Grand River times. [volume] (Grand Haven, Mich.) 1851-18??, 1852-07-07
GEN. PIERCE AND GEN. SCOTT.


The Cleveland True Democrat Gree SoiD
thus speaks of Gen. Pierce:
SO on the other hand, General Franklin
Pierce, though claiming to be no soldier in the
senate in which that word applied to Scott, be-
haved well in the Mexican war. He fought as
bravely as the best No one questions his
courage. G.. NJ. Clay, who knew him well, en-
dorses that and his soldier like conduct But
there is another chapter not yet noticed by his
| friends, which should be written, and published
by all who make serious account of his mill
tary life. Gen. Pierce arrived in Mexico soon
after the capture of Vera Cruz, and was de-
tanned with his command in the sickly, or Vo-
mito Region, if we mistake not some six
weeks. The peril to the health of his soldiers
imminent. Yet by care, such as only kind men
practice, by steady and watchfulness over the
habits and comforts of his soldiers, he saved
them from sickness. Better such conduct far
than common bravery on the battle field. No
bier, by all odds, is the spirit which guards life
at the hazard of life, than the fell purpose which
exposes life to take life. And this praise is due
Gen. Pierce.
That is all true, Gen. Pierce, one of the peo-
pie, volunteered to go to Mexico. He fought
well, nobly he bore the standards of his coun-
try in the day of conflict None but poor cow
ards charge him with military faults. We had
many volunteers in the Mexican war. Do they
sympathize less with their brave brother voun-
teer, Gen Pierce, than with Gen. Scott, a regu-
lar! We say, both did their whole duty in the
war, and it is beneath the honor of n true man
to make capital of the one at the expense of
the other. For fighting in Mexico, neither of
them are entitled to the Presidency. Good
service brings brevets and war hOnors the
Presidency is a civil office, and is to be confer
red only upon eminent civil qualifications. The
shrill note of the fife is not the signal to call
Legislatures and ministerial offices to duty
sentines are not posted over the Congress Of
the u. S., and over the judicial, and over the
people The civil administration is the great
Day of our system the military is the Night,
with its spectres and its deformities. The civil
administration is the Production Of our people
the military, the consumption. The civil adj
ministration is peace and good will to man; the
military is strife, contention and bloodshed.-
They are essential and radically different
They make two systems, and require two kinds
of thought to conduct them. Gen. Scott is,
above all men in this country, essential military
from head to foot-chapeau and feathers,
epaulett and sash-he is all-all military. In
appearance, in manners conversation-in eve
letters, his subjects arranged in platoons-his
ideas are marsbaled into companies and COM
manded by capitals. He is in truth all military
it is his ruling pasion-his life-his all. Gen.
Pierce, in to the war with Mexico, having de-
clined to enter Mr.. Folks Cabinet, volunteered
we like the word-vounteered to 90 to Mex
leo. He went, fought well, came home, resum-
ed his profession, and was taken up by the De-
mocracy as their standard bearer in the present
contest His habits are simple-he is unpre-
tending yet energetic and faithful in the dis
charge of his duties. He is the personifcation
of the citizen; and elected to the Chief Magis-
tracy, how truly will he represent all interests,
all sections all divisions of Industry. Entering |
The army from the duties of good citizenship,
he becomes gallent and able General the
war ended, he returned to his people, the pride
Of his State and of his chvalrous and patriotic
family. While he declines civil hoDors, he as
sumes the labors, and privations, and trials of
war, and wins aurels in struggle in which SER
yes side by side with the veteran Generals of
,ur gallant little army He was volunteer
The wings (shame on them) say he tainted on
he field of battle If he tainted it was in IA
ing the enemy. There were many gallant spir-
is who tainted in Mexico, and they have not
'et gladded the hearts of their friends by re-
urning to life. They tainted never more to
ecover. Gen. Pierce recovered and Joined his
omrads in the fight; he returned a VOLUNTEER
iEN, with the laurels of. was clustering thick
ver his brow. Worthily did he bear himself;
nd worthily may we wear the need of civil
onors which are now awaiting to crown his la
ors in the administration of this government.