The daily union. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1845-1857, 1853-01-09

Ihc Cablact 81 General Picrce-Thc Election
Of Senator Alhsrton


may FORM paris oil H. the incoming admins ration will
feeeive - impress from lis head General Picrces an
sssaeh's WIZ warrant 40 much a, least this They
point nun Out as one who has ever been In the line OF
political knowledge, who is familiar with public men
and wro bias decision and hrmness no less than ability
and sagacity End addition 10 this he has sharpy
defined nes OF policy and ihese will mark the next adj
minisfation They indicate 10 the pasl rigid I'd
heenee 10 the Jeersonian sndmarksan open and trank
support OF me compromise measures and The failure
thai sound progressive policy that will serve 10 rally |
about me administration the whole democracy and patriot
lsm OF the country
There s place where the character and purposes of
General Fierce are fully undersiood--Damey, in New
Hampshire No viii deny that lis sterling dsmoera.
cy appreciate his position and feel the keenest anxiety
sustain nm 1t was tins desire that governed the late
choice OF United States senator. Though there were
several democrats IN the field, yet there one with
whom the President elect had been the most intimate
conhdsnis relations for many years. one who, besides.
had already figured on The national field and ma
uonal reputation and one whose large experience egs
aive talents and ability debale, promised 10 be OF
service to the democracy and TO the whole country This
was Hon. Charles e. Atherton He accordingly |
selected and This SELECTION met is we'll known, the
dial appreciation OF General Pierce
lhe career OF MIR. Atheron has been one OF marked
ability well-trled experience in his own State point
seat in 1897 at the memorable extra session called by
President Van Buren, The first question on winch Mr. |
Atherton addressed The House at any length on
the bill TO postpone the last inslalmenl the surplus
that was to be distributed 10 the States IN clear
concse and admirable argument, he showed the chaac
ter OF The distribution scheme, and the folly OF borrowing
money Tor the sake OF depostng with the States and
in eloquent terms he deprecated this principle calcu
lated eecluay destroy State pride and the rights Of
the States" This speech acquired for Mr.. Anterior
much reputation In the next session he took equally
strong ground against the wing idea OF national internal
improvements. and in support of the policy of General
4 Jackson's administration on this subject
! Ii was in the third session OF this Congress that Mr..
Ahef.on's course became such to place him before
the whole country Ga the 18th OF December, 1888,
| when New Hampshire called on Tor petitions and
memorials, he in his place in Congress, and asks
10 submit the series OF resolutions so well known
as "Mr. Atherons resolutions" And, on the rules be-
ing suspended he defended them IN brie but close,
well considered and pertinent speech he concluded his
remarks in the following words
believing sir do, iha, che relation of master and
slave is a matter exclusively within the regulation of the
States where it exists and that any interference by the
inhabitants OF other States in regard TO il is no. only
authorized and intrusive, but fahess and dshonoaEle,
being agains! the letter and spirit OF the sacred
pact which binds VS. Notwithstanding that the agi
ation now pIacsed on the subject Of the abolition
of slavery, whether carried under the pretext OF main
tanning the right OF petition, any other pretexls.
suits either from total misconcepon OF the nature and
rights OF the general and State governments, as there is
reason to tear instances. from hostility
abshed republican instuons-tLat it tends 10 aliengc
the friendly regards OF different parts Of country, and
and consume the time OF Congress- and enormously to in
crease the expenditure OF the money OF the pcope-that
DANGEROUS not only the rights OF the citizens Of the
sIavehoding States, but also the highest degree the
integrity of the Unontha, if persisted in il tire
involve the whole country in The most alarming evils
and that II ought to be discounenanced by every friend
of the Union and OF republican governmental cannot but
trust the resolutions will meet the favorable consideration
of the House"
The memorable that have since occurred fur
nsh marked comment on these words Mr. Al herton's
course on his occasion shows his holiness. hrRness,
and determination 10 be faithful 10 the constitutions
Another illustration of his ability and of the solid sup
port be gave 10 the democratic parry was his two days
speech OF April % and "a sie, delivered in committee Of
the whole the appropriation bill Il goes thoroughly
over the whole political ground and in orcble array
OF facts il vindicates the series OF democratic measures
was desevedly appsuded by the democratic party In
the course OF it Mr. Anterior said
"Mr Chairman. II the maintenance OF popular rights
be failing. it aiihg that leads 10 virtues side II
be an error, II isa noble error II is an effof Of all
others WHICH y[ants and blgols have most carefully
aveded. For this error Fox and Henry spoke, and
Milton wrote and Hampden oug hi aid bed. and Sydney
and Russell suffered mariyrdom Il is an error which
has prompted the greatest actions that adorn the page
OF history and which has inspired the burning eoquence
and nerved the OF The best and bravest the records
OF the past II it be an error, could almost say that
would rather err with such rs these than be wise
with those who blame them"
But events were soon TO call forth more folly Mr.
Alherons talents in debate We alIude 10 the Harrison
triumph Of $780, and the proceedings OF the memorable
extra session OF Congress- Mr. Athenon then dispayed
gallant bearing and ,horoughness OF financial knowl-
edge that commanded general applause Especially, IN
july s4l, he delivered what the Gooe well might term
% searching Speech, in which he d'ssettet the famous
alleged forty million debt pobed the wing plans OF reior
and went mnuely into the ridiculous plumbers OF the
then Secretary Of the Treasury In mastery argument
he showed himself be capable Of dealing 10 clear
analysis he was in eloquent invectve. II was trl
umphant defence OF the late administration and ad
mirabe expore Of the hscality" projects he de-
livered another able speech the bill relating TO duties
and drawbacks II was not merely in debate that Mr.
Anterior distinguished himself, bat also as an adfoit and
successful leader in parliamentary tactics Al this time
New Hampshire sboDe conspicuousy before the country
for then franklin Pierce and Levi Woodbury. were in the
Senate.
With reputation thus firmly established, Mr. Ather-
ton took his in the Senate in 1894, where he
continued until is49. Here he than met the high
expet taions OF his friends. His first speech, Of much
In hb riff nd Ia =
examination oil this great question But our space Will
not permit full detail OF his in the Senate he
first placed the Committees on Pensions and Pa
tenis but subsequently put at The head OF The Com
mittee on Finance Here he bore himself with great
credit and proved pillar OF support TO Mr. Folks ad
mlnsiraon His speech on the loan bill, March a. lS4s
commanded the attention OF The whole county II
worthy OF his reputation Tor s sound principles. clear
statements, and conclusive argument and for the cool
ready way hich he met the inquiries of such gladi
Senator'S Webster Phelps. Clayton. and Davis
The Ser0e gave TO him lis undivided attention as he
went ons and the replies elected by such questions as
these politicians putthe very strength Of the wing party
oil record TO test the thoroue OF his research
and the ability with which he 's able TO sustain himself
on those OCCASIONS that les, real power
Such is brief and imperfect sketch oil the statesman
whose election honorable post source of
30 much eradication to the democracy OF the country
The choice OF such man by the New Hampshire demo-
cras and its cordial Appreciation by General Pierce are
significant OF the future may not napily be regarded "A
the starring point OF the administration u may not
be much draw the inference that one 40 rmy tried
will continue TO enjoy the confidence OF the President
elect II So il will show determination 10 base an ad
on those broad principles that constitute the
STONY feature Of the Baltimore platform We have faith
be that thia sp,Tt the cabinet will be formed