Gold Hill daily news. [volume] (Gold Hill, N.T. [Nev.]) 1863-1882, 1864-10-07
franklin Pierce's Letter TO Jefferson
Davis.

Last July, soon after the fall of Vicksburg,
the library Of JEFF. Davis, upon his plantation,
near Jackson (Miss.), fell into the hands OF
the Union troops. In it was found a large
collection Of letters from men of more or less
prominence in the Democratic party North
and South. Among these was found one
from Franklin Pierce, bearing date January
6, 1860. This came into the possession Of
CaptainlGibbs, Of the Fifteenth Illinois Regi-
ment, who transmitted copy Of it from
Natchez to the editors of the Independent
Democrat, Concord IN. H., in which paper
it was published, September II, 1868. In
mediate measures were taken to procure the
original. Accordingly, in December, that
original was received at the Office of the hide
pendent Democrat. The importance attach
ing to this letter, as helping to elucidate the
secret history Of the Shareholders conspiracy
which finally eliminated in bloody rebellion,
and as serving to show the completely OF
Northern Democratic politicians in that con-
spiracy, has suggested the proprirty Of pub
fishing and circulating an exact photographic
fac sinliLe Of it, SO that all cavil as to its
genuineness may be forever put at rest. The
fac Simtle represents with the utmost correct
ness and most minute eXactness Pierce's
handwriting, as all who have ever seen it can
but acknowledge at once. Pierce himself
does not now deny the authenticity Of the
letter, nor does any paper Of his party. To
accompany the photographic fac sin,ile will be
found below correct copy Of the original:
CLARENDON HOTEL, January 6, 1860.
Hon. JEFF. Davis, Washington, ID. C.)-
NY Dear Friend: wrote you an unsatis-
factory note day or two since. / have just
had pleasant interview with Shepley, whose
courage and fidelity are equal to his learning
and talents. He says he would rather fight
the battle with you as the standard bearer in
1850 than under the auspices of any other
leader. The feeling and Judgment Of shep-
lev in this relation is, am confident, rapid
" 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 exigency by his ability, courage,
broad craftsmanship and patriotism. Colo
mel Seymour (Thos. H. arrived here this
morning and expressed his views in this re-
lation in almost the identical language used
by Shepley. 1t is true that in the present
state Of things at Washington and through
out the country no man can predict what
changes two or three months, may bring
forth. Let me suggest that, in the running
debates in Congress, full justice seems to me
not to have been done to the Democracy Of
the North. 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 intense evaporation between those
who respect their political obligations and
those who have apparently no impelling pow
er but that which fanatieal passion imparts
to domestic slavery. Without discuss
ing the question Of right-of abstract power
to secede, have never believed that actual
disruption of the Union can occur without
blood. And il through the madness Of North
ern Abolitionism that dire calamity must
come, the fighting will not be along Mason
and Dixon's line merely, it Twill be within
our own borders, an our otcn streets, between
the two classes of citizens to whom have
referred. Those who defy law and scout con-
stitutional obligations will, if we ever reach
the arbitrament 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 presence at home would be of
little service. I have tried to impress upon
our people, especially 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 well enough for the present,
they will not be worth the paper upon which
their resolutions are written unless we can
overthrow political Abolitionism at the polls
and repeal the unconstitutional and obnox-
ious laws which in the cause of personal
liberty" have been placed upon our statute
books. shall look with deep interest and
not without hope for decided change In this
relation. Ever and truly your friend,
FRANKLIN PIERCE.