Grand River times. [volume] (Grand Haven, Mich.) 1851-18??, 1853-03-02

'lHE PRESIDENT IILECT.-1uo i>o" ioIh
Mirror (Whig) speaks as follows of the in.
coming chief of our great republic
"General Pierce comes OF the right sort OF
stock. His New England education, habits and
surroundings have been of the kind to inspire
regard, manifest in all his life, for just land
marks and reputable traditions. He will take
hold of the national helm with firm hand, hav-
ing the chart of precedent, experience, and wise
counsel before him. Since his election he has
had plentiful opportunity to feel the pulse OF
the republic, to know the sentiments OF the peo-
pie, and weigh we'll the emergencies upon which
he may be called to act The way lies open and
clear before him. The country is at peace with
in and without. The patriotic sense Of the peo-
in regard to the integrity of the Union was new
er more lively or strong.
"The new President will have the best wish
es of ALL irrespective of party, to the end that he
may give us an energetic, wise, and firm admin
istration. Drawing to his chief council only
those who love the glory and prosperity of the
Union above all other considerations, he will
have no difficulty in placing his name with those
whose fame is based on their benefactions to
man. We believe his ambition lies in just that
direction, and have faith that place and power
will not serve to corrupt him from it,"
As conirmatory Of these views in regard to
the character of the President elect, we may
mention little anecdote that we recently heard
of him. Shortly after his nomination he was
called upon by party interested, to lend his
professional services in certain case before the
highest judicial tribunal Of the country. An
enormous fee was offered, far exceeding the av-
erage amount of the Generals annual receipts
from his profession. Quick to perceive that
under the circumstances, his services were not
sought because of the value of his legal opinion
or the professional prestige which he might bring
to the case, he concluded that the object was to
bring into the scale of justice the weight that
might be given by his new and important rela-
tons to the chief executive Office of the country.
The mere suspicion was enough to induce him
at once to dismiss the temptation and decline
the brilliant offer.
The man who, while yet out of office, can re-
fuse to exercise in his own behalf the influence
accruing to him from anticipated power, may be
safely trusted with its actual possession. We
do not expect from General Pierce any policy
counter to the general interests Of the democrat
ic party. The whig incumbents of office must
gather their nantes about them, and, like great
Caesar, prepare to die with decency. We have
no hope that they will be retained in their places
beyond decent period, during which they may
set their houses in order. Those, even, who
flatter themselves with the belief that the fact
of their having voted for Gen. Pierce will save
them, will doubtless find themselves mistaken.
But we do expect from the new President a
scrupulous discrimination in regard to the men
whom he may appoint. In this he will be guild
ed by paramount regard to the public service,
and to the honesty and efficiency of candidates.
We are of opinion that Gen. Pierce brings to
the administration of the government an ac-
quaintance with the men and affairs of the coun-
try that few Presidents have possessed. This
will be of great assistance in his appointments,
and will render him, in regard to the principal
offices, quite independent of the dctation OF
cliques. He will probably act in regard to 9TH
err appointments very much as he has in regard
to that Of his cabinet-hear all sides, and then
follow his own conscientious judgment as to
what is right Boston Transcript.