Southern sentinel. [volume] (Plaquemine, Parish of Iberville [La.]) 1848-1858, 1852-09-18
PLAQUEMKNE:
Saturday, September 1s, 7952.
Letter from Rev. a. z. Eoss.

Letter from Kew. As "a E'OSSs
This gentleman has received no little abuse
I in consequence Of his report of Gen. PIERCE S
speech, the truth of which he has sworn TO-
and which has been ably supported by other
affdavits. The following letter on this sub
ject, addressed to Mr.. JONES, of Norfolk
county, Virginia, and published in the Norfolk
Beacon, seems to be simple statement OF
facts, and bears upon its face sincerity itself
In justice to Mr.. Foss, who has been so deeply
reylled, his letter should have extensive circu.
| lation
MANCHESTER, Aug. %, 1862
/ IFm. p. Jones:
Ny DEAR SIR: have received yours of the
10th inst, in which you make inquiries of me
! in regard to speech made by General Frank
lin Pierce at New Boston, N H., which was re-
ported by me, the truthfulness of which report
has been denied. You also inquire respecting
an affidavit which you say sis charged to be a
! forgery" You request of me "the personal
favor" to inform you Of the facts in the case,
which, in common courtesy, do not feel at
liberty to refuse.
| last, Gen. Pierce, agreeable to previous notice,
made a political speech at New Boston, on the
issue that was then before the people of New
| Hampshire in theif approaching election. The
| issue was this: Hon. John Atwood, the Dem
ocratic nominee for the office OF Governor, had
expressed dissatisfaction with some features of
/ the fugitive slave law. For this he had been
/ dropped by his party, and a new nomination
/ had been made. This occasioned a division
/ in the Democratic ranks, and so many of The
party adhered TO the views OF Mr. Atwood,
/ that the party were beaten in the ensuing elec-
ton by heavy majority. Another election
was now at the door, and all the available ora
tors of the party were brought into the field
New Boston, the home of John Atwood, was
assigned to Gen. P. The only question be-
tween Mr. Atwood and bis friends, and the
leaders of the Democratic party, was the Fu-
gitive Slave law: the town of New Boston at
the previous election, on this very issue, had
given her entire vote for Mr.. Atwood, with the
exception of some forty or fifty which were
given to the regular nominee. 1t was expected
of course that Gen. p. would speak with spe-
cial reference to the FGgitiye Slave law; it was
what he came for; it was what the people came
to hear. He did speak of that law, and the
result was that in the ensuing election New
Boston gave heavy majority against Mr.. At
wood. was there to report that speech, and
did so with entire fidelity, attributing to Gen.
| P. no word which he did not utter. SeUen
months after the publication of this report, it
was found necessary for Gen. P's. interest to
deny its truth. As felt entirely sure of the
correctness Of the report, as did not rely at
/ all upon memory in making the report, but
/ wrote the words which are ascrbed to Gen. P.
as they fell from his lips. and therefore knew
that there was not word in that report within
1 quotation marks, which he did not then and
there speak. |, there fore, when asked if will.
ing to make an affidavit to the truth of the re-
port, felt no hesitaney in SO doing. This is the
| affidavit, presume, of which you spoke.
These sayings Of Gen. P's. were uttered no
doubt at that time to affect the pending elec-
ton. And it is not at all surprising that he
succeeded so well in changing the vote of New
Boston, since he was so successful in convine-
ing so many, that the fugitive slave law was as
revolving to his feelings as theirs; but to secure
the peace of the country we ought to submit
to it for the present. | will here do Gen. P.
the justice to say thar however these senti-
ments might have been dictated by poliey,l
have not the slightest doubt that he spoke the
sentiments of his heart. These sentiments
did not fall upon Democratic ears as something
new and strange; tney were sentiments which
had been held forth by Cen. p, by the Pemo-
cratic leaders, by Democratic Legislatures, con-
ventions and caucuses, in every variety of
phrase, and with every assurance that they
were sincerely and heartily entertained. ed
The question is being urged in Democratic
papers at the South, if Gen. P. holds senti-
ments so accordant with my own on the Fugi-
tive slave law, why do not support him for
the Presidency! My answer is twofold. First,
while do not doubt that Gen. P. would act
in entire accordance with the feelings of his
heart, and certainly in harmony with his profess
sions, in doing what he might be able TO do for
the modification of the fugitive slave law. and
for the removal of slavery from all those places
where the General Government have exclusive
power over it, if this could be done in harmo-
ny with his political aspirations and Interests,
still | do not believe that he is capable OF act
ing from those high moral considerations
which ought always to control Us, irrespective
of personal considerations Secondly, do
not believe he possesses the requisite states
manship for SO responsible an Office.
Yon speak Of yourself as a Scott Whig.-