The spirit of democracy. [volume] (Woodsfield, Ohio) 1844-1994, 1852-08-04
BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCH
fsgfa OF
GEN. FRANKLIN PIERCE.
(CoNcLUDED.1

notice Of him on the occasion ol his de
.BaIs. GEN PIERCE Among the dis
tinguished officers of the American army
who return to the United States with the
train which leaves the city to-day is Brig
adler General Franklin Pierce, of New
Hampshire. The Americans in the city
will greatly regret the departure of thi,
accomplished gentleman and officer, and
certain we are that their best wishes for his
future happiness will 90 with him IT is
General Pierce's gentlemanly bearing. his
urbane and republican manners, which
have made him so great iavorie with
both officers and men. 1t is his purpose
we believe, TO resign the place which he
now occupies in the army Immediately
upon his return TO his residence. Like
others Of different grades attached to the
army, he loft the endearments of home, al
the call of the government, to participate
In the battles Of his country. He left, also,
lucrative profession, which none other
than patriotic motive could have induc.
cd him to relIquish. The sacrifice, how
ever, was most cheerfully met. General
Pierce has won high reputation in the
United States for his courage and bravery,
as every paper that reaches us bears evil
dence. He left Vera Cruz in the middle
Of July with one Of the largest reinforce.
msnts for General Scott, and the most ex-
tensive trains that have left that city since
its bombardment.
"In the several battles before the city
Gen. Pierce's brigade behaved most no.
bly,, as all our readers are well aware, and
the General conducted himself most gal.
lantly at Contrsras. Churubusco, and Mo.
limo del Rey. though in the first named
action he sustained severe injury by
plunge and fall of his horse among the
rocks of Paderna. During the storming
Of Chepultepec he was confined to his
room by indisposition, or he would have
been charging with his men over the pre-
cipitous heights where his gallant friend,
the lamented Ransom, fell. But, though
Gen. Pierce has thus honorably distin-
gushed himself, ,he is not ambitious of-re-
tanning his position in the service, and
thus acquiring distinction in the army. lie
prefers the quieter and gentler pursuits of
professional life; and we know that he will
be welcomed to his pleasant home in New
England with hearts as warm as ever beat
in the human bosom. He will return TO
his native hills with new laurels, and with
the prayers OF all that he may long live to
enjoy the company and society OF those
who are dear to him. Many fears. since
his departure from New England, have
been expressed in the public papers and
private letters that Gen. Pierce had either
fallen victim to the climate of The tiera
caliente, or under the guns of the enemy.
His friends and relatives, however, are
now assured Of his safety and health, and
they will greet him with as warm wei
come as an honored son Of New England
ever received. Happiness 60 with him!"
General Pierce. on resigning his com
mission. returned to Concord. HIS re-
cepiion was most honorable to the patr-
otic citizens OF that town. They assem-
bed in large numbers, and General Low
acted as the president Of the day. Gen.
Pisrce was accompanied by Lieutenant
Thomas P. Pierce, Of the ninth regiment,
his acting aid, and Lieutenant Cove. Of the
same regiment. Gen. Low. on address
ing the citizens, first alluded to the object
of the meeting; he paid tribute TO the
high motives and profound sense Of honor
from which Gen. Pierce actel he describ.
ed the triumphs Of the American army as
ii planted the American flag on the Mex. |
can capitol
General Pierce advanced to the front
Of the platform TO reply He labored un-
der deep emotions. the nature OF which
could be well gathered from the tone and
topics OF his remarks. Although one of
the most forcible and fluent speakers in the
country. on this occasion he avoided eve.
rything in the shape OF speaking for effect
He spoke Of matters which intensely in
tsrested his audience
This year the legislature voted General
Pierce a splendid sword as token OF their
appreciation Of his gallan,ry in the field
and their esteem for him as man. This
was presented 10 him, in behalf of the
State. by the governor. Gen. Pierce made
an eloquent anu beautiful reply. Alter
alluding 10 the fact that out Of the six hun.
dred and forty men who went with him to
Mexico, less than one hundred and fifty
lived to return, he said: s t
ls"I accept this splendid weapon from the
people Of New Hampshire with an abid.
ing sense Of the personal regard which
has never seemed TO grow cold. Nav II |
not be permitted TO say, without reference
10 my political associations, that receive
i as one among multiplied evidences, so
far as the men Of my own time Of life are
concerned, Of something like fraternal
esteem and confidence, which it has been
my highest purpose to merit, and is my
firmsst never to lose. In, the mean time,
I am not unmindful Of another and higher
consideration which actuAted the leeisla-