Wilmington journal. [volume] (Wilmington, N.C.) 1844-1895, 1852-07-30

Speech of Hon. w. s. Ashe. OF North Carolina.
Delivered in the House of Representatives, June zo lS0z
[coNcLUDED.l
Mr. Chairman, will not further follow the Con-
gressional record of General Pierce, but, collecting
bis different votes will append them in the form OF
a note to my speech And in conclusion of my re,
marks upon this subject, will only add that General
Pierce carried with him in his retirement from the
councils of bis country the same indomitable love
for the Constitution which he had exhibited In Con
gress In 1874 and 1915 the public mind was much
apitate6 bv the contemplated annexation of Texas,
and many of the Northern politicians who bad pro-
fessed friendship for the South fearing that tins
step would enhance power too much. backsllded,
and threw themselves in direct opposition to that
measure 1t not so with Gen. Pierce. Consld-
ering Texas although nomnaly separated, as "blood
of our blood. flesh of our 6esh' he became one VI
the warmest advocates for its annexation and when
a distinguished Democrat of his State. Mr.. Hale
begued by the corrupt appliances OF the Free-Soll
ers came out in opposition to that great national
measure, he again appeared upon the point
ca battlefield. and never ceased his efforts
until he drove him from his party. and de-
stroyed him in the State. But, sir, on a more
recent occasion, which is still fresh in our memory
we find similar display of zeal and devotion tor
the preservation of the peace and quiet OF the coun
try Some twelve months since. the Democracy OF
the State of New HAMPSHIRE held State Conven-
ton and nominated Mr. John Atwood for Govern
Or AT the time of his nomination. MIR. Atwood was
supposed to be in favor of the execution of the fug
tive slave law but. subsequently, expressing his
hostility to it, General Pierce Immediately summon
ed another conventions rescnded the previous nomi-
nation. and taking the stump in favor of the second
nominee he ceased not his efforts until his election
was trumphanlly secured. Whether in Office or
out of Office the same unbending, granite like loyal
tv to the Constitution governed and controlled him
Mr. Chairman, in contemplation of this record
Col IN hat 10 rhor
Democrat whose heart does not leap with joy at the
privilege of voting for General Franklin Pierce
We have been informed that Gen. Pierce is rad
cal Democrat, most bitter partisan, and the init
nation is most shrewdly made that, in case of his
election the official gullotine will be put in active
operation Sir, though the Democratic party has
never sought by the idle claptrap declara-
ton of removals and of prescribing proscrip-
ton yet the bold and manly denunciation of the
tricks of the Harrison campaign by General Pierce
should afford the most satisfactory assurance that
he would follow in their footsteps: and instead
of reckless and ,ndiscrimnate prescription for
opinions sake he would make the conduct of the
officers the standard for removal But in order that
may not do him any inj Justice, will quote his own
words, found in his speech made in the Senate in
| 1912. 1t will be recollected about this time that
Mr.. Webster, then Secretary of State, had publish
ed letter of admonition to Office holders which, by
many OF the Democratic party. was considered as
invading the inaenable rights of freemen In con.
domination OF the opinions expressed in this docu.
ment. and with regard to the removal of officers
Cen Pierce made the following remarks:
There sensible practical rule upon this sub
ject If the discretion Of the ocehoder will observe
it, let them feel the effect it, 1t is this When public
officer negecs the duties of his office for political purposes
prostitutes for political ends in any way abuses the
trust confded in him. to promote the objects party
should be removed and far nv party Weld to
that princ lie their cordial But when you
this you assa the public officer in the free and unembar
raised exercise of his inaienabe rights him by
n.
No. sir; no. If liberty shall not become mere name
this bold invasion by the Executive of the rights the
and the citizen will be invoked popular
in many contest long after your bones and mine will have
mingled with mother earth Let the humble per
haps dependent, officer whose eyes fall trembngly upon
this circular turn them from to the Constitution of his
country and learn that every citizen of the Republic wheh
er learned unlearned high or low rich poor office
in the walks private le ofright entirey
the exercise of thought and Speech far the elective
franchise concerned and remember that any attempt
abrdge that right from what quarter may,
passion"
| But. Mr.. Chairman, appeals have been made tc
the friends of the old soldiers, and attempt has
been made to excite against Gen Pierce ill-will and
prejudice, the ground that he opposed to the
establishment of the pers system. True: sir, he
opposed to the adoption of this policy by ou1
country. and why! Because he foresaw that 1T was
fraught with the demoralizing effects upon oul
national character VIII CHI it had produced in Old
/ England. He fnresaw that it would be a precedent
! by the use of which artfu and selfish dema gogues
would justify the most reckless and understandable
squandering of the public property. And appeal
to daily legislation, MIR Chairman. as proc
that his apprehensions were not groundless What
restraint have we upon The most reckless squander
ing of the public property! None whatever
But, not satisfied with condemning Gen. Pierce
for his opposition to the general pension SYSTEM GU,
opponents have selected the case of Mrs Harrison
point Of attack. will quote part of his speech
upon this occasion, which will show the unpreiu
diced and fair minded whether he right or not
In the course of his argument, Gen. Pierce says
Without any feelings adverse this claim politically
or otherwise he protested against legislation
on our sympathes He protested against the power
dominion of that ,n,card arbiter,' which in private
life. most to lead wrong. 1t made vast differ
enee whether I'VE we paid the money from pockets
knew his weakness upon this point personally
1t would be his steady purpose, in spite of tauns
tative of Others I his claim made on account
of the Indulgence of the family they in easy.
not atHuent circumstances 1t for loss of life
limb property in the military service of his country
which has been heretofore the exclusive basis of
but was for the civil services of General HARRISON th
claim set This would be broad and dangerous
parture from anything which has yet been done from
commencement of the Government In this country
have thank God not yet reached the day when acknowl
edge by system of partial legislation distinctions
place of rank and pass this bill, for the
sons and under the influence of like impulses YOU ought
and authorized to relief to the hum
best widow of the humbest clerk civil
and in all probability, many could make an appea
a thousand times stronger to sympathes.'
Such, Mr.. Chairman. were the consideration
which induced General Pierce to oppose this claim
and who will deny their strength or Justice But
our records show another application from anothe
individ lal, for pension, and as | believe Genera
Pierce on the Committee of Pensions when il wa
re- Pcted, will explain who it was made bv and fn
what reasons it re ected In the year 1886
Maj or General Winfield Scott applied for pension
then holding his present actual rank in the United
States Army by brevet. 1t was rejected on the