Gallipolis journal. [volume] (Gallipolis, Ohio) 1837-1919, 1852-10-21
PLUM GROVE, Sept. 8. 1859.

Dr.. s NJ. BALLARD-Dear Sir: Your
letter of yesterday in relation to state
ments sin a number of Wing papers ol
Iowa and elsewhere, concerning the po-
sition which | now occupy, and your
enquiries as to my ''feelings and views
towards Generals WINFIELD ScoTr and
FRANKLIN PIERCE as candidates for the
Presidency, is now before me.
And, in answer to it, permit me TO say
to you, that it is with no ordinary inter-
est view the contest nov going on. be-
tween the friends of General Winfield
Scott and Gen. Pierce--the two promi-
nent men now candidates for the Presi-
Dental chair Of the Union, the one nom-
mated by a Wing National Convention
the other by convention of the Dem
ocratic party. have, sir, as you know,
always been Democrat; was born a
Democrat, and ! expect TO live the BAL
ance of my days as such, and then die a
democrat.
supported Thomas Jefferson for the
Presidency. | supported Mr.. Madison
two terms, Mr.. Monroe twice, and was
one of the Electors in Ohio that voted
for Monroe at the time Of his second
election. In 1924 | was placed at the
head OF the Jackson Electoral ticket in
Ohio; in 1896 was chosen an Elector in
that State, and gave my vote as such, for
General Andrew Jackson.
| was President Of the Democratic
National Convention at Baltimore in
1889, which nominated Gen. Jackson
for reelection, and that recommended
Martin Van Buren as a candidate for
Vice President on the same ticket;
supported Mr.. Van Buren for the Presi-
dency in SO and 40. | voted for Gen
Cass in 1948, and should freely vote for
him again were he a candidate. These
are so many proofs of my title of Dem
ocrat. This title has been well earned,
and my right TO it shall never be i'm
paired. But cannot support Franklin
Pierce by word or deed for the impor-
tant Office of President, consistent with
the principles which / have ever, as a
Democrat, entertained, nor with the VOL
uniary pledges made TO the Democrat
ic convention of Ohio, which nomina-
ted me in 1884, as a candidate for re-
election to the Office of Governor of
that f1ourishing State; those pledges be-
ing as follows: "MY motto has ever
been, principles, measures and men that
wiH carry principles and measures in
to efect-and you may rest assured,
that whatever may be my station or sit
uation in life, You will always find me
in the ranks of Democracy, supporting
the principles and measures, that were
professed and acted upon in the admin
istration of Jefferson, Madison,
Jackson, and such men as will carry
their principles and measures into ef-
fect.''
The position that Mr.. Pierce has ever
occupied. in Congress or any other p1b-
lie station, in reference to questions vi
tai to Western prosperity, has been an
tagonistical to those which were advoca-
ted and dearly cherished by those emil
rent statesmen whose election to the
Presidency / most heartily and cordial
Iy advocated. They taught, and have
always believed, that the Constitution
vests in Congress the power to open and
repair Harbors and remove distractions
from navigable rivers; and that it was
expedlent that Congress should exercise
such power whenever such improve
ments are necessary for the common de.
fense-for the protection and facility of