The Athens post. [volume] (Athens, Tenn.) 1848-1917, 1854-08-04
From Putnam's Magazine for July.
HOW FRANKLIN PIERCE CAME TO
BE A GREAT DIPLOMATIST


BE A GREAT DIPLOMATIST.
franklin Pierce, before he was elected Pres
ident never had credit for any remarkable di-
plomatic skill though we suspect it must
have always existed in him, as in Louis Ma
poleon, in dormant state, but requiring the
excise of great power to call it forth. He is
the subject of one of the most remarkable
political phenomena that has occurred for
many years. II has been suspected for
some time that no man had constitution
tough enough to carry him through presi-
dental term with unimpaired health, unless
he had worked up to the Office, i. e. unless
he had been gradually hardening himself to
it by some similar process to that by which
Mithridates made himself proof against poi
son. Now Pierce, up to the time of his be-
coming candidate for the Presidency, had
not been subject to any severe tests in po-
litcal crucibles. Taken from comparative
iy quiet and easy life, and thrown suddenly
into the centre of political turmoil and strife,
like a man elevated at once over regular and
veteran officers from military captain to a
generallissmo, he has nevertheless held the
office year, and grown fat upon it !! Is not
the fact an incredible one? Gen. Harrison,
who in a way of preparation for the presi-
dental chair, went through the hardening
process of long border warfare-had fre-
quent and terrible fights with the Indians,
and although an over-match for them with
their tomahawks and scalping knives, was
killed in about month, by the more unre-
lenting and ruthless warfare of politicians !;
Gen. Taylor, grim and swarthy old warrior.
frostbitten, sanburnt and toughened by al
most whole life spent in skulking fights
with the savages, and in open conflicts with
the Mexicans, was supposed to take to the
presidential chair good health and m iron
constitution. But what is conflict with cru
ell, cunning and stealthy savages, to that of
keen witted, sagacious and remorseless poll
ticians. He bore up stoutly for a year against
their attacks, wearing out his strong consti-
tuition by slow degrees, and then died. Polk,
a cool tempered, stern, unexcitable man,
somewhat experienced in political matters, but
not very old, struggled manfully through one
term, ard had life enough left to get CON-
fortaoly settled at home, when he died.
But President Pierce, with political expe-
rience comparatively limited, enters upon the
duties of the presidency with Marcy on his
right hand, and Cushing on his left, (both
unambitious, inexperienced men, with great
disgust for scheming3 remorselessly pelted
in front and rear by hard shells and soft
shells, and diagonally by great and little gi
ants, and yet he grows fat.
snow in the name of all the Gods at once,
Upon what meat doth this our Cesar feed,
That he has grown SO fatF
It must be that he eats all the oysters while
his hard and soft friends quarrel about the
shells.
A member of Congress, a short time ago,
said that his occupation of hotel keeper had
been sneeringly alluded to, and then went
on very conclusively to show to his political
opponents, as we thought, that he might hang
out with the same propriety over his desk IN
Congress, as over the door of his hotel at
home, the sign, Accommodation for man
and beast" The political pugilists who
seek to provoke fight with him, we thinks
will find themselves as cheerfnlly aceommo-
dated as travellers no doubt do at his tavern.
In speaking Of the duties Of hotel keepers,
and the shortcoming of the political hotel
keeper at the White House, he took occasion
to say that President Pierce's father once
kept tavern. This circumstance at once ac-
counts for the diplomatic ability of President
Pierce, on the supposition that "Just as the
twig is bent the trees inclined" for every one
knows what an excellent school tavern is
for the encouragement of diplomatic talent.
The management, finesse, discretion, and
prudence there taught, must avail much in
making a diplomatist, if there is any virtue
in education. 1t is, therefore, more than
probable that President Pierce received an
early bias towards diplomacy, and is now in
his natural element, consequently grows fat
upon the office.