The national Republican. [volume] (Washington City [D.C.]) 1866-1870, 1869-10-12

Funeral Services I'm Concord
In accordance with a call issued 10 the
papers Of Sunday meeting Of Democrats
was held last night ut Combs Hall. The
object Of the meeting was TO take action In
view Of the death Of the late ex-Presldent
Franklin Pierce. Among the audience were
many who had the honor of personal ac-
quaintauce with the deceased, and q very
pleasing incident was the presence Of Eve Of
the soldiers who fought with him during the
Mexican war. These were Lieutenant Col
onel Stewart, Captain Joseph shillem and
Sergeants Baldwin, Landsdale and Munroe.
In the rear Of the stage was banner
drapcd In black; which II was stated was
the Identical banner carried by the jackson
Democratic Association, Of this city, upon
tho occasion OF the inauguration OF General
presented to the association by the Granite
Club, Of Concord, N. H., and bears upon !,
the following inscriptions:
"Granite Club"
''Pierce and King"
"The Union must and shall be preserved
A representation 10 gilt Of pen crossed
with a sword completed one face OF the
On the reverse appears the following In
aLet the blessings Of Government, like
the dews of heaven, fall on all alike, rich
and poor. "-Andrep Jackson.
This banner was carried on Inauguration
day by Mr.. Michael Combs, OF this city, In
whose possession II has been ever since. 1t
Is very handsomely wrought memento.
Shortly amer s o'clock, B. 7. Swart, esq,
president Of the association, called the meet
ing to order, and stated that 1t was some
time since 1t had met, and now they were
called together by the dispensation Of Provi-
dence. They were met to take suitable ac-
ton In view Of the great loss the nation had
sustained In the death Of ex-Prcsident Frank
lin Pierce. He then announced that he was
ready to proceed to business.
On motion of DR.. Clayton, q committee
OF I'VE was appointed to prepare suitable
resolutions.
The committee consisted OF DR.. J. D.
Blake, Col. T. B. Florence, DIR. Thomas G..
Clayton, Col. James g. Berrett and Mr.. b.
T. swart.
This committee retired, and after con-
sultation they returned, when DR.. Blake,
the chairman, read the following resolutions
as their report:
Whereas It has pleased our Heavenly Father
,e.nea Es, EG% e.s,a the eSSSfsd and t ss
United states, who devoted nearly his whole
HE to the service OF his country, in the ma
tional legislature, on the battlefield and Ia
the Cabinet council, acquitting himself Ia
every capacity with unsurpassed ability, uu
Questioned integrity and an exclusive desir,
70 toster and promote the highest interest o
the nation; and whereas he was bold deiende
OF the Constitution, an ardent lover of tn
lie, and determined and I'm a ing opponer
81 usurpation and oppressionj and whereas
the private relations Of life he was a nob
piishsd Christian gentleman; and whereas v.S
was ever the consistent and Arm friend OF on
city, warmly advocating whatever tended !
the promotion Of Its interests, and anxiousl
desiring that 1t should In all respects be IN ad
worthy OF its illustrious founder, whose hor
ored name II bears; therefore,
Retoiped, That whilst we bow In humble sui
mission to the DEGREES of Omuipotent Power
We cannot withhold the expression OF GU
grief Tor the loss the nation has sustained l
the death OF so distinguished a patriot, soldis
and statesman.
Rssoiped, That we will cherish the memory {
MS many manly virtues, his dignihed an
noble appearance, his free aud easy inte
course In society, his splendid conversation,
powers And his kind and friendly disposition
made him ever ready to extend a helping han
wherever he could be Of assistance.
our respect for his memory, and that I'll
onicers OF this meeting transmit copy ofthes
proceedings to the family OF the deceased, sn
Of this city.
Sol. In0mas b. Florence seconded tn
resolutions In q short address, wherein h
paid high tribute to the nlustrious Dc
ceased, saying that Gen. Pie-ce possessed |
peculiar degree those qualities of hea
and heart which served to endear him
men around him, no matter what were the
political opinions. He then spoke OF Il
warm personal relations which existed b
tween the ex-Presldent and himself durin
his term as member OF Congress, and n
Viewed his political course as an exponer
OF the constitutional principles Of the Demo
cratic party.
DR.. T. q. Clayton followed, and after ad
yerting to the solemnity of the occasion, re
ferred to the banner which was presente
and spoke Of the campaign Of '52, whic
resulted In the election Of Pierce and King
He then spoke Of the deceased President, {
his courteous and gentlemanly demeanor, {
his many superior qualities, and after tracin
his history, concluded by offering CLOWN
eulogium TO the memory Of .ne departed.
Captain Z. y. ,Robnson followed In eult
CYSTIC rem.fks OF tho Industrious dead as
soldier, statesman, and Christian.
DR.. Charles Allen offered his tribute to tn
memory Of General Pierce, proclaiming hit
one Of the front rank Of the Democrat
party, concluding In an eloquent eulogy {
the many virtues Of the deceased. DR.. Allie
then moved TO amend the resolutions, thi
the banners, flags, &C., Of the association
amendment was adopted.
Mr.. Francis McNerhany said that he wa
present to silently drop his tear In memor
OF the great and good man whose memor
the audience had gathered TO common ratt
To him Franklin Pierce had been warn
friend and kind benefactor. In eloquen
terms the speaker continued, and said thi
was no time to talk Of party politics. YET
terday the tribute of respect had been pal
by the nation to the memory Of a great state
man who, when the occasion required |
could rise above party. lie knew nothiu
but his country.
When he spoke the eulogium of such
man he could not do 1t as a Democrat, Q
though he had lost none of his Democrat
Instincts. The life Of Franklin Pierce form
part Of the history of this country. He WI
friend Of the whole country. The speak
concluded by offering this sentiment as h
epitaph:
How sleep the brave who sink to rest,
with all their country's honors blest.''
Mr.. Augustus G. Perry said that he Ia
come to the meeting to silently render b
tribute TO the dead. Politically he, as a
old-line Wing, was opposed to Gen. Pierce
but he felt 1t his duty TO speak of the socit
life OF the deceased. He believed that IL
political friends Of the eX-Presldent coul
say, as do the lawyers, taking his life a
through, "There Is the law and the ev
dence we rest our case there"
The speaker recalled "reminiscences Of IL
life In Washington of President PIERCE som
OF which were very interesting. He SCENE
to love tho citizens of Washington, and the
In turn loved him. The speaker had Away
respected General Pierce by reason of hi
appreciation of the fitness of things. II
never Imported mon to this city TO Ill tn
local offices, He believed that the people o
Washington were able to govern themselves
The only fault In the resolutions was tina
they did not go far enough In testlfying tn
warm feeling Of love and friendship felt ia
deceased by the older residents of this cit
who knew him well. Mr., Perry conclude
amid hearty applause.
Captain J. p. shilleT., one of the compal
lons,in-arms of the deceased, related a fe
"reminiscences OF ais experience with him {
Dr, Johr. 3. Blake said that he had 70
porhe 20 attempt TO express his feelings o
ID 70 occasion. The warm friendship whic
he had always entertained for the deceased
the ClOee personal relations which he la