The daily union. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1845-1857, 1852-06-18
General Pierce and the Anti-siavery Agita
tiOn in Congress.


The democratic candidate for the presidency has been
peculiarly favored in the attacks which have been made
upon him. To say nothing OF the charge made against
him OF avorDg the regious-dsability clause in the New
Hampshire Stale constitution which so soon returned in
the shape OF a detected and scandaous alsehood 10
plague its inventors, General Pierce has been by his
leading opponents fully shown TO be the most deter.
mined foe OF sectional agalion and the most strenuous
friend OF strict democratic construction of the powers
of the federal government, and of consequent system Of
economy and reirenchment in the federal expenditure.
That these the great political wants of the people
at this time is not to be questoned and General Perces
enemies are foremost to show that he above all others,
is the very to meet this general public requisition
The Republic has given at length his p, stion in
gard internal improvements and has shown from the
record that in this respect he is of the straites and
soundest democratic sect. Such Is the testimony in his
favor OF the special organ of the administration whose
abuses he is to terminate and reform better witness
10 General Perces position this point could not be de-
sired nor could striking exhibit be made Of the
corrupt system OF wing politics at this day. than the ap
peal of the Republic addressed TO several States of the
Union TO vote against General Pierce because OF the
sums Of the public money. specified and displayed in
tabular view, which, upon grounds OF sound constitu
tona democratic policy res9c 10 general system Of
internal improvements By the federal government he
unwilling 10 expend within their respective limits Such an
appeal By The Republic the democrats OF The Northwest
10 vote against Gen. Pierce shows this administration
through its organ resorng openly 10 the very tactics
which are the scandal of the lobby.
And now we have another equally competent and
convincing witness who deposes directly 10 The point
~ N L.. n. Il
democrats, Of the earliest most Iesolnie, consistent,
and unhlnching opponents OF the slavery agitation in
Congress The National Erathe wei. known national
organ Of the aboionsis and anti slavery agators OF
the country--in very elaborate article the whole ma.
erial portion Of which copy in todays paper traces
from the record the whole Of General Pierce on
this subject during the whole period Of his service in
Congress- both representative and senator. The Era
gives us his votes and his words through long ne Rod
Of anti slavery agitation in Congress, and there is not
single vote nor a single expression which any patriotic
friend Of Gen Pierce would wish TO change They prove
incontesaby that from The very first, and with truly
prophetic insight General Pierce comprehended all the
bearings OF the question, and planted himself in a posi-
lion upon II which the democracy OF the country has
now with immense unanimiy declared TO be the true po-
sIlon, tie was opposed 10 giving TO abolition fanati.
cIsm The advantage OF an issue the naked question
Of The right Of petition. lie still sfeDuousy
and firmly opposed TO permitting fanatics 10 pervert The
right Of petition into instrument OF anti slavery ag
aton. His policy, therefore, was and his votes were
given to rteepe their petitions, and lay them on the
table at once, and without debate, never more to be
heard Of Il was the only policy which could preserve
The peace Of the country. 1t has been the true demo-
cratic policy since-eVen il is now. ], is the pol
icy imbodied in the democratic platform; and the sgnh
canoe Of that platform, and The relation which General
Pierce sustans 10 il, thus pointed out and confessed
by the abotonst organ in the close Of lis article The
Era, speaking 10 the sbooniss and anti slavery agita
tors, says:
You know the platlorm-no sophistry explain away
the fact that dUiy adopted any platform eusp
BY political generation You know thar Mr. Pierce
insisted upon the adoption the offensive features which
characterize IL tot he fuy represtnH that his success
eH BE- The ratification Of that Platform by tho democracy Of
me Uaited State"
In the face OF such declarations these from such
quarter, compelled TO admit that General Pierce
as fortunate in the assaults made upon him he
is the sound and patriotic national record which has
made him the shining mark at which they directed
The people will hail in these accusations The proof
elusive that General Pierce is eminenilys almost prov
dentialy--the "ndn for the u,nesw
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aTbe Campaign of IsdaD