Semi-weekly standard. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1853-18??, 1854-11-11
= For the Standard.
THE ADMINISTRATION OF FRANK. PIERCE


Il Mr. EDIroR: In the history of our Government
no Administration has encountered more violent OPP
position, or whose acts have been more thoroughly
examined and scrutinized than that OF Franklin
Pierce. The Wing press, from Maine to Texas, adj
vocating ali shades of public sentiment, and deeply
inbued with all the miserable isns of the day,
have not only bitterly assaled President Perce but
misrepresented him and the motives which have &C.
tuated him in the patriotic discharge of his official
duties. No Democrat objects to fair, appropriated,
and impartial examination of his acts and the SEN
tence they merit at the hands of the people; salts
fed OF the rectitude of his intentions, and the JUS
tice they will receive at the bar of public opinion
1t would, indeed, be preposterous to suppose that
any Administration directed by sublunary beings
could please everybody, or should be free from the
commission of error, when the Divine hand has
created us all SO imperfect and interviewer weakness
and fallibity with very natures. With due al
lowance for the imperfections of cur race, we pre-
to the world the present Administration for its
wisdom its patriotism its nationality, its economy,
its American feeling, its strict guardianship over the
interests of the country, and the glorious ilustra
ton of those principles purchased with blood and
treasure in the memorable struggle of 76. The just
and impartial historian when the narrow preuGlces
of the times are eradicated and reason and justice
resume their throne will record with his diamond
pen the services of our party, and bestow upon
Franklin Pierce the need of undying praise.
If vituperation, invective and all the vulgar cpl
thets which research extract from dictionaries,
the vile tongue of the demagogue and defamer
UTTER to be the criteria by which to judge the
administration, Lnen might we tFenOIe LOT II
came into power by the almost unanimous voice of
the people, with concealed principles, with no
unknown creed for its guide; and it has acted in &C
cordance with those principles, and in harmony
with that faith Its policy before it came into ex-
istence was clearly marked out in preceding Demo-
cratic Administrations. and reflection upon the
present. is also aspersion upon those of the past
If it be supposed that vrulent language and noisy
and mpassioned defamation supported by silly news
paper paragraphs can swerve the Administration and
the Republican party from its high purposes, the
people sadly err.
1t may be asked, what has the Administration
done? What should entite it to the support of the
American people? Has it not forfeited all respect
by its domestic and foreign policy? Such questions
when propounded for information answered
with pleasure We wish to keep the whole country
enlightened in regard to governmental policy.
When interrogatories are asked in taunting man.
refuse to notice the fault-fnding genius from
whose contracted mind they emanate. 1t has never
been the object ofthe Democratic party to conceal
aught from the public gaze, but to act boldly and
openly. To answer the foregoing questions will
now be my purpose.
What has the Administration done? What should
entitle it to the support of the American people?
These the questions that present themselves for
consideration. 1t has certainly done much and for
obvious merits the appreciation of the people
1t came into power upon the broad platform of ma
tionaity and has warred against sectional influence,
sectional feeling and sectional animositieS embra
cling the whole country in its patriotism tits pure
ly American no geographical line limits t-no local
influence controls it-no .Ssms" are encouraged by
tit is high, elevated, and national in it's tone.
ntiSlavery feeling and the detestable objects of
abolitionists repudiated by it. and the enforce
ment of solemn laws strictly enjoined upon the
Northern people, 1t has shown its devotion to the
rights of all sections, and the greatest promptness
and efficiency in executing the Fugitive Slave Law.
In towns where Abolitionsm is rampant it has res
cued the property of citizens from the violence
and madness Of the mob, and indicated the sanctty
of the law, the very midst of fanaticism. 1t is al
how haao Cd oHSo Of
anti-Slavery procliviIes We positively deny it.
Whatever may have been the antecedents of these
government employees, they acquiesced in the Bal
timore platform, thus approving the adjustment
measures of 1850 and pledging themselves to OPP
pose sectional agitation in ali its various FORMS On
ly such have received the honors and emoluments
of office. Thus the administration is purely nation
a-stricty watchful of the rights of the States-en
forcing the laws of the country, and looking at har
mony and union as the sure preservers of natioIal
prosperity and greatness.
Again: What has the Administration done? 1t
has prachced the strictest economy in all its eXpen
dtures. 1t has refused to lavish and waste the pub
lie monies in works of doubtful utility. It has OPP
posed an extravagant system of local improvements
1t has peremptorily refused to squander millions of
dollars in upholding the log rolling system 1t has
vetoed the River and Harbor Bill upon the grounds
of unconstitutonalty Whilst it recognized in that
Bill many improvements of national character
it recognized more of State and local character.
Large sums of money were embraced in that BILL
for building custom-houses extravagant scale,
merely to adorn and beautify cities and increase the
value of property. President Pierce in no instance
hesitated to sign appropriations when the improve
ments to be made were national. The difference be-
tween the two parties this subject is the Democ-
racy approve system of national Improvements by
the Federal Government and local improvements by
the States, whilst the Wing party advocates both
national and local by the United States Treasury
Here the difference is broad, and the wisdom and
prudent economy of Democracy beautifully illus
trated.
What has the Administration done 1t has mark
ed out for the country foreign policy bold decid-
ed, and patriotic has indicated our rights upon
the very soil of despotic Europe. 1t has spoken to
foreign nations in language not to be misunderstood
and clearly defined the privileges of citizens in
every CLINE. 1t has done more-it has wrested
from the hands of despotism, a naturaized citizen
and brought him under our ownfag to these shores
1t has vndicated the honor of our name and the
sacredness of our rights in Central America. 1t
follows us on the sea, the ocean, the rivers, and
land with its aegs of protection, securing US per-
sona liberty and the inviolability of our privileges
1t will not permit any power however potent to dis
honor our flag, but wherever its folds float or its
stars beam, there is security and safety. No mon
arch dare infringe upon treaties but every stipua-
ton is to be observed. Such is the Administration
of Franklin Pierce, respected abroad for its high
toned honor its guardianship the personal lib
erty of its citizens, and its promptness in demand
ing reparation for violation of plghted faith, and
disregard of international duty.
What has the Administration done? Much very
much. 1t has vetoed the INDECENT Insane bill, thus
giving us an assurance that the public lands will be
kept in the hands of the nation for their legitimate