Glasgow weekly times. (Glasgow, Mo.) 1848-1861, 1853-09-01
From the Freeman's Journal, Aug. 10.
A Remarkable Statement.

oie episOucS III tne poiiticai history " te
Union. The idea that his nomination by
the Baltimore Convention was the sponta-
neous act Of the delegates, is, we believe,
one Of the veriest humbugs ever promulgat-
ed in this country. To large number Of
the leading men Of that body, the selection
of General Pierce was, no doubt, a foregone
conclusion, that had been reached long be-
fore the mass of the delegates had
been named. But so perfectly was the
network woven - and so profoundly
was the secret kept by the men TO whom
il was confded, that, when the mine was al
length sprung upon the party the old leaders
were completely paralyzed. In no country,
and under no circumstances, was there ever
an organization more perfect in all its parts
than that formed for the nomination and
election Of Gen. Pierce TO the Presidency.
As piece of mere political intrigue, il
challenges the snbtlest schemes of old Ma
chiavelli himself.
The overthrow Of the Democratic party
in lS48 broke it into such minute fragments
that nothing short Of a refusion Of the old
material could save it from crumblng 10
dust. But before scheme so extensive as
that could be attempted - it became
necessary to experiment awhile upon the
amalgamating properties Of the consti-
iuent parts. II is hardly necessary 10 say
that the experiment was precursor of COM
plete success. As early as the month OF
March, 1852, we were, as it happened,
shown letters from prominent politicians in
this State (who have since obtained their
reward) laying down to some extent the
programme Of the new organization. At
that time we looked upon these letters as
idle speculations, and cast them aside as the
contemplate efforts of faction whom we
supposed was already sunk TO the lowest
depths of political oblivion. That clique
was the Van Buren, wing of the Democratic
party. The leading point in the programme
was TO sound the ground and ascertain where
the deepest water lay. The progressive
tendency Of the country pointed with uner-
ring certainly TO the great West and 10 the
claims Of Messrs. Cass and Douglas. But
first Of all, il because necessary 10 subject
10 the fiery ordeal certain individuals, who,
up 10 that time, had never stood the test OF
a while heat in the political furnace.
This delicate operation was confided 10
one Captain Robert Scott, of Virginia. whose
letters TO the various Presidential candidates
vii! be remembered. and who has since been
rewarded with the Rio consulate. 1t is not
a little singular that he drew the fire of ev-
cry man except one, whose very obscurity
was at that time the ambuscade behind which
the battery was entrenched. That man was
Gen. Pierce. To Mr.. George Sanders was
given the interesting task Of unrooting the
snags in the Western waters, and OF killing
the " Little Giant. Our readers arc
familiar with the manner in which he did
this, by the magic words "Old Fogy and
Young Americas" and they will perceive,
too. how well his conduct has been appre-
ciated by the gift of the consulship TO Lon
don. Senator Soule, Henry A. Wise, OF
Virginia, Mr.. Breckenridge, of Kentucky
and Gen. Davis of Mississippi, were charg
ed with the care of the secessionits, The
fillibusters and the South generally. The
first named has the mission 10 Spain--the
second will, in all probability, be the next
speaker; the third is the confidential man in
the House of Representatives; and the
fourth has seat in the Cabinet.
The condition of New York was such
that all hope of Presidential candidate
from this State was preposterous; and in
this fiat of the Sage Of L,ndenwald' Mr.
Marcy ac9uiesced, but upon the distinct
understanding that he was to be present Mt
the distribution of the "spoils." No one, il
is presumed, will assert that he has moi
been. The claims of Pennsylvania were tc
be adjusted on the basis of Mr.. Buchanan's
having a clear chance for the nomination by
the votes of General Pierce's friends -
These he received constantly, until Iii.
name was finally withdrawn as hopeless
This is proved by the strenuous efforts o
Mr.. Slidell in his behalf, and by the ad
ministraion. Ohio, having no candidate
was confded 10 the watchful care of Mr.
Medary. and TO the eloquent pleadings o.
John Van Buren,. The Overwhelming ma.
joriiy she gave illustrates the powerful in
! tluences to which she was subjected. Tn,
wires in the Eastern States were controlled
by Mr.. Gushing, and the manner in which
! he worked them shows how we'll he de.
: serves the Attorney Genership.
We have thus far endeavered TO sketch
brief outline of the system upon which wa
: founded one of the most powerful political
; schemes ever attempted either in this O.
4 any other country. As a piece Of intrigue
it is worthy Of the palmest days of old Mr.
: Van Buren,. Such "sale" of Presi"ntia
E candidates was never heard tell of before
! 1t is easy now 10 be seen how the election o
Gen. Pierce was accomplished, and TO &C
count Cor the singular policy which has thu
far marked his administration. For our owl
Q part. we believe that he has been unable Il
Y act otherwise than he has done, and that h,
, has only redeemed the pledges that wer
the price of his triumph.
+. From the very offset of the Freeso OF
movement in this State, we have QUESTION:,
the sincerity Of Mr.. Van Buren's adherence
to that principle. All his political antece
u dents are in opposition 10 it, and The readi
S ness with which he Endorsed the Baltimor
=, platform of 1926 prima facie evidence c
d the weakness OF his faith in the ism of Free
n soil But independent of this, it was
: sine qua non with his coadjntors in the gam
y that he should recant. This, OF course, lei