Hannibal journal. (Hannibal, Mo.) 1852-1853, 1852-09-30

river bridge, Norfolk county, mas received q
letter from the Rev. A. +. Foss in relation to
Mr.. Pierce's New Boston speech, which he has
sent us for publication. Mr.. ], says in his
letter to ss .---e Enclosed Is q letter from A. T.
Foss, which, IL you think il will add to the al
ready abundant proof on the subject" &c.,
+" YOU are at liberty to publish" SC.
MAscursrrs, Aug. %, 1852.
WilL,AM p. JOKES 49, My dear sir have
received yours Of the 10th inst, in which you
make inquiries Of me in regard 20 speech made
by General Franklin Pierce at New Boston IN. |
III. \. which was reported by me, the truthful |
ness Of which report has been denied. You also
inquire respecting an affidavit, which you say is
charged TO be forgery You request Of me
the personal favor 10 inform you Of the facts
i'm The case, which, in common courtesy, do
not feel at liberty TO refGse.
The facts are these: On the second day Of
January last, Gen. Pierce, agrecableto previous
notice, made political speech in New Boston,
on the issue that was then before the people of
New Hampshire in their approaching election.
The issue was this: Hon. John Atwood, the
Democratic 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 new nomination bad
been made. This occasioned division in the
Democratic ranks, and so many Of the party adj
hered TO the views of Mr.. Atwood that the par
~ were beaten in the ensuing election by heavy
majority. Another election was now at the door,
and all the available orators Of the party were
| brought into the field. New Boston, the home
Of John Atwood, was as signed TO Gen. p. The
only question between Mr.. Atwood and his
friends, and the leaders of the Democratic party
was the Fugitive Slave law; the town of New
Boston at the previous election, on this very is
issue, had given her entire vote Tor Mr.. At
wood, with the exception of some forty or fifty
which were giver, 10 the regular nominee.
! Ii was expected Of course, that Gen. p. would
speak with special reference TO the fugitive
slave law; il 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 cleo
tion New Boston gave heavy majority against
Mr.. Atwood. l was there TO report this speech,
and did so with entire fidelity, attributing no
word 10 Gen. p. which he did not utter. Seven
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 ascribed TO Gen. p as they
fell from his lips, and therefore knew that there
was not a word in that report within quotation
marks, which he did not then and there speak
| therefore, when asked if willing TO make an
affidavit TO the truth of the report, felt hest
fancy in so doing. This is the affidavit pre-
sumo, of which you speak.
These savings of Gen. P.'s were uttered no
doubt at Chat time TO affect The pending election
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 convincing ma
ny that the fugitive slave law was as revolving
TO his feelings theirs; but TO secure the peace
of the country we ought to submit TO 1t for the
present. / will here do Gen. Pierce the justice
TO say that however these sentiments might have
been dictated by policy, have not the slightest
doubt that he spoke the feelings of his heart
These sentiments did not fall upon Democratic
ears as something new and strange; they were
sentiments which had been held forth by Gen.
p, by Democratic leaders, by Democratic legis-
latures, conventions, and caucuses, in every va
riety of phrase, and with every assurance that
they were sincerely and heartily entertained.
The question is being urged in Democratic pa
pers at the south, if Gen. p. holds sentiments SO
accordant with my own on the fugitive slave
law, why do not support him for the Presi-
dency? My answer is two fold. First, while
I | do not doubt that Gen. p. would act in entire
accordance with the feelings of his heart and
certainly in harmony with his professions, in do
ing what he might be able TO do for the modif-
cation of the fugitive slave law, and for the re-
moval of slavery from all those places where
the General Government have exclusive power
over it, if this could be done in harmony with
his political aspirations and interests, still do
not believe that he is capable of acting from those
high moral considerations which ought always
10 control us. irrespective of personal cOnsdera-
:ions. Secondly, do not believe he possesses
the requisite craftsmanship for SO responsible an
office.
You speak of yourself as a Scott Wing. /
trust you will not deem it a rudeness, if with en-
tire frankness say, that while feel myself I'M
able 10 vote for Gen. Pierce, much less do | feel
that could give my vote to your favoriie nom
ince. While can feel no objection to General
Scott as a statesman, do feel strong objection
10 him as pro-slavery man, occupying plat
form which so far as slavery is concerned, seems
built in rivalship of the one on which General
Pierce stands. Besides, Gen. Scott is a South
erner by birth and education, and it is a natural
inference that he would not feel the same re-
pugnapce to slavery as one born and educated
at The North and should it be consonant with
his interests, there are not the same grounds for
hope that his influence would be given against
the institution Of Southern slavery.
/ | believe the above fully answers the inqui-
ries you have made, and il is entirely at your
disposal.
With sentiments of respect,
Your obedient servant,
A. T. FOSS.