Grand River times. [volume] (Grand Haven, Mich.) 1851-18??, 1854-07-12
GENERAL PIERCE.

The Journal of Commerce took no active part
either for or against the election Of President
Pierce. But the unmeasured abuse that has
been heaped upon him by his political opPo-
nents. and even by some of his pretended polit-
cal friends, of the abolition stripe, raises
strong presumption in his favor, it never having
been surpassed, within our recollection, IN the
case of any President except Madison and
Jackson, two of the greatest men next to
Washington, who have adorned our history.
All the traitors the country over are found
among his bitter opponents. Other opponents
he has. not few, and many Of them worthy of
respect and confidence, but still it is fact, and
a significant one, that all the traitors and semi
traitors throughout the country, and all the re-
sistants and instigators Of resistance to the ma
tons authority and law, are among the most
malignant foes of President Pierce. This sim
gle fact speaks volumes in his favor.
There is another witness whom we propose
to call to the standard he will not be object
ed to as either prejudiced, or unworthy of res
pect. In his recent address to the Free Church
of Scotland, giving an account Of his visit to
the United States, the Rev. DIR. Duff makes the
following allusion to President Pierce:
"With regard to the civil head Of that great
Republic, / must speak of him as | found him.
l was utterly astonished, after being accustom-
ed TO the unapproachabe distance Of their high
mighinesses and other royalties in the old world,
to find the President of this great country,
America, with commerce nearly equal to our
own, and resources which in time will prove
vastly superior, coming down stairs like pri-
vate gentleman, plainly dressed, without fuss,
or show, or parade ; and demeaning himself with
a benign kindness Of manner, as well as the
greatest simplicity, calmness and dignity, such
as became the head of such great country.
Here there was no footman, or others arrayed
in scarlet or golden drapery, or parti.coored raj
ment-no tinsel, no pomp, 10 display whatev-
er. have no wish to crafty sckly taste, by
making any reference to the style of western
life, the household economy, or the private con-
versation; but l must say that the inquiries
which this exalted parsonage made about SUM-
dry affairs, the knowledge which he possessed
of what was going on everywhere, and the de-
sire to know about the existing state of things,
more particularly in British India, were of ma
ture to indicate that he was a man of grasping
and reaching intelligence; and, whatever might
be the opinion of mere partizans, that he was
one not unworthy to fill the high office which
he holds as the head of the greatest Republic
the world has ever seen (Cheers) His lady,
rejoice to say, appeared to be Christian out
and out and right glad was to find such la
dy associated in the more private duties of the
position now occupied by the successor of the
immortal Washington. While here, had of
fers of service in every conceivable way-eve-
ry thing was done by Senators and Members of
the House of Representatives, ten thousand
times more than could be looked for, and Icould
not help saying to it all, it is the Lords doing.
But must hurry on-the time at my disposal
being short"