The weekly Lancaster gazette. (Lancaster, Ohio) 1852-1855, 1853-12-08
wednesday Evenlna Dec. } .Isaa
From the National Era.

mong itsopponents. But for this the cOun-
try would hardly have been favored with the
following disclosures Of the means used to
bring about the nomination Of Gen. Pierce.
That event was hailed by the Democratic
party as unexpected and unpremeditated;
politicians wished the people 20 regard it as
notwithstanding not effected by hu-
man wisdom. The idea of a providential
nomination in such an ~assemblage of cqlcu-
lating politicians as the Baltimore Conven-
ton was simply ludierous, and we said at the
time that the nomination of Gen. Pierce had
all been predetermined and preconcerted.-
Mr.. Burke's testimony shows that we were
not mistaken. There is o minuteness and
naturalness about II which leave no room
for doubt, so far as the main statements are
CO ncerned. Apart from the intrinsic inter-
est of this disclosure, it must prove highly
instructive. as showing the tricks Of politi-
clans, the manner in which public opinion is
manufactured, and the devices by which
conventions and parties are led by the nose.
No credit is due TO Mr.. Burke, for this
revelation. lie has turned States evidence,
not to promote the public good, but SO far as
we can see, to crafty his own resentment.
The statements he makes, whatever else
they may prove, show him to be a cunning,
INSCRIPTIONS, disingenuous, sinister politi-
clan.
Mr.. Burke saws that for months before the
Democratic acknowledgements met,he be-
came convinced that neither Cass, Buchan-
an, nor Douglass, could get the nomination,
and that the Convention would agree upon
a compromise candidate; and he was salts.
GoJ .l,.K D;,.oa ..NooI N hatHo, oIonno rVboo
any other man. "But his only chance
says Mr.. Burke, "was to keep him out OF the
ring of competitors, who were sure to de-
stroy each othsr.' He then goes on to ex.
pose the wires which he set in operation to
secure the nomination. After alluding 10
his extensive acquaintance with the Demo
cratic politicians throughout the country
and nj the oppor 'unities which his residence
at Washington gave him 10 see many oil
them, says:
"For months before the Baltimore Con-
vention, we took especial pains to see and
converse with those gentlemen upon the
subject of the Presidential nomination. We
took pains on all occasions, to suggest the
name of General Pierce as n compromise
candidate. in the event that the Convention
should not agree on either of the three prom.
inent gentlemen above named in connection
with that Office. We saw and converset
with from fifty to one hundred of the lead.
ing politicians Of the Union, upon the sub.
iect. on all occasions introducing the name
of, General Pierce. After satisfying ouI
own mind that General Pierce could be nom,
mated, we wrote TO General Pierce oui
views and opinions at lenght, expressing ouI
belief that he could be nominated. He an,
swered our letters.
"We also communicated the project fifth
friends Of General Pierce TO the shrewdes
and ablest letter-writer OF Washington, ant
procured him to throw out in the papers t.
which he correspondent, the idea that, in thu
event of a failure by the Convention to nom
mate either Cass, Buchanan, or Douglas
Gen. Pierce would be brought forward By
his friends as n compromisa candidate
That gentleman did'as we requested, in sew
eral adroit and ingenious letters, publshe,
in the Philadelphia Ledger and Baltimore
Sun, which were neutral papers, and there
fore the best mediums through which t.
communicate such designs"
Mr. Burke goes on to say that about fou
weeks before the Convention, he cam
home and correspondent with Gen. Pierre
in relation to his nomination. The latte
desired that the delegation from New Hamp
shire should meet at Concord, to conside
the matter, AMI requested Mr.. Burke t
write to some of the delegates and reques
their attendance. This Mr.. Burke did, bu
was unable to attend the meeting himself
In a letter, however, he suggested a plan O
operations. General Pierce replied TO thi
letter, acknowledging its receipt, and stat
ing that the delegates present concurred i
its views, What that plan Of operation wa
will appear presently. Shortly after, Burk
and Pierce had an interview, at the reques
of the latter, and fully discussed the plan
tohich w1s carried out almost 10 The Usry leu
in Baltimore.
In the following extract, Mr.. Burke full
exposes the cunning-devisod scheme whicl
under the art(ul management Of shrewd pc
%lticians, secured the nomination of Generi
Pierce as the Democratic candidate for th
Presidency:
"At that time General Pierce expresse
his desire that our delegation should NJ
cast its vote unanimously for any one cal
didate for the Convention. The reason
assigned was, that in consequence of tn
high character for fidelity to principle whic
the Democracy OF New Hampshire enjoye
among their brethren of the Union, the uni
a ed vo.e of her delegation, though saial
0 would have a greater moral force than Ii
I, votes of delegations much larger in nun
\ bers; and If given for any leading candidat
r in the outset, would endanger the ultimal
end we had in view,
ave then went to Baltimore, havin
r some weeks previous engaged rooms for OF
entire delegation at the Eutaw House, or
of the best hotels ih that city. The Coz
: %vention assembled, and throughout its Sc
d sion we exerted every energy to carry o,
the wishes Of General Pierce. On som
: the first ballots | gave my vote.to Mr.. Dou,
las, ia accordance with what | knew to
= General P.'s express desire in regard to Of
: delegation giving a united vote. Subs
0 quently, we all united on Gen. Cas-; al
then we again divided, Mr.. Anterior al
myself voting for Hon. James Buchana
n and our colleagues voting for Gen. Butte
. of Kentucky. At length the delegates fro
Virginia introduced the name of Gener
8 p cree, and then our delegation gaze him
u united Uote anta he ,oaS nominated. The
! facts the records Of the Convention abun
g antly prove" =,
In continuation, Mr.. Burke speaks of b
y own services after the nomination, and sa
: among other things that he, Sin cooper
n ton with an eminent and distinguished ma
J uralized citizen, aided in inducing Kossu
G to take ground in favor of the Democ-a,