The Middlebury register. [volume] (Middlebury, Vt.) 1850-1882, 1869-10-19

grades that lie between the student who
opens Blackstone, and the highest princi-
pies Of national law
Frank Pierce never put forth an cxcr-
tion for his own elevation in his life. He
never asked for an office, and when he
felt it his duty to run for one, no man
ever outstrippcd him He has frequent
ly resigned places of femolumcnt, and hon
or, the very moment he felt that his chief
duties were DONE He never evadcd u
responsibility, and never accepted an
honor without extreme reluctance. Even
in the midst of the last Olympic race,
when the civic crown was held full in
view and thirteen candidates, the number
of the old States, started off postspeed
with their letters, promising everything
to everybody, Mr.. Pierce did not take
the trouble to write any letter at all, as
he did not consider himself one of the
candidates--did not expect the nomina-
ton, and had never tried to get it--hut,
on the contrary, when he was nominated
for the Presidency by the people Of his
own State, last winter, out of respect to
his fellow-citizcns, in frank and manly
spirit, he simply replied in the following
words
CoNcoRD, Jan. II, 1852.
Jiy iJo0 Su': take the liberty to
address YOU. because no channel more ap-
propriatc occurs to me through which to
express my thanks TO the convention over
which you presided on the sth inst, and
to the masses there represented
am far from being insensblo to the
steady and generous confidence 50 often
manifested toward me by the people of
this State and although the object indi-
Gated in the resolution, having particular
reference to myself, be not one of desire
on my part, the expression is not, on that
account, the least gratifying.
Doubtless the spontaneous and just ap-
probation of an intelligent people is the
best earthly reward for earnest and cheer
ful services rendered to ones State and
country and while it is matter of un-
feigncd regret that my life has been so
barren of usefulness, | shall ever hold
this and similar tributes among my most
cherished recollcctions.
To these, my sincere and grateful ac-
knowlcdgcments, desire to add that the
same motives which induced me several
years ago to retire from public life, and
which since that time have controlled my
judgement in this respect, now impcl ME
to say that the use Of my name, in any
event, before the Democratic National
Convention at Baltimore, to which you
are a delegate, would be uttcrcly repug-
nant to my taste and wishes.
am, with the highest respect and
esteem, your friend, FRANK PIERCE.
Hon. CHARLES G. ATHERToN, Nashville,
n. II.
We give the above from an impartial
source as presenting an excellent analysis
of the character and faculties of Franklin
Pierce. Politics and party have nothing
to do with the dcleniation. The man is
simply described and illustrated
The pathway of General Pierce has
been ior many years past dark one, IN
that the last of his children-one in whom
reposed the hope of his house-met with
most tragic fate. His wife, to whom
no was dcvotcdly attentive, in long years
Of her sickness, has also passed away. OF
a long list of attached friends, scarce any
remain. They have gone before, and he
at length has joined them in the skies and
his works follow him. His last days have
therefore been those, to great extent, OF
a rcclusc, whose life and spirits have been
deeply affected by constant anxiety and
distress. touching public and private re-
ations. He has in many ways given OF
his mean, for worthy public and private
subjects, and has, in especial manner
sought to promote the interests of the few
relatives that now survive him, and who
in bearing the name Of Pierce, and in be.
ing known as the objects Of his affection
in his latter days and at his dying pillow
will receive the attention and respect Of
good men as long as they shall honor t
name that has high rank in American
history.