Eastern times. [volume] (Bath, Me.) 1846-1857, 1852-09-23
VOL. VII.

statesmen OF New England have performe
their first public service in the character o
pedagogne, that it seems almost necessar
step on the ladder of advancement.
The account of Pierce's congressional life
though agreeably written, presents no facts
we believe, with which the public are rot ia
miliar
In June, 1882, Pierce signifed his inten
tention to resign his seat in the United
States Senate. The biographer accompa
MES the announcement of this event with
some personal "reminiscences of general in
terest.
/" 1t is now more than sixteen years since the
author of this sketch had been accustomed tc
meet Frank Pierce (that familiar name which
the nation is adopting as one of its household
words) in habits of daily intercourse. Oul
modes of life have since been as different as
could well be imagined culture and labor
were entirely unlike; there was hardly sin
| gle object or aspiration, In common, between
us. Still we had occasionally met. and always
on the old ground of friendly confidence
There were sympathies that had not been suf-
fered TO die out. Had we lived more con-
stantly together, it is not impossible that the
relations might have been changed by the va
rIous accidents and attritions of life; but hav-
ing no mutual events, and few mutual inter-
ests, the tie of early friendship remained the
same as when we parted. The notifications
which saw in his character were those OF
growth and development new qualities come
out, or displayed themselves more prominently,
but always in harmony with those heretofore
known Always was sensible of progress in
| him characteristlc-as, | believe, has been
said in the foregoing pages-more perceptibe
| in Franklin Pierce than in any other person
with whom | have ever been acquainted
| He widened, deepened, rose to higher point,
and thus even made himself equal to the ever
heightening occasion. This peculiarity of in
telectual growth, continued beyond the ordina-
ry period, has lis analogy in his physical con-
stltution-it being fact that he continued to
grow in stature between his twenty-irst and
twenty-ffth years.
He had not met with that misfortune which,
1t is to be feared, befalls many men who throw
their ardor into politics. The pursuit had la
ken nothing from the frankness of his nature ;
now, as ever, he used direct means to attain
honorable ends; and his subilety-for after all
his heart and purpose were not such as he that
runs may read had the depth of wisdom, and
never any quality of cunning. In great part,
this undeterlorated manhood was due 10 the no.
bity of his nature. Yet it may not be unjust
10 attribute ii, in some degree, 10 the singular
good fortune Of his life He had never, in all
his career, found 1t necessary TO stoop. Office
had sought him he had not begged for it, nor
| maneuvred for 1t, nor crept towards it-arts
which too frequently bring man morally
! bowed and degraded, 10 position which should
be one of dignity, but in which he will vainly
essay TO stand upright.
In our earliest meetings, after Pierce had be-
gun to come forward in public life, | could dis
Germ that his ambition was aroused. He felt a
young mans enjoyment of success, so early and
so distinguished. Bnt as years went on, such
motives seemed to be less influential with him.
He was cured of ambition, as, one after anoth-
er lis objects came TO him unsought His do
mestlc position, likewise, had contributed to
direct his tastes and wishes towards the pur-
suits of private life. In 1884, he had married
Jane Means, daughter of the Rev. Dr. Ap-
pleton, a former President of Bowdoin College
Three sons, the first of whom died in ca rly in
fancy, were born to him; and, having hitherto
been kept poor by his public service, he no
doubt became sensible of the expedency of
making some provision for the future Such,
| it may be presumed, were the considerations
that induced his resignation Of the senatorship,
greatly to the regret of all parties. The sena-
tors gathered around him, as he was about to
quit the chamber; political opponents took
leave of him as of personal friend and no
departing member has ever retired from that
dgnifed body amid warmer wishes for his
happiness than those that attended Franklin
Pierce.''
The next seven years of General Pierce s
life Were spent in the active labors of his
profession. When the Mexican war broke
out, the contingency was presented which,
alone, as he stated in his letter TO Presiden
Polk declining preferred seat in the cabinet
could take him again INTO public life. He
received the appointment of Colonel of the
Ninth Regiment, and shortly after the com.
mission of Brigadier General of the Ameri.
can Army, aud embarked for Vera Cruz, te
reinforce the forces in Mexico under Scott
then his commander, now his competitor fol
the highest polital honor in The gift of the
American people.
The account of General Pierce's service il
Mexico, will be esteemed the most autrac
tive feature of this biography. 1t embrace,
extended extracts from private journal KEEP
by the General during this expedition, non,
OF which has ever been published before
MIR. Hawthorne sketch throws much lgl
upon parts Of Pierce's military career il
Mexico, which have furnished pretexts fo
much malevolent and ungenerous craicisn
from the wing press and politicians since
his nomination for the Presidency. We ex
tract The following account of the battle o
Contreras, where General Pierce met wit
the accident which deprived him of most 0
the glory, without exempting him from an,
OF the dangers or responsibilities of the Mex
lean campaign:
"The battle of Contreras was fought OF
the l9tb OF August. The enemy force con
sisted oi about seven thousand men posted
III strongly intrenched camp under Gener
al Valencia, one OF the bravest and uobIesI o
the Mexican commanders. The object o
the Commanding General appears to hav,
heen 10 cut off the communication of thes,
detached troops with Santa Annals maii
army, and thus TO have them entirely at hi
mercy. For this purpose, portion of th
American forces were ordered 10 NOV
against Valencla's left flank, and by occupy
ing strong positions in The villages and O,
the roads towards the city, to prevent rein
forcements from reaching him. In the mean
time to draw the enemy's attention from III,
movement, vigorous onset was made upo,
| Ii. font. and us the nnarn,in.. - :.