The Lancaster ledger. [volume] (Lancaster, S.C.) 1852-1905, 1852-08-25
Concord, n. H., July %, 1852.

NONSOiND, ~. IL, JulN lOOs.
My Dear Sir: Surrounded by pressing
engagements, | seize the earliest opportu-
nifty to reply to your letter of the l7th in
slant. much regret that any thing con-
nected with myself should have been the
cause of disagreement between YOU and
gentlemen with whom you have been as
sociated in the editorial department of the
Southern Press. | do not remember ever
to have seen what purports to be a report
of speech delivered by ME at New Bos-
ton, i'll this State, in January last, until
my attention was called to it as repubIish-
ed in the Republic. The pretended re-
port is, as presume was designed to be,
an entire Misrepresentation. 1t is not
merely untruthful, but is so grossly and
absurdly false as to render, in this vicinity,
any denial of its authenticity entirely un-
necessary. The two papers quotcd-the
Independent Democrat, published in this
place, and the Democrat published in
Manchester-are thoroughly abolition
Journals; and have been and are Zealously
opposed to the Democratic party. For Il
long time prior to the meeting at New
Boston, and ever since, they have been
unsparing in their attacks upon me per-
sona4Er and in their bitter dcnunciation of
what they have been pleased to term my
pro-SIavcry sentiments. But it would hc
something new for either of these papers
TO deny the consistency of my opinions
upon the subject of the constitutional rights
OF the South in relation TO slavery. Nv
opinions and the ;:vowal of them have
been everywhere the same. Fer mindful
of the difficulties and dangers which so
long brooded over the assemblagc of wise
men and pure patriots to whose spirit of
concession and earnest efforts we are in
debted for the Constitution under which
we have enjoyed such signal prosperity,
Advancement and happiness, | have re-
garded the subject as too vital and delicate
to be used as an clement of sectional APP
peal in party conflicts, My action and
my language in New Hampshire, touch
ing this matter, have been at all times and
under all circumstances, in entire accord
ance with my action and language at
Washington. My votes in the Senate and
House of Representatives were not rcpub-
Ished in the Era for the first time. They
have been again and again paradcd to
arouse the passions and prejudices of our
people against me individually, and against
the party with which it has been my
pride and pleasure TO act. There has been
no attempt to evadc the force of the re.
cord. 1t has been at all times freely ad-
mitted, and my position sustained upon
grounds satisfactory to my own mind.
am not surprised TO know that the attempt
to prove me an abolitionist provokes much
merrimcnt among men Of NIL parties here;
and this weak and untruthful sketch OF
what purports 10 be my speech, is really
too ridiculous to be considered in any SER
ious light. ..
am in the daily receipt Of letters pro-
pounding the greatest variety of curious
questions, upon all conceivable subjects
Letters of this character cannot be an
swered OF course. No individual could
command either the time or strength the
herculean task would require. l may
add, that such correspondence would by
no means comport with my views Of duty.
The Democratic party sent its delegates
20 Baltimore not alone to nominate candi-
dates, but TO reaffirm principles and to
present the leading issues upon which the
canvass should be conducted.
Ii could deem myself capable Of i'm
proving the platform there adopted, it is
quite certain that should decline, either
at the call Of individuals or associations,
to incur the charge Of arrogance to which
any attempt to alter, amend or enlarge Il,
would inevitably subjec; me.
Your letter Is Of an entirely different
character. It seeks truth in relation to an
alleged fact, It speaks Of history, to which
TOO searching an appeal cannot be made.
Appreciate the estimate you seem to have
Of my character for directness; and beg
you TO accept my thinks for your efforts
to vindicate my claim to that trait, at
least before the public.
am, with high esteem, your most
ohedient servant, FRANK PIERCE.
EpwIS De LEoS, Washington, DC.