The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1853-05-29
CS
Whis View Of Gen. Piercts Administration.

April 70 1903.
Mr.. Bell commenced his remarks by stating that
he could not refuse TO respond to the iattering call
which had been made upon him; and it gave hlm
the more pleasure TO do under the ausplcous cur
cumstances Of the occasion. He congratulated the
convention and the wings of the State on the bar
.ony which had attended their proceedings, and the
unanimity with which they had nominated the gen.
tleman for the first magistrate OF the State, so emf
nenty worthy and well 9daed 70 lead tee wings 70
nued triumph of the wings OF Tennessee, as pledge
that the harmony which regned in the choice OF the
leader would be found to prevail in the selection OF
all other candidates in the several counties and dis
trcts of the State The condition of the wing party
every where required this, and the maintenance OF
the proud position Of the Banner Wing state oil tne
Uaion, which had been fairly won by inc wings VI
Tennessee, in the late election, demanded thiS
Mr.. B. said II might be expected that ne Woaid
attempt on that occasion, to give an outline OF MS
views as to the policy and course OF the wing party
proper to be pursued "a .ae ,S aastions ielv to
be discussed by the press and paDic speakers Oh Tue
respective and opposing parties. lie was aware tnas
q previous question might be interposed oy patriotc
wings as well by their democratic opponents.
Seeing that the democratic party, by triumphant,
and even overwhelming majority, had succeeded In
wrestling the administration OF the government from
The wings and had deposited it In hands OF their own
choice-seeng that the country was qyiet and pros
perpus and that from anything yet developed by the
new administration, IT could not be perceived that
any great evil was likely to result from the change OF
continuing the organization of the wing party?
Whence the necessity for this Convention and the
prompt movements indicated all over the State IN
bringing out separate whig candidates for all
the places and stations to be hlled under
State authority? This question might be
pressed still more strongly in reference to the
decided minority into which the wing party Of the
Union had been thrown, by combination OF causes
and circumstances in the late national electon-a
minority so small, as indicated by the number OF
States voting for the wing candidate in that election,
that some might be led to tn 1t 1t could never
more rally its scattered elements, and gain its lost
power. In reply to such suggestions as those Mr.. b.
would say to his wing countrymen present and in
every part of the State TO bear In mind that there
must and will be two parties In every tree country;
that Is best for the country that it should be So
whatever evils sometimes arose from the excuses OF
party. A free country could never be SO much IN
danger of misgovernment as when all power IS con-
centrated in the hands Of a triumphant and over
whelming majority, confident OF popular support
and reckless Of opposition; and no human means
could be devised effectual in securing country
from the evils and calamties OF the misgovernment
threatened by such majority as bold, energetic,
and determined spirit OF opposition on the part OF the
minority. Whatever might be the fair promises
with which the new administration had assumed
the reigns of authority, from the known tenden-
cies and past history OF that party had the wings
any Just grounds of confidence in its future
course2 He would leave that question to be de-
cided by every wing for himself As to the question
whether the wing party OF the Union could survive
eiectionas to the inquiry whether it could ever be
successfully reorganzed, upon such truly national
and orthodox principles as would ensure its future
-asceldancy, he had no hesitation in giving an
affirmative answer There were principles and a
policy which constituted the chief difference well
as the chief strength of the wing party both North
and South, which lay much deeper, and were des-
tined to endure much longer, than any OF the issues
in regard to foreign relations to internal
and domestic policy, which now exists or might
hereafter arise between the two great parties of the
country -prnciples and policy closely identified
with the permanent success of republican institu-
tons, which will survive every defeat which like the
Phoenix, will continue to rise again, however crushing
and exterminating their overthrow may someti mes
appear. These principles will endure SO long as the
constitution shall endure and they will continue to
be embodied in and represented by great party,
under some denomination or other. Whether that
party would continue to be called the wing party or
not, was Of no consequence; though he saw no
cause ut this time for change of name. The
personal elements, tho members Of the True con-
servative WING party, like everything else, were
necessarily liable to change. Let no true whg then,
to It's fundamental principles, would ever become
extinct or that it would never again be able to rise
to power.
Hr. B. said it would be equally unwise and unjust,
as well as wanting in patriotism, to assai an admin
stration before its policy developed or its course
clearly understood As yet, we had but too faint
lights by which TO guide our Judgment IS to the pn-
les or the future policy of the new administration
Klr1x<1
The other lis practice in appointments to Office.
Cen. pierce had snoken at length Of the principles
NV which he proposed to Do Guided in the conduct Of
our foreign relations. Mr. Bell rouEd but little to
except to in the views the President nad expressed
upon that branch Of his public duties He had laid
down one rule for his guidance which all must ap-
prove. He had avowed his determination, that
while he would not fail to assert the honor and the
interests of his country, well as to protect the
Just rights Of its citizens against every foreign power
which should attempt to trample upon or to invade
their security, the other hand he would carefully
guard the national escutcheon against the STAIN OF any
violation of the national faith. This was just and
noble sentiment. Gen. Pierce had avowed, also, in
suitable terms his purpose to cultivate relations OF
peace and amir with all other nations. But he had
accomPnied those declarations with another, when
was esaculated to perplex our Judgment as 70 ms
sap intentions. He appeared to be fully possessed
" the spirit of progress and he congratulated the
country upon the successful experiment heretofore
made in the acquisition OF new territories, put az
the same time he declares that he Will be Restrained
in his administration by no tmid forebodlngs OF the
evils OF further expansion This last declaration,
considered in connection with the general tenor OF
the inaugural Mr. B. thought Of rather questionable
constituency and furnished grounds for an interpreta
ton not very favorable to the peace of the country
His hearers would consider, said Mr.. b., that pro-
;yression and aggression were cognate. II not con.
yertible TERMS and when the love OF excitement and
the general spirit Of the people and the times were
favorable to new enterprises it would be found DIFF
6cultt TO prevent the policy OF progression in terrific
hal expansion from running into aggression. But
time would develope the real invention OF the
hew administration and Mr. b. would patiently wait
that ordeal before be would condemn its foreign
policy
President Pierce had been more explicit in his
inaugural upon the subject of the late compromise
measures and the Fugitive Slave law. The senti-
ments svowed by him upon those subjects were
worthy Of all commentator. There were but two
other subjects alluded to by Gen. Pierce in his nau
gural-the importance Of carefully observing the
limitation of the constitution in the exercise OF all
powers granted by it, and the principles which
should govern him in appointments to Office, and in
the distribution Of patronage under his control Mr..
b. saw nothing particularly Objectionable in the
views Of the President upon these two points. The
Interpretation which might be given TO them in prac
tice might f0y0eh grounds Of exception. From the
practical application which had already been made
Of his doctrine upon the subject of appointments to
Office An augury might be drawn Of bis future policy,
and the probable results of his administration in
other departments of the public service Gen. Pierce
had adopted the policy OF surrounding himself with
the most discordant materials-the extremes OF the
differont fartiOua which had com bned rag0 him