Wilmington journal. [volume] (Wilmington, N.C.) 1844-1895, 1852-06-11
The Neutral Press.

We intend giving such extracts as our limits Will
permit from the remarks of the neutral press, upon
the nominees of the late Convention. The hfst
which we have put our hand upon IS the Richmond
Despatch an able and independent paper, the Edi-
tor of which, however, of the opposite party, and
formerly Editor of the Richmond Wing. In some
of its statements it is incorrect and falls short OF
doing General PIERCE justice; but it nevertheless
paints the character of man such as the American
people delight to honor
Who is General Pierce is a very general
question. 1t will soon be answered. He will SOON
have full justice done his character One half OF
the nation is interested in displaying all his merits,
another half in exposing all his faults, and for some
months to come shall have daily opportunities for
studying the beauties and if there be any, deformi
ties of the public and private character OF Franklin
Pierce.
Gen. Pierce is about 48 years old, was born at
Iisboro, New Hampshire, and is the son OF BenJa-
min Pierce. hero of the revolution, who was after
| that event Governor of New Hampshire. He was a
popular and faithful public officer
Franklin Pierce was educated for the law and
commenced the practice with success. He was cleo
ted to the Legislature of his State and in 1884 to
Congress, where he continued until 1888. when he
was elected to the u S. Senate. His seat In that
body he resigned before the expiration of his term.
and thereupon he retired to Concord to pursue his
profession. IN 1919 ne QeCI1neu the
Governor. He also declined the Office of Attorney
General. offered him by MIR. Polk
On the annexation Of Texas he declared in pub
lie speech that if that occasioned war. he
Ewould be among the first to enlist. He kept his
fpromise. He volunteered private soldier, but
was appointed Colonel of the first ten regi-
ments raised for the U. S. service He was subse-
quenty appointed Brigadier General by Mr. Polk
He Joined Gen Scott with his brigade, We believe al
and thence continued with the army to Mexico
He had some skirmshing with the guerilla parties
at the Puentc Nacsonel. He I'M ured by a fall
from his horse at Chepultepec and we believe was
incapable of active service for the remainder of the
war. His laurels however, are sure, will moi
suffer. If there is enough to make hero out of, hi
will be to turn out hero we'll as statesman
Your politicians of all kinds-Whigs and Democrats
ARE great at hero making.
After the Mexican war, General Pierce returned
to Concord where he has since continued in the qui
ct pursuit of his profession. He is an able lawyer
and accomplished gentleman. He has given proof
that he is not SO ambitious most public men -
But few months since he very positively declined
the request Of the New Hampshire State Convention
to allow his to be used in connection with thu
| Presidency and we suppose no body was more sur
prised than he at his nomination at Baltimore.
Senator WILLIAM R. KING of Alabama the nomi
nee of the Convention for the office of Vice Presi
dent. is of the strongest men Certainly at tn
South, the party could have brought forward.