The spirit of democracy. [volume] (Woodsfield, Ohio) 1844-1994, 1852-07-14

A convention Of democratic republican
members was held in Concord, June Is,
1880, and adopted an address and reso-
lutions that will stand out among the i'm.
portant political documents Of the time,
for their ability, clearness, and soundness.
They accurately define the character Of
the constitution; clearly show how the Law.
ish system Of appropriations by the gen.
eral government lead "to widespread,
general corruption, tending directly to the
consolidation or disunion of the States,
the destruction of democratic principles,
and the extinction OF liberty" and they
thus early endorsed the denomination Of
General Jackson as the democratic can
didate for the next presidential term. This
was the convention that resolved that Hon.
Samuel Bell, then Senator, had ceased to
represent the sentiments Of majority OF
his constituents.
The New Hampshire democrats the sue
ceeding year (183D nobly maintained
their ground-the election resulting IN the
full success OF their ticketfor governor and
Congress, while they retained their major
ity in the legislature. "The American
system Of Henry Clay" say the journals,
sis dead and buried in the State OF New
Hampshire 1t was the year that Mr..
Pierce was elected speaker of the house.
which consisted of two hundred and twen-
ty members; and it shows the estimation
| in which he was held that he received 1856
votes, against So for all others. He was
also elected speaker in 1882. He dis
charged the duties of this Office with great
tact and ability, proving himself to be a
firm, courteous. and impartial presiding
officer. Thus, in five years, he attained
an enviable position among his associates;
and won it, not by undermining rivals, or
by adroitness in political intrigue, but by
firm adherence to political principle,
eloquence in debate, unquestioned capa-
city for public business, unvarying cour-
tesy and the exhibition of trankness and
manliness of character. So honorable
was his ambition, that while he was rank.
ing his associates. he retained their love
and commanded their respect
In 1888 Mr.. Pierce was promoted TO q
wider sphere Of action, being elected a
member of Congress from this district
He entered on this field of duty in aperiod
Of intense political excitement-indeed, ir
one of the hero-ages of the American dem
ocracy. The United States Bank was
then in the arena, making its most desper
I, ate struggle TO overcome the government
and to perpetuate its monopoly, and this
by subsidizing the press, and not unfrs
quently tampering with the integrity of pub
lie men. In opposition TO such corruption
the indomitable hero OF New Orleans was
giving fresh proofs of the force OF his char
acter and the frmness of his patriotism
In these irving times, when not a few faI
tered, Mr.. Pierce proved himself in Con
gress one of the most able and reliable
supporters of the administration. He was
} not frequent debater, but rather mos
f intelligent working member, giving promp
attention to the business in hand;ssstill
' when occasion required it. he was ready
and willing to throw himselfinto the breach
repel the attacks that were made by th'
! able men in opposition, and boldly defent
t the Old Hero in those patriotic and soul
t stirring speeches for which he is so cele
} brated To 90 over, for four years. hi
votes, and recall his speeches, would b.
only adducng unnecessary proof that h
! gave an unfallering support TO the polio.
which has met the approving voice of I
, vast majority of the American people. 81
true was he TO the democratic cause, AM
J so agreeable was he in his personal ad
, dress, that the President became warml
5 attached to him, and often invited him I
I his freside and hospitable board. MI
, Pierce also continued to make warn
t friends among his associates in Congress
n while he steadily advanced in the respec
| and good will of the citizens OF his nativ
: State. lie entered with them heart an
g soul into their local political contests; an
the longer they tried him the more conf
: dence did they feel in the purity Of hi
: character and the soundness OF his prin
8 ciples.
a With such reputation, Mr.. Pierce wa
J. elected by a large majority of the legisla
lure 10 lUS Ccidt6 VI. uio OHtCu h1LotCs
: and took his seat at the extra session sun
!, moned to convene on the 4th of Marcel
: l837--,he day OF the Inauguration of MAJ
i tin Van Buren, as President The countr
I was then experiencing the effects Of sc
s we're commercial revulsion--the necessar
Q consequence Of an extraordinary inaatio
9 Of credit and wild and wide speculativ
:; mania. To prevent the government j
i future from unwsely stimulating trade b
: a use ofits deposites as basis Of di'
9 count. and to secure it from again exp'
d riencing losses from failure Of bank
c the democratic party were boldly takin
gfground in favor Of separating the money
,f Of the government from the concerns I
i the banks. Thus the same journal tn
2 contains the accounts Of the extra sessio
II OF the Senate contained letters from Il
q ex-P President at the Hermitage, rejoicin
l"that the democracy are uniting upon Il