The daily union. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1845-1857, 1853-06-14

they professed 10 forget hs stain
less public distinguished by the modesy OF we'll
trained gentleman the earessness OF seli'poised pa
iro and the slgacy aud ability oil citizen who accepted
Office not Tor selfish, but for public ends Without an
effort OF his and without wish-as we may Wen
believe when we his present opinions by his own
dsnteresed caTesr-he became candidate Tor position
which he reached by almost unprecedented popular
acclaim. Those who hsng on the wheels OF progress
were terrified the OF what they declared TO be
DANCE experiment. and the shades OF buried states
men were inv oked against The neverent example, The
veterans who could moi unite the full OF support
in the National Con after long efforts, called
upon 10 decry The fortunate that finally com
bned the di.cordant elements OF that august body Con
seryatism panic prostated. and the prophets who
predict danger at every discovery which they
ders,and INDUCED in their usual representations Some
had idea that the President would forth with an
initiate our financial sysiern--others, that he would
forthwith attack Europe and the rest OF mank ind and
sink all into the By means OF universal on his
own hook--while Others again, anticipated series OF
new and os presidential performances not exceed since
the days when certain parsonage ruled the Island
Of Bitrataria Whether malignant hopes or patriotic
fears excited these honest soothsayers, it is
sary 10 trouble ourselves TO know
lii difficult, TO say whether General Pierce has excclled
most as the candidate for President, or the Pesden,
elect or the President in Office II would be super
huous TO praise him in the in which many offer
these, " il is the temple that makes the Godhe niche
conteTs The heavenly attributes the idol" They adore
the chosen chief not because he is good vItuous and
patriotic man. ku, because he is officer. But history
is impartial and after all, the people just. History
will pronounce the TRUTH whether against erring pop
ular udgmen, upon public agains, erring
public servant. matter how sustained by his pasans
IT, then the OF franklin Pierce goes the last
it has thus far progressed. he will prove himself 10 be
wise, fearless, and successful President The
causes easily understood
What is greatness! General Scott was great, but be
truly great. He provoked the ridcule OF a ma
ton by his pTe!ensons TO civic talents. while he
commanded its gratitude for his military merits General
Taylor was great, but he proved that he truly
great by his aspirations for station Tor which he pro-
claimed his own incompetency. Education does not
make great Experience does not life of self
denial is not the certain road TO greatness. may
be great who has not been pushed forward into the
lot strife of politics OF war; Nothing, however is
more indicative OF greatness than when we see an
intellectual passing from high station 10 another
and finally leaving place by his voliton modest
f-posed, and simple when he left his
fresde to mngle in the busy battle of the world Moth.
ing wins much upon the solid good Of the
try-nolhing is TO stand the t-st of time and of
lrianothing is certain 10 be printed indebly the
page of the faithful historian, that fusion of elements
into one harmonious whole by which the citizen the pa
ot and The ruler blended ogeher, an example for
imitation and for admiration. Power breeds arrogance
often unawass and the cares Of high station are apt to
germinae rude and repulsive temper Power often IN
lox weak nelec,s. and exces against them the
contempt Of the OF And the reward or rather
the rebuke 10 all such is so inevitable and
exorable that il must be down to mans fabiliiy
that the instances not SO they should be-
franklin Pierce aided binsel much by his persona
department during the which resulted in his
success, that i, will require than ore subsequent
sin Of omission 10 make the country forget it, His good
taste exored concentration from those who pre-
pared only TO No jaun,s 10 great shows-no
irapsng to barbecuesno badly journe wing to
distant Sta,es-entered into his programme lie made no
speeches, except ew brief and necessary addresses
from which i, would have been rudeness 10 escape and
these were expressed in terms at elegant simple
and neryous His letters few and far between but
there not q word in OF than that could be cav
illed at by the most censorons cuc. He was chosen
President in this spirit, and. still further To Try his
faculties death struck out the light OF his hearth and
home, and added 10 the painful duties OF station new TO
bis grief which, under the Circumstances ,ha,
produced it, would have deprived ordinary man OF his
reason.
Thrown Into the strife ,ha, always succeeds ne adj.
mnisTation however, he had much 10 do shut from
bis heart the that made il ACHE and 10 den
,fy itself with the grea, obligation which had been i'm
POSED upon him Through all the sea OF contention
however, be bore himself like a manhearng all and
seeing all whom he could receive. and compelled 10 re-
member every case, 10 be able upon in turn
Thus three months have passed and their close we
are better able to judge how far President, is
prepared for The brsy future before him His character
may be estimated after this short but trying experience
In the frs, place. he 10 presented 10 mind a Of
srong ardent, and generous impulses-a man who
sponds every tale of and who is apt be prompt
in his action under the inspiration OF The moment And
yet it would be impossible Tor any 10 assa bis udg
menl by appeals to bis heart. He will those who
have earned favor but he will be lost to The higher
duty of country by merely individual claims. lie thor
oughly understands himself. He sees his path straight
before him and he upon his policy with equal
ability and fervor. Sinesruy speaks out IRON every
Iineame of his face, aad seems 10 stamp every word
"a /, falls fran his tongue. He grasps strong
point readily, and will often surprise those whom
he sees by his knowledge OF the machinery OF par
,ieseyen TO their detasby his acquaintance with
public men, and By his and elegant tact in satisfying
even The mos, urgent OF his Misunderstanding them, II
not with position a, least with the which had
controlled his decisions Hs good sense is conspicuous
all the time There is no iorm--ao slnsss-no aus'er
ity in his receptions Even when his mind seems to go
back TO his bereavement is cloud that passes on
rendering his agreeable manner all the more agreeable
from the contrast None be with him, about him
without respecting adnlriDg him lie wins all hearts,
and those nearest his person, high and low, those
most attached 10 him. lie invites frank and familiar
intercourse. but he sOrnly nerposes his opinions
whenever attempt is made 10 him to the views
OF others ISL" said he TO gentleman the other day,