Semi-weekly North-Carolina standard. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1852-1853, 1852-08-11

January, 1885, Mr. Prentice presented petitions adop
ted by the Legislature of the State Of Vermont, pro
testing against the annexation of Texas, and agains
the of slavery in the District of Columbia
These resolutions coming from member of the Con
federacy. were matter of etiquette, received, bu
were instantly laid upon the table by decided vote
General Pierce voting with the Southern delegation
in the affirmative. This strong and constant opPosl
ton to their views of course made General Pierce
obnoxious to the Abotionsts and in order to PerPleN
him in the discharge of his duties, they enlisted In
their unholy crusade some of his personal friends
whose application, they supposed, would claim more
attention at his hands, and accordingly we find, on
sons received by him. The Congressional re-
ports show what disposition he made of them:
! IS Mr. PIERCE presented the memorial of George
Gates and others, legal voters of the town of Antrim
New Hampshire, praying for the abolition of slavery
in this District.
MIR. P. said that the memorial came to him accom-.
panied by letter from highly respectable clergy
man residing in his native county The letter says
- though aware that your views may not cor
respond with those of the petitioners, they have nc
doubt of your readiness to presena respectful petition
coming from any portion of The citizens of New HamP
shire.''
1t is certainly task to present the memorial, and
yet cannot in justice to my own convictions of du-
ty comply with the request without expressing my
deep regret, that these petitioners, many of whom
am actuated by pure motives, should far
mistake their moral responsibilities, and the Pcao
and duty Of Congress in relation TO this subject.
do earnestly hope that every honest man who has
(
the master, may no longer be governed by blind
zeal and impulse, but be led to examine this subject.
full of deIicacy and danger in all its bearings, and
that when called upon to lend their names and infu-
ence to this of agitation, they may remember
that HUe under Urien Constitution, which is the
panopIy and protection Of the South as well as the
North that it The entire Uni0n and is equally
guarantee for the unmolested enjoyment OF the do
nestle institutions all its parts and further,
that they will longer close their eyes to the fact
that, SO far those in whose welfare they express
much feeling are concerned, this foreign interfer-
ence has been, and must inevitably continue to be,
| evil, and only evil"
! beg that the committee will examine closely this
exposition Of his views. Here we have clear and
unequvocal declaration that it would be both rio
LattOn OF duty and an assumption Of P0Der, Tor Con-
gress to undertake any Legislation upon the subject
of slavery in this District. and the reckless fanatics
are solemnly warned that live under written
the South well as the North That it covers the
entire Union and is equally guarantee for the un-
molested enjoyment of the domestic institutions of all
its parts.
Mr.. Chairman, will not further follow the Con-
gressionaI record Of General Pierce, but. collecting
his different votes, will append them in the form of
note TO my speech. And in conclusion of my
marks upon this subject, will only add, that General
Pierce carried with him in his retirement from the
councils of his country the indomable love for
the Constitution which he had exhibited in Congress.
In 1874 and l845, the public mind was much gita-
ted by the contemplated annexation of Texas, and
friendship for the South, fearing that this step would
enhance our power too much, backslided, and threw
themselves in direct opposition to that measure. 1t
was not so with General Pierce. Considering Texas,
although nomnally separated, " blood of blood,
flesh of our flesh" he became one of the warmest
advocates for its annexati2n and when distinguished
Democrat Of his State, Mr.. Hale, beguiled by the
corrupt appliances of the Freesoiers, came out in
opposition 10 that great national measure, he again
appeared upon the political battlefield, and never
ceased his efforts until he drove him from his party,
and destroyed him in the State. But, sir, more
recent occasion, which is still fresh in our memory,
find similar display of zeal and devotion for the
preservation Of the peace and quiet of the country.
Some twelve months since, the Democracy of the
State OF New Hampshire held a State Convention,
and nominated Mr.. John Atwood for Governor. At
the time of his nomination, Mr.. Atwood sup
posed be in favor of the execution of the fugitive
slave law but, ST bsequently. expressing his hos
tility to il, General Pierce Immediately summoned
another convention, rescinded the previous nominal
ton, and, taking the stump in favor of the second
nominee, he ceased not his efforts until his election
was triumphansly secured. Whether in Office out
of Office, the same unbending, grants-like loyalty
to the Constitution governed and controlled him. Mr.
Chairman, in contempla on of this record, feel
ranted in saying that there is Southern Democrat
whose heart does not leap with joy at the privilege of
voting for General franklin Pierce.
REMOVALS OFFICE.
We have been informed that General Pierce is a
radical Democrat, bitter partiZan, and the init
nation is most shrewdly made that. in of his
/
operation. Sir, though the Democratic party has !
never sought success by the idle claptrap decara-
lions - of nonremovals and of prescribing proscrip-
ion," yet the bold and manly denuncialion of the !
tricks Of the Harrison campaign by General Pierce I
should afford the most satisfactory tina
would follow in their footsteps and instead
IF reckless and ndiscrmind prescription for opn-
on's sake, he would make the conduct of the officers
he standard for removal. But in order that NAV
TOT do him any injustice, will quote his words,
ls found in his speech made in the Senate in 1872
Il will be recoected about this time that MI, w eb-
ter then Secretary of State, had published letter
If admonition to office-hoders; which, by many of
he Democratic party, was considered as invading
he ina lienable rights of treemen. In condemnation
If the opinion expressed in this document and with
egard to the removal of officers, General Pierce
makes the following remarks:
"There is but sensible, practical rule upon this
subject. If the discretion of the ofce-holders will
observe it, let them feel the effect Of it. 1t is this
hen public officer neglecs the duties of his Office
or political purposes, prostitutes it for political ends,
x in any way abuses the trust conhded in him, 10
promote the objects of party, he should be removed
nd so far as know my party yield to that principle
heir cordial assent. But when you transcend this,
assai the public officer in the free and unembar-
ased exercise of his inalienabe rights, secured to
lin by the Constitution as man and citizen"
{" No, sir :; no! Ifliberty shall not become mere
lame this bold invasion by the Executive of the rights
f the man and the citizen will be invoked toarouse
popular Indignation in many contest, long after your
Dnes and mine will have ming led with mother
arth. Let the humble, and perhaps dependent, Off
er, whose eyes fall tremblingy upon this circular,
c. a. ~,