The North-Carolinian., 1852-09-04
LETTER FROM
reneral Shields
WAsH1NGroS, August 5. 1852.

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1t is my good fortune to be personally
acquainted with both the distinguished
by their respective parties as candidates
for the highest office in the gift of the
American people. Gen. Winfield Scott
is the candidate of the Whis party Fo,
him entertain the highest personal re-
ga rd and esteem. l admire him as much
as do any man living for his great mill
tary talents, and | consider him entitled
to the gratitude Of his country for his
glorious military achievements. But Gen
Scott is no democrat. His political con-
victions are different from mine. He is
true to bis convictions; and Tor this he has
my respect. | mean to be true to mine
and such is my knowledge Of his character
that know this will not lesser me in his
estimation. If the principles Of the
Democratic party are those that ought to
prevail in the conduct Of this government.
then Gen. Scott himself would admit,
with the frankncss Of true soldier, that
he is not the man to represent these prin-
cireS as Chief Magistrate Of this republic.
Be this as it may however. | stand where
have always siood--in the ranks of the
democracy.
Gen. Frank Pierce is the candidate Of
the democratic party. The sterling quail
ties of his character make him worthy of
this distinction. He is uprig and homo
rabc in all the relations Of life, and
peculiarly calculated to command the re-
spect Of and confidence of his fellow citi-
zens. Like Andrew jackson he has been
a lawyer, statesman. and soldier; and If
it should be the good fortune of this na-
L. II f.,r Al
trate, be viii like Jackson, conduct the
affairs of the government upon the princi-
pies of rigid economy aud popular liberty.
His course as public man, In the coun-
ellis Of his native State. was always
democratic, fearless, and independents
He showed himself, on al! questions and
on all occasions, an able and enlightened
statesman. One Of the nobIest efforts of
his life was IN opposition to that odious
ieatur in the constitution Of New Hamp-
shire - that reproach upon the character
Of the Granite State, which stigmatizes
and disquaIifes American citizens on ac-
count ot their religious opinions. La the
face Of unworthy prejudces. Franklin
Pierce battIed. in a true catholic spirit.
for universal freedom of conscience. and
denounced the prescription of that ancient
faith, which is still the faith of three
lour,hs Of the Christian world. For this
act of Justice aud moral courage, he is
entitled to the sincere gratitude of every
American citizen who condemns religious
prescription. and reveres religious liberty.
His career in the councils of the nation
was in perfect harmony with his public
course In his native State. Both in the
House Of representatives and Senate of
the United States. he was the model of an
Il u
dignifed simplicity of his character made
him averse to ostentation and display: but
his talents and energy made him power
ful advocate OF all great measures for the
advancement OF the public service and
the welfare Of the country. He entered
Congress in 1888, and resigned his seat
in tie Senate in 1912. lie declined an
appointment as Senator Of the United
States in l845. He declined a place in
President Polk's cabinet in 1876. and the
nomination for Governor of his State in
1S4S. And yet this modest, unambitious
citizen who declined all these distinguish
ed honors, and who retired to private life
10 the very flower of manhood, shoulde.ed
the revolutionary 'nusket of his father. and
entered the military ranks as a private
soldier on the breaking out of war between
his country and Mexico: There is a
moral grandeur in this portion of the life
of Franklin Pierce which reminds one of
the early and heroic age of this Republic.
President Polk. who was well acouaint-
ed with his intrinsic worth, having served
with him in Congress. raised him from the
ranks by appointing him first colonel and
then br'sad'er general in the army Of the
U. States.-He landed with his brigade at
Vera Cruz in June. ls47; marched from
there to Pnebla. where he Joined the head
quarters OF the army on the 9th Of August
On this march. which was very severe on
fresh levies. his brigade was constantly
haras-ed and attacked By large parties of
gusr'ilas. 1t was the universal opinion
amongst military men in Puebla at that
tine. that General Pierce conducted the
march with uncommon ability. and xhibit-
ed remarkable skill and courage IN his
conflicts with the enemy.
Soon after his arrival, be entered the
valley of Mexico. The battle of Contre-
ras opened the campaign in that valley,