Nashville union and American. [volume] (Nashville, Tenn.) 1853-1862, 1855-01-20
PRESIDENT PIERCE TO THE SOLDIERS.

The address Of President PIERCE TO the soldiers
of the war oflSl2-lj assembled the Sth Of January
at the Federal Capital, though brief contains 80
many admirable sentiments, that It deserves analy-
sis and quotation. After alluding gracefully TO the
hallowed remembrsnces, called up by !hs day, and
| the numerous assemblagc OF veterans 10 his pres
ence. the President continues
Ny earliest reading was Of the stirring scenes in
which You bore a part forty years ago, and my
earliest "reminiscences are connected with the war
of 1872. | well recollect the approach OF every
mail was anticipated by my footsteps 10 the threstr
! hold of the village post Office. naturally elt the
| deepeSt concern for those who had lett my own
/! home TO take part 10 the conflict but my young
heart gave out its quick sympathies TO all who con-
tributed to the cause personal service, sustained
il at home by earnest and efficient encouragement
Having been taught that it was the first and high
est earthly duty OF every citizen to the republic
cheerluy to make any sacrifice for the maintenance
of his countrys rights and honor it would be FL
cult to express the pride and afectionate regard
! with which | looked upon such detachments Of
! volunteers as occasionally stopped at my fathers
mansion on their way to the northern frontier, many
! of them never to return. Time has only served 10
enhance the admiration inspired by their prompt
enrolment under the flag OF their country, and
their subsequent Valor 10 defending It; and II ls
gratifying 10 meet here to-day this numerous dele
CATION of the survivors Of that noble army ard gal
amt navy.
But the days OF var being happily past, the
President alludes to the new order OF things:
The genius Of our government the fundamental
principle that large standing armies are not TO be
maintained in time OF peace, all our interests
nation and all our sentiments and opinions as inGi-
yduals, promise peace but il, unfortunately, again
called to arms our sense OF security will rest chiefly
in the conviction that the patriotic spirit which
gave courage to your hearts ami ViSor yonr AIMS
will animate your sons. You, gentlemen, started
in life with the fathers Of the revolution around yor.
You listened to their precepts. GU stnded their
career You observed their principles OF action,
and YOU have molly emuated their example. They
have passed from earth, aud we OF a later genera.
ton look to the survivors OF ''the second war Of
independence for the exhibition o.! diSinterested
patriotism and lessons OF wisdom 10 teach us how
to transmit this priceless inheritance with It's multi
piled and multiplying blessings.
Although you assemble here from different and
distant parts of the coniederacY, II Is cheering to
know that YOU come animated by a common sent
ment of devotion to this Union, ard by a common
nnrpoee faithfully to maintain all the constitutional
rights Of the peope. Ii Is truth, as inspiring .
il is conspicuous that those who have been ready
in the hour oil need TO put much at peril for their
countrywide have fought her battles IN time OF
war-haye never been the men IN peace, however
broadly they may have differed npon measures Of
policy. 10 disseminate dangerous political heresiee
10 revile the institutions under which they live; 10
catch up the echo of foreign pfeiudices-tO exer-
else sectional iealouses--to derlde constitutional
obligations, and to set at defiance the laws Of the
landl No gentlemen no. You responded, / am
sure cordially to the sentiments Of gallant soldier
OF your time, and an eminent statesman OF the
present. whom | observed marching to-day as a
private in your ranks when he said: we are not
struck by judicial blindness, as were Gods chosen
people of old we shall cling to this constitution as
the mariner cings to the last plank when the storm
and tempest close around him." | quote from
memory, but express the sentiment
The President concludes with the following beau
t'ful tribute 10 The day
My heart, gentlemen, beats with prouder throb
or the eighth of January than on any o'her day OF
the year, always excepting the fourth Of July; but
| feel Just now that its pulsations are treer and
stronger because you are here. You are not only
veteran soldiers, but American citizens, and need
no welcome TO the house Of winch you are the
proprietors, and I, for the time being I'm but the
tenant. You will permit NE, however, to remark,
that the house and its occupant are alike honored
by your presence. May God, who has so signslly
blessed our country preserve and ever bless its de-
tenders.