The spirit of democracy. [volume] (Woodsfield, Ohio) 1844-1994, 1852-06-16
Tie declined but recently the nomina-

lie Oecllneu Dut TeCeHuy uhc Ho's,i" >
on to the office Of Governor Of New I
hampshire. After having served with
istinction in the House Of Representatives
q was elected 10 the Senate Of the Uni
sl States. He resigned his seal in that
,ody, and retired to private life and the
of his profession before the expi-
alton OF his senatorial term, but not before
10 had displayed an ability as a states
nan, a comprehensiveness OF PATRIOTISM,
soundness of democrtic principle and a
in parliamentary debate, which
challenged for him a conspicuous position
wen in that august assembly. When the
war with Mexico came on, General Pierce
was one Of the first who answered as It
volunteer to his couniry's call. Without
solicitation on his part, and unexpectedly
10 himself, he received from the hand OF
President Polk his commission OF brlga-
der general; and how fully he justified
this high distinction was proudly acknowl.
by his OBSERVATION-DISCLOSURES. and
has become a part of the history OF his
country. Peace came. and again high
civil offices were rendered to General
Pierce. President Polk offered him a po-
sition in his cabinet as Attorney General;
but even this high station-the official
head Of his profession-could not tempt
the "Young Hickory of the Granite Hills
from the private station Of honor and use.
fitness which his modesty had chosen and
his merit adorned.
He now comes forth al the Spontaneous
and enthusiastic call Of the assembled de-
mocracy Of his country. lie comes to
conquer. So surely as he shall live-and
he is still in the very prime of life, not nav
ing vet reached his fiftiet, year-he will,
as we confidently believe. be the next
President Of the United States!
The Sanduslly Daily Mirror speaks Of
General PIERCE in connection with the
nomination. thus:
Franklin Pierce is yet a young man Tor
the position. probably between torty'five
and fifty. His selection is a remarkable
instance Of what may be accomplished by
unpretending personal merit, without in
trigue or Importantly. He has never taken
office except when literally " thurst upon
him." lie is a lawyer, and has generally
devoted himself TO that profession. ming
ling with it. we believe, the occupation OF
farming. lie resides in Concord, N. ii.
He has been highly successful in his
nrofession, and is we'll esteemed as q man
He possesses many of the elements OF per-
sonal popularity; uniting as he does the
successful statesman and the citizen sol
der. ~,
The Mirror presents the following brlei
sketch of General P's career in Mexico:
During the Mexican war he was induced
by the urgent solicitations OF President
Polk, to leave his retirement and acceP
the office of Brigadier General. He was
appointed, we believe, under the ten regi-
ment bill. and his was the last OF the vol
unteer forces who arrived in Mexico IN
time to take part in the operations before
the close olthe war. Gen. Scott, 1t Will b'
recollected, rested at Puebla, for rein
forcements, before marching upon the city
of Mexico. Gen. Pierce left Vera Cru;
with about $500 raw, undisciplined volun
teers. to reinforce him. He made a raplt
march under the most extraordinary dlth
c%ulties. Bridges were destroyed and diff
cult passes guarded by the enemy stormed
On the way he sustained no less than fv
attacks, each of which was g~allantly rePuI
sed with slight loss. At one time it wa
reported in this country, and also suppo
sed by Gen Scott at Puebla, that he ha
3 been entirely cut off and destroyed, but h
finally Joined Gen Scott in safety, and hi
:, command, who were nearly all norther
volunteers, in good health and condition
considering the climate and season.
, In the battles before the city OF Mexico
Gen. Pierce commanded the first brlgad
of Gen. Pillows division consisting OF tn
9th, 18th and 18th infantry, attached
! which was Captain Magruder's light a
tillery.
, On the 18th Of August, the attack upo
Contreras was commenced. Our force
were compelled to pass over an uneve'
volcanic lava surface, over which 1t WI
found impossible to pass heavy artillery
cavalry. Gen. Persifer Smith commences
4" the attack and was Immediately sustaint
by Gen. Pierce's brigade. Gen. Shiel'
was to have aided them. and nave cor
y, mand of the field, but was unable to rea'
: there in time. The enemy were immen
:. in number and with numerous pieces
. heavy artillery against which it was impo
=. sible TO have much effect with the light mi
.e tie of Capt. Magruder, whose battery W
=. soon badly cut to pieces. Yet these fl
~ troops held their position. in the most .
y. posed condition. for three or four hou
=: ill darkness set in. Gen. Pierce, so
i, after the engagement commenced. iou'
=. himself the senior officer, and took the
~rection of operations. General ShieI
=, was unable to get into position before da
- AT ten o'clock at night, Gen. Pierce retir
y. with his forces to the foot oil q hill near
y where they lay on their arms till mornil
nc in the midst Of a drenching rain. DuriI
at