The republic. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1849-1853, 1852-09-17
A Cross.ExaminatiOn.

MT. y. ". WALKER mas taken charge OF the
Holly Springs (Miss.) Gasette,- one of the
soundest and ablest political journals of the
South, and promises to pursue the war with
vigor for the next two months against the COM
bined forces of Abolition and Secession, which
are seeking to take possession of the Govern
ment. From the first number under Mr..
Walkers auspices we extract the annexed Gle
yer jeu d'esprit. Lest our contemporary of the
Union should be as dull about this affair as he
was about the card representing TRUMAN
SMITH as seceder from the Democrats, we
beg to have it distinctly understood that the
cross examination of PIERCE given below is an
imaginary examination altogether, and never
took place in manner and form as described.
Now don't represent US after this as giving cir
culaton to forged cross-examination:
THAT New BosToN SrEEcH-GENERAL PIEpcE's
DEsIAL.-The Pierce papers all over the country
pretend to DO in ecstacies over letter from the
fainting General to Mr.. De Leon, denying that
New Boston speech.
And first, by the way, who is this MIR. De Leon ?
He is the former editor Of the Southern Press-a
South Carolina secessionist of the Rhett and Davis
has right to execute the Fugitive Slave law by
force in an Directing State. And knowing Gene
raj Pierce's secession construction of the resou-
tions of 9S. and that in his nomination the seces
sion estate Rights" stripe, both North and South,
would have n champion suited to their purpose, he
quit editing to ramble over the country, write let
ters, and electioneer for his favorite. But what,
after all, s this denial? The report of this speech
was circumstantial and specific. 1t was before the
New Hampshire public, and printed in the very
town where General Pierce resdcs uncontradct-
ed and upquestioned from January last until after
General Pierce was nominated for the Presidency;
and until it found its way into the southern pa.
pers, when General Pierce was apprized it was
likely to do him some damage
Now, forsooth, General Pierce comes forward
and does WHAT Make specific and circumstan-
tial denial? No such thing; but mere general
and vague denial of the truth of the report. We
should like to zee General Pierce placed upon the
witness stand, with our esmable friend, Major
Barton, to cross. examine him. and then comment
upon his testimony as it ia. We imagine the cx
animation would run somewhat after this fashion:
BARTON. General Pierce, you say you made a
speech at New Boston last January, some two
hours long?
WITNESS. No, sir; did not say made speech
there at all.
question, did you speak at New Boston last jan
Jury?
witness. did, sir.
BARTON. What did you speak about
WITNESS. Against the election Of Mr. Atwood,
the Abolition candidate for Governor.
BARTON Handing witness two papers ] Look
Mt these two papers, the Independent Democrat nd
the Manchester Democrat, and tell the jury il you
made the speech there reported.
WITsEss. tColoring a good deal. "The pre-
tended report Is grossly and absurdly false,
render In this vicinity any denial OF its authenti-
city entirely unnecessary"
BARTos. Well, General, you say you spoke
against Mr.. Atwood. the Abolition candidate for
Governor You were trying them to dssuadc the
Abolitionists from voting for him. To DO that did
you condemn his abolition views?
WITNESS. "Foss's report OF my spcech 10 gross
ly false"
BARToS General, did you tell these Abolition.
lets that you and your friends hated slavery and
loathed the Fugitive Slave law much as Mr. At
wood and his friends did; and that, therefore, il
was unnecessary for them to quit the party to vote
for Atwood?
WrTNEss. 1.-THE whole report is grossly and alb
surdly false
what Foss imputed to you, tell the jury ,chat you
did say.
WITSEss. "Foss's report is false"
BARTON. Your friends say you made two
hours' speech on slavery. What did you say about
it?
WITNEss. did not say what Foes says did.
BARToN. Well, but what did you say?
WIrnEss. Mum.
BARTos. I'm soothing tone Come, now
General, do tell Us Did you defend or condemn
slavery and the Fugitive Slave law?