Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1856-12-09
WASHINGTON NEWS AND GOSSIP.

once, 10.
WASHINGTON NEWS AND GOSSIP.
Presidsnt Pierce.-The following extract
from recent letter of the w ashington CORES
respondent of the Philadelphis North Anueri-
can, q leading Fremont Journal, will, with
few exceptions, commend itself to our readers
in this..c by its justice and truthfulness
There are of course those among Us who do
not sympathise with the great party of which
General Pierce has been SO many years a
leading and an uncompromising member; nor,
Git is to be regretted) on their own account, ap.
prove the enduring principles of public poll
cy which have undertake the administration
which bears his name, yet few can BIO found
who do not accord to his individual character
the highest and noblest qualities. Instances
of personal attention, amid the neVer-ending
cares of bis high Office, to the afflicted, of ear
nest, grateful sympathy with the bereaved,
have endesred him to too many people of our
city to allow sentiments toward him other than
Of affection and respect. In public affairs his
administration has been called to contend
with the strongest prejudices that a combina-
ton Of circumstances and passions could pro-
duce. Latitudinarian constructions of the
constitution, net in relation to slavery alone,
but in respect to appropriations Of money by
the Federal Government for eleemosynary and
internal improvement purposes, seemed likely
70 break down the landmarks Of that sacred
instrument, and consolidate the States into
one sovereignty; and to resist all this by veto
messages and otherwise has given an outline
to his administration so sharply defined as
perhaps to displsase some who would like to
see in the carrying on of government one per-
pstual " era of good feeling" The following
il the extract to which we refer:
cit may have been the misfortune CT Gen.
Pierce, like others Of his predecessors, ha-
raised by new and unusual responsibilities, to
have committed errors in the adoption Of o
particular policy, but whatever was the la
ture or extent Of those errors, equal justice
entities him to the credit Of patriotic motives,
as the impartial Judgment of all men will
allow him integrity Of purpose and as honora-
BILE ambition to promote what in his view,
were the best interests of the country. A can
did tribute like this is due to him on the eve
Of bis retirement from those who like myself,
have differed very materially from some Of
his views of domestic policy, but who are not
inssnsible to his claims upon public regard,
for having nobly vindieated the national name
in every controversy with foreign powers in
yolving its dignity or interests, and who are
unwilling be should relinquish public station
without such free concession Of their resi- ect
and appreciation.
Generous in his nature, tolerant in opin-
ion, and elevated in spirit, Gen. Pierce has,
notwithstanding the adverse circumstances,
and the stirring political collisions which have
marked almost an era in his administration,
cOnciliated the regard, and in a great meas
ure the personal attachment of nearly every
oppone mt who has enjoyed his personal inter-
course, and left an enduring impression Of
those eminent social virtues that so creditably
adorn private life. In these respects his ex.
ample has been worthy of ell emulation, and
when Withdrawn fram the high position which
he now fills, they viii furnish a source of con-
ISOLATION more lasting and gratifying than the
doubtful gratituda Of partisans, whose homage
was measured only by the proportion of favor
which they received
The Nessage.-As was to have BEEN ex-
pected, the opposition in the House have not
Lost Q moment IN pouncing down on the truths
enunciated in the message concerning the
actual condition Of political affairs at the
North, 30 Ear as the present attitude of the
Republican party is concerned. Mr. Camp
bell, of Ohio, their House leader, in leading
OF for them yesterday on this subject, con
Quoted their cause as we'll as it could be con
Quoted, which is saying more for him than for
that-their cause. As earnest as he was, and
rs adroit as be was well known to be, the
weakness Of his cause made his effort little
aft 10 L.
Ismeutsble defeat Of his party's positions at
the North in the recent canvass. His refusal
TO answer in a straightforward manner the
homely questions put to him in the course of
his remarks (which be parted by indirect re-
pliss) completely exposed the unsoundness OF
the assumptions which he put forward for
facts, on which to base his argument
By the bye, the speech being delivered at
the same moment in the Senate Chamber by
Gov. Bigler embraced q palpabls REPUTATION
of his (Mr. Campbell'O every position with
reference to the existing sentiment Of the ma.
jOrity Of the people Of the North upon the
Kansas question. The conclusions of that
speech were based on data from the truthful
ness Of which there is no escaping-on IL Q
election returns. In being read far and wide,
rs 1T will be, it will prove a complete rsfuta
tion Of all that the opposition are now urging
throughout the non-slayeholding States with
reference 70 the strength of their position he.
fore the people. We shall recur to il again
Naivsts.-We do not know that We ev,,
before saw a more refreshing example Of news.
paper natUets than is embraced in the follow