The daily union. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1845-1857, 1852-10-17
General Pierce and General scott In Public
The Contrast.


General Pierce and General Scott In Public
The Contrast.
Through nadverence and in the hurry Of business the
admirable though brief remarks of General Pierce a, the
late agricultural State fair 10 New Hampshire. which he
attended by invitation appeared in paper of yester
day without editorial comment We now republish them
another column because desire to bring again to pub
lie attention the contrast which they present TO all the
cent oatorcal exhibitions which have been made by the
wing candidate during his famous and fatal eeconeer-
ing tour.
Apart from the signal felicity, both Of thought and dc
ton which marks the brief response Of General Pierce
the enthusiastic call OF the assembled multitude,
commend TO public admiration its modesy its exquisite
proprety, its just and dgned appreciation OF the high
and responsible position of the speaker. II is word
most fifty spoken. II is the language OF man who feels
himself TO stand in attitude in which, if true TO him
self and TO the great party which he represents he must
look down with contempt upon everything which could
induce even the suspicion of obirusive egotsm, Of
the shallow and garruous articles of the demagogue.
Yet there nothing the speech OF embarrassment Of
constraint 1t is the genial, simple, and manly utter
ance Of who, without effort ostentalon,
has always risen fully TO the level of every occa-
sion and every responsibility. General Pierce has
omitted nothing which he should have said, and he
has said nothing which he should have omitted. 1t is
this safe and we'll balanced judgment which is Of all
qualities the most desirable in station like the pres
dency. Such iudgment--such habi,ua sense OF fit
upon every occason--can spring only from high
and powerful moral organization. Sefshness, vanity,
overweenDg ambition, vaciIlation OF purpose. weak
ness OF will, nfrmy OF temper, and confusion of
thought, are all at with il. and all make them
selves heard in language which il disowns. What
democrat is there 10 the land who would not have
hung his head with shame and disappointment if
General Pierce had seized the occasion to expatate
upon his civil military career, TO enumerate the
high offices he has declined laid down, the services
he has rendered, or the honors he has won' Who
imagine him launching out into ecsaces of "ove"
for the "rich brogue" OF any iubian, Of Erin who
might disturb the assembly with shout OF rrepressibe
patriotism Who imagine him grouping the "ladiss'
and the horses" and the seattle" all into the
tence for fulsome compliment Who can imagine him
paradng before his auditory any secret inadmssibe
overtures which might nave been made to him while
goiaung by the appointment of his commandment chief,
the prelimnaries OF armistice capitulation Who
imagine him seizing the occasion to bold up TO the
country the claims TO its everlasting gratitude and honor
OF some brave subatern officer who had pulled him out
Of the water into the boat" and saved his lfel Who.
in fine, imagine the man who speaks General
Pierce spoke 10 the assembled farmers of his native
Sta,e-who imagine him, presidential candidate,
starting of TO stump the counry in the midst OF
under The ridiculous peence of finding "a site for mil
ary asylum !" Still more who can imagine him Turn
ing such eectioneerng exhibition OF himself into an
occasion to his military life, and rest his claim
TO civil preiermeni on mere military huuab
10 this contrast between the demeanor In public OF the
two candidates, the country will recognise contrast in
the essential elements OF their public characiet The
people demonstrating Of thunder their choice
between the two.