The western Democrat. [volume] (Charlotte, N.C.) 1852-1870, 1854-11-24
From the Standard.
The Administration of Frank. Pierce.


no Administration has encountered more violent
opposition or whose acts have been more thor
oughIv examined and scfutlnlZed than that OF
Franklin Pierce. The Whg press, from Maine
to Texas, advocating all shades of public sentl-
ment, ami deeply imbued with all the miserable
'lsn1S" OF The day, have not only bitterly assaied
President Pierce, but misrepresented him and the
motives which have actaated him in the patriotic
discharge Of his official du'ies. No Democrat OBJ
jects to a fair, unprejudiced, and impartial exam
ination Of his acts, and the sentence they merit
at lhe hands of the people; satisfied OF the rec
htude OF his Intentions, and the justice they VIII
receive at the bar of public opinion. 1t would,
indeed, be preposterOus 10 suppose that any Ad-
ministration directed by sublunary beings could
please everybody, or should be free from the COM
mission OF error, when the Divine hand has created
all so imperfect and interviewer weakness and
lallibiIity with our very natures With Cue allow
ance for the lmperlectOns Of our race, present
to the world the present Administration for its wis.
dom, its patrloism, its nationality, its economy,
It's American eelIng, its strict guardianship over
the interests of the country and the glorious Illus
traon OF those principles purchased with blood
and treasure in the memorable struggle OF TO-
The Just and impartial historian when The narrow
preludices Of the times eradcated, and reason
and justice resume their throne, will record with
his diamond pen the services Of our party, and BE-
stow upon Franklin Pierce the need OF undying
praise.
If vuUperaton, invective, and all the vulgar ep-
thets which research can extract from dictionaries,
or the vile tongue OF the demagogue and de!amer
u!ter 10 be the criteria by which to Judge the
Administration, then might trembe for it. 1t
came into power by the almost unanimous voice of
The people, with no concealed principles, with no
unknown creed for its guide and it has acted in
accordance with those principles, and IN harmony
w hat Is hal n mt
istence wasclearly marked out in preceding Demo.
cratic Administrations and reflection upon the
present. is also asPcfslon upon those Of the past.
If 1t be supposed that viruent language and noisy
and mpassioned defamation, supported by silly
newspaper paragraphs can swerve the Administra-
ton and the Republican party from its high pur-
poses, the people sadly err.
II may be asked, vhal has the Administration
done What should ente it to the support of
tho American people Has il not Iornei'ed a1
respect by It's domestic and foreign policy ? Such
quest ons when propounded for information are an
swered with pleasure. We wish TO keep the whole
country enlightened in regard to our governmental
policy, When heterogeneous are asked IN taunt
ing manner refuse 10 notice the faut.hnding
genius from whose contracted Md they en,anate.
1t has never been the object Of the Democratic
party to conceal aught from the public gaze, but
TO act boldly and openly. To answer the lofego
ing questions will now be my purpose.
What has the Administration done What
should entitle it 10 the support of the American
people These are the questions that present!
themselves for consd deration. 1t has certainly
done much, and for obvious reasons merits the ap-
probation of the people. 1t came into power upon
the broad platform of nationality and has warFed
against sectional influence, sectional feeling, and
sectional anmosities embracing The whole coun-
try in its patriotism. 1t is purely American, no
gaogrn phciti line limits it-no local influence con-
trolls tho " isns p" are encouraged by lit IS
high, elevated, and national in It's tone. Anti
Slavery feeling and the detestabe objects of bolt
tionS repudated by it, and the enforcement
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 eff
cheney in executing the Fugitive Slave Law. In
towns where Abotionsm is rampant, it has res
cued the properly ofour citizens from the violence
and madness OF the mcb, and vlndlcated the sane
tity of the law, in the very midst OF fanalcism. 1t
is alleged, men have been appointed to Office Of
strong anti-Slavery proclVtes. We positively
deny It, Whatever may have been the anteccdents
of these government employees, they acquiesced
in the Baltimore platform, thus approving The ad-
iustment measures of 1850, and pledging them
selves to oppose sectional agitation in all its vari-
Gus forms. Only such have received the honors
and emouments of office. Thus the admnslra-
ton is purely nallonaI-strictly watchu Of the
Staes-enforcing the laws of the country, and
looking at harmony and union the pre-
servers of national prosperity and greatness.
Again What has the Administration done? II
has practIsed the srictest economy in all its ex.
pendiiures. 1t has refused to lavish and waste he
public monies in works of doubtful utility. 1t has
opposed extravagant system OF local improve
menfs. 1t has peremptorly refused TO squander
millions Of dollars in uphoIding the log rolling sys-
tenn. II has vetoed the River and Harbor Bill up.
on the grounds of unconstitutonality. Whilst i.
recognized iH that Bill many Improvements of a
national character-it recognized more of State
and local character. Large sums Of money were
embraced in that biIl for building custom houses
extravagant scale, merely 10 adorn and
beautiiy Cities and increase the value Of property
President Pierce in instance hesltated to gn
appropriations when the improvements to be made
were national The difference between the two
parties on this satiect is, the Democracy approve
system of national improvements by the Federal
Government, and local improvements by the States,
whilst the Wing party advocates both na atlnnal and
local by the United States Treasury. Here the
difference is broad, and the wisdom and prudent
economy of Democracy beautifully illustrated.
What has the a Admistration done Il has mark
ed out for the country foreign policy, bold, deei
ded, and patriotic. It has vlndjcated our rights
upon the very soil Of despotic Europe. 1t hls
spoken 10 foreign nations in language not to be
misunderstood, and clearly defined the privileges
o! our citizens in every CLINE. 1t has done Ore
it has wrested from the hands OF despotism. a
Raturalizcd citizen, and brought him under our