Clearfield Republican. [volume] (Clearfield, Pa.) 1851-1937, 1865-05-03
Ex-President Pierce.
We learn from the New Hamshire

nuuaIeu appeared about the door Of Gen.
FIERCE, IN Concord, and surprised him by
vocIierous calls, Immediately the door
was thrown open, and in the blaze of The
entry hight the ex-President appeard upon
The Steps aud addressed to the assemblage
the remarks which we print below.
Our readers will perceive that, though
taken by surprise, General PIERCE deport-
ed himself in that brave and self-possess-
ed manner which has always so pre-emi-
nently distinguished him. There can be-
but little doubt that this crowd had some
thought of mischief when they assembled
in front of that mansion, but the noble
and fearless bearing of its great and patri-
otto occupant awed them into respectful
silence at first and soon extorted from
item expressions of appreciation. The
FdtrIot says that when he finished speak
ing and 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.
We hold up the ex-Presidents lofty
bearing as an example for all public men
who may find themselves similarly cir
cumstanced, and we commend the con-
duct Of his listeners to the imitation Of
that demonstrative class of people every
where, who can neither enjoy good nor
endure bad news without disturbing in cir
quieter and more Iaw-sb:diug neigh
bors. - FmeaSie' htellgcncer.
SPEECH or GEN. FIERCE.
FeHo0 Io'0njmcH come 60 ascertain
the motives OF this call What is your
some person in the crowd replied ::
-" wish 20 hear some words from YOU
on lh.s sad OCCASION" Gen. Pierce pro-
Geeded 4
| wish could address you words of So
ace. But that could hardly be done.
The magnitude of the calamity. in all its
aspects, is overwhelming. If your hearts
are oppressed by events more calculated
to awaken profound sorrow and regret
than any which have hitherto occurred
IN our history, mine miugle its deepest
regrets and sorrowss with yours 1t is to
be hoped that the great wickedness and
atroclty was confined morally and actual
ly to the heads aud hearts of but two indi-
viduals Of all those who still survive on
this continent; and that they may sneed-
lily, and in obedience to law. meet the pun
lShu ent due to their unparalleled crimes.
1t is well that you-it is well that that /
well that all men worthy to be called citi-
zens of the United States, make manifest,
in all suitable forms, the emotions Incl
dent 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, outgushng sympathy, as am sure
all persons within the hearing of my voice
must do.
Bat beyond personal grief and loss,
there will abide with US inevitably the
most painful memories. Because, as citi.
obedlent TO law, revering the Corstitu-
tion, holding fast TO the Union, thankful
for the period Of history which succeeded
the Revolution i'll so many years Of peace
tul growth and prosperity, and loving
with the devotion of true and faithful
children, all that belongs to the advance
InTnt and glory Of tliv na,cu, uor ~
er forget or cease to deplCre the great
crime aud deep stain.
A voice from the crowd-"Where is
your tlag?"
ID is not necessary for me to show my
devotion for the stars and stripes by any
special exhibition, or upon the demand
OF any man or body Of men. Ny auces-
tors followed it through the Revolution
one of them, at least mover having seen
his mothers roof from the beginning to
the close of that protracicd struggle. Ny
brothers followed it in the war of 1872 :;
and left my family, in the spring Of 1871,
among you, to follow its fortunes and
maintain il upon a foreign soil. But this
sou all know. If the period during which
have served our State and country in
various situations, commencing more than
.hirty-fle years ago, have fl the ques-
tion of my devotion to the flag, the Con
sttution and the Union, in doubt, it il
TOO late now to remove it, by any such eX-
hbition as the inquiry suggest. Besides,
TO remove such doubts from minds where
they may have been cultivated by a spirit
cf domination and partisan rnncor, if such
a thing were possible, would be of no con-
sequence TO you, and is certainly Of none
10 me. The malicious questionugs
would return TO reassert their supremacy
and pursue the work Of injustice,
Conscious Of the iniirmlties of tempera-
ment, which % a greater or less extent
beset us all, have never felt or found
that violence or passion was ultimately
productive OF bcneiicent result. 1t is
gratifying TO perceive that your observa-
ton, brieter than mine, has led your
minds to the same conclusion. What a
priceless commentary nncs tnis general
thought, it IS the final reported conversa-
ton between the late President and Cabi-
rst and with that despatch comes news
to warrant the cheering hope that, in
spite of the kuife of the assassin, the life
and intel leot of the Secretary of State
may through Providence, be spared to us
in this appalling emergency.
thank you for the silent attention
with which you have listened to me, and
for the manifestations of your approval as
my neighbors and will not detaiu you in
this storm longer than to add my best
wishes for you all, and for what, indivdu
ally and colllectively-we ought to hold
most dear our Country-our whole Coun
try. Good night.