The Minnesota pioneer. [volume] (St. Paul, Minn. Territory) 1849-1855, 1852-10-21


Prof. Edward D. Sanborn, of Dartmouth College,
strong Wing, was member Of the late constifu-
tional convention in New Hampshire, and after the
adjournment ofthat body, prepared series of sketch
cs of its most prominent members. One of them
was notice Of Frank Pierce, the President Of that
convention, which give below:
FRANKLIN PIERCE.
In drawing the portrait of the distinguished mem.
bcrs Of the constitutional convention, to pass Frank
Pierce unnoticed, would be absurd to enact one
Of the dramas of Shakespeare without its principal
hero. give my impressions Of the man saw
him in the convention, for ] would not undertake to
youch for the truth ialsehood Of these yeIacious
organs Of public sentiment at the capital which have
loaded him In turn with indiscrlminate praise and
abuse. AS presiding officer, il would be difficult Il
find his equal Il proposing questions to the House
he never hestates or blunders. In deciding points
Of order, he is both prompt and impartial His treat
mcnt Of every member Of the convention clIarac-
,erized 10y uniform courtesy and kindness. The de-
porment of presiding officer delibeatiyc and intel
!gent body, usually gives tone the debates. If ho
is harsh, morosc OF airu: ia his manner the spcak-
apt to catch his spritLy the force cf invoiua-
tary sympathy. The same is tue to so.nc extent q
the principal debaters Of such body. Whcn "A NAN
of strong piejndces and harsh temper iisos 10 ad.
dress public assembly, his indweiIing antipathes
speak from every feature Of his face, and on every
motion of his person. The audience at once brace
themselves against the assaults, and bis opinions arc
condemned before they heard. The web known
chaia of an orator roIsuadcs dissuades quite
Is iorcbiy the language he utteIs Some men
never arise to address deliteratve assembly with
out concilia,ing good viii in advance. The Smile
that lays upon the speakers face awahcns emotions
Of compiacency in those who hear, even before h,
speaks. So does that weight Of character, which is
the matled fruit Of long public services and acknovi
edged worth, soothe, in advance, the irritated ana
angry crowd.
''I!e regit dicis a1irroa, at pcctor.. mucSt."
Mr. Pierce possesses unquostioncd ability as q
public speaker. Few men in country better IN
derstand the means cf swaying Pc, ular assembly
or employ them with greater success. His forte lies
IN moving the passions Of those whom he addfcssos.
lie knows how to call into vigorous action both the
sympathIcs o! those who listen t. him. l do not
mean 10 imply by these remarks that his oraory Is
deficient IN sound reasoning. On the CONTRARY. he
SEXES with great power upon the strong points Of his
subject, and presents them clearly, forcbiv and elo-
qnently. AS prompt and read, batter, ALWAYS
prepared Tor assault or defence, he has few equals
In these encounters, he appears to great advantage
from the happy faculty Of turning little incl en,s ur-
eNpectedy occurring to his account. 4 word
careiesly dropped, unexpected aiiusion t. ndi-
vduais or parties, by opponent, Is fcGuentl, con.
vcrted into powerful weapon Of assault. by this
ehiiItH advocate lie mas Deen 50 much IN Office,
that he may be sad 10 have been educated in public
life lie is most thoroughly yersed in all the tactics
Of debate. lie is only iueut in his cocuton. bat
remarkably correct. He seldom mscaL,s or repeats
word. His sly is overloaded with ornaments
and yet he draws literally from the treasury Of rheto-
fic. His figures often beautiful and striking
never incong.uonS. Ne is always listened t. viii.
respectful attention, if he does not always produce
conviction. From his whole course in the convcis-
ton, dlsnterested spectator could not fail to form
a very favorable opinion not ouy Of his talent and
eloluence, but OF his generosity and rYagnanimitv