Semi-weekly North-Carolina standard. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1852-1853, 1852-06-16
GEN. FRANKLIN PIERCE,
TIE DEMOCRATIC CANDIDATE FOR THE PRESlDENOi

General franklin Pierce, the nominee OF tne Na
tional Democratic Convention lot the cI. -; ~
son Of the late Benjamin tlehce Of the county o.
Hillsborougb. in New Hampshire, and was 0oVer
nor of the State in 1927 and 1923. he was .;ia
eminentIy distinguished Tor ms sIrons anu GSai,v
IN his country. The Governor was not hlghiy ca
,,.sted man, for when he was BOY lew were. Ills
.turaI qualities of heart and mind were the occasion
of his preerment the gubernatoal ONCE OF MS ma
live State. Frank, as his son was calico, eIJoJeu
the advantages of high education in the neighoonns
colleges. c: of
the law and he distinguished himself In IT, oehS
man of a clear head and sound understanding. |
now follows the legal profession and u Is 1;i
that he realizes by it about $4,000 year rs 80;
a. Concord the canilal of the Granite State In MS
personal appearance he is of middle nelgns auu
and of good address. lie is modest ana Pe'e''
gentleman in his manners. - ,h 5n-
ocratc ticket in 1888, and was reelected IN 1000
thus serving four years IN the House ., ~ 900
lives while quite yorng man-hameiy' nv" - =
~ 1897 He had previously been member OF the
LEGISLATURE of the State, and Speaker OF the lower
House. While member of the House OF Repre-.
sentatives in Congress-. ha was elected meHioer VI
the United States Senate for the term o. SIX years
Commencing in Is37-but resigned in 1912, the fifth
wear of his term and returned to the practice OF the
law iscolleague in the United States Senate from
1887 to IS4I, was Henry Hubbard, who was succeed
ed by the late Levi Woodbury..
While in the Senate though the yum gest memo OCT
of it, he acquitted himself in manner to secure MN
self the personal favor and esteem OF all win WhoIn
he was associated the admiration and aPProoauon o'
his constituency, and high position among the
statesmen and of the nation. MIR. Fierce
has always been distinguished at home for fervld
and impressive eloquence and has attained person
al popularity, for that reason hardly less extensive
and universal than that which every where attaches
to him by reason OF his popular manners, and the
universal propriety and amenity which attended his
intercourse with all classes of society.
A political event after his retirement marks his
strong character and his great nhence in his State.
Mr.. Hale had been in Congress, a member OF the
House of Representatives, and he had been nominal
ted in the Democratic State Convention to fill The
Office for the next term; but after his nomination he
followed such the abolition question that
Frank Pierce said he would defeat him ithstand.
ing the nomination; and going to work, he got up
another State convention which threw Hale out, and
he accordingly defeated. But Hale, who is an
energetic man, next went to work, and by his per-
sonal influence and cunning. and a combination with
the freeso whigs he secured his election as United
States Senator and his term of ofic- is still uDexplred
Upon the accession of Polk to the Presidential
chair, Mr.. Pierce offered the Attorney General
ship, but declined it. He said he had no desire for
public Office, and he would consent to leave
his home Tor any purpose unless to serve his country
in war, and that in some case of necessity. Upon
the outbreak of the Mexican war, when the whole
country was expected I" to do its duty" it was not
surprising that Mr.. Pierce should have been invited
to prominent position among the numerous volun-
teeTs tor death conquest He was invited, as the
sequel will show, and honored the commission with
GOODNESS and courage worthy of his revolutionary
sire. At that time, Col. Ransom, who was President
of the Military College in Vermont, wanted COM
mission in the army, in order TO light in that campaign
Mr.. Pierce, who was warm friend Of his, wrote
strong letter of recommendation of him to the cab-
net at Washington, urging them TO appoint him to
the command of such troops might be raised in
New Eng land. The reply of the government was that
the request could not be complied with, as it in
tended to confer the command upon New HamP-
shire man. That man was Mr. Pierce himself. I" But
he will not take it, said Col. Ransom. " But he
must take it," replied the cabinet.
Mr.. Pierce was Immediately offered the command
of the New England regiment. and was induced to
accept it and Col. Ransom appointed Majo of
the same reg iment Before the regiment raised,
vacancy occurred in the office of Brigadier General
OF the Third brigade, consisting of the Ninth, (New
England regiment,) the Twelfth, raised in Texas,
Arkansas, and other Southern States, and the Fiji
teenIh, raised in Ohio and Wisconsin. HI was APP
pointed to this Office; and the other brgadie generals
appointed at the time were Thomas Marshall, |
Joseph Lane, James Shields, George Cadwallader,
Enos d. Hopping, Caleb Gushing, and Sterling |
Price, He was superintendent of the recruiting SER
vice, and took active part in raising the troops
eFPrevious 10 his leaving Concord, incident &C.
Cured that Is worthy of mention, showing the |
character OF the Captain kimball marched, |
with eighty men, into the town, Sunday evening, !
with HE and drum, and coors flying. This gave
mortal offence to of the Puritans, and General
Pierce hearing of il, ordered The music 10 STOP and
the company to halt and TO dismiss to their quarters
Iearkng mat twas MS desire TO respect the feelings
Of all.
The commission Of General Pierce was dated March
3, ls47. Het command of 500 men, and reached
Vera Cruz, June %. ls47, which shows he was not
asleep. He Joined General SCOTS army at Puebla |
IN July, 1917. He was engaged in the battles of
Contreras and Churubusco in August, ls47. He |
was twice injured in these actions by falling from
his horse.
But let US 60 somewhat into detail from the time
he set sail from Newport, in the bark Keper. Many
of the troops board having become sick suffered
great deal from want of water, and were placed on
short allowance. After receiving his allowance he
used 10 take pitcher of and 90 about and dis.
tribute il TO the soldiers This was but sample of
his attention and kindness his brave com panions
In arH.s. On arriving at Vera Cruz, he lent every
dollar he had to them, and he was frequently seen
carrying the musket OF weared or sick soldier on
his own shoulder. He did enjoy good health
himself in that climate. He was very sick shortly
alter he arrived, and continued less ill all the
time, but was still at his post with unflagging ZEAL
Inc climate did not agree with him. Near the
National BRIDGE about fifteen miles fiom Vera
Cruz, his force was attacked by guerilla party and
the manner In which he acted showed his drmness
and decision OF character He gave an order to charge
upon the chaPparei, in the neighborhood where the
enemy were supposed 10 be. Col. Ransom, " no was
an intimate friend, and major under his command OBJ
leced, and, having more Of d military education than
General Pierce, he concluded his objection would be
listened to- 81 have given the order,'' said the
General hrmy. 1t was then obeyed, and the enemy
put 10 flight Colonel Ransom afterwards spoke Of !
The natter in praise of the Generals frmness Short
~ ALTER the train was again attacked BY the pueras
a! the National Bridge, which was barrcaded with
chapparei. The troops were fired upon and two bnI
k,k