Nashville union and dispatch. [volume] (Nashville, Tenn.) 1866-1868, 1868-05-22
THE DEMOCRATIC NOAIINA.
TI0N,

Letter from Ex-PresIdenG Pieree-A
ComplIsneut 60 Gen. HaneOct-The
Duty 81 the Democratic National
sonveatfOa-PersOna Preferences
mos 90 EnfIRenee n Choice.
From the National Intelligelcer.
BY reason Of various reported views of
ex-President Pierce, concerning the poliii-
cal situation and the anticipated Presiden-
tisl nomination Of the Democratic or
Conservative Convention at New York, on
the 4th Of July next, we have concluded
20 furnish 10 the public copy Of private
letter Of Gen. Pierce, written about q
month ago, and addressed to J. ID. Hoover,
Eco, Of This city. The letter ITSELF though
written long since, anticipated some OF
the difficulties touching nominations which
have already exhibited themselves. Yet,
upon the whole, we are free TO say that
.aniagonisms of rival candidates are at this
time far less marked than at any other pc
riod in our late history. General Pierce,
in a more recent letter TO friend, well
suggests that calm counsels and wise action
on the part Of the National Convention
will make success morally certain.
CoNcoRD, n. H., April %, 156S.-MY
DEARSIR: lhave just returned from Boston
10 find yonr letter Of the 10th instant The
language attributed 10 me in the article TO
which You call my attention, expresses sub
stantially what have thought, and doubt
less what have often said 49,.
You know how highly ] estimate the
culture, powers and elevated characteristics
Of Mr.. Pendleton and Governor Seymour,
Mr.. Hendricks, and Mr.. DOolittle; and
s.r,toF.1l.- 40 fI,o 80,
dered by them respectively in defense Of
the Constitution.
think must also have spoken TO YOU,
during the late civil war, Of Gen. Hancock.
! knew him well twenty years ago, and had
the pleasure Of meeting him with the late
gallant Gen. Reno on one occasion since
the Mexican campaign Of lS47-4S. The
death Of the latter affected me deeply, and
the two have been frequently associated 10
my memory. BY their dashing intrepidity,
knowledge and large manhood, they at
tracted universal confidence, and in an un-
usual degree the warm regard of officers
and men They had then the bound and
elasticity peculiar TO youth, but they had,
beside, the prompt and prudent Judgment
Of ripper age. .-.s.; ~, ... ~
No thoughtful man can help being inn
pressed by the fact that snch responsibility
and weighiy duties az will rest upon the
coming convention have rarely been cast
upon any body Of men. II will not be an
occasion where one may well decide for
himself in accordance with his personal in
terests, friendships, or wishes and hence
| il is but the suggestion Of ordinary forecast
that judgment he suspended for a careful
comparison of conclusions with delegates at
the convention from all parts of the Union,
and for a more full development Of the
dangerous rush and whirl Of events in a
period when the Constitution, instead OF
receiving homage and respect, encounters
scofing and defiance on the part of those
who are too evidently determined 10 COM
mand the ship or destroy il. This, how
ever, il an alternative only in words, for
their continued command must end in
wreck. Before the close Of represent Con-
gress, and within about three years past,
they will have placed three different per-
sons at the helm, not that the incumbent
might hold the ship of state steadily and
safely on her course, but with design to
lash his arms or throw him overheard If he
| even attempt TO do 30 in precise accordance
with his chart.
Happily, my anticipations may not be
| borne out by the finding Of the Senate.
/ But il would seem from all we hear and
read, that the question Of President John
sons guilt or innocence, is not the matter
/ 10 be passed upon. He is more or less in
the way, and consequently is to be dis
placed. Not because such displacement
| will be warranted by law or fact, Justice or
reason, bat upon "the plea Of State neces-
sity," under which the hand Of the tyrant
upon the bell-rOpe has so often in other
lands-and in these later years, shame to
| saw, in ours-struck down the shield Of
freemeh by ringing the knell Of " the great
writ Of liberty"
II it be not singular, i! is at least very
fortunate that snch gentlemen as you name
should be the FIVE citizens toward whom the
calm mind Of the country is now turned
and apparently concentrated. II is an
honor to the representative names faith
folly earned, and not less an honor TO the
patriotism and intelligence Of the people.
Ii every consideration likely to influence
the momentous result be not dispassion-
ately and thoughtiully weighed, il will be
a blunder and a crime. ..
With either OF these wise and patriotic
citizens at the head of national affairs, !
feel perfect assurance that everything would
be done that can be by man TO arrest the
surge of Constiiution-defying Radicalisni,
and to restore fraternity and peace, unity
and prosperity, 70 the republic.
II, through Divine Providence, such an
event be in reserve for us, how joyously and
hopefully ones heart would beat and hands
go 20 work 10 heal aud resiore--to meet
every liability, however heavy, that touches
the honor aud integrity Of the nation,
through the old system and habit of rigid
economy aud stern fidelity in fulfillment OF
every public trust and obligation.
Even If ! were certain what my iudg-
ment will he when the 4th Of July shall
arrive, you are not, hope, mistaken in
believing that would readily yield any
personal preference 10 insure the overthrow
Of the more than incipient "reign of terror
now hurrying all that is valuable TO swift
destruction.
There can be in the convention no posi-
bic occasion for the sacrifice either Of prin.
eiple or of just pride; and hence while
there may be-nay, in the nature Of things
must be differences Of opinion ia regard u
the platform, and decided individual
preferences in relation to the person
around whom the people are 10 rally fol
Our country, our whole country, and
nothing bat our country yet / anticipate
cheerful harmony When the work is done
and with il and beyond eompletesuoeess.
We can wisely postpone minor matters
OF issues that may hereafter involve earnes
; discussion. The primary and oyershadow'
ing object of all Conservative men Is new
b aud will continue 90 be, TO rescue the WORK
D OF the fathers from destroying hands, anr
: 20 save the foundations as they are, by AT
honest constitutional victory at the ballot
box, too Overwhelming 10 be questioned.
Your friend,
FRANKLIN Pierce
Col j. D. Hoover, Washington, ID. G.