Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1863-10-01
How the South was Encouraged to
Rebel,
4 Letter OF Frank. Pierce to JeG. Dayi.

The Concord G.. H. Democrat has received
from Capt. VIM r. GIBBS, Of the 18th Illinois,
now at Natchez, Miss, letter from EXPIRES
ident PIERCE to Mr. JEFF. DAVIS, written in
January, 1850, and found among the papers
of the latter at Jackson. 1t is valuable con-
tribution to the history of the Rebellion, and,
though nobody will be surprised that Mr..
PIERCE should have written it, its publication
that the Abolitionists were the instigators of
the Rebellion, that it was not preneditated
by Southern politicians, and that their plans
were not known and approved Of by the
Northern associates. 1t proves two things
conclusively, if anybody still doubts, that the
question OF Secession was the subject Of dis
cussion between Northern and Southern Dem
ocratic leaders as long ago as January, 1860;
and that the proposed Secessionists received
assurances from their Northern sympathizers
that the Rebellion at the South would be
aided and enforced by Northern traitors in
arms against the Government and the loyal
people of the North We doubt if JEFF. DA-
Wis ever received from the most rampant of
his Southern fellow-conspirators more une-
quivocal assurances of sympathy and aid than
FRANKLIN PIERCE gives him in this letter. 1t
is an evidence of premedtated treason which
no words can explain away or excuse. Let
loyal Democrats read herein the character of
the man to whose guidance they so long sub
mitted:
CLARENDON HOTEL, Jan. 6, 1860
Ny DEAR FRIEND | wrote you an unsatis-
factory note day or two since. | have Just
had pleasant interview with Mr. Shepley,
whose courage and fidelity are equal to his
learning and talents. He says he would rath-
er fight the battle with you as the standard
bearer, in 1860, than under the auspices of
any other leader. The feeling and Judgment
Of Mr.. S. in this relation is, | am confident,
rapidly gaining ground in New England. Our
people are looking for "the Coming Man."
One who is raised by all the elements Of his
character above the atmosphere ordinarily
breathed by politicians. A man really fitted
for this emergency by his ability, courage
broad craftsmanship and patriotism. Col.
Seymour (Thomas H. arrived here this morn
in almost the identical language use by Mr..
Shepley. 1t is true that in the present state
of things at Washington, and throughout the
country, nc man can predict what changes
two or three months may bring forth Let
me suggest that in the morning debates of
Congress, full justice seems to me not to have
been done to the Democracy Of the Forth.
do not believe that our friends at the South
have any just idea Of the state of feeling
hurrying at this moment to the pitch Of in
tense evaporation between those who respect
their political obligations, and those who
have apparently no impelling power but that
which fanatical passion on the subject of do
nestle slavery imparts. WITHOUT DISCUSSING
THE QUESTION OF RIGHr,-of abstract pomer to
sECEDE, hare never belieged that actual disyup-
ton Of the Union can occur wit5out dood, and
# through the madness Of No,tte1m Aboltionjsts
that dire calamity mast coe the fighting ariU not
be along Mason and Diron's line merely IT
WILL BE WITHIN OUR OWN BORDERS, IN OUR OWN
STREETS, BETWEEN THE TWO CLASSES OF CITIZENS
TO WHOM l HAVE REFERRED. those WHO DEFY
LAW AND SCOUT CONSTITUTIONAL OBLIGATIONS,
WILL, IF WE EVER REACH THE ARB1TRAMENT OF
ARMS, FIND OCCUPATION ENOUGH AT
HOME. Nothing but the state of Mrs. Pierce's
health would induce me to leave the country
now, although it is quite likely that my pres
ence at home would be of little service. l
have tried to impress upon our people, es-
pecially in New Hampshire and Connecticut,
where the only elections are to take place
during the coming Spring, that while our
Union meetings are all in the right direction
and we'll enough for the present, they viii not
be worth the paper upon which their resolu-
tons are written unless we can overthrow po-
litical Aboitionism at the polls and repeal
the unconstitutional and obnnxious laws which
in the cause of " personal Liberty" have been
placed upon our statute books. | snail look
with deep interest, and not without hope, for
a decided change in this relation.
Ever and truly your friend,