The Cambria freeman. [volume] (Ebensburg, Pa.) 1867-1938, 1869-10-14
Death OF EX-PreStdent Pierce,

Ex-President PILR' died at his residence
In Concord, n. H., on last Friday morning,
aged SO years. For the last year his health
had been slowly but surely giving away, and
his death was therefore not unexpected. We
refer our readers to another column for a BIZ
ographical sketch of his life.
In addition to having held many cf the
highest and most responsible positions in his
native State, Mr.. PIERCE at length attained
the summit of human ambition in this coun-
1rY-the Presidency-and his administration
firms prominent page in the history of the
nation. His Cabinet was composed of the
very ablest statesmen of the democratic par
ty. WILLIAM L. MARCY was his Secretary
of State. JAMES GUTHRIE Secretary of the
Treasury, JEFFERSON DAVIS Secretary Of
War, and CALEB CUSHING Attorney General
Perhaps the most marked and memorable
feature of his administration was the Kansas
and Nebraska bill, whose author was STE
PHEN A. DOUGLAS. The acquisition of Ari-
ZOna from Mexico, the celebrated Koszta af-
fair IN the harbor Of Smyrna, the Ostend
manifesto, the proposition 10 purchase Cuba
and Commodore Perry's expedition to Japan
were also prominent features Of his admins
tration.
The New York World, in a sketch of his
lie and public services, puts upon record the
following correct and impartial estimate of
his character:
Pre- ident Pierce was, with the possible ex-
ception of John Quincy Adams, the most pol
isheu and accomplished of the later occupants
of the White House His manners were ex-
tremely engaging he had the appearance and
refinement of the well-bred gentleman he
spoke we'll, and his stase papers were models
OF literary elegance and perspicuity. During
his term OF office, when party excitement ran
unusually high and he was the subject of more
than the ordinary amount of detraction, no
question W s ever raised of his personal iuteg
rty, and, now that time has moderated the
passions engendered in those days, we believe
no one will deny the honesty of his official pur-
poses and the TaJr.otism with which he sought
TO serve his country. Though he may not
takelrauk in American history among.the very
greatest OF our public men, it will be said TO his
credit that as advocate, soldier, statesman, and
chief magistrate, he bore himself always as a
man and u gentleman.
On the announcer ent Of the death of Mr..
PIERCE. President GRANT caused the follow
ing proclamation 10 be made public
WAsHNGToN, October 8, lS69-The painful
duty devOlves upon the President of announ-
cling to the people of the United States the
death OF one of his honored predecessors, Frank
lin Pierce, which occurred at Concord early
this morning. Eminent in public councils, and
universally beloved in private life, his death
will be mOurned with a sorrow beftting the
loss which his country sustains in his decease.
AS a mark of respect to his memory, it is Or
dered that the Executive Mansion and the sew
eral departments at Washington be draped in
mourning and all business suspended on the day
of the funeral. 1t is further ordered that the
War and Navy Departments cause suitable
military and naval honOrs to be paid on this
occasion to the memory OF the Ilustrious citi-
zen who has passed from among US.
L. S. GRASr.