Weekly national intelligencer. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1841-1869, 1852-07-24

and he SAID he would 60 the nomination and ne
stand the platform at all events, he'd stand the
platform for Mis election, any how You needn't be
at all afraid of the Freesoilers, Uncle they amt so
stiff you think for, and they are as anxious to get
the Offices as any body, and will work as hard for
cation, and blow it out straight. The Democracy
Of the country expects Downingvie to do its duty.
"Well, Major" says Uncle Joshua, "you' We made
out better case of it than thought you could. I'm
willing to take hold and see what we do. But
declare i can't help laughing when | think it's
Gineral Franklin Pierce, of New Hampshire, that
we've got to ratify. wish we knew something
about him something that we could make little
Austeration about, and wake up the Democracy"
"Good gracious Uncle Joshua" says / have
you been postmaster of Downingville this twenty
years, and always reading the papers, and don't
know that Gineral Pierce was one of the heroes Of
the Mexican war;"
At that, Uncle Joshua hoped up out Of his chair
like boy, and says he, Major is that fact 7"
Yes" says I, !" tits fact. You know Mr.. Polk
sent me out there as private ambassador to look
after Gineral Scott and Dir. Trist. And Gineral
Pierce Uas ont there; knsw III iabout it, and abouf
his getting wounded 81
aGood II sxys Uses srJ Joshua, snapping his 6n-
GERS q thas~ fasky shen we've gcssomething 10
60 upon; something that the boys can hoorah about
And if we don't have too strong atealn agn us we
may carry the day yet. Who do you think the
'tother party will put up?'
"Well," says |, "it's pretty likely to be Mr..
Webster or Mr.. Fillmore, and they can't either of
EN- hold candle to Gineral Pierce"
"Of course not, says Uncle Joshua, g if he was
the hero of the Mexican war. 'spose it was Gene
raj Scotts part of the war that he was in because
that's where you was. Which of the battles did he
fight the bravest in, and NOW down most Of the
Mexicans? Did he help storm that Gibraltar castle
at Vera Cruz p
"No," says l. " that little matter was all over
before Gineral Pierce got to Mexico"
"Well, the great battle of Cerro Gordo come
next, said Uncle Joshua, dare say Gneral Pierce
was foremost in marching up that bloody Bunker
Hill and driving off Santa Anna and his fifteen thou
sand troops"
"Tm sure he would been foremost, if he d only
been there" says |, "but he hadn't got into the
country yet, and Gineral Scott wouldn't wait for
him. 1t seems as if Gineral Scott is always in
hurry when there is any 6ghtin' to do, and won't
wait for nobody"
"Well, the next great battle, if | remember the
newspapers right, said Uncle Joshua, was Contre-
ras /; and after that came the bloody and hot times
of Churubusco, and the Kings Mill, and Chepulte-
pee, and marching into the City of Mexico. These
was the battles, L 'spose, where Ginera Pierce fit
like lion, and become the hero of the Mexican
war But which battle did he shine the brightest
In, and cut down most of the enemyY
"The truth is says |, " he got wounded at Con-
treras, and so wasn't able to take part in them
bloody affairs of Churubusco, and the Kings Mill,
and Chepultepec."
"Then he scas in the battle of Contreras,' said
Uncle Joshua, "and that can't be disputed p
40 yes" says l, "he was certainly in the first
part of it, when they was getting the battle ready,
for there's where he got wounded"
"Good," said Uncle Joshua; " he was in one bat
tie, and got wounded; thats enough to make han
"Well, he had several hurts" said l. al be-
lieve in his foot and ancle, and other parts.
"Rife balls !" said Uncle Joshua, very earnest.
40 no, nothing of that kind, says l.
"What then sword cuts? Or did the Mexicans
stick their bayonets into him ?"
O. No, no nothin Of that kind, mother" saysL
"Then it must be grape or bombshells, said I'm
Gle Joshua, chow was it?'
"No, no, 'twasn't none of them things" says | ;
q the fact was, when they was skrmishing round
and getting ready for the battle his horse fell down
with him and lamed him very bad"
Uncle Joshua colored little, and sot and thought
AT last he put on one Of his knowing looks and says
he, "Well, Major, wound is a wound, any how
and we can make handle of it without being such
fools to 60 into all the particulars of how he
by ut. say let's 60 ahead and ratify Gineral Pierce
and who knows but what we can make something
out Of this Mexican business p
Well, Mr.. Gales 4 Seaton, the thing was done
We ratified on the 2lst Of June, in the evening and
it was tall piece of business. When / begun,
meant to give you full account Of it, with some of
the speeches and resolutions. But I've made my
preamble so long that can't do it in this letter
We had grand torchlight procession. Cousin
Ephraim took his cart and oxen, and went into the
woods and got whole load Of birch-bark and pitch
pine knots, and all the boys in Downingvie turned
out and carried torches The schoolhouse was illu-
minated with fifty candles Uncle Joshua presided,
as usual. Banners was hung round the room, with
large letters, giving the of all the great bat
ties in Mexico; and the enthusiasm was immense.
When we'd got about through, and was just wind
ing up with three tremendous cheers for the " Hero
of Mexico" a message came in to Uncle Joshua
from the post Office, stating that the telegraph had
Just brought news that the Wing Convention at Bal
timore had nominated Gineral Scott for President.
1t gin the whole meeting the cold shuggers in a
minute. Uncle Joshua looked very serious and
says he, Democrats, to prevent any mistakes,
think you better give them three last cheers over
again, and put in the name Of Gineral Pierce"
So we did, and gin three rousin cheers for Gineral
Franklin Pierce, Of New Hampshire, he Hero Of
Mertco
Downingville is wide awake, and will do her duty
in November
So / remain your old friend,
n