The daily union., 1852-09-17

which night be snei him. which il evidenced by the
fact that be volunteered as private in OF the COM
panes organized in his native State
The administration then IN power, In consideration oil
the patriotic deviation exhibited the cause OF hts coun
Try BY that act together with high qualifications fitting
h for the position, appointed him brgadier general and
there hesitation, want OF alacrity on his part
the performance OF the duties devoved upon
him He proceeded 10 the theatre OF operations and,
while all communication with the headquarters of the
was cut OIL, organized column
Vera Cruz to march 10 the aid OF General Scott He
succeeded and, in spite OF The opposition constantly offer
ed and the almost daily attacks OF the guerllas who n-
tested the road brought nearly three thousand men 10
Pueba and enabled The American army TO march 10 Mex
The arrival OF that column The signal Tor the adj
vance aud in such splendid order had the march from
Vera Cruz been conducted that delay necessary
for the command 10 recruit at Puebla This. and other
facts, which II is my purpose 10 state IN the progress o
my remarks have derived IRON sources entitled 10 the
hghes credit, and from persons who had every oppou
nifty TO be cognizan OF the same. II came up entire, ex
cept the who had fallen dead wounded in
daily action with the enemy, over route OF more than
three hundred miles And this General Pierces first
essay in war, and operation in which he depended
upon his resources unlrammelled and unalded by
the orders OF superior. This bold and energetic
men OF General Pierce resulted in the conquest OF the
city OF Mexico; for, il we look to the number who fell
before the capital we find is about the same that
which followed General Pierce iron Vera Cruz--neary
one-lhrd OF the army And now that all the facts
have been developed, any dare to believe that
General Scott, without that reinforcement, would
ever have entered Mexico as comprehension which
| conclude, that General Pierce's activity. boldness
at Puebla, contributed greatly TO the ultimate
cess of our arms During the subsequent actions, Gen
era Pierce held subordinate position, and we may with
confident pride and gacauon let the reports OF General
Scott speak Of the confidence which he reposed in him.
and the need OF praise due Tor efficient service aud ar
dent devotion TO his duty. At the battle OF Conirefas,
General Pierce led his command 10 the front, TO the sup
port OF Iwiggss division, under heavy re. His horse
fell under him in the pedrigal and severe injury was
the consequence. This ccums stance is seized upon by
carpng popular speakers afordng justification for
the most vanous attacks upon him as general and a
man OF courage. Any one who has seen the place, as
have. would sooner take the chances OF action many
fold than OF accident like that yet, nevertheless,
wounded and bruised, he remained upon the ground,
holding possession of the route by which the enemy could
have come down upon the hank OF ihe American army
The teeth OF twenty or thirty guns un such time as The
arrang gemsns made Tor the final assault. He Kept
his place at the head OF his brigade the following
morning, and although the intense bodily suffering pre-
vented him from actually commanding his troops, yet
he there undergoing the SINE dangers Dht them, from
which his injuries previously received in the service and
on The field might have excused him. Bat It is useless
pacuarze or TO enter further into detail IN order to
defend General Peces reputation from such assaults
have sprung up since his selection by The democratic party
as their candidate Tor the presidency
Why is IL that these charges were never heard OF be
fore; and now, when referring to them, TO weaken the
cause OF democracy why not call on men who know and
who are responsible General Scott has given his word
in relation to the military merits OF General Pierce but,
il is generally understood that The general in chief is
not under fire. he can hardly have spoken from obscrya
But there ohers--men of tried courage-men OF
military education and babts with and about him. who
and appreciated his conduct and who would be
sponsble for what they say Why do you call upon
hls personal staff officers Majors Wnship and Ftzgerad1
of The old army whose natural predictions would be, II
might be supposed, for their ancient commander Why
do they call upon the chief OF the divsioA and staff
who, Tor their own honor and their lame, would not
have allowed misconduct of the character charged 10 have
passed unnotced! These were the officers most ini-
matey associated with General Pierce performance
OF his military duties In short, why call upon the
old armyas whole naturally proud Of their profession
tenacious OF their own reputation in military affairs OPP
posed to those who take up the sword from civil fewho
familiar with the conduct Of General Pierce while in
Mexicoi No. This they will not do; they prefer TO
backen his reputation by unounded charges rather than
do justice TO gallant officer by presenting the truth OF
the case. Such allegations unworthy the men
who propagate them and, when the excitement OF the
canvass shall have subsded, will be regarded disgrace
fui even by many oil those who at this hour encourage
The SANDER and laud the siGndersr
General Pierce left the country OF Mexico, the battles
which insured the OF the American having
been fought, aud resigned his commission.
He intended 10 return TO his profession, which he had
let only from convection OF duty to bis country para
mount 10 all personal considerations; and the necessity
being he wished 10 give the dgnies and emo
umenls OF military rank. His resignation not
cepled, have always understood BY the President of
the United Sa,es who would lose the claim upon his
services IN case OF necessity and he was retained IN the
army until the close OF the
This brief allusion TO the military services OF General
Pierce is all that is considered necessary. They form
but episode IN his life, and but small part OF bis
claims upon the gratitude OF his countrymen. Such as
upon the outbreak OF performs important services
in the field devotes himself and bis talents TO his volun
arly assumed duties aud, The end for which he took up
arms being accomplished, he returns to civil le mod
esty and quietly claiming other reward than the APP
proval of his own conscience and the appreciation of
good men Let this be put in contrast with the cele-
brated nominee OF the whig rarty in reference TO this
very What the course pursued by the man
clothed with the highes, military rank in the army when
called upon BY the Secretary Of War perform the dn
ties for which the people OF the United States had paid
him The high emouments OF his office for more than
thirty yeasl He professed indifference the command
busted himself with speculation upon his Personal posi-
lion sifove 10 bully the Secretary OF War into an ac
acknowledgement OF the necessity oil his services con-
sldered himself necessary 10 them, he now
does 10 the wing party nominee; refused TO 60 i'm
mediaey TO the field took hasy plate Of SOUP aod set
TO work fortfytng his In Short his pecularities
appeared prominent that in spite OF the prestige OF his
name and rank, General Scott ridicued throughout
he aod, and the administration found that they could
disee with his services, he consigned for the time
TO Derfsda oblivion. The progressed, and victory
perched uron the American standard Monterey, al
Buena Vista, in New Mexico, and in California, without
the aduiee lending of General Scott He was finally
sent 10 the field from necessy-Bo the necessity OF his
services (as his vanity taught hin 10 believe AMI his
parsans will assert) but from necessity imposed by
the whg party OF Congress- who in their blind obsnacy
TO the good OF their country, and their disposition 10
throw difficulties IN the way Of the government disputed
every bill Tor the increase OF the army and especially
opposed the appointment o any other person the
mand tie repaired to The OF war and the American
amy carried him triumphantly into the capital of the
Aziecs. Yet so prominent bis foies and nu.
merous hs blundefs-Personal, military, and POLITICAL
hath nfuIfa .nTra