Semi-weekly North-Carolina standard. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1852-1853, 1852-09-01
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stiupule of the friends of the Union 1t Is true
some of those measures became by their passage final
and are by their nature rrepealabe. But there was
one, the one to which have before more particularly
referred-in which the South had vital and pecu.
liar interest," which subject repeal at any time
and which, whether repealed not could be OF little
practical value TO unless sustained by sound pup
lie sentiment at the North, where II was to be eNecu-
ted. The contest then, far the law was con-
cerned, was transferred from the Halls of Congress-
to the direct tribunal of the people themselves open
rebellion 10 the execution Of the law was january
proclamed-iis constitutionality vehemehtiy otnlee
The pulpit the press, county and corporation "ee'-
ings and legislative assemblies Numbered 'nelr ~
Citations against it, and proclaimed warfare Io 10
reneal whilst ferocious mobs were invited ana en-
cnrra1ed IN resist its enforcement. Some idea may
he formed of the frenzy which animated the oPPo-
nents of this measure by quoting the sentiment o d
convention, which during that period assembled III
PsnnsvIyania 1t was there declared that " George
Washington was as infamous and vile for signing
the act of 1898 Willard Fillmore is for signing the
act of 1850; both were infamous; both laws were
Infamous" Never was there period which more
urgently demanded the active influence and patrlouc
exertions of every sound thinking who possessed
influence in the North to allay the spirit OF open ais
content and 10 suppress the reasonable Proects Oh
the enemies of The Union. Any man existing IN INA.
day, who was blessed with the power to give souhu
direction to public sentiment, and who, from any Pur-
poses of selfish and vaung ambition, withheld Inc eA-
ercse of that power, guilty of fragrant dereIlc-
ton of duty, which the people OF this country VIII
never cease 10 remember TO his injury.
In casting eyes back to the fall OF 1871 ana
1851, we find the highest intellect and the noo'es'
patriotism of the North everywhere In motion, anu
earnest and unceasing in its appeals TO resist the
tide of fanatical resistance of that law, then sweep
ing over the free States. President Fillmore, accom-
panied by portion of his Cabinet, visited the States
Of Massachusetts and New York, and sought by the
weight of his high character, and by the exercise
of all the legitimate influence at his command, 10
soften the excited reudices OF the people, ana 10
turn their reflections into the current of public duty
from fhac initial of Use
warning voice to his friends at the North. Webster
reused by magnitude of the danger travelled from
point to point and brought the massive powers OF
his mighty intellect maintain, uphold, and support
the supremacy of the Constitution and laws Pierce,
Choate, Dallas, Dickinson, Douglas, O'Connor, ana
host of others, brought all the Influence of their
abilities and weearned popularity to aid the triumph
of the cause of CONSTITUTIONAL UNION.
As the course of franklin Pierce is not SO gener-
ally known at this period that OF his three more
iustrious compeers, and is fiji and proper that
il should be better known, will present from the
columns of the National Inelligencer, of the 29th OF
November, $780, sketch Of the sound and patriotic
remarks made by him on the Goth of that month, at
Union meeting held at Manchester, in New HamP-
SHIRE The whole proceedings of the meeting cover
near four columns of that paper.
"GENERAL PIERCE SPEECH. The President then
introduced General franklin Pierce, and that gallant
gentleman was received with enthusiastic cheers.
Disclaimng any purpose of making any thing like
regular address, he said he before was SO much
under the influence of conflicting emotions. There
: was much in the appearance oil the assembly that
filled his heart with Joy and yet feeling OF sadness
oppressed him when he cast his eyes that vast
ealm-resolved multitude, and remembered that they
had gathered there consider question, which foI
twenty years, had never been raised in any public
body in country. That question was, not wheth-
the Union should be perpetual, but whether there
should be dsunon.
He was in the United States Senate when thai
word heard for the first time on that floor, and
never shall he forget the thrill of horror through
that body. A deep and solemn pause succeeded, and
Senators shuddered as they slowly turned their eyes
upon the bold author of the appalling suggestion
But he had lived TO hear Kisses while one of the Sec
rearies reading resolutions in favor of the Union
This remark drew Kisses, and Gen. Pierce proceed.
ed They hiss again. Let the men who do it show
themselves. Up rose two clergYmen, the reverend
Mr.. Foss, and the reverend Mr.. Davis. Here, then
said Gen. Pierce, we have two men who seek to des,
troy this Union. One Ct them said: d" No. If you
will let US explain, will show you that we do moi
intend that. We are willing to meet the question
however, any way."1 General Pierce continued
You shall have your opportunity all in good time
Let the discussion come, and he that is defeated mus
go the WALL and yield the question. That is the way
10 manage such matters in free country. There
must be no breaking up Of the country in of de-
feat. Ii we precpltated into war by fanatlcsm
we cannot conquer. Both sections of the country
may be inundated. Neither could come out of the
contest short of ruin. 1t was said that we of the
North could bring two into the field for every
that the South could muster; but it would be tounC
when the trial should come, that the man who now
makes that boast would not be Of the two who
was 10 60 forth TO meet even the from thu
South. Great cheerng.l Gen. Pierce said the
men, then in the hall, who had abandoned themselve
to the infauation of dsunion sentiments would prob
ably live regret and repent of their present course
In the coming days Of decrepitude, when the infirm
atles OF age shall have crept upon them, they would
gather their children around them, and confess how
they were betrayed into moral treason, and as
legacy, say TO them: - STAND BY YOUR UNIoN-AN1
STAND BY YOUR CoUNTRY!' He said he deemed
unnecessary to 60 into formal argument in supper
of the Union. The resolution embraced all tina
could be said on that subject. When the compro
mise was first proposed in Congress, he had no doub
that the Union would 60 down, unless the measure
recommended were carried. The defeat of the frs
attempt overwhelmed him aUih apprehension, under
standing that the compromise was intended to gir
the South sense Of greater security for one Of tei
rights than they feN they had for some lime past DOS
sessea. Who did not deplore slavery! But wha
sound thinking mind regarded that as the only evi
That could rest upon the land ,Fhe men tina; woul
dissolve the Union, did not hate or deplore SLAYER
more than he did but even with il we have lived i
peace, prosperity and security from the foundation q
our Institutions TO the present time. If the Consh
tutiOn provided for The return Of fugitire-sLares
SHOULD BE DONE. That was what he WANTED TO DO
lnat was what our fathers AGREED should do an
that was what the FRIENDS OF THE UNION establishe
ny them wanted TO do. CHisses.l These. said Ger
Flefce' are the arguments OF the higher law,''
suppose.
These provokers of disunion claimed to be men {
humanity. They Were the men who were alway
preaching against Yet how was pcaceable dis
solution of the Union 10 be accomplished? If on
portion OF the States could seceds without violence
now long would peace continue The slaves woul
escape; their owners would pursue them. If tn