The daily union. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1845-1857, 1854-03-26
The Position or the President

The Position or the President.
SO long as the attempt 10 create the impression that
President Pierce was not unequyocaly IN favor OF the
great principles OF non-inervenion and popular sover
egny asserted in the bills for the organization OF the
Territories OF Nebraska aud Kansas, now before The
House OF Representatives, long this attempt pro-
ceeded IRON the prosluted columns OF the New York
Herald, democrats, in Congress and out OF Congress-
were no affected by it than the ghost OF Hamlet
by the partisan of Marcelus Any knave may supply
bad motives for good action and TO that class OF disa
pointed men who are incompetent or unwilling to do
right and driven into dishonorabe alike by
their hatred OF others and by their overweening self
esteem, II is iavorite revenge, when they have
hausted all imaginable means 10 nfct injury upon good
measure by their own lreachery. TO damage the opn
ions of the people, all those who believed to be con-
sistent and true. Mr. Cutting is instance in proof
Of the shameless extremes 10 which merely personal
weakness and personal discomfort will drive men OF
previously fair reputation in public life Here, now, is
of fine Abilities who has lost by single half hour
OF deliberate and premedtated wrong great principle
the respect of moe of those whose peculiar national organ
izaton be anxious 10 be the advertised and accepted
oracle The prejudices OF the organization which Mr. Cut
ting seems TO be most anxious 10 represent. however, will
not, we PREDICT carry them SO far that they will be will
ing TO approve OF his volunteered leadership of the abo
ton aud whig forces against The Nebraska bill in the
national legislature. On the contrary he has, per-
ceve opened the eyes OF many Of those who have here
toore acted with him. by his extraordinary and cupable
conduct. The identify General Pierce with
those who Indifferent 10 the Nebraska b-springing
II not from the sources, at least from the same
motiyes-wil end in the same way
Franklin Pierce is man OF distinct and positive pur-
poses He acts boldly and at every great ques-
ton. His success throughout life may be explained by
his disinrestednes, his sincerity, his earsne and his
pronptitude Born and reared in region which is sur
rounded by States governed by politicians hostile TO the
constitution of the United States, and always prone
coalesce with those who willing encourage differ
between the North and the South, he might have
purchased temporary popularity by timd counses but
be looked not 10 the results OF personal ambition He
counted not the loss the gam himself when he came
to act upon great question: but decided what be believed
to be right, and then left the rest time Guided by
such principles, he always respected and confded in
by the people aud when the delegates OF the democratic
party OF the whole county came TO select a man who
would be true TO that country, il was just tribute 10
the principles of the constitution that their choice fell
upon whose whole public life had been one tribute
TO those principles
We repeat, doubt. that which is familiar enough;
but do that may the more forcbly ask, where
such franklin Pierce would be found when the
great principles Of congressional non.in,evenon and
popular sovereignty in Territories eel Staiss were
involvedl Was he 10 be restrained in giving u,leance 10
his opinions by the libel ,ha, invented and applied selfish
motives 10 statesman fearless and as faithful as Sen.
ator Douglass Was be be inundated by the baseless
and Il IL. N.
lroduced 10 impair the vgor and harmony of his admins
traon when all the facts go 10 show that the
suit of inevitable necessity These were incentives 10
ms INSTINCTS rather than obstacles his action And
when franklin Pierce that the baleiu influences
which had sought 10 raduce himself in the face of bis
multiplied evidences OF good faith The constitutions as
false to the OF Stale rights, bounding every
man in Congress who dared 10 himself for the
great principles of the Nebraska BILL be felt that his fret
decision doubly right, By him, and by all who rightly
read he signs of the times, and look the future with
confidence 10 the results OF present hmness and present
consistency THE GREAT PRINCIPLE upon which the Ne.
baska bill is based is cherished the landmark OF our
national safety is the very vitality of our free inst
DEMONSTRATING living, and, lei hope, undyng
ergy into republican system the beginning, and
now animaiing every great reform that looks the s-
provement OF the human race.
In this connexion, and in conclusion of this article the
following letter from ex-senator Clemens will attract at
tentios In the hope of using the name and the opin-
ions of the President against the Nebraska BILL sem
fences oil letter from ex-senator Clemens TO ~ Davis
ir, esq., and published in the Huntsville Advocate are
wesed from their connexon, and republished with many
demonstrations OF satisfaction The following frank and
characteristic explanation by Colonel Clemens places the
views OF the President substantially ia their true lght
before the country:
WASHINGTON, ID C., March "a, 1854
DEAR SIR You have called my attention to late letter
Of mine TO n. Davis IT, esq, and particularly to The fol.
lowing sentence:
He expressed great surprise at the opposition it met
from The North and equal surprise that the South should
be willing 10 take IL"
allndts took place. | walking back wards and for.
wards across The room, and should not have noticed it IL
you had not remarked that you had no cohcealmenls
upon the subject and that you glad present to
hear 1t
In my letter 10 Dir Davis dad not pretend TO give your
language, except where quotation marks used and
from subsequent conversation with you. think Il very
probable that misunderstood the rupoFt Of opr remarks
upon his particular point Your surprise may have been
expressed that he true mea OF the Norh should hesitate
to vote tor Douglass bill when The South willing
to take it; and, had aid attention the whole con
versaon, doubt not such would have been the impress
sion left on my mind
have sought conversation with you upon the
subject OF the Nebraska bli but every time have head