Rutland weekly herald. [volume] (Rutland, Vt.) 1859-1877, 1869-10-14

headed, straightforward, acute in his
perceptiona, earnest In his studies, curious
in his inquiries, and remembering all that
be had heard or read, eminently practi-
cal in the turn of his mind, he was able,
without an effort, to reduce all the the
cries of the science OF law to practical
conclusions. He offers striking illus
tration of kind of intellect that
seems to be somewhat peculiar to New
England men-we speak Of mind curl
Gus enough to be always seeking for
light. capacious enough to hold every
thing. and yet withal, endowed with that
rare property which we will call the
chemical power of arranging for itself,
without labor to its possessor, all the
knowledge he has acquired. Such minds
furnish, ready for use, the whole stock of
knowledge ever committed them, when
called on. The moment such men have
to speak, or write, or act, all that they
have ever read, or heard, or known, or had
a chance to know, springs to their aid in
Just the order they want to use it. This
makes a ready speaker. This quality.
possessed in SO eminent a degree by
Frank Pierce, makes him great, intelli-
gent, and practical lawyer, and from one
step to another, he passed all the grades
that lie between the student who opens
Blackstone, and the highest principles Of
national law.
Frank Pierce never put forth an exer-
ton for his own elevation in his life. He
never asked for an an Office, and when he
felt it his duty to run for one, no man
ever outstripped him. He has frequent
| ly resigned places of emolument, and
honor, the very moment he felt that his
chief duties were done. He never eva
ded 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 post
speed with their letters, promising every
thing TO everybody, Mr.. Pierce did
not take the trouble to write any letter
at all, as he did not consider him
self one of the candidates-did not
expect the nomination, and had never
tried to get it-but, on the contrary,
when he was nominated for the Presiden-
cy by the people of his own State, last
winter, out of respect to his fellow-citi-
zens, in very frank and manly spirit,
he simply replied in the following words:
CONCORD, Jan. IL, 1852
My Dear Sir: l take the liberty to
address you, because no channel more APP
propriate occurs to me through which to
express my thanks to the convention over
which you presided on the 9Th inst, and
to the masses there Represented.
/ am far from being insensble to the
en- Ixva x,l go
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 APP
probation Of an intelligent people is the
best earthly reward for earnest and cheer
full services rendered TO ones State and
country and while it is matter of I'M
feigncd regret that my life has been 70
barren of usefulness, i shall ever hold
THE and similar tributes among my most
cherished recollections.
To these, my sincere and grateful ac-
acknowledgements 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
judgment in this respect, now impel me to
say that the use Of my name, in any
event, before tho Democratic National
Convention at Baltimore, to which you
are delegate, would be utterly repug-
nant to my tastes and wishes.
| am, with the highest respect and
esteem, your friend, FRANK PIERCE.
Hon. CHARLES G. ATHLRToN, Nashville,
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 defamation. The man is
simply described and illustrated
The pathway of General Pierce has
been for many years past dark one, in
that the last OF his children-one in whom
reposed the hope of his house-met with
a most tragic fate. His wife, to whom
he was devoutedly attentive. in long years
of her sickness. has also passed away. o.
a long list of attached friends, scarce any
remain. They have gone before, and he
at length has joined them in the skies,
and bis works follow him. His last days
have therefore been those, to great ex
tent, of rccluse, whose life and spirits
have been deeply affected by constant
anxiety and distress, touching public and
private relations He has in many ways
given of his means for worthy public and
private objects, aud has, in an especial
manner, sought to promote the interests
Of the few IeIatives that now survive him,
and who, in bearing the name Of Pierce,
and in being known as the objects OF his
affection III his latter days and at his
dying pillow, viii receive the attention
and respect OF good men as long as they
shall honor name that has high rank in
American history