Wilmington journal. [volume] (Wilmington, N.C.) 1844-1895, 1852-07-23

this House and six in the Senate notwithstanding
his position conspicuous and bis efforts in sup
port of those great Democratic measures under the
happy influence of which our country bounded with
giant strides from state of great pecunary per-
plexty and embarrassment to it's present acme of
greatness, bod, vigorous. and effective. vet
such the and modesty of General Pierces
character that The world knows but little of his pr
yate and social history.
General Pierce the younger son of General
Benjamin Pierce, revolutionary hero, who, at
very early age volunteered private in the first
company that was raised for the defence of Boston.
In that capacity his maiden sword first unsheath
ed at the battle of Bunker Hill From that time I'M
Ill the conclusion Of tie war, like the immortal Che
Waller Bayard Semper pdr0tuS was always his max
i'm His country first his country last, his country
forever was the overriding and absorbing feeling of
his heart. From the loins of such father son
less worthy, less patriotic than Franklin Pierce,
could have sprung. After the acknowledgment of
cur independence, he retired from public service.
converting the weapons of war into the implements
of husban!ry. AS his war services were great. his
heart humane and benevolent. his patriotism warm
and energetic, it is wonder that he enjoyed in
bounded degree the affection of the people of New
Hampshire. For how a people honor
themselves than by beStowng confidence upon those
citizens whose lives have been illustration of pr
vate worth and patriotic devotion Democrats have
been branded as tickle and ungratefu but am
prtu to say, that the American Democracy. in this
wise, has blurred its escutcheon. No deserv-
ing son of hers complain that she averted
her face. Federal oboquy has reproved this noble
son of the granite State with being llierate dstn
gushed model orator of the Wing party some twelve
years since, the of presidential election,
when the public mind was held in oyerwhelm-
ing agitation, to forget the COM
mon distinction Of the days declared, - in revou-
tionary times there Sabbaths.n History
both public and private, informs more correctly
that in those great times which tried mems souls,
tie schoomaster dared not go aboard His scholars
warriors, his discipline was succeeded by drum
and fife. Then should it be reproach that Gener-
al Pierce was terate But however this may be,
vet one fact is certain he possessed. in emf
nent degree, Of that strong od-fashioned common
sense which enabled him to construe the COnsttu-
ton of our country in republican manner. He
was also known as warm and Jealous advocate of
the State Rights party.
In explanation of this will relate an anecdote,
which is given upon such high authority that its
thenticity cannot be questioned When Gen. Pierce
was Governor of New Hampshire, he was engaged
in writing q message to the Legislature. He got
bothered in his mind how to spell word. Frank
said he. who sitting by how the devil do you
spell but = Frank spelled the word for him EN-.
phasizing each letter very distinctly. Be hanged
to these little words' replied the warworn soldier
they bother me E; but, Frank, when come to Con-
stitntIon can spell that without looking into book
Yes, Mr.. Chairman he not only spelled it, but
read it WELL and what is much more important, he
transmitted his reading of it to his and that
reading is reflected in every word and line in the
platform which his son, Gen Franklin Pierce
stands candidate for that Office which is
the highest the American people can bestOw upon
any of its citizens. Gen Pierce died as he lived a
poor man; but rich legacy did he leave his sons
in that example of social and public worth which he
manifested through his whole life Such is the stock
of which Gen. Franklin Pierce is the scion.
After finishing his schooling at Amherst, General
Franklin Pierce for VIII lie discharged the duties Of
deputy sheriff in his native county whereby he col
lected the to pursue the study ofthe law, and
very after obtaining his license he elected
to represent his county in the Legislature. in the
various proceedings of which, for several years. both
as member and as the presiding officer he bore a
conspicuous part In 1888 be was returned as
member Of Congress from his district. This was an
eventful period in political history. In the year
preceding. Gen. jackson had from high and i'm
perative sense of duty, vetoed the monster bank bill
and the great money monopoly of the country had
put on its arm0r for mortal combat. Its COLDER
Briarean arms were spread over the whole country
Legislatures were tempered with. polltlclanS were
bought up and public OPT non assaulted by every
cevabe device; reproach, abuse, and unmeasureC
obloquy were showered upon all who dared to stanC
by the second father of his country The confIc
indeed great, but great as was 1t had no Tears
for the chivalrous soul of General Pierce. Sir.
course the debates in that and the next Congress
will fully attest both his great readiness and hi
great capacity to roll back upon the bank minion
the storm by which they vanly hoped to crush thu
old hero On al of these issues, his votes nvaiabl,
accord with those of the late President Polk Drom
gooe of Virginia. and Mckay of North Carolina
Better company you could not find for a Democrat
1t was during the last term of his services in thi
House that abolition first began to raise its evil ores
in the Northern States and as Gen. Perces conduc
upon this subject will be made the theme of mucl
disputaton. the committee will excuse me for tran
scribing his opinions, given in his own language
On the 18th day of December, 1885, find hin
only voting with the South against the reception
of petition abolish slavery in the District of CO
lumba, but denOuncing the course of the petitioner
as fraught with incalculable mischief to the Who'll
country, and emphatically declaring " that he wa
prepared to stamp with disapprobation, in tn
most express and unequivocal terms the Who'll
movement upon the subject" Again, in 1885,
rising to make personal explanation and to defen
himself from aspersiOns thrown upon his characte
by some Abotionists of New Hampshire, be reite
rates the same we'll founded opinion and introduce
to the notice of the House the following resolutions
as expressing his own views and the views of hi
constituents
Resolved, That the relation of master and slave is
matter exclusively within the regulation of the State
which exists and that interference by the nhabtan
of other States in regard it only unauthorized
intrusive but faithess and dishonorabe being again
the letter and spirit of the sacred compact which binds
geher
ReSoUed That those who promote infammatory di
cusson and guilty of disseminating among the slav
the publications. the tendency of which to Incl
serve Instructions regarded by persons promptt
reckless wickcdness fanatcisn
fully mschievous in its consequences
But, Mr.. Chairman, Independent of these ope
and manly professions of his determination to mail
tain the constitutional rights of all the States, "
have the strongest record evidence cOntaine
in the journals of this House, establishing the san