New-York daily tribune. [volume] (New-York [N.Y.]) 1842-1866, 1857-10-10

bear as best we might the reign OF DIT. Ducuanan,
the general opin,vn Vas mat We had made change
for the better. There was notion that Dir. b.
was more respectable man than his predecessor;
or, at any rate, that be would be more forbearing
in his treatment of his Antagonists aad less likely
to do hard, upgenerous and ungrscious things. In
fact, despite the little Ostend escapade, MIR. Bu-
chanan ran very much upon the merits of his re-
speciality, and figured in the multitudinous
speeches of bis champions a venerable pacifcator.
1t must be confessed tina! he has done little in that
line thus far. He seems 10 exhibit rather the
querulousness than the pscidity Of old age. On
the contrary, Mr.. Pierce was particularly polite,
and often advanced the most indefensble opinions
in language Of more than Sophomorical elegance.
When at bis WORT in public policy he was the most
dulcit in bis demeanor, and he vetoed necessary
measures with cOmmendable susvity. Mr.. Blu.
chanan, We regret to observe, is rather snappish,
ard too much 1clined to snub the humble petition.
ers who approach the throne. The different charac-
tiers of the last and of the present President may
receive illustration from the following facts:
Last January, when Mr.. Pierce was about to
retire from the Presidential slees and glOoms, he
received from the American Bible Society copy of
the sacred Scriptures, "as token Of their high
"regsrd for the office which be held" We do not
know to whom the Society could more appropri-
atey have made the donation than 10 one who,
during bis administration of public Affairs appeared
to many Of us " have been siDgularly unmndful Of
many Of the teachings of The Book. Unbeatable
people might say that Mr.. Pierce's case was like
that of tbs man who, upon being asked by dis
trbutor if he had copy of the Bible, produced two
leaves, with the apologeti,al remark that she had
" no idea that he was 60 near out" But in all
respects the gift was creditabe to the Society, and
We hope it will prove profitable to Mr.. Pierce. A
suspicious snd tOuchy man, however, upon receiv-
ing it, might have resented the presentation as i'm
plying suspicion of his core need Of the instruc
tions of the volume, and Of hisla Of copy of it,
Suspicion ever hauuts the guilty mind. But Mr.
Pierce behaved in no such uneracious manner. On
the contrary, be sat down at once and wrote
charming letter Of acknowledgment to the Society,
paying the bsndsomest compliments TO the book in
particular ard to the Christian religion in general
To be sure, be said some things in it which rather
puzzle u.s. albeit we suppose that they sre perfectly
plain to The Journal Of Commerce and other sheets
less beniRhted than our own. After putting in, as
becomes a sound Constitutional Democrat, re.
hinder "that in our political Institutions there is
90 no union of Church and State" Mr.. Pierce In
forms us that Christianity animateE our nation
atty; it is the true spirit of good government; it
" is the chars cterisc and peculiar quality of modern
cvilization-"t all. pcrvading principle of our
claws, the sentiment, the moral and social exist
"ence Of the people Of the United States This
is well expressed, and we are not surprised that 1t
gives our friend Forney's newspaper, from which
we COPY il, much calm satisfaction. But the ease
ard accuracy with which it is to be interpreted
will depend upon what kind Of Christianity Mr..
Pierce refers 10. The truth is that there are sew
eral varieties now in vogue, and when Presidents
write upon theological subjects they should be
careful to let US know to which particular kind
they are aludipg. IfMr. Pierce, in the above ele-
CANT extract, referred to the new Christianity in
vented by the Doctor Roses, expounded by the
Rev. Brownlows, and practically exempli6ed some
times behind the Presbyterian meeting house in
Roqersyille, Tenn, why then the meaning of the
sentence is as plain as pikestaf. That is the
Christianity which animates our nationality" and
is too much "tte alperyading principle Of our
laws"-a Christianity which does not let the op-
pressed 80 free but which chases them with blood
hounds or with the hardly milder myrmidons of the
lava Christianity which if it does not sanction
fails to rebuke adultery cruelty and one great con.
tinuous theft of the earnings of the poor. But il
Mr.. Pierce refers to that other Christianity Of
older date, which nculcates good will to man. then
we confess that his words aIe as mysterious to US
q. if they had been written in Egyptian hierogyph.
les. Still this has nothing to do with the manner
the letter, which all viii admit to be remarkably
ivl.
Htw different the style in which Mr.. Buchanan
eceiyed hiss present Certsin gentlemen in Con-
ectcut Remaining with pain that be seemed to be
quite ignorant of the principles Of the Constitution
and hi. official duties, prepared and sent to him
little memorial, in which some Of the simplest of
them were pointed out in plain language. The
q, nation was not magnificent one, il must be
confessed. and not worth half 80 much ss those big
clseses which il used to be the fashion to present
to Presidents. But tire donors "gave him N;
they could no more; though poor the offering
was" That Nr. Buchanan would have found
study Of tie paper profitable, We unhestatingly
aver. But instead Of devotins himself to it like
coed scholar, he unsrateful'y wrote to the Con.
nscticut gentlemen q letter, the burden Of viii ii
vas, Thank you for nOthins'-s letter the very
opposite Of VITA. may be called genial. and a.
puclery a. a per.nmOn before the fiost Some
writer Frerch, of couIse) ,ays that he prefers
bad neis. TO bad manners; and without going to
rat extreme, We mnat say that susyity in pub
lie officer is by no means to be despised. TIE