Columbus Democrat. [volume] (Columbus, Miss.) 18??-18??, 1852-07-03

/ Nsioni commonly calico ' 1 ne Ihth0iic lest.
which rendered Catholis ineligible to the Leg.
slalure and to the office of Governor.
| But il is equally true tiai the most strenuous
eEertions were repeatedly made by the Democ
racy, pereyeringy led a,by two Of her bright
est stars, Levi WoodburIan Franklin Pierce, to
eIpunge an exemption tocommon right so utterly
inconsistent with the cred aud character OF
sound Repubiicanism. Twice did these Just
and generous champonsof civil and religious
liberty succeed in obtaining from Cunyca,ion,
called at their instance and inr that very purpose.
an abolition of this Test, and twice, las the
Constitution permitted no change Of its proyis,
ions, unless sanctioned by lwo.thrds Of the vote
OF TIE peope) were they defeated by the oppo-
sion of combined wings aud Aboionsis at the
polls"
Having reviewed the distinguished services OF
Gen. Pierce in civil life, we now come To a con
sideraliOn of his military claims. In all free
governments the volunteer defenders If ihe Re.
public have ever held high place in he aiisc-
lons of their countrymen, and IN none have a
higher estimate been placed upon such nj ltary
services than ia our own. The hearts oi the
people inslinctively warm towards those who have
perled their lives in defence OF their native lald
or in vindication Of the national honor. pec.l-
iary and Justly strong is this feeling for The yd-
unteer soldier who leaves the endearments ,f
the domestic fIeside and the emolumen,s Of |,
lucrative profession, and suspending the ordinar,
avocaions of life rush into the strife, ndiifrren
to every feeling except that of patriotism. Whit.
no one honors the regular army more than W.
do, or is more willing to award it the need Is
gallanlry deserves, yet the sacrifices made b, il
90 e,iriy he, ,nuaiharaL
with those made by the volunteer. The reguar
nrmy is profession. The members of il have
adopted il as means of livelihood. hey ds-
charge the dthies of II precisely as n man world
discharge the duties Of any other pursuit. Thdr
compensation ia fall and amply sufficient for III
the reasonable wants Of our nature. Unless IN
times of war, The duties of the regular soldiers
or officer are easy and unaccompanied with dan
ger or particular hardship. Even war itself is
not without its benefits, as Il opens the path to
distinction and permanent promotion. Whle,
therefore, we accord all proper honor 10 the reg
ular soldier, we are unwilling 10 admit lha be
is entitled 10 as high praise as the volureer
who breaking up his regular pursuit engages in
the military service Of his country, at The sacri-
flee Of his business no less than the peril of his
lie.
During The war OF 1912, franklin Pierce vas
a boy too young 10 engage in the conflict. Al
the breaking out of the Mexican war he was
however,in the prime Of lie. He had bsld the Of
fee OF member OF the Legislature, member Of
Congress, and member oflhe United States Sen
nie. The latter high position he had voluntarily
resigned because Of his moderate pecuniary cir.
cumstances, which did n,t permit him to remain
in public life without disregard of the interests
of his wife and children For the same reason,
he decI ned position IN President Polk's cabin
ct, and also foreign mission. NolwiihsIand-
ing these repeated decinalions of high civil
offices, upon the first call made upon New Ilamp
shire Tor troops he tended his services TO the gov
srnment and enrolled hy name As PRIVATE.
The moral spectacle Of man declining a posi-, |
ion in the cabinet, mud Volunteering as a private
N the ranks to fight Mericans. is worthy the
Dest days Of our government and Illustrative Of
he highest and puresl patriotism. Such patrl |
,tism received however its reward, and Presi- |
lent Polk gave him the commission Of Colonel.
md subsequently that Of Brgadier General. In
be latter capacity his savices TO the country as
military man were rendered. His commission
vas dated the both Of March, l647. On June
18Th ls47 he arrived at Vera Cruz at the head
f $500 men with ordes 10 proceed on TO Pue
ia and join General Scoli, who was At that
Waiting reiniorcements preparatory bis descent
pon the valley. On tie voyage from New
'oint to Vera Cruz. bis conduct TO the soldiers
n board Of the vessel ii which he sailed is rep
scented to have been kind in the erITeme--car-
wing them water with hs own hands and attend
" 10 the sick as If they had been bis own
hdren. Arrived at Vera Cruz he scarcely
irried in that stronghold, but hurried on 10 join
colt. At this time the guerrillas were very I
rong on the road and occupying as they did
strongest points their dislodgement was some.
hat difficult and accompanied with consldera J
e danger. Gen. Pierce, however, pushed on .
nd ioined Scott 10 July al puebs. During bis Z
arch be had some four or five engagements 0
ilh the guerrillas in all Of which he exhibited .
Ialities Of military talent and daring courage. q
one Of them his bat was shot through twice. n
rived at Puebla, the brigade be had led through v
ese difficulties and dangers, was merged in the a
neral mass Of Scou'' army and with that b
owed on TO the city. Being junior Brigadier a
eneral, he had no Independent command bus y
as under Shields. We hear no more Of him Il
It'll The battle Of Contrsras, in which be led his 81
iRade into The ihickesiof the fight, and acted 81
such way asto elict from Gen. Scott the a.
armesi praises for his gallanlry and general a
od conduct. In this engagement, while charg. c.
2 with bis troops his horse fell under him, sl =
Dc, crushing his knee bone. Though suffer Of
, intense pain be continued on the field through
action. That night be suffered severely, d.
d on The next day The surgeon ordered hin not 10
10 in'o the bs.ile. His chivalrc spirit could al
obey evea professional advice, and the battle ii
Churubasco the same day saw him leading III
squadron, until fslnting from exhaustion he il
from bis horse. th
No better testimony Of bis vslor and in,elli- j.
nee is wanting than is found in the conduct Of ID
n. Scott. Aher the battle Of Churubosco. The III
'Eicsns proposed an smisiice. Gen. Pierce iol
: selected hy Scott as one Of the american da
nmis@ioners 70 treat with the Mexican officers. co