Lynchburg Virginian. [volume] (Lynchburg [Va.]) 1829-185?, 1852-06-10
The Democratic Nominees.

The Democratic Nominees.
The long agony Of locofocoism is ende f.
FRANKLIN PIERCE. Of New Hampshire. and
Wx r. KING, Of Alabama. are the nominees
Of the Baltimore Convention. the first for the
Presidency and the second for the Vice Presi.
dency. Many Of our readers will think this a
quiz, but we pledge our editorial word that it
is truc.>
The general prediction that the party would
be compelled to play tho same game they did
in 1914, has been more than verified. Polk
had a national reputation as Speaker Of Con-
gress. and had acquired great celebrity by his
canvass with clean Jimmy jones'" for the
Governorship of Tennessee. The public in.
suit offered him by Mr.. Wise had also added
to his noto,iety. But Gen. Pierce. so far rs
we know, has not even the distinction arising
from receiving and failing to resent gross
personal affront True he has seen some service,
military as well q. civil. but his name does not
stand connected with a solitary important mea-
sure as politician, or a single creditabIe ex-
plot as soldier. As Senator the only no.
table thing he did was to resign his seat, and
as General the most we remember Of him is
that he was thrown from his horse and slightly
crippled Lest however, we should be sus-
pccted Of an unw:llingncss TO do justice to Gen.
Pierce, we transfer to our columns the WASH
ington Uaion's sketch of his life and services,
in all their amplitude and importance:
FRANKLIN PIERCE is a native Of New
Hampshire He was born in Hillsborough,
in the year 1904; received his classical educa-
ton at Bowdoin College. and subsequently
studied the profession Of the law with Judge
Gould. at Litch6eld, in Connecticut Return.
ing to his early home as soon as he had fin
ished his legal course. he was at once admit
ted to the bar, and speedily acquired lucra-
tive practice In the following year he was
elected to the legislature, of which body. after
serving as a member with great efficiency for
one or two sessions. he was chosen speaker.
which iaportant post he filed with marked
ability. Having by his admirable capacity and
sterling political integrity. acquired the entire
confidence of the Democracy, he was. in the
year 1888. elected member Of the House Of
Representatives Of the United States, and after
four years service in that body, chosen Sena-
tor by the Legislature Of New Hampshire
As Senator he served FIVE years; and, resign.
ing his position before the expiration Of his
term. retired again to private life. During his
whole Congressional career, he was distn-
guishcd by his readiness in debate, his close
attention 10 business, his firm and constant sup
port of Democratic measures and principles,
and his uniform political consistency.
Upon his retirement from the Senate he re-
sumed his practice at the bar, which. with one
brief interval. he has ever since continued, and
Of which in his native State he is admittedly
the leader. The offices of Governor Of the
State of New Hampshire and Senator of the
United States, as successfully rendered to him,
he declined; and when President Polk, who
highly appreciated his worth, offered him the
post Of Attorney General of the United States
and seat in his cabinet. he also declined to as.
sume that elevated position, complimentary as
the overture was. and strongly as it appealed
to bis professional pride.
Upon the commencement o the Mexican
war. however. his patriotism prompted him to
be among the first to offer his services to the
country. He volunteered as private soldier;
but President Polk, con6ding in his fitness to
lead as we'll as in his ardor to serve, sent him,
unsolicited, FIRST The commission Of colonel,
and then that of abrigadier general in the army
of the United States. In this new and untried
position his intelligence and gallan,ry won for
him the high commentators Of the Command
cr.in-chief. and his manly and soldier-like, but
generous and urbane department. the respect
and affection of his subordnates and the whole
rank and file of the army.
On his return from Mexico he again declin-
ed repeatedly profered political honors, and
upon the occasion ofhis unanimous nomination
by the Democratic State Convention as their
first choice for President OF the United States,
he expressed very decidedly his wish that his
name might not be suggested for that Office
The General Convention Of the Democracy Of
the Union have. however, seen fit to reverse
that decision. and we doubt not that the party
throughout thecountry will unanimously ratify
their choice"
This meagre inventory Of the public deeds
and public merits Of man brought forward
earth is all that his eulogists can produce
His nomination over Cass, Buchanan, and
Douglas, is concession that no man who has
been prominently connected with the demo
cratic party, and whose history is fully known
to the country can be elected. The protection
of obscurity and the immunity Of insigni6
canoe SEEM in the estimation Of That party. to be
essential 10 success. 1t was tried with Polk
and succeeded-it was departed from with
Cass and the experiment failed. Naturally
enough they have again resorted to the mode
once successful. We think they err in their
tactics. 1t was not the obscuri,y Of Polk that
elected him, but hostility to Mr.. Clay.together
with the popularity of the scheme for the an.
nexation of Texas. No such influences will
operate on the coming election. The demo-
cratic candidate must stand on his own mer-
its. unassisted by cxtrinsc and accidental aid
Standing thus. we have no reason to fear but
that the great Wing party will again triumph.
a. they have done 10 two out Of the three last
elections.
OF Senator King we shall have more to say
in future. Our belief is that he is superior in
talent,as he is in experience,to the man placed
before him on the ticket"
The Democratic Platform.
Notwithstanding the oft-repea,ed boast of
the Democratic party. that they 20 for .pr;;n.
cinles and nor mon ,bev c,rcI !. -,