The Indiana State sentinel. [volume] (Indianapolis) 1868-1895, 1881-03-23
FRANK PIERCE.
1880.


fMapleton Ia.) Press.l
NJ. J. P. Jenness, of Smithland, has placed
us under many obligations for an original
copy of letter in manuscript written by the
late Franklin Pierce, Ex-President of the
United States, to his friend, the Hon. Jeffer-
son Davis. The letter was captured during
the War in the South by brother of Mr..
Jenness. Major J. c. Jenness, Assistant Ad-
jutant General on the staff of General Har-
din, of New Hampshire, who was in COM
mand of a portion of the Eastern Army.
and value because of its associations, the
reader can well afford to peruse the follow
ing verbatim ct literatim
CLARENDON HOTEL January 6, 1850.
To Hon. JEFF Davis, Washington, D. c.:
My DEAR FRIEND wrote you an unsatisfac-
tory note day or two since. / have Just had a
pleasant Interview with Mr.. Shipley, whose eour-
age and fidelity are equal TO his learning and tai
ents. He says he would rather fight the battle
with you as the standard bearer in 1860 than
ing and Judgment of Mr. s. in this section is. /
am confident, rapidly gaining ground In New En-
gand Our people are rapidly looking for the
ments of his character above the atmosphere or
dirarily breathed by politicians. A man really
fitted for this exigency by his ability, courage,
DrOdu craftsmanship ana PATRIOTISM
Colonel seymour (Thomas II. arrived here
this morning and expressed his views In this re-
lation Ia almost the identical language used by
Mr.. Shipley.
at is true that in the present state of things at
Washington and throughout the country no man
can predict what changes two or three months
may bring forth. Let me suggest that in the
L ] debates in Congress full justice seems to
me not to have Oeen done to the Democracy of
the North. do not believe that our friends
at the South have any just idea of the
state of feeling, hurrying at this moment to the
pitch OF intense evaporation, between those who
respect their political obligations and those who
have apparently no impelling power but that
which fanatical passion on the subject OF domes-
tic slavery imparts without discussing the CUES.
ton OF right-of abstract power TO secede. have
never believed that actual disruption of the
Union can occur without blood. And IT, through
the madness of Northern Abolitionism, that dire
calamity must come, the fighting will not be
along Mason and Dixon's line merely; IL
VIII be within our own borders IN our streets be-
tween the two classes of citizens to whom have
referred. Those who defy law and scout
constitutional obligations will, IL we ever reach
he arbitrament Of arms, find occupation enough
at home. Nothing but the state of Mrs Pierce
health would induce me TO leave the country
now, although 1t is quite likely that my presence
at home would be of little service
II have tried to impress upon our people,
especially in New Hampshire and Connecticut,
the coming spring. that while our Union meetings
are all In the right direction and well enough for
the present, they will not be worth the paper on
which their resolutions are written unless we can
overthrow political abolitionism at the polls and
repeal the unconstitutional and obnoxious laws
which. in the cause of personal liberty have
been placed upon our statute books.
Il shall look with deep interest and not without
hope for a decided change in this relation. Evel
and truly your friend, FRANKLIN PIERCE"