Staunton spectator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1849-1896, 1853-03-16
prcsita erst Pierce,s luaugural.


to which ve had time and space last week to make
ONLY brief allusion-has been generally COM
mended, BY Wings as well as by Democrats
The style Of the address. has, indeed, been crit-
cised to some extent, as inflated and wanting the
simplicity which characteristics the productions of
great mind; tu. to very few of the sentiments
expressed has exception been taken. while many
Of them arc received with cordial appro5ation.-
Most questions, however, of practical interest
especially those upon which the Democracy are
dlvided--are passed by in silence; and made up
as the Address is. for the greater part. OF vague
generahties it is impossible 10 learn from It the
future policy of the administration in all partcu
| lars. When, for instance, the President speaks
of ''national wrong and diShonour." his meaning
cannot be known without ascertaning what acts
he regards as partaking Of that character. More
spectacle man is in favor Of any proceeding which
he acknowledges to come under the description
alluded to; but at the same time Mr.. SAUNDERS
OF the Democratic Rerie,c and others are of the
opinion that semi-filibuster movement to acquire
Cuba is both right and honorable. We, however,
50 far, give President PIERCE credit for honest
and patriotic intentions IN the following passage,
ne apparently sets himself sternly against filbus-
terihg and every thing of the kind:
81 intend that my administration shall leave no
blot Upon our fair record, and trust may safely
! give the assurance that no act within the leriti-
mate scope of my constitutional control will be
tolerated, the part of any of our citizens which
cannot challenge ready justification before the
tribunal of the civilized world"
! Yet the filibusters are not without a crumS OF
comfort in this connexion-they have the promise
of further Expansion" They are also informed
that the acquisition Of certain possessions is en-
inently important, if not Essential" Well, they
may console themselves with the reflection thai
necessity knows no law" and if we must have
these possessions" any means necessary to Sc
cure them will be just and proper, and ''consist
ent with the strctest observance of national faith
| On the subject of offices, the President says
'Good citizens may well claim the protection d
good laws and the benign influence of good gov
ernment; but claim for office is what the people
of a republic should never recognize" That SEN
timent is first rate, but we fear it was thrown out
merely to notify the multitude of Democratic as
pirants that no one of them has right to expect
any thing, with a view Of easing the dsappoint-
ment which many of them must experience from
the Presidents inability TO satisfy ALL And lest
any one should mistakehis meaning, Gen. PIERCE
adds the saving clause
'No reasonable man of any party will expect
the administration TO be regardless of its respon-
sbilty and Of the obvious elements of success, as
to retain persons known TO be under the influence
of political hostility and partizan prejudice in po-
stions which will require, not only severe labor,
but cordial cooperation"
In reference to slavery and the Compromise
Gen. PIERCE is trunk and conservative far beyond
our expectations, and VIC accord to him due
praise. Hesays--
81 hold that the laws of 1850, commonly called
the compromise measures are strictly constittl-
tiona, and to be unhestatingly carried into effect
believe tina. the constituted authorities ofthis Re-
pubicare bound to regard the rights of the South in
this respect as they would view any other legal and
constitutional right, and that the laws to enforce
them should be respected and obeyed, not with a
reluctance encouraged by abstract opinions as to
their proprety in different state of society, but
cheerfully, and according to the decisions of the
tribunal to which their exposition belongs. Such
have been, and are, my convictions, and upon them
shall act"
This is only carrying out the policy of The late
/ Wh,g administration Of President FILLMORE
By announcing his views and his determination
thus boldly, Gen. PIERCE seems 10 set at de-
iance the abolitionists on the one hand and fire
eaters on the other, and yet we find JEFFERSON
DAVIS, leader of the latter faction, occupying a
prominent place in the new Cabinet.
Since his election to the Presidency, General
PIERCE has gained the good will of his political
opponents BY the modcsty and general propriety of
his department Previous 10 his nomination, the
people at large knew little or nothing about him,
but from all the accounts we now have, he appears
to be personally entitled to great respect. He
seems to have entered upon the duties OF his office
with serious mind and proper sense of his re-
sponsibilties.