Daily American telegraph. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1851-1852, 1852-07-30
General Pierce on slavery.

General Pierce ON Slavery.
The Washington Union of this morning writhes
under the charges preferred against General
Pierce of having uttered denunciations Of slavery
and the fugitive slave law. The evidence pro-
duced by that paper in vindication Of the "choice
and creation" of the South, is by no means salts
flying The editors witnesses deal in sweeping
anathemas, directed at the heads Of the Adolf
tionists declare their statements FALSE in general
terms; and profess to state, in terms equally in
definite, that General Pierce said SO and SO.
Now, this will not answer. They should declare
that General Pierce did not express disapproba-
ton of slavery and the fugitive slave law; and,
failing in this, their testimony is utterly incom-
petent to discredit the witnesses on the other
side. The report Of General Pierce's speech may
be inaccurate in some trihing particulars, and
yet convey just idea of his meaning; and it
will not suffice in the public judgment that set
of pettifogging politicians may take advantage Of
slight inaccuracy to pronounce the whole re-
port false. Demagogues are up to such tricks,
and they cannot be watched too narrowly.
If Gen. Pierce has been grossly misrepresented
by the report of his speech, why does he not
come forward himself and contradict it? This
is the obvious, direct, and only efectual mode of
removing injurious impressions. Why has he
not taken this course? Is he afraid of giving
offence to his Freesoil friends! Is he willing for
them to believe it, while it is denounced by his
Southern friends as fabrication?
The editor of the Union states that he has seen
a letter from Gen. Pierce himself in which the
report of his speech is denounced q misrepre-
sentation. Why is it not published, in order
that the public may judge for itself as to the ex.
tent of the denial? Does the letter which the
editor has seen contain some unfortunate admis-
sions and qualifications which would give UNI
bragg to the South
The language attibuted 10 General Pierce is
just what might be expected from person in his
position. The great body of his party supported
the Compromise, while the people of New Hamp-
SHIRE his neighbors and felow-citizens, are ir-
reconcileably opposed to slavery. He, in defend
ing the Compromise, would conciliate his hearers
by condemning slavery, and he accordingly
speaks of it in strong, but measured language.
Like Jefferson he loathes and abhors slavery, but
is for standing by the constitution. His hopes
and aspirations at that time were local and crcum-
scribed; and he had no dream Of being held re-
sponsible before the vigilance committees Of
the South for uttering in quiet way, among the
granite hills of New Hampshire, a little Jeffer-
sonian radicalism.
Besides the sentiments attributed to General
Pierce on the occasion referred to are identical
in purport with those uttered by him in the Sen
ate Chamber some years ago. He said:
Ihave no HESITATION in saying that / con-
slider Slavery SOCIAL aud POLITICAL EVIL, |
and most SINCERELY WISH IL had no existence
on The face Of the earth ?"-See Globe, I'd session,
25h Congress.
Why has he SO little hesitation in pronouncing
slavery evil? Is it not plain from this un-
questionable sentiment Of General Pierce uttered
in the Senate, that he regarded the institution as
founded in injustice Hence, when in New
Hampshire, where every heart is ready to respond
to the sentiment, he declares, 81 hare been asked
If Ike this fugitive slare lac. aasWered, No
1 L0ATHED 1T. HAVE A MOST REVOLT
ING FEELING AT THE GIVING UP OF A.
SLAVE: THE LAW Is OPPOSED TO HU-
MAINLY. General Pierce, I'd January, 1862.
The report of Gen. Pierce's speech which at
tributes this language to him will be believed to
be correct in substance until he comes forward
himself, over his own signature, and AYERS that
he said nothing of the kind, and nothing in dis
parogement of the justice and morality Of slavery.
Certificates signed by scores of auybodies and
nobodies, dealing in vague generalities and
sweeping denunciations, but avoiding the main
ISSUE will not answer. They amount to nothing
or rather, by failing to come to the point, they
confirm the conviction in the public mind that
Gen. Franklin Pierce did denounce slavery and
the fugitive slave law as unjust and revolving to
his feelings.
1t is to be observed that the testimony adduced
by the Republic of yesterday and 10 which we
adverted last evening" is direct, positive, and to
the point. 1t is given, on oath, by man Of n
highly respectable character for the character
of the witness has not been impeashed. That
he entertains views of slavery whicnsender him
odious to the Southern people, is true but no
man of sense or candor upon cool reflection,
will question the testimony Of another upon such
grounds. Men of the highest character for vir-
tue and veracity have been found in the ranks of
all parties, and have lived and died in the main
tenance Of the most opposite opinions Who