The true Democrat., 1857-01-27
from the NaSHvllle Unl0n. Franklin Pierce

Franklin Pierce.
 President Pierce has submitted to Congress his last annual message. few more months will close his administration, and to the future Will be left the determining of the wisdom and justice that have marked its policy. No time since the removal of the desposites by Presl- dent Jackson has been 50 fraught with domes- nc troubles as the greater portion of the closing presidential term. Nothing but the purest pa trlotism, the most unfa.tering resolution, and a statesman like conception of the questions in issue and tue difficulties impending could have successfully and satisfactorily encountered them. Perfection does not attach to Presidents any more than to men in humber relations of life. It is not within the wisdom of man. to admin ister the complicated duties of this large and expensive government with entire satisfaction to himself, much less to others. There are few, however, measuring the difficulties that surrounded them, that reached to that degree of success that characterizes the administrative career of President Pierce.
 The troubles that have environed him were unavoidable. They came as the natural pro. duct of the tlmes-the legitimate fruit of the existing condition of affairs, acted upon by the infectious distemper that seemed to have taken possession of the northern mind. Abolitionism had attained its power through the advent of hnow Nothlnglsm In the country, which had gwen an additional impetus to religious bigotry, and thrown the mantle of concealment and successful organization around what was before an open deformity powerless by reason of self exposure. Thus thrown into temporary ascen- dency at the outset of Mir. Pierct's administra- ton, 1t readily fastened itself upon the then re- cent Kansas legislation to raise the wild storm ot sectional hate and fanaticism that has re- gently shaken the government to it's very cen- tre. The evils of the times could not have been less-the danger might have been more-- with any other statesman in the executive chair. Planting himself upon the basis of a broad nationality--knowing no geographical divisions and looking to the Union as a great slsterhood of States each equal and independ- ent confederated under a common constitution for certain purposes we'll defined, beyond which the government could not by right proceed clear and confident in his conceptions of con- stltutlonal law-resoute and patriotic in faith ful and impartial discharge of duty, needless of | personal consequences-he has directed the helm Of the national vessel straight onward through the storm, With an eye unblanched and a nerve well strung, challenging the admra- tlon of all honest men and impartial minds hXlng himself in the gratitude of all patriotic hearts, and composing chapter in history that will honor him to mankind so long as American nationality has votary or a friend
 I Upon all questions originating in, or connec- ted with, the Kansas imbroglio, his messages are unsurpassed in cearness and strength, and may be turned to by future statesmen as the most complete, beautiful, and comprehensive | presentation and argument that can be found on record. They will present. also, the sublime Il spectacle of President rising superior to cir ont cta,,a nd tlo,, L: f
 Judlces, association. and habit, an order to De Just! By these messages and this policy he has succeeded in bringing the American people to clear realization of the truth-and in yiy- Ing It practical application the only pos slble safety for the Union of these States is in strict and rigid construction of, and compliance with, the plain provision of the constitution, the only palladium of our safety and that there can be no government with us exceptu upon principles of equality and fairness
 Upon falr observance of the great demo- cratic policy as inaugurated by the compro- mise measures of 1850, re-enacted in the Kan sas bill of 1854, and as applied by President Pierce since that time, depends the success of all future administrations. The President that shall venture upon different policy as to our domestic relations will greatly hazard if it does not ehectualiy destroy, our present republican. .7o Sucu cHauSe can De anticipated under the incoming administration. The indorsement of thls policy was the express issue tendereo and determined in the recent canvass. On its po- pular approval Mir. Buchanan has been eeva- ted to the presidency. On these questions therefore, the course of the incoming cannot be expected to materially vary from that of the outgoing administration.
 We have not intended review of President PIerce's administration In such review, we should find scarcely less in his foreign than in his domestic policy to applaud. Without in- auSuratng any new system of diplomacy, our 1 international rights have been enforced our privileges, by all legitimate means, have been extended, our national honor has been preserv- ed, and our power and influence increased ] throughout the world. The most that can be sad in the fewest words is that in every in- stance he has adLereI rgidy 0 the oid hsmlnla,ks ot democracy whilst others have been drifting of into the adventurous sea of political specu. latlon. lie will retire from the responsible position to which the confidence of the demo- cratic party elevated him with the consoling re- iiection that he has respected that confidence, in no instance forgetting his pledges, or disap- | pointing the reasonable expectations of those who elected him. In thus pleasing his friends | he has dlspeased his enemies It could not have been otherwise. The President who snail undertake to satisfy the demands of all parties wlil secure the respect of none, and fall beneath the weight of a puerile conservatism, more blasting in its effects than the most load nouthed curses of his btterest foes.