that MIR. Polk ten.
dered him the appointment OF Attorney General OF the
United States, but he declined, and remained 10 pi
vate life until the opening Of the Mexican war, when
be was appointed colonel Of the first new regiment
under the enreglmen BILL the ninth infantry, and soon
after he promoted to brigadler general. lie served
IN the war with distinction, aud fayore with oth
GERS and soldiers am moi familiar with the incidents OF
his services, but find that General Scott in his despatch
detailing the battles oil ConIeras and Churubusco speaks
Of him as the gallant BrgadIer General Pierce" do
not refer 10 his military services for The purpose of
mendng hun on their account, but TO show that he is
always ready 10 respond TO the calls Of his country
whether it may be made in the cablne; or in the tented
ed and that thus far he has been found equal TO the
performance OF every duty devolyed him. | aude
to his military 10 show that the blood OF his sturdy
old father who fought Tor his country through the
luton, has not thnned whened in the veins OF his
The opposition will in all probability nominate Gen
Scott and his services in the field would certainly eclipse
all his coemporares. His life has been devoted to the
military; il has been his profession his occupation in
peace well in He ought TO have acquired the
highest scientific military attachments, be no doubt
has; but he can claim greater devotion 10 the
country than the private citizen, who, when danger
threatens when the honor OF his country's flag
ques that s enemies shall be met the field OF battle,
volunteers his services to fight its battles and when
tory perches upon It's standard teres from the service
to the quiet walks OF life, relieving his government from
supporting and maintaining him. That, take II, is a
clear proposition But II General Pierce had high mill
tary reputation, ii should not strengthen his preensons
or claims TO the presidency. Thank Heaven we have
not yet reached that point IN the decline oil govern
ment when is necesstry to elect mlary TO ad.
minister the executive department of the government.
Most republics have had that experience when they had
travelled far down the road to destruction and when the
tor to elect military chieftains 10 discharge
the functions OF civil officers "then farewell, long fare.
WELL 10 all greatness" The second election will be
made by the army, and the appontee will be dictator.
In this country, civil qualifications alone required
aud however bright halo OF glory may encirce the
wreathed brow OF The military officer, il he is deficient
in knowledge OF civil polty, and is destitute OF states
manshp, he is not worthy TO rule the people OF the Uni
ted States, and ought not TO be trusted with the delicate
duties devolvcd Chief Magistrate growing out Of
our foreign and domestic relations.
When General Pierce was nominated by convention |
this spring IN his State for the presidency he prompt
Iy addressed letter The delegates appointed