Washington telegraph., 1852-10-13
-.--a- Two Pictures. rt,s
Gen. Pierce Secessionist-An Admission.

In the discussion which took place on Thursday
last between Judge Clay, the Pierce elector for
this district, and Mr.. Bibb Bradley, an incident
occurred which is well deserving the notice and
serious attention of the people. In reply to Judge
Claws speech, Mr.. B. asked him the direct cues
ton, Does Gen Pierce believe in the right OF Sc
ression2-Judge Clay replied @Gen. Pierce is a
State Rights man." Do you then, said Mr. B.
derive the doctrine of secession-the right of a
State to recede from the Union, from the resolu-
tions of $50, which your party have adopted in
YOUR platform? ! do derive the doctrine of seces-
sion-the right of State to recede, from those
resolutions; said Judge Clay. Then, said Mr.
Bradley with great force and power, l charge
Gen. Pierce with being secessionst! He stands
upon platform which your party have adopted,
which contains resolutions which you say en-
braces secession! Gen. Pierce is secessionist.
according to the platform of the Baltimore Demo-
cratic Convention, as expounded by Judge Clay
one of the Pierce Electors for Alabama-and an
able and frank gentleman, who supports him for
that reason (among others) This produced
marked sensation among the people.
Circumstances would seem to bear Judge Clay
out in his exposition of Perce's views on this
question. Mr.. Forsyth of Georgia, leader of the
secessiOnists, says that Pierce's nomination was
'the CREATION and choice' of the secession demo-
Gratis. Senator Soule of La, says the southern
delegates, whose choice Gen. P. was, knew him
well-SenatOr Butler says he is a States rights
man, and that, IN the language OF that wing of the
democracy, means secession and nulificaton.-
Col. Seibes the Pierce Elector for the Montgom-
cry district, believes General Pierce is seces-
sionst, as we learn; and Colonel Terry says he
will not vote for Pierce unless he is secessionist
majority of the Pierce electoral ticket in this
State are secesSonists-so in Georgia. so in Mis-
sssippl-all his friends so in South Carolina.
In addition, Mr.. Yancy. the great secession
leader in this State, in recent speech in Montgom-
cry enumerated, one of the objects for which
the secesslonists were contending-
"3: The right of secession for any infraction of
that sovereignty violation of the constitutional
compact" ti
And then "insisted that Gen. Pierce was fair
representative OF these doctrines secession the
main one. "Mr. Yancy also reviewed the past
life of Gen. P. with reference to the State Rights
doctrines, and pronounced him as pure State
Rights man as Is to be found out OF South Caro-
lina,"-ln other words, good seceSsionist as
Mr.. Yancy himself!
Gen. Pierce on Seoessionist---A Denial.
When Mr. Bradley concluded. call was made
by the crowd for Senator Clemens He did not
intend to Interfere in the debate-would speak on
some other occasion. But he must say. in regard
to the doctrine of seceSson--that he was against
1t; should oppose it whenever necessary. In re-
gard to the admission of Judge Clay as to Pierce's
being In favor of the doctrine of secession he said
he knew, tof his own knowledge of course de-
rived III person from Gen. Pierce) that Gen. Pierce
did not before III the doctrine of secession-in the
right of State to secede.
Now let the people look at these two very op-
posite pictures! Let them look and see in what
position it places Gen Pierce Here is Judge
Clay frankly admitting that the platform of his
party embraces the doctrine of secession and that
Pierce stands upon that platform and agrees with
,,S So,,t,p ont. Anl Id, :. u
General of the 9th Brigade of the Pierce army in
Alabama regularly commissioned and in full a,l-
thority! Then there is Senator Clemens fresh foom
heal quarters. who says ne tnotrs that Pierce be-
lieveS IN such doctrine as secession--stands up-
on no such platiorml Who are we to RELY upon!
Judge Clay in his construction. and as Judge it
has been his study TO construe language-or Col
clemens In his positive knowledge; privately obs
ta'neds Gen. Pierce could easily decide--but he
reiuSes-he is nluiil-he treats the letter of the
Montgomery convention asking his opinion of SEA
ccS>on. with silent contempt He tells las We
understand it) Co Clemens in conversation that
he is opposed to the doctrine of secession-does
not believe in any such right. Why does he
not speak out publicya The question is vital
one If he believes in the right OF secession, fhe
Is elected. any State cah go ont without lnolesta-
ton. during his administration! If he does not
bcileve In such doctrine, why does he let such
hlgh-mlnded and honorable advocate as Judge
tay labor under such grievous error? Is the
game OF the Nicholson letter to be played over
again! That was susceptible of two constructions:
After the election, in the Senate Cen Cass decar-
ed the whls construction was right, and no sensible
man ooad pet any other construction upon his let
ter: Durihg the canvass. however. he refused to
explain, Here is an analogous case One por-
ton of the party is bound to be cheated! is sure
to be deceived; and perhaps, after the election is
over. will be told that no sensible person could
ever have thought he was for secession, or against
secesson-as the case may be!