New-York daily tribune. [volume] (New-York [N.Y.]) 1842-1866, 1856-04-01
A CLERGYMAN TO An OLD FRIEND.
PRESIDENT PIERCE ADMONIsHED.
Communicates for The Tribune. ]

uth'c III approaching one IN your statlon 10 "nou We
have always looked up, you will pardon this seeming
presumption IN your old friend and pupil. who remem-
beIs with the deepest interest the many acts of kind
DeSs from your DEAR honored father and yourself n
our youth, which have laid us under Obligations We
can never forget, than repay. When your
father was wasting under his last disease, within
few days Of his death, having returned to native
place, after two and half years absence, called
to see him, and take final leave of him before we
should each depart on long jouney-he TO the world
beyond the hounds Of time, his then young friend to
the distant land Of Persia. Aher free conversation
various topics, but chiefly bis personal religion,
in which he expressed the deep interest of strong
mind full in the confidence of all the great truths Of
the Bible at bis request offered prayer for blessed
hope full of Immortality to sustain him through the
dark valley, and with tears we babe him sdeu. Long
yeers' absence from the country and the years that
have, since our return, passed US have cast no
oblvous shade over the scenes memory has sket0hed
associated with that friend OF youth, be the
friend OF all who needed friend.
This worthy ron, with smpler means and opportuni-
ties TO bless his race, hope will ever show even
proportonably greater love for doing good to oil. Sci
dom has It been privilege TO meet you, Sir for
many years We remember short call We once made
you al Washington, when Representative from our
native State-e short rde IN the cars with you, and
your dear wife and little boy, the only time we ever
saw him, n few months before he was suddenly
taken from you. The last time we met yoz was on
Washington street, in Boston, just before your election
to the distinguished post You now sccupy, when We
venturec 10 congratulate YOU your happy prospects.
We rejOced, did all your personal friends, without
distinction of party, when you trlumphantly dis
tanced all rivals in reaching the most honorable and
responsible petition in the gift of this enlightened ma
ton.
With knowledge, acquired by the close observa-
tor Of an almost atena regard and affection for you,
of your whole past life, public and private, we had
great hopes from your Administration, though not
tirely unmxed with fear. Though you may not be IN
huenced by what we shall present testimony will
not be without its effect for plant ourselves on the
immu;abe principles Of Gods eternal government. II
our deep and growing interest IN you, and acqsaint
apce with YOU from our chidhOod-of the native
town-your own pupil in studies preparatory to enter
ing Coege-and your hberalty IN giving us our tut
toI-do not entitle to address you plainly and al
fectiOnattlv who shal be allowed this liberty!
We NAV be permitted to say that Of some of your
public acts we have been the enthusiastic admirer.
The late account of our ambassador to the Court OF
ST. James appearing in his citizens dress brings fresh
to our mind one of these acts. Had you thrown your
influence against Executive patronage and the abuse
Of the Thanking privilege, and some other abuses we
should have thought you unparalleled tor Executive
excellence. Your acts have generally bad our APP
prevail excepting those relating TO the a!-engrossng
subject of American Slavery.
We shall here say nothing of your unfortunate las
We then thought, and still think, commtta OF your
self in your inaugural, to prevent al agitation OF THIS
subject Did God ever turn backward the wheels OF
His providence when lie had walked up an enlightened
people to of such great wrong To stop agi-
tatiOn when the conscience OF every man who takes
the two great commandments OF supreme love 70 ,TOd
and impartial love to bis creatures as the unchange-
able law of heaven had been outraged by the Fugitive
Slave bill was rs impossible TO stop the sun IN his
course. And then the violation OF that pledge can
We say ess y in encouraging and sanctonlng the Nan
sas-Nebraska bill, the greatest occasion OF agitation
that has vet been witnessed, an unfortunate act.
The almost unanimous voice of the great body OF the
clergy throughout the whole Notwithstanding portion
of our country and of the whole people that were not
politically bound you may affect to derde the voice
Of ignorance; but it voice that swels on every
breeze, and is sweeping over the entire land.
Statesmen may what seems to them the best po-
lnica! policy; but the men who take Gods word for
their guide above all self interest, and worldly max
inns constitutions and charters, and adhere to 1t,
what is right. The slightest knowledge of man. of the
history of his progress at each step of advancement
assures any thinking mind that an aggressive move
ment like that to remove the old landmarks of free
dom would not stop agitation. II could never have
been meant for that. You would not double charge
the electric battery to prevent the fluid passing of.
When God has raised the tempest and sends bis hight
nngs through the clouds, if by your word commanding
peace be still, there shall be great calm, then
NAV hope 10 etl the rising aspirations tor unver-
sal freedom.
Your last official acts in sanconing the pretended
egilaton of men, chiefly Missourians Or elected by
Mssourans, in framing laws for the Territory OF Kan
government than ever Issued from the throne OF any
half civilized yrant and your determination TO crush
the free spirit Of the noble band of patriots and friends
Of freedom who have gone to make their homes III that
new Territory, are, beyond all your other public acts,
and the official of any Of your predecessor to be
deprecated and condemned by every friend OF humanity
and God You certainly cannot know the truth In ref
erence the proceedings that Territory or you would
never thus commit yOursef to the perpetratdn OF the
greatest niquy that has stained the annals OF the basest
o all despotic regns. We speak an Individual but We
utter the sentiments of nIne-tenths OF all the men who
fear God and love righteousness, who are IN cncum-
stances 10 think and act unbiased.
Sir YOU are engaged in unequal conflict. The
Almighty, with all the principles of His moral govern
ment, IS against you. The increasing CONVICTIONS OF
all enlightened men against you. You cannot aVod
seeing that public opinion has rapidly advanced IN the
last few years and is every day quickenng its march
and the Is outraged and resisted by tyrannicai
acts, the stronger and more determined II grows
Could you succeed in shedding the blood OF al the
honest settlers in the Territory Of Kansas, and al who
shall join them in the hope OF making that their home,
and in the defense Of those great principles without
which our Republic Is misnomer, you only increase
the opposition yourself and your course, and multi
ply the friends of the night al over the country, South
as web as North.
There are some of our own best church members
settled IN Kansas; and we believe never were more
pesceloving and God.earng colony established IN our
world than the greater portion Of the Kansas settlers
They have made no eggressions on Missouri. lhey
are pesceable, and determined TO remain So unless
then rights are encroached upon.
1t Is possible you may 80 the power committed
to your hands to transmit your name with bscker
infamy TO pOstsrty, than Nero or Cahgulay and
ossby your reelection by patronage and hope
Of patronage in thousands Of sycophants TO De dsap
pointed but remember the throne of inquity shall
have fellowship with God There il no need OF any
boodshed in the conflict that God Is wagnS with this
nation His providences will move on; his word and
spirit will continue TO enghten the minds OF the peo-
pie. decided majority Of the nation will, ere long,
be on the side Of Freedom. You cannot doubt this