Clearfield Republican. [volume] (Clearfield, Pa.) 1851-1937, 1869-10-20


grace the legislative halls Of tho nation
by their monthings and clap.trap dis
play Of monntebanks. By the adop-
ton Of this line of conduct he was not
long in winning the confidence Of the
political parties Of the day and partic-
ularly the prominent men OF the Sem
ate. Calhoun, Benton, Wright, Walk.
er, Buchanan, and, indeed, almost all
the democratic members of both hous-
es, honoied HIM with their friendship.
In 1912 he significd his intention of
retiring from The Senate, and, return
ing homo, entered again npon the
practice Of his profession.
Mr.. Pierce now pursued with a well
determined vigor the practice of his
profession. Whether hisiamo in Con-
gress and more recently in the Senate
had any effect in securing him prac-
tice we do not pretend to determine,
but certain 1t is that he started with
a very respectable practice. lie was
a careful, vigilant, painstaking lawyer,
and did everything in his power to
satisfy his clients Though frequent
ly importuned to accept political place
at this time be positively refused to
be separated from his family, unless
the imperative necessities of his coun-
try in case of war demanded the sac
rifice.
his MILITARY RECORD DURING THE
MEXICAN WAR.
The time shortly after approached
that the pledge would have to DO re-
deemed. The Mexican war came on,
and Franklin Pierce, who had already
distinguished himself in the forum and
at the bar, volunteered for the service
Of his country in the field lie receiv-
cd the appointment Of colonel of the
Ninth infantry in February, lS47, and
the following month was promoted
TO be brigadier general His atten-
tion to the mon under his command
has been frequently alluded 10 in
terms Of no moan praise. He contri-
buted whatever lay in his power 70
alleviate the snficrings of his weariod
soldiers, who, broken dosn with tho
fatigues Of the campaign, considered
the most trihing help boon that could
scarcely be over-ostimated.
On the arrival OF the renforcements
which General Pierce commanded, Gen.
Scott broke up camp and commenced
the march upon the capitol OF Mexico.
On the 10Th of August the sanguina-
ry conflict OF Contrcras occurred. Tho
engagement proved moro severe than
was FIRST expected. Pierce led his
brigade ,and bravely foughtall through
that terrible conflict. While leading
his troops and encouraging them by
their love Of country and the renown
Of her arms TO carry the day, his horse
slipped under him and both horse and
rider camc to the ground. The fall
broke his log and otherwise bruised
him. Notwithstanding this he still
continued on, and even followed in
pursuit of the routed Mexicans, who
were flying towards Chcrubusco. 1t
was az this last engagement that Gen.
Scott, observing his suffering condi-
tion, ordered him back to ST Angus
/ tine but he pleaded to be left with
his brigade, and the General consen.
ted AT this battle he appeared to
, forget his injuries and became appa-
rently reckless in the face Of the enc
my. The American army was here
victorious.
After the victory Santa Anna pro-
posed an armistice. Gen Scott grant.
|, cd it, but proved Afterwards only TO
be ruse of the willy old Mexican to
prevent the American army from i'm
, mediately taking possession Of the
> capital. General Pierce was ono Of
: tho commissioners appointed TO ar
range the terms of peace His asso-
: ciates wcro Generals Quiiman and
Persifer F. Smith The negotiations
failed, and again the battle cry was
{ sounded. The next battle was that
Of Molino del Roy, and at this fierce
and obstlnately contested engagement
= General Pierce acted With his usual
bravery. He was ordered TO support
+ Gen. Worth, who, with 5000 men,
> had attacked 1900 Mexicans. Tho
: inirepidity displayed by Gen. Pierce
when he arrived with his reinforce
ments, and the determined front his
r men presented, had the effect Of draw
y ing the fire from Chapultepec upon
his forces. They stood IL like rock,
r and tho fed was won His physical
Z, strength. so severely overtaxed for
d the last thirty-six hours, then gave
{ way, and be had 20 take his bod, ifom
s which he rose to find the Mexican war
G brought TO a close, and tho Stars and
: Stripes waving above the Halls OF
II the Montozumas. ---------
= Gen. Pierce returned homo IN De
: cember, and again applied himself to
/. the practice Of law In 1850 he was
elected President Of tho Convention
- drawn together to revise the consti.
> tuition Of his native State, Here he
! labored for the repeal Of the ilibcral
|, Catholic test, so long stain upon the
= statute book of that State. and sue
ceeded in accomplishing al that the
= Convention could do in the matter.
y THIS, at the time, gave rise TO q good
deal Of dispute, and when Mr. Pierce
Y entered upon his Presidential cam
!, paign the question eamo largely into
a play, and afforded the political parti-
= sans pro and con an opportunity Of ven
tilating the supposed or known views
. Of the candidate for the Presidency
y on this important subject.
1. ELECTION TO THE PRESIDENCY.
Ie In Jure, 1852, be succeeded in OBJ
d tanning the democratic nomination for
Il the Presidency. Those who sought
1. tho nomination in the convention werc
n James Buchanan, William J.. Marcy,
l. stephen A Douglas and Lewis Cass,
n all able statesmen aud men Of far more
:. political prominence thar Pierce.
r. Yet he was the man selected, and he
d was elected President over General
d Scott by an overwhelming vote. Pre-,
/. vious 10 his installation he received a
5. grevious afliction In the loss Of his