Grand River times. [volume] (Grand Haven, Mich.) 1851-18??, 1852-06-23
GEN. FRANKLIN PIERCE.

GEN FRANKLIN PIERCE.
Amid the rush to our office after the news Of
| the nomination, we were not able to write as eX.
tended a notice of the nomination as we could
wish. And so we gave our printers the follow
ing extract from the Speech made by Gen. Peas.
lee, Nj. g., at the State Convention of N. IL.
which met to choose Delegates to Baltimore, and
which recommended him for the office of either
Vice President or President. This extract we
ordered our Assistants to carefully file away, as
we had no doubt but one or the other of these
offices awaited him. Chicago Dem.
If we go back to the long dark days of the rev.
olution whom do we find more conspicuous in
earnest and daring efforts for our country free
dom than our Stark, our Langdon, and not the
least among those heroic spirits who served du-
ring The whole of the war, the honored father of
Gen. Franklin Pierce?
In the succeeding war with Great Britain,
whom do we behold doing more essential service
than the gallant sons of New Hampshire! And
here again, foremost among the bravest soldiers
we find the brother and brother-n-law of Gen.
Franklin Pierce; and at last, when the nations
rights and honor are to be vindicated upon a for
eign soil, swift and strong in her country's
cause. are New Hampshire's sons, an army of
volunteers, led on through danger to victory by
the man Of noble heart and brave, born of the pu-
rest blood of a revolutionary warrior, N Hamp-
shire's own Franklin Pierce.
| have said that New Hampshire has claims
in behalf Of her sons, upon the nations consid-
Grafton, respect and gratitude. Cheerfully de-
caring our purpose, to abide the decision of a
National Convention, we present to the country
the name of franklin Pierce, as our preference
for the Presidential nomination. We do this in
consideration ofh;s unwavering democracy, tried
patriotism, large experience in public affairs and
thorough devotion to the Union and to the inter-
ests of the whole country at all times, without
sectional prejudice or bias. Perhaps higher
terms of praise than these could scarcely be en-
ployed; yet venture to say that few who have
heard of Franklin Pierce, none who know him,
will charge the author or the advocate of these
resolutions with either extravaganza or insincer-
ity in the employment of such terms of eulogy.
glance at his public life and services will justi-
fly all this and more of praise.
Notwithstanding Gen. Pierce has no more than
reached that period Of life which marks vigor-
Gus and perfect manhood, yet he has already
been called to "large experience of public af-
fairs" His public career commenced as men,
Der of the State Legislature from Hlsborough,
his native town, in 1929. In this capacity he
served the people till 1888, having during the
last two years Of that term occupied the Speak
er's chair in the House of Representatives.
From 1888 to 1887 he occupied seat in the
popular branch of the Congress of the United
States, and at the expiration of that time he was
called to represent the State Of New Hampshire
in the United States Senate, whittier, as one of
the Youngest members then or ever holding
place in that body, he brought the dignity, the
and the wisdom of maturer years.
The qualities of mind and heart which endeared
him to his own neghbors were soon appreciated
by others, and manifested in the high position
awarded to him in Congress. He was promi-
nent member of the Committee on the Judiciary
in the House, and afterwards in the Senate,
where he also served with distinguished ability
in the Committee on Military Affairs, and also as
chairman Of the Committee on Pensions. lie
evinced thorough acquaintance with every
thing connected with these important positions.
He was regarded by ali men, whether in the
Senate or connected with the various depart
mcnts of government, with high personal respect
and esteem. He was distinguished for industry,
learning high and honorable dealing, gentleman
ly bearing, and for that noble style of eloquence
which many Of us have seen and felt, an elo-
quence manly, forcbe and 10 The point.
believe the bitterest opponents of General
Pierce, and of the party to which he has always
been attached have never called him an office
seeker lie is one of those few men in the coun-
try whom office solicits; and one Of those rare
men who bring more honor to the station he may
be called to occupy, than the office can confer
upon the man.
Having thus enjoyed the confidence of the peo-
pie of New Hampshire, and fulfilled the duties
imposed on him, his desire and purpose was to
pass the remainder of his days in the tranquility
Of private life, among his hosts of personal
friends, acquiring subsistence and maintaining
an honorable position by the successful practice
of the law. From this peaceful line of duty he
would depart only at the command of sterner
and imperative duty; only at his conntry's call
was heard. War came and struck his glttering
shield within our borders, and the sound made
thrilled every nerve of the patriots heart
Not regarding military achievements alone as
a sufficient passport to civil preferment, only
allude to Gen. Pierce's services at this time in
order to illustrate his capacity to meet emergen-
cies and to sustain whatever responsibilities may
be cast upon him. His life had been devoted to
civil pursuits AS | have already shown, he had
from early manhood occupied prominent public
positions in the State and nation. In 1912 he re-
sigued his seat in the U. s. Senate, to resume