Richmond Whig. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1862-1865, 1865-04-29
From the Manchester ~, ~ Guardian.l
SPEECH OF EX. PRESIDENT PIERCE.


Al abou: O'Clock this mob, numbering
then from 200 to 400, appeared about the door Of
the residence Of Gen. Perce, and surprised him
with yoc,erous calls. Immediately the door was
thrown open, and in the blaze Of the entry light
the eX-President appeared upon the steps and ad-
dressed to the assemblage the remarks which fol-
low 1t is due to the crowd to say that the mo-
meut our distinguished iellowc itizen appeared
and uttered one or two sentences, with tie eXcep-
tion of occasional remarks, such chats So"
and chats good ''thai's true" absolute quiet
and silence prevailed while he was speaking
When he uttered his "good night" they responded
with hearty good night, and three cheers for
the General, and retired as quietly as though there
had been no scene Of excitement in the day
This, q. least, was creditable.
SPEECH OF GENERAL PIERCE.
Fe.i5J- IOlCusmcn-I came TO ascertain the mo-
tiYes of this call. What is your desireH
JSome person in the crowd replied - We wish
to hear some words from you on this sad OCCASION"
Gen. Pierce proceeded j
wish could address you in words Of solace;
but that can hardly be done. The magnitude of the
calamity, in all aspects, is overwhelming. If your
hearts are oppres led by events calculated TO
awaken profound sorrow and regret thar any which
have hitherto occurred in our history, o mingles
its deepest regrets and sorrows with -.
1t is to be hoped that the great wickedness and
atrocity was confined, morally and actually, to the
heads and hearts Of but two individuals of all those
who still survive On this continent and that they
may speedily, and in obedience TO law, meet the
punishment due 10 their unparalleled crimes. II is
we'll that you-it is well that well that all men
worthy to be called citizens Of the United States,
make manifest in all suitable forms, the emotions
incident to the bereavement and distress which
have been brought to the hearts and homes Of the
two most conspicuous families of the Republic.
give them my warm. outgushing sympathy, as !
am sure all persons within the hearing Of my voice
must do.
But beyond personal grief and loss, there will
abide with Us leyiably the most painful memories.
Because, as citizens obedent TO law, revering the
Constitution, holding fast 10 the Mon, thankful
for the period OF history which succeeded the
Revolution in 80 many years Of peaceful growth
and prosperity, and loving, with the devotion Of
true and faithful children, all that belongs TO the
advancement and glory Of the nation, we can never
forget Or cease to depore the eat crime and deep
stain. A voice from the crowd tWhere is your
dagP'l
II Is no. necessary for me to show my devotion
for the stars and stripes by any special exhibition,
or upol the demand OF any MAJ or b0d7 Of men,
NJ ancestors followed it through the Revolution
one of them, at least, never having seen bis
mothers roof from the beginning to the close of
that protracted struggle. My brother followed II
in the war of 1872 and 7 left my family in the
spring of 1871 among yol, to follow its fortunes
and maintain it upon foreign soil.
But this you all know. If the period during
which have served our State and country in va
rious situations, commencing more than thrty-fve
the flag ;he Constitution aud the Union in doubt,
IL is too late now 10 remove it by any such exhibit
ton as the inquiry suggests. Besides, to remove
such doubts from minds where they may have been
cultivated By q spirit of domination and partisan
rancor, if such thing were possible, would be of
no consequence to you and it is certainly OF none
to me, The malicious questionings would return
to reassert their supremacy and pursue the work of
injustice.
Conscious Of the infrmities Of temperament,
which, 10 a creator or less extent, beset US all
have never felt or found that violence Of passion
was ultimately productive of beneficial results
L. is gratifying TO perceive that your observation,
briefer than mine, has led your minds to the same
conclusion. What 4 priceless commentary upon
this general thought ia the final reported converse
ton between the late President and his Cabinet;
and with that despatch comes news 10 warrant the
cheering hope that, in spite OF the knife VI the as
sassin, the life and intellect of the Secretary Of
Safe may, through Providence, be spared to rs in
this appalling emergency
I thank you for the silen. attention with which
you have listened TO me, and for the manifestations
OF your approya as my neighbors; and VIII not de-
tain you IN this storm longer than to add my best
wishes foI you all, and for what, individually and
collectively, We ought to hold most dear-our
country-our whole country. Cool night
DISCOURSE UPON THE MURDER OF TIE PRESI.
DENT BY REV. HENRY WARD BEECHER
Mr. Beecher delivered discourse at Plymouth Church
Brooklyn, on Sunday last hch is reported az follows
la the Herald
After appropriate introductory devotional exercises
Mr. Beeoher dscoursd from the first Eve verses of the
last chapter Of Deuteronomy which narrates how Moses
asce nded Mount bo The fourth and fh verses read
as follows And the Lord said unto him this Is the
land viii h unto Abraham unto Isaac and unite
Jacob saying ! will give !. unto thy seed have
caused thee 20 see with thine eyes but thou shalt II
90 over th.her so the serYaut Of the Lprd died