Richmond enquirer. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1815-1867, 1856-05-13
70. he enquirer.

Shall the old adaee, that Republics are ungrateiul
he demonstrated by The Cincinnati Convention
The people OF this country have ever held merit
ability and fidelity in high estimation. They have
ever evnced d cominsndable spirit in rewardng me
rit by comforting upon public funconuries the hon
ors which faithful discharge OF official duties clam
ed at their hands. What has given to the memory of
the lustrious Washington that fame which will live
through all tine but the zeal aud Prowess displayed
in thar ariuous aud doubtful struggle which achieved
our independence! What conterre! upon him the
distinguished title the "Fsther Of his Country, but
the important part he bore in the great drama when
freed his country from bondage! What called him TO
the first Presidential Chair, but the claims which
clustered around the hearts vi grateful people,
who felt themselves honored by honorng him with the
highest office in their gift! What kept him from filling
the chair of State for life but that dnterested patriot
ism which dwes only in the bresstsof true patriots
These "reminiscences are still fresh IN the hearts OF
the people, and must exert sauary influence upon
the Cincinnati Convention, il the public voice is not
stihed by intrigue and corruption Or the many as
tnguished statesmen whose claims will be csnvtssed
in the Convention. none, in our humble Judgment
stand more prominently before the country than Gen
pierces None whose claims make such strong appeals
TO magnaiInty and Justice. The plea OF aVailanlty
will not be worth rush to the nomnee Tor, IT Gen.
Pierce, whose. whose administration has been en-
dorsed by lbe Democratic party, cannot be elected
other man can. The issue, I'D our nuno'e opIn'o.
is not availability but Democracy and Black Repub-
.icnnism Then, if Mr. Buchanan eau he elected
Mr. Pierce can. If Mr. Douglas can be elected, Mr.
Pierce can and, as the country owes ar' F'etee
debt of gratitude lot Us pay II and "bs"ve MI oo
cations. Some object 10 Gen. Pierce upon the ground
that one term is long enough. Let ask such, did
the Father of his country 30 think Let ms SECOND
term answer the question Did Jefferson anu Maai-
son so think Did Monroe and Jackson 80 thuk -
If they did, they committed al outrage upon con-
tidiny people by sanctioulng precedent their own
hearts condemned. If they yielded 10 the popular
will while duty and patriotism were whispering 10
their ears that second term were Incompatible WIN
the spirit Of institutions, aud ought not 10 De 10"
Grated by free people, they were not par'"s' out
dpna,oyues ready for any change in the government
that would promote their cherished hopes, though
those hopes aspred after regal power But that they
did not 80 think is fully established by tho record
they have left behind them! The people DID not 50
think is shown by their reelection. Then, why
shnuld this new dogma spring up in our midst, at 4
time when the country needs tried men 10 MI ONCE,
more than at any former period III Its political hIsto-
~! Then we ask, is General Pierce to be set ASIDE
for some other aspIrant, who tn say the most
can only follow in his Footsteps, ahd carry out Tue
poi,y OF his administration Then, We ask, Is he TO
be ostracised! Is that the reward due To faithful d'
chary. u, official duty! Is that the reward due To
the man who has stood by the constitution anu Tile
whole Union Is that the reward due 10 lie man
who has unbared his breast to the shafts OF ianatcis
which have been hurled at him with scorpion venom!
We feel confident that the masses are III favor OF ms
nominations and venture the upInlon thar II every
man could be heard in the cJnvention rs he VIII be al
the ballot.box he womd receive the nomination by
au overwhelming minority. 1t may be said that our
advocacy of Gen. PIercr's nomination springs from
selfish motves-that hold office, or seek II Ut the
hands of the President. But We say III all canunr'
that we hold no office, and AK no iafors from me
President We are, emphatcally, one OF the people,
tilng the earth, aud eating our bread by the sweat
OF tho brow. We press his claims not from selfish.
but from higher and purer motves-trom sense OF
duty We owe able and faithful public officer who's"
claims cannot be overlooked if we mean to be JUS;
whose claims cannot 60 unheeded without incurrlng
the inpu,ation that Republics are ungratetul
CIVIS.