Spirit of Jefferson. [volume] (Charles Town, Va. [W. Va.]) 1844-1948, 1868-05-26

We have been favored with copy of the
following private letter:
CONCORD, N. H., April %, 1868.
have just returned from Boston to fnd
your letter of the 10th inst. The language
attributed to me in the article to which you
call my attention expresses substantially what
l have thought, doubtless what have often
said.
You know how highly estimate the cul-
ture, powers and elevated characteristics of
Mr. Pendleton and Governor Seymour, Mr..
Hendricks and Mr.. Dooltte; and how CRATE
fully | recognize the services rendered by
them respectively in defence Of the Consti-
tuition.
l think I must also have spoken to you
during the late civil war of General Hancock
| knew him we'll twenty years ago, and had
the pleasure of meeting him, with the late
gallant General Reno, on one occasion since
the Mexican campaign Of 1878. The
death of the latter affected me deeply, and
the two have frequently been associated in
my memory. BY their dashing intrepidty,
knowledge and large manhood, they attracted
universal confidence, and in ar unusual de-
gree the warm regard of officers and men.
They had then the bound and elasticity Pc
! culiar to youth, but they had besides, the
prompt and prudent Judgment of ripper age.
No thoughtful man can help being i'm
pressed by the fact that such responsibility
and weighty duties as will rest upon the
coming Convention have rarely been cast up
on any body Of men. 1t will not be an oc-
cason where one may we'll decide for him-
self in accordance with his personal interests,
friendships or wishes; and hence it is but
the suggestion Of ordinary forecast that judg-
mcnt be suspended for Il careful comparison
of conclusions with delegates at the conven-
ton from all parts of the Union, and for 8:
more full development of the dangerous rush
and whirl of events in period when the
Constitution, instead Of receiving homage and
respect encounters scOt1ing and defiance on
the part Of those who are too evidently de-
tcrmincd to command the ship or destroy it.
This, however, is an alternative only in words,
for their continued command must end i'll
wreck. Before the close Of the present Cons
gross. and within about three years past, they
will have placed three different persons ut
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 SO in precise accordance with his chart.
Happily, my anticipations my not be borne
out by the finding of the Senate. But it
would seem, from all we hear and read, that
the question of President j Ohnsnn' innocence
or guilt is not the matter to be passed upon
lie is more or less in the way. aud cOnse-
qucntly, is to be displaced because such
displacement will be warranted by law or fact,
justice or reason, but upon "the plea of State
necessity" under which the hand Of the ty-
rant upon the bell rope has SO often in other
lands. and in these later years, shame to say
in ours, struck down the shield of freemcn
by ringing the knel Of "the great writ OF
liberty"
If it be not singular, it is at least very for
tunatc that such gentlemen as you name
should be the fine citizens towards whom the
calm mind of the country is now turned and
apparently concentrated. 1t is an honor to
the representative names faithfully earned,
and not less an honor to the patriotism and
intelligence Of the people. If every consid-
Grafton likely to influence the monentous re-
suit be not dispassionately and thouyhtlully
weighed, it will be blundcr and Il crime.
With either Of these wise and patriotic cit
liens at the head Of national affairs, I feel
perfect assurance that everything would he
done that can be by man to arrest the surge
Of Constitution detying radicaism and to re-
store fraternity and peace, unity and pros
perity to the Repubic.
If through Divine Providence such an
event be in reserve for us, how ioyously and
hopefully ones heart would beat and hands
20 at work to heal and restore, to meet every
just liability, however heavy, that touches
the honor and integrity of the nation, through
the old system and habit of rigid economy
and stern fidelity in fulfilment Of every pub
lie trust and obligation.
Even if | were certain what my Judgment
Will be when the fourth of July shall arrive,
you are not, | hope, mistaken in believing
that [ would readily yield my personal prefer
ences to ensure the overthrow Of the more
than incipient reign of terror" now hurry>
ing all that is valuable to swift destruction
There can be in the Convention no posi-
bic occasion for the sacrifice either of princi-
pie or just pride. and hence, while there may
be-nay, i'll the nature of things, must be
differences of opinion in regard to the plat
form, and decided individual preferences in
relation to the person around whom the peo-
pie are to rally for ''our country, our whole
country and nothing but our country''-yet
[ anticipate cheerful harmony when the work
is done, and with it and beyond it complete
success.
We can wisely postpone minor matters or
issues that may hereafter involve earnest dis
cuSslon. Ihe primary and overshad0Hinc
object Of all conservative men is now. and
will continue to be, to rescue the work Of the
fathers from destroying hands, and to save
the foundations as they are. by constitu-
tional victory at the balIot-box too overwhelm-
ing to be questioned
[ 90 to North Hampton to .morrow to look
after spring work, as farmers say, and cannot
write more at present l WILL however, an
swer the business part of your letter in three
or four day.
Your friend, &c,
[SiGned,] FRANKLIN PIERCE.
Col. j. D. HOOVER, Washington, D. c.
I L