The Hillsborough recorder. [volume] (Hillsborough, N.C.) 1820-1879, 1863-04-15
Letter from Elk President Pierce to the
late Senator Pearoe.

Letter from Ex-President Fierce TO the
late Senator Pearoe.
The following letter from ex-President
PIERCE to the late Senator Pearce, of Ma
ryland, in regard to arbitrary arrests, has
never before been published. The posi-
tion assumed by ex-President Pierce 10
manly and decided, and leaves no ground
Tor donbt:
Concord, N. H., January 18th, 1861.
MY DEAR SIR:-I read with unusual in
terest and satisfaction the debate, which
occurred in the Senate on the 10th ultimo.
upon the resolution of Mr.. Trumbull, and
desire 10 express my thanks for the senti-
mrnts and thoughts which the occasion
ELECTED from you. My convictions and
sympathieS are with rou thoroughly when
you say, !" do not believe that il (impri-
sonment upon ietfres dc cachef) promotes
The purposes Of those who desire to see this
Union brought together again. an object.
II all others. 10 me the most desirable, If il
be peaceable."
In my estimation, the mover of the in
quiry deserves the gratitude Of freemen
everswhere, and only utters truth with
force when he declares that = the power,
without charge. without examination. with
out opportunity of reply, at the click Of
the telegraph. % arrest man in peacea-
ble parton Of the country and imprison
him. s Of The essence of despotism." And
vel. the public mind thus Ear would seem
10 have been scarcely more reused by cur
rent events nf this character than IL was,
wears agn. when II received accounts Of
similar incarceraiions. ordered by the ia
iher sf the now deposed King Of the two
Sicilies. How incredible il will appear
hereafter. when history shall be written up
that Al this period OF the Repablie the con-
s,itutional safeguards Of personal liberty
could have been 50 easily and with 50 little
apparent concrfn swept away.
The Secretary of State. on the goth ult.,
four dsss after the debste in which you
participated. addressed an official note to
me. which seems TO illustrate. in a striking
manner. the slight grounds. Or rather the
grcundless suspicious upon which in these
times. citizens are liable 10 suffer in repu-
tatiun. IL not 10 loss OF liberty. replied
without delay. and, 50 far as lam perso-
aalls affected. may. | trust. lesvs the mat
ter IN quietness upon the files Of the De-
psriment. |, is my belief. however, that
no recent measure has been fraught with
more mischief than the issuing Of ietfres de
rachel. and consequent arrests aud impri-
saamrnts. in violation ef The provisions Of
The Consultation and that the earlier the
systcm 10 effec,uaily checked the better II
will be for the Government and the conn
Try. as we'll a. for the subject Of oppres-
sion. The evidence 10 abundant 10 show
that ihe plea Of necessity, except in the
presence or immediate neighbsrhood of
hostile armies, where the administration of
Law under is usual forms may be ineyi,a-
bly, suspended, Is not graciously accepted
BY The mass Of the people.
Union without security for nersonal IL
berty i not the Union which they have
cherished, and to the restoration III which
ihey look with earnest desire aud hope.
Nothing. perhaps. could express more
clearly their views on this point than the
language Of the great msdcrn historian,
who died al 4 comparatively recent period,
leaving his work incomplete. In tracing
ihe successive steps in the progress DC
British liberty, Mr. Macauley says: " We
have been taught. by long experience. that
&c cannot, without danger. suffer any breach
u ihe Constitution 10 pass unnotlced." "
Is We cannot, without the risks Of evils
iion which Imagination recoils, employ
physcsl force as check On misgosern.
n'nt, Il i. evidently nur wisdom 10 keep
al constitutional checks on misgo,ern-
meat in The highest state II elliciency--to
witch with jealousy the FIRST beginnings Of
sncroachmenl, and never 10 suffer irregu.
larItles. even when harmless in themselves,
y pass unchalleng-d. lesl they acquire the
iorce Of precedents." Who In our land
slll affirm that any other doctrine is wor-
ny Of those who hold their rights under q