Wilmington journal. [volume] (Wilmington, N.C.) 1844-1895, 1853-12-02
Pres,dent Pierce.


nnmber of foles it will share the fate OF its late
rival Nor is he an of6ce-holder or an ofhce-seek-
br Indeed, few men have less reason 10 love
The present Administration than he, and YET ne not
only highly esteems, but greatly admlres' the
rcgning President. He admres MN pom as a
.tofosm9r and a man. and has noticed with pain
4ba attacks which have recently been made upon
him from various quarters.
The writer does not propose to defend the Pre-
s;dpnt from the unworthy assaults OF his enemies
Their venom can only injure themselves Had he
tboncht proper, when, out Of the kindness of his
boort he recently attended the opening of the
CRYSTAL Palace. TO deliver q flaming speech in be-
half of that private speculation, the unhandsome
article in a certain disiptercsted Magazine would
not have been published Had certain individ-
nal VIGOROUSLY without name, been patronized
nv the Government the dishonest and spiteful
communications against the President would not
have appeared in the London Times. And had it
not been for the prohigate character of the Adolf
tionists of the State of New York, the unhappy
condition of things now existing there would new
pr have occurred. Calumny has ever been, in ev-
crv age, the inevitable inheritance of the more
fortunate among men, and since the spotless char
aCter of our first President not without its
IumniatOrs it is not strange that our latest Pres
ident should be treated with kindred inj usce.-
While thinking of the wickedness alluded to, it
seems certainly true according to Lord Bacon, that
1t is a kind of heaven upon earth to have a mans
mind move in charity, rest in providence, and turn
upon the poles of earth.
But the present object of the writer is to lay
before the public few of the many reasons which
he thinks may he given to prove that President
Pierce deserves tie confidence and support of the
honest and uprg men, not only of his own, but OF
nil parties.
And first to his antecedents: He came of ster-
ling famly-was we'll educated distinguished him
self as a lawyer and soldier, and Representa-
tive and Senator in Congress, displayed superior
ability. He a lover of Office and when
~, oIxyh ono
those who knew him believed that he was the most
suitable person to be thus hOnOred and his conduct
from the day of his nomination to that of his cleo
ton, dignifed and manly, so modest in regard
TO his merits and courteous to his rival in the
political field, that the bitterness of party feeling
was at times entirely forgotten, and his sworn enc
mics named him but to praise
He was placed at the head of the General Govern
ment by an overwhelming Majority; and let US now
examine the wisdom he has displayed in this exalt-
ed, but most arduOus position. In forming his Cab
met he proved himself to be not only liberal, but,
MS time will reveal, far seeing statesman. In Sc
leCling his Secretary of State, he paid a deserved
compliment to of the very strongest, most distin
guiShed, strictly honest, and best read men OF the
Union, and, beyond all question, the foremost man
of his party in the State which it the pleasure
of the Executive, we'll as his duty, to gratify.-
He brought his Attorney General from New England.
where, lawyer, he without superior
while his other political advisers evidently
to be embodied the genius and prevailing spirit of
their several geographical localities.
The soundness of this last principle cannot be
COntrOverted for while it has arrayed upon its side
the people of the country, the opposition to it must
OF necessity be limited and come chiefly from those
who devote themselves to politics trade
The experience of the last six months has given
abundant evidence that all the departments of the
government have been carefully, uprghtly and
usefullv conducted What more could have been
tod OF
unusual displays of craftsmanship have been rare,
but the interests in which the people were mostly
concerned have been protected with fidelity and
ability. AS a government we have within the last
half year. especially In the discussion and decision
of the gravest international questions, risen to
higher position than we ever before occupied among
the nations of the earth and done much to elevate
the standard of our foreign representatives. Lega
questions of consequence to our integrity and fame
have been decided with discretion. The affairs Of
our treasury have been so managed to receive the
applause Of all parties. The peaceful operations Of
War and Navy Departments have been conduct
ed in manner that could not have been improved
Our internal affairs have been newly organized anC
placed upon firmer and more useful basis thar
they have hitherto occupied and postal ar
rangemcnts have been greatly extended and i'm
proved. Are not these things the most importan
for a new Executive to fix his mind upon and arr
they not victories of peace which deserve and ough
to command the gratitude of the citizens of grea
nation Have they not as assert, been accom-
panied by the administration of which the Presi
dent is the head
1t is also the opinion of the writer that in regar
to courage and integrity the President has acquit
ted himself with honor. Excepting on special ant
peculiar occasions, he has not prescribed the worth.
and the useful ofice-hoders of the opposing party
while on the other hand, in duty bound, he ha
been both Democrat and true to hi
friends; and the most questionable removals tina
have taken place the result not Of his pr vat
will but of prevailing evil of the times. He ha
had the courage to think independent withal-anC
in no single instance has he ever deviated in actor
from the opinions or promises which he had previ
ously uttered. Political profigacy has never re
ceived smile from him, while true patriotism ha
always filled his breast, and fired his eye with al
innate, and, by virtue of his position, a paterna
gratitude He is lover of his country, AMI hi
heart is as alien to debasing selfshness as are til
mountains which loom into the blue, above his Ney
England home, to the swampS and the fogs of a.
abandoned wilderness.
Now, let us look at the President for a momen
as plain citizen, Invested of all power. A thor
Ough gentleman in his bearing and conversation, h
is polite and unpretending winning in all his ways
has an ear for the brilliant sally of wit, as we'll
an attentive one for the most ptiful tale of
or suffering is warm hearted and generous to
fault respecer of persons, of sects also, both il
religion and politics and just such that t
Know him personally is the prelude to be
Stowal upon him, by all who are thus honoIed, @
the highest eSteeM and warmest affection. Upo
the whole it might be said of President Pierce wha
old Thomas Fuller once said of true nobleman =
All the country are his retanerS and observance
When they come to wait on him they leave not thei
hearts at home behind them, but come willingly t
tender their respects. The holding up of his han
Is as good as the displaying of banner; thousand
VIII flock to him, but it must be for the country