Public ledger. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1865-1893, 1868-05-23
THEDEMOCRAYIC CONVENTION,
From the National Intelligencer.l

political situation and the anticipated
Presidential nomination OF the Demo-
cratic or Conservative Convention at
New York on the 4th of July next, we
have concluded to furnish TO the public
copy of private letter Of Gen. Pierce,
written above month ego, aud ed-
dressed to ]. D. Hoover, Esq OF this
city. The letter itself, though written
long since, anticipated some of the diff
eulties touching nomiaations, which
have already exhibited themselves. Yet,
upon the whole, we are free TO say that
antagonisms Of rival candidates are at
this time far less marked than at any
other period in our late history. Gen.
Pierce, in more recent letter to a friend,
we'll suggests that calm counsels and wise
action on the part Of the National Con-
vention will make success morally GER
tain. tiE., ,o,o
My DEAR SIR: have just returned
from Boston to find your letter Of 10th
instant. The language attributed to me
in the article to which you call my atten-
ton expresses substantially what have
thought, and doubtless what have often
said. 40 ie.
You know how highly estimate the
culture, powers and elevated character
istics of Mr.. Pendleton and Gov Sey-
mour, Mr.. Hendricks and Mr.. Doolittle !;
and how gratefully recognize the SER
vices rendered by them respectively IN
defense of the Constitution.
/ think must also have spoken to you,
during the late civil war, of General
Hancock. knew him welltwenty years
ago, and had the pleasure OF meeting
him with the late gallant General Reno
on one occasion since the Mexican cam
paign of 1878. The death OF the
latter affected me deeply, aud the two
have been frequently associated in my
memory. BY their dashing intrepidity,
knowledge, and large manhood, they at
tracted universal confidence, and in an
unusual degree the warm regard OF OH.
GERS and men. They had then the bound
and elasticity peculiar to youth, but they
had, beside, the prompt and prudent
judgment of ripper age.
No thoughtful man can help being I'M
pressed with the fact that such responsi-
bility and weighty duties as will rest upon
the coming convention have rarely been
cast upon any body Of men. 1t will not
be an occasion where one may well de-
eide for himself in accordance with his
personal interests, friendships or wishes; /;
and hence it is but the suggestion of or
binary forecast that judgment be sus-
pended for a careful comparison OF con-
clusions 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 period when
the Constitution, instead of receiving
homage and respect, encounters scofhng
and defiance on the part of those who
are too evidently determined to command
the ship or destroy it. This, however,
is an alternative only in words, for their
continued command must end in wreck.
Before the close OF the present Congress,
and within about three years past, they
will have placed three different persons 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 so in precise accordance
with his chart.
Happily, my anticipations may 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 john
sons guilt or innocence is not the matter
TO be passed upon. He is more or less
in the way, and consequently is to be
displaced. Not because such displace-
ment will be warranted by law or fact,
Justice or reason, bat upon the plea OF
State necessity" under which the hand
of the tyrant upon the bell-rope has 80
often in other lands-and in these later
years, shame to say, in ours--struck
down the shield of freemen by ringing
the knel of "the great writ Of liberty"
fit be not singular, it is at least very
fortunate that such 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 faithfully earned, and not less an
honor to the patriotism and intelligence
Of the people. If every consideration
likely to influence the momentous result
be not dispassiouately and thoughttuIiy
weighed, it will be blunder and crime.
With either of these wise aud 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 Constitutlon-detying
Radicalism, and to restore fraternity and
peace, unity and prosperity to the re-
public.
If, through Divine Providence, such
an event be in reserve for us, how JOY
ously and hopefully ones heart would
beat and hands 60 to work TO heal and
restore-to meet every liability, however
heavy, that touches the honor and lnteg-
rity of the nation, through the old sys
tenn and habit of rigid economy and
stern fidelity in fulillment of every
public trust aud obligation.
Even If / we're certain what my Judg-
ment will be when the 4th Of July shall
arrive, you are not, hope, mistaken IN
believing that would readily yield any
personal preference to insure the over
throw Of the more than incipieHt "reigu
Of terror now hurrying all that is valu
able to swift destruction.
There can be in the convention no pos
sible occasion for the sacrifice either oi
principle or Of just pride; and hence
while there may be-nay, in the nature
of things, must be differences Of opinion
in regard TO the platform, and decided
individual preferences in relation 10 the
person around whom the people are to
rally for our country, our whole coun-
try. and nothing bot our country; yet
anticipate cheerful harmony when the
work is done. and with It and beyond Il
complete success.
We can wisely postpone minor matters
or issues that may hereafter involve
earnest discussion. The primary and
overshadoviBg object Of all conservative