The spirit of democracy. [volume] (Woodsfield, Ohio) 1844-1994, 1852-07-28
BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCH
OF
GEN. FRANKLIN PIERCE.
TCONTINUED.1

IN lO4O EIoSlu0ut oinS wiz uuu SeIVou
in Congress with him. and appreciated his
brilliant genius, sound principles. and ad-
ministrative talent, invited him TO scat
in his cabinet. The letter Of Col. Polk il
alike honorable to both. The Presiden,
says: .
''lt gives mo sincere pleasure to invite
you to accept place in my cabinet, by
rendering to you the Office Of Attorney
General of the United States. | have SO.
lected you for this important Office from
my personal knowledge Of you, and with.
out the solicitation or suggestion Of any
one. have done so because | have no
doubt your personal association with me
would be pleasant, and from the consid.
GRAFTON that in the discharge of the duties
Of the Office you could render me import.
ant aid in conducting my administration.
In this instance, at least the Office has
sought the man, and rot the man the
Office, and hope you may accept it."
Mr.. Pierce declined this Aaltering offer
in the following terms:
CONCORD, N. II. Sept. 6, 1s46.
Ny DEAR SIR: Your letter OF the 9th
was received week since. Nothing
could have boen more unexpected; and
considering the importance of the proPo-
sition in great variety Of aspects, trust
you will not think there has been an un.
reasonable delay in arriving at decision.
With my pursuits for the last few years
and my present tastes, no position, if |
were in situation on the whole to desire
public employment. could be so accepta.
bic as the one which your partially has
proAered.
ought moi perhaps, in justice to the
high motives by which | know you are
governed. TO attribute your selection to
personal friendship; but cannot doubt
that your judgmepAn the matter has been
somewhat warped by your feelings. When
saw the manner IN which you had cast
your cabinet was struck by the fact that
from the entire range Of my acquaintance
formed at Washington, yon could not have
called around you men with whom il was
my fortune TO be better acquainted, OF 'of
whom entertained more delightful re.
collection, than Mr.. Buchanan, Mr.. Walk.
or, Mr.. Mason. and Mr. Johnson. place
in your cabinet, therefore, SO far as per.
sonal association Is concerned could not
be more agreeable had the whole been the
subject of my own choice.
When add, your important measures
in the foreign and home administration Of
the government have commanded not
merely the appreciation Of my judgment,
but my grateful ackno owledgments as an
American citizen. you will see how desi.
rable, on every ground connected with
your administration. the office rendered
would be to me; and yet, after mature con.
sidera!ion, am constrained to decline.
Although the early years Of my manhood
were devoted to public life, it was never
really suited TO my taste. | longed. as |
am sure yon must often have done, for
the quiet and independence that belong
only to the private citizen, and now. at
forty, | feel that desire stronger than ever.
Coming unexpectedly as this offer does.
il would be difficult. il not impossible, to.
arrange the business Of an extensive prac.
tice between this and the first of Novem.
ber in a manner at all satisfactory to my.
self or to those who have committed their
interests to my care. and who rely on my
services. Besides, you know that Mrs.
Pierce's health while at Washington was
very delicate; il is, fear, even moro so
now; and the responsibilities which the
proposed change would necessarily i'm.
pose upon her ought probably in them
selves 10 constitute all insurmnun'abls
objection TO leaving our quiet home for
public station at Washington.
When resigned my seat in the Senate
in l842 | did il with ths fixed purpose
never again to be voluntarily separated
from my family for any considerable length
OF time, except at the call Of my country
in time oi war; aud yet this consequence.
for the reason before stated, and on &C.
count OF climate. would be very likely to
result from my acceptance.
These are some Of the considerations
which have influenced my decision. You
will. am sure. appreciate my motives.
You will not believe that have weigh.
cd my personal convenience and ease
agsins, the public interest. especially as
the Office is one which, If not sought,
would be readily accepted by gentlemen
who could bring 10 your aid at,ainments
and qualifications vastly superior to mine.
Accep, my gratelut Acknowledgements.
and believe me, truly and faithfully. your
friend, FRANK. PIERCE. h
The good taste, beauty, and modesty
Of this letter need no words Of commen-
daiion.
When Mr.. Pierce thus declined the sp-
poinimsnt 30 bonorably rendered to him
BY President Polk, he stated that he did III
with the fixed purpose 10 await the call Of
his country in a lime of war ere he again
separated from his family. The breaking
out Of the Mexican war was summons
TO him to engage again in public service.
When the rsquisition was made upon the
State Of New Hampshire for . battalion
of voiuntesrs, he was one of the first to