The record-union., 1897-06-13
LETTER TO JEFF DAVIS.
What Former President Pierce Wrote
Just Before the War Occurred.

Captain Jacob Sheppard of Lawrence
burg, Ind, is in possession of an inter-
est1ng letter written by former Presi-
dent FRANKLIN Pierce to Jefferson Da-
Wis, just before the war, says the New
York Herald
Clarendon Hotel, January 6, 1860.
My Dear Friend: I wrote you an
unsatisfactory note a day or two since.
| have just had a pleasant interview
with Mr.. Shipley, whose courage and
hdellty are equal to his learning and
talents. He says he would rather fight
the battle with you as the standard
IN 1860 than under the auspices of any
other leader. This feeling and judg-
ment of Mr.. S. in this relation, l am
confident, is rapidly gaining ground in
New England. Our people are looking
for the coming man'-one who is raised
by all the elements of his character
above the atmosphere ordinarily
breathed by politicians-a man nat
urally fitted for this emergency by his
ability, courage, broad craftsmanship
and patriotism.
Colonel Seymour (Thomas s. ar
rived here this morning and expressed
ms views in this relation in almost the
identical language used by Mr.. Ship
ley. 1t 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 sug-
gest that in the running debates in
Congress public justice seems to me
not to have been done to the Democra-
nyr Of bn l. l. -
our minds at the South have any just
idea of the state of feeling prompting
at this moment to the pitch of intense
evaporation between those who re-
spect their political obligations and
those who apparently have no imputing
power but that which fanatical passion
on the subject of domestic slavery i'm
parts.
Without discussing the question of
right-of abstract power to secede-I
have never believed that actual dis
ruption of the Union can occur without
blood and if through the madness of
Northern abolitionism that dire calam-
ity must come, the fighting will not be
along Mason and Dixons line merely
1t Will be within our own borders, in
our own streets, between the two
classes of citizens to whom l have re-
ferred.
Those who defy the law and scout
constitutional obligations will, if we
ever reach the arbitrament of arms,
find occupation enough at home Moth
ing but the state of Mrs. Pierce's
health would induce me to leave the
country now, although it is quite likely
that my presence at home would be of
little service. | have tried to impress
upon our people, especially in New
Hampshire and Connecticut, where the
only elections are taking place during
the coming spring, that while our
union meetings are all in the right di-
rection, and we'll enough for the pres
ent, they will not be worth the paper
upon which their resolutions are writ
ten unless We can overthrow political
abolltioniSm at the polls and repeal the
unconstitutional and obnoxious laws
which, in the cause of personal liberty
have been placed upon our statute book
| shall look with deep interest and not
without hope for a decided change in
this matter. Ever and truly your
friend, FRANKLIN PIERCE.
Hon. Jeff Davis, Washington, D. C.'