The republic. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1849-1853, 1852-07-22
Ftou the Union Democrat.


Democratic Meeting tn New Boston.
At the earnest request Of large number Of the
people of New Boston, General Pierce delivered
political address in that town, on Friday OF last
week Notwithstanding the sleighing bad been
entirely destroyed by the ihaw OF the presiding
days. the attendance wasvery large, so that II was
found necessary TO occupy the largest meeting
house in the village, which was well filled. The
meeting was called 10 order by b. Fletcher, esq,
and was very ably addressed for some three quar-
ters Of an hour by b. F. Aver, esq, Of this city
He spoke Of the origin, progress, and purposes OF
national and State policy Of the Democratic party.
He was followed by General Pierce, who spoke
with great power and eoquence, for two hours and
q half. .. -.af..4 .,.t' E...i... ...... - . ..
1t gave him great satisfaction, he said, to adj
dress so large an audience in his native county
He saw around him many Of the friends of his
father, and the familiar faces Of those who were
ton of his life. He spoke of the changes which
time had produced-even the short period which had
elapsed since the adoption of the American Con-
| stitution. He alluded 10 the unexam led progress
and prosperity OF country, in all the elements
Of national greatness, and attributed all to the
| admirable system Of government adopted by the
fathers Of the Republic. He spoke Of the ditii-
cuties attending the formation Of the Constitution.
With no model for q guide, and with some dis
| cordant elements to harmonize, the labor and
| anxiety of the convention was intense and pain
| full Slavery had been introduced into portion
Of the States, in their colonial condition, against
the moral sense of the whole world. Its immedi-
ate extirpation manifestly impracticable; and
the final adjustment of the question was not &C
complshed without many days and weeks Of
painful approximations that the blood Of a seven
years' war might have been shed to purpose,
| as far as a Constitutional Union Of the sever al
States was concerned. The hopes Of the conven-
ton centred upon the illustrious franklin. He
arose in his place and said. "My friends, we shall
perhaps lose all. We have exhausted the wisdom
Of earth. Let US seek the aid Of Heaven in prayer
A better feeling pervaded the convention, and our
present admirable form oil government was the
result. 49, ls.. ls,l I ,srs. sg.-.y q. "a. ...
General Pierce paid glowing and eloquent tri-
butte to the American Constitution. 1t has made
us all we are a nation, and he believed our only
glory depended upon faithful adherence to its
provisions and cheerful acquiescence in its require
ments. He thought the Union had been in immi-
nent peril, and believed that nothing but the Com
promise measures could have saved it, at the time
they were passed, under the then existing feeling
in the two great geographical sections Of the
country. He alluded to the calumnes which have
been circulated among small fry-politcians in
been ascribed to him which he never uttered.
He remembers no political expression made by
him to Mr.. Webster, except one to the effect that
they had never agreed upon political question
before, and probably might never again.
He then spoke of his personal agency in the At
wood controversy. He had always been friend
to Mr.. Atwood, and nobody knows it better than
that gentleman He used bis influence, at the sug-
geston of Col, Monroe, TO secure TO Mr. Atwood
the Office OF State Treasurer, and was on his bond,
with several other prominent Democrats of Con-
that office. He was Mr.. Atwood's friend at the
time of his nomination for Governor; and it was al
such that he advised him, through Col, Gale, to
stand clear Of the angry controversy which was
| likely to arise in reference to the Compromise
quesiion-never doubling for a moment that if be
spoke at ALL it would be to sustain them, In accord
ance with the resolutions Of the convention from
which he held his nomination. Mr.. Atwood re-
lii tbokk faol vict hat Ant
that he should take no step which would embarrass
the party with which he had 90 long acted.
A few days subsequent, Whig member Of the
convention informed General Pierce Of the White
correspondence and its character. He was totally
incredulous, but his doubts were speedily removed
by its appearance in the Independent Democrat.
| Many of the Democratic members of the conven-
| ton we're in favor of shaking off Mr.. Atwood at
once. General Pierce threw his influence against
such q movement. The relations of friendliness
| and confidence he had always sustained towards
Mr.. Atwood, not only justified but required his
friendly offices to avert the mischief which threat
ened alike the Democratic party and lite nominee.
He sought an interview with Mr.. Atwood. The
result is known. No unfriendly word was ut
draft, partly by him and partly by Mr.. Atwood.
Gen. Pierce then left him to finch il as he pleased,
| with these parting words: "Mr. Atwood, write
| what commends itself to your Judgment and your
followed him to the door, shook him cordially by
| the hand, and remarked that he 81 should never
forget the kindness he (Gen. p had shown him. t"
They have not met since; but as Mr.. Atwood was
traversing the State, with an entirely different
version OF the affair, General Pierce felt bound, in
justice to himself, to make this explanation.
| We arc, satisfied that no candid and fair minded
in the State could have listened to the address
! of General Pierce without coming to the conclu-
sion that his statements all true; and that he
has been, and still is, most fouly wronged by the
representations of the abolition press. Mr.. Atwood
knows that WE'LL and it ia a sad commentary upon
human character to see how readily he lends him
self to their purposes of slander and detraction.