The mountain Democrat., 1864-09-24
MllltArx Nsesssltx.

| Relox We eifAaA axtVAsA t"0sN N'SNA=+s
Of Hon. Frank lin Pierce, 10 the United
States Senate, in 194l. Principles never
change-men sometimes do, but Nj. P.
has not He is now making the same Kidd
Of speeches-twsnty'thres years after.-
He said: .,- =. %, -...a q. ....
Mr.. President-Thi plea Of "stAte ne
cessity,n. let me remind gentlemen, isl q
old as the history Of wrong and oppres-
sion. Il has been the standing plea-the
never falling resort Of despOtism. The
great Julius found 1t convenient when be
restored the dignity Of The Roman Senate,
but destroyed its independence. 1t gave
countenance to, and justified ell the afro.
cities of the inquisition in Spain. Itgave
utterance to the stiled groans from the
Black Hole Of Calcutta. 1t was written
in tears upon the bridge Of Sigbs" in
Venice; and pointed to those dark recesses
upon whose gloomy portals there was
never seen a returning footprint.
1t was the plea Of the austere and am-
bilious Stafford, in the days Of Charles
the First. It filled the Bastiles Of France
and lent its sanction to the terrible atroci.
ties perpetrAted there. 1t was the plea
that snatched the mild, eloquent and pa
triotic Camille Desmoulins from bis young
and beautiful wife, and hurried him upon
the hurdle Of the guillotine, with thous.
ands Of others equally unoffending and
innocent I was upon this plea that the
greatest of Generals, if not Of men (you
cannot mistake me) / mean him, the pres
ence of whose very ashes within the last
few months, was sufficient to stir the
hearts Of . continent-it was upon this
plea that he abjured that noble wife who
threw around his humble days light and
gladness, and by her own lofty energies
and high intellect, encouraged his aSpira-
tons. 1t was upon this plea that he COM
mitted that worst and most fatal act OF his
eventful life. Upon this, too, he drew
around his person the imperial purple. 1t
has in all times, and in every age, been
the foe of liberty, and the indispensable
stay of usurpation.
Where were the chains OF despotisn
ever thrown around the freedom Of speech
and of the press, but on this plea Of state
necessity? Let the spirit Of Charles the
1eHLu unu ulS MlUISLeTS dHSMeT.
1t is cold, selfish, heartless, and has. al
ways been regardless Of sex, age, condi-
ton, services, or any of the incidents of
life that appeal to patriotism or humanity.
Wherever its authority has been &C.
knowledged, it has asSailed men who stood
by their country when she needed strong
arms and bold hearts, and has assailed
them when manned and disabled in her
service, until they could no longer brand
ish a weapon 10 her defense.
1t has afflicted the feeble and dependent
wife for the imaginary faults Of her hus.
band.
1t has stricken down innocence in its
beauty, youth in its freshness, manhood
in its vigor, and old age in its faeblesess
and decrepitude. Whatever other ples
or apology may be set up for the sweep
ing, ruthless exercise Of this civil guillo.
tine at the present day, in the name ol
liberty, let US be spared this fearful one Of
Estate necessity" in this early age of the
Republic, upon the floor of the American
Senate, in the face of people yet free.