Semi-weekly North-Carolina standard. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1852-1853, 1852-08-28
HON. BEDFORD BROWN.


State, at the late Democratic meeting in Warren
ton, Va In publishing these extracts the Wash
ington Union says:
We have much pleasure in laying before our read
ers the following interesting testimony in relation to
the course of Gen. Pierce in the Senate as recently
given by the Hon. Bedford Brown, formerly of North
Carolina, who represented that State in part in the
Senate Of the United States during the period when
General Pierce was also a member of that body.
The Well-known reputation of ex-senator Brown
as staunch, unwavering, and able democrat, at a
time when democratic frmness was most severely
tested, and when democratic policy achieved under
its greatest leader its arduous and Important vic
tories, gives great weight and value the judgment
OF General Pierces political character, which was
thus formed under circumstances eminently favor
able to the closest and most accurate observation
The principles of democracy, of which the great
apostle of liberty the founder and its ablest cham
plon, Wee indispensable preserve the federal
eminent in its purity, and vital to the liberty and hap
Piness of the popular in the States. To main
tain and defend this great cause, and support and
cheer on those to whom the democratic banner had
been inrusted, with all its holy and cherished prin-
clples, were the animated considerations which had
convened this assemblage. The challenged
their highest respect and veneraton and the who
had been selected by the Democratic National Con-
ventlon were eminent citizens, not only worthy of the
high official honors 10 which it was proposed to call
them, but he felt assured they destined to wear
them.
1t was during the administration of President Jack
son, and In the early part of the evermemorab lie
session, that Mr. B. had the pleasure of making the
acquaintance of franklin Pierce, then young man,
representing a district Of New Hampshire in the
Congress of the United States. It was a period
when the gigantic power of the United States Bank
aided by the confederated power of the State banks
and sustained by the efforts of powerful party, was
in the field, and when to support the democratic
to bring down reproach, rdcule, and often per-
sonal insult. Never, he believed, had so severe
test been applied to the rmness and virtues of pub
lie men, Party spirit ran higher and more ntol-
Grant than perhaps before since in the history
of our government. Mr.. B. said he we'll remember
ed his conversations with General Pierce at that Pc
nod and none exhibited higher resolve, more fixed
determ nation and more generous ardor in the great
cause than himself 1t had been his fortune at SUBJ
sequen period, when General Pierce had been elect
ed to the Senate, to with him three years,
and at session to live with him at the board
ing-house. His public course had been eminently
democratic and republican,, distinguished by most
liberal towards the South and in his private
intercourse he was equally distinguished for his hon.
orabe bearing and urbanity gentleman. Such
the character of General Pierce, which he spoke
of on personal acquaintance and knowledge. Heidi
not know the public man whose whole course stood
more honoraby and consPicuously in contrast with
the mere demagogue, who ministers to the worst pas
sions and prejudices to advance political fortunes.
These high civil qualifications had since been graced
by gallant military services.
There was, said Mr.. B., great political fitness,
we'll moral beauty, in the manner in which General
Pierce had been brought forward for the Presidency
1t was beautiful illustration of the noble sentiment
which had been uttered by William Lowndes, in the
purer days of the republic, and be hoped would OPP
crate rebuke in all time to come to those who
seek the Presidency by all manner of toruous indi-
rection. 1t for the people themselves to entwine
the brows of the worthy with this the highest
and most honorable civic distinction. The modesty
and noble bearing of General Pierce in having first
declined the nomination of his State for the Presiden-
cy were characteristic of the dsinterested patriotism
of New Hampshire.
The venerable Langdon, Of the same State, in 1872
when nominated for the Vice Presidency by the re-
publican party the ticket with Mr.. Madison,
declined account of advanced age, while he enter
I'd adeny into the support of the great cause at that
lay of the country. All honor, then, TO the modesty
ind dsinterested patriotism of the Granite State =!
Mr.. B. had heard it objected elsewhere that General
Pierce lived too far North. He hoped and believed
hat this objection prevailed to very limited extent.
He subscribed to the sentiment of the immortal John
Taylor, of Virginia-one of the greatest of
lis age whom this country had produced, and who
ohm Randolph said he never approached without feel
ng his inferiorty he believed in the sentiment
If that great IS that patriotism is confined no
geographical limits.' Yes, said Mr. B., every field
crowned in annals has been consecrated by the
United blood and valor of northern and southern men,
mingled in common cause.
Mr.. B. said that he had served for period of near
eleven years in the national councils, during the ad
ninstrations of Gen. Jackson and Mr.. Van Buren,, |
when all the great interests of the southern States,
more than al any other period in history, were
brought peculiarly under review and he took great
pleasure in saying, what the record would demon
trae, that the class Of the northern democracy with
which General Pierce then acted were with upon
Ill the great questions of constitutional construction
md general policy agitated at that day. Among them
We found infexible opponents of the protective sys
en- of a national bank, and internal improvement by
he federal government On the slave question they
we're the South and the constitution To that
ndomitable phalanx of the northern democracy, by |
heir steady support in Congress, the South is ndebt
ID for greaty-augmened territory and resources, by
he removal of numerous hostile tribes of Indians |
rom of the fairest portions of half dozen
southern and southwestern States during the admin
STATIONS of Gen. Jackson and Mr.. Van Buren,. Nay,
more than that: to the same indomitable democracy
# the northern and middle States the South is mainly
Indebted for the of every southern President
rom Jefferson down; while he would say, southern
nan he was--and he thought he was the more
outhern for independently avowing it-that we had
lever very much tasked our magnanimity in recipro-
ating compliments of that kind. Mr.. B. was de-
oted friend of the Union, and he believed that an
dence between the North and the South without re-
ard to sections, indispensable to its maintenance.
With these the Union is perpetual; without them it
lust soon perish.
He never had believed, properly understood, that
lere is the slightest conflicting interest between the
orth and the South. The whole secret of the sue
ess of our federal system consisted in combining it
it's proper sphere and leaving to the State govern
rents the management of their local and domestic
oncerns. This done-and there is not in reality
made of difference in interests-and the federal gov
-nment would stand as an indestructible monument
the wisdom and patriotism of the revolutionary