Columbus Democrat. [volume] (Columbus, Miss.) 18??-18??, 1852-09-18

temporarily prevailed over right--ln which, 81
far as platforms were concerned on the whi!
side, all was loose, indefinite. uncommitisl, eH
cepting only the generous promise of better times
and on the democratic side were the frankes
| declaration Of principles and boldest discussion
OF policy--that Mr.. Pierce re.entered the Sen
ate at the extra session called by President Har
rison. Then New Hampshire made hersel
heard and felt in way that drew towards her
the eyes Of the whole country. Mr.. Pierce,
colleague was Levi Woodbury., fresh from the
Treasury Department, with large financial e1.
perence, ready statistics, and great analytical
ability. Mr.. Pierce was chagrined at the unfair
manner'in which his party had been overthrown.
Democrats in that body were in a minority, and,
il is not unjust TO add, in the presence of die
tatoral and oyerbearng majority, more willing
to act than to defend their action.
The debates OF this extra session speak for
themselves. Levi Woodbury. not merely reil-
leG the electoneering financial statements Of
whig orators bat most successfully encountered
all who attempted TO conlrovert him; and il Is not
too much 10 say that there was no match, on fl
nancal points, for him In the Senate, and he alb.
solutely Waterooed his antagonists. Franklin
Pierce was not behind his colleague. and did not
hesitate TO encountre even Mr.. Webster in the
debates. On one occasion he occupied the NOR.
ming hours Of three days (June 30, July ! and 9
ls4l) in speech characterized by such sca,hs
ing exhibition of facts, such coseness of reason
ing, such force of eloquence, ms to render il one
fiji TO be made in such body. This effort on
removals from Office was warmly commended and
widely circulated by democratic journals, And
If figures in the hands of Woodbury. made havoc
with the fancy financial statements of whig lea.
ders, professions as TO prescribing prescription,
compared with the facts of the removals from
Office in the hands of Pierce they m,de most
discreditabe exhibit of whig partisan tactics
"That removals." be exclaimed, shave occurred.
is not the thing of which | complain; complain
of your hypocrisy. | charge that your press and
your leading orators made promises to the nation
which they did not intend to redeem, and which
they now vainly attembt to cover up by cob
webs"
Ia 1912 Mr.. Pierce had served nine years in
Congress, He was one of the youngest men
who have held seat in either branch, having at.
tained by little more than the constitutional age
when he took his seat both in the House and the
Senals and yet bis bearing was such as to have
made its mark on the public men of the time
Gentlemen Of all parties bear willing testimony
10 the high sense of honor, the general utility,
The unvarying courtesy, that marked his course
lie won the repuaton-and it is no small one
--of being a valuable member of both branches
prompt in attending TO the business Of his
with real work in him, and with
great debating talent TO present his case clearly
aud efficiently. This sort of labor makes but
little show; but it is most useful and valuable 10
consttuenby and the country His reputation as
a man is thus concisely given in n recent Wash.
nglon letter, addressed TO the editor of the "Pu- !
-itan," a religious paper The writer says:
"Of Franklin Pierce | cannot do otherwise
han speak well for il happened TO me, during n |
hort term Of official services in Bowdoin Col. |
ege, during the presidency of DR.. Allen, TO |
ynow him as a senator. A very frank, gentle. |
manly, unobtrnsiye man is he,strongy devoted to
lis political principles, kind and constant in his
riendshps. venerating the institutions of relg- |
on, and while living here, attended upon the
most evangelical preaching in in the city"
II would be easy TO present columns Of Mr.,
'ierce's speeches, These, together with his
otes, present him as politician of the Virgin.
! school, in favor Of an economical adminis-
-alion of the general government, Of a strict
Of the constitution, and a. a republi-
an of the Je1ersonian cast. They presen; him |
8 one who has uniformly acted according 10 fix.
q principles, swerving neither for sympathy
or friendship nor interest and fearlessy perlor-
ling his public duties. They show him TO be
identified with the principles and
leasures Of the great party which, for so many
ears since the adoption Of the present frame
government, has successfully, in peace and
ar, carried the country onward and upward
Mr.. Pierce's various speeches on the abolition
position, commencing when first a member OF
e House, and continuing almost 10 the close Of
Is senatorial term. will serve 10 give his views
4 the living question now before the country.
N this point he has pursued but one course, and
has always been decided and frank. lie has
,cared from the first that he regarded the /
hemes Of the sbohionists mad and anatica',
I'd prejudicial in their consequences to all sec
lns Of the Union. lie avowed that no valuable :
ID could be gained by an agitation Of the sub c
CT in Congress; and when petitions poured 10, v
king for the abolition Of slavery in the Die d
ct Of Columbia, he was frank to oppose the 4
aver Of the petitioners. This obIeci was bot d
cir opening door. lie declared il 10 be impQs- o
DE TO read single number Of leading abolition \
riodcals without perceiving thsi their object v
,pped at no point short OF emancipation in the 2
3ies. now, congress had no CONSTITUTIONAL n
wer to interfere with slavery in the States; con-
1ueuily Mr.. Pierce ssid, in 1888 e,
''The citizens Of New Hampshire is no more "a
IPonsible, morally or politically, for the eHis- al
zee and continuance Of this domestic insiitu- n
n in Virginia or Maryland. Than be would be b.
the existence Of any similar institution IN b,
ance or Persia. Why Because these are b.
tiers over which the States, respectively, when az
egs,ing portion Of their powers, 10 be er- CO
Used by lbe general government. retained the
ole and exclusive control, and for which hey ar
alone responsible. 70
'Now let these doctrines Be universally IN m
stood and admitted. and you take one great ha
p towards saiisiyinglbe eOnscienees of hones; nc
misguided people 10 one section Of The ooun- m
and quieiing the irritation, FOR which there "a
been too much cause, in the other" &c