The National tribune. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1877-1917, 1900-12-20


National politics. Winfield Scott was
their nominee for President. Franklin
Pierce was the nominee of the Democrats
His nomination was as much of surprise
to Mr.. Pierce as it was to the leaders OF
his party. In the rivalry between such
political aspirants as Stephen a. Douglas
James Buchanan, William l.. Marcy and
Lewis Cass, the nomination of so TN
aggressive politician as Franklin Pierce
had not been thought of or anticipated by
any of them.
At the Convention, held in Baltimore.
June II, 1852, on the 10Th ballot, Mr..
Pierce was made the nominee.
The Wings and Democrats for once
were agreed on the Compromise Act of
1850 Both platforms adhered to the JUS
tice of the Omnibus Bill and its power
to keep down dissension. But third
party arose, composed of Wings and Dem
ocratS, who doubted the wisdom of the
bill, and declared that all Territories
should be free.
John p. Hall. of New Hampshire, was
nominated as the candidate of the Free
Soil Party. The main plank Of the plat
form was the nOn-eXtenSiOn and gradual
extinction of slavery
w utll lllLlblC Sl-hCh
Fugitive Slave bill, which added to the
law authorizing the removal of the slave
TO the State from which he escaped
(which was tolerated by the peoplel and
AL citizens were commanded to aid in the
execution of that law" Mr.. Fillmore lost
what chance he might have had for
nomination.
The opponents took the ground that
free citizen cannot be forced to be held
responsible for anothers mans property,
and also placed the moral law above the
legal enactmentS. As might be expected,
when men walking the streets of Boston,
to and from business, were arrested be-
cause they did not engage in the pursuit
of a runaway slave, excitement ran high
and the breach widened.
Mr.. Pierce was elected President and
William II. King, of Alabama. Nice-Presi-
dent Mr.. Pierce was inaugurated March
4, 1853.
His life had been one of activity. He
entered into politics when young; he was
sent TO the Legislature when % years old,
and elected Speaker two years after. He
was sent to Congress in 1888, and to the
United States Senate in 1887, being bare
ly eligible to that position. The same lucky
star that attended him in the Mexican war
now crowned him President. In all these
positions he discharged his duty with
much credit to himself and his country;
nut NOTWITHSTANDING HIS pHeHOlneHdt sue
cess. he will not go down in the annals of
his country as q great man.
The Inauguration was attended with
much pomp and ceremony, on account of
the military glory won in the Mexican war
by Mr.. Pierce
The day was inauspicious; raw north
west wind prevailed, and the melting
snow, mud and slush added greatly to the
discomfort of the people, who had as
sembled in throngs as witnesses of the
ceremony.
As usual custom there is at least one
day when the Vice-President has a run
ming chance with his mate TO receive a
goodly share of adulation, but this day the
Senate Chamber was lacking its major
domo. Vice-President- Elect King was so
journing in Cuba on account of failing
health and there he received the oath of
office. He was on plantation on the
hills of MantanZaS, overlooking the beau
tiful valley of the Yumuri. At the same
time President-Elect Pierce was being pre-
scented to the United States Senate in the
Senate Chamber at Washington, United
States Consul Rodney, stationed at the
Cuban port, was administering the oath
to the Nice-President-elect. The numer-
Gus military organizations assembled
around the City Hall were under the com
mand of Col. William Hickey. command
ing the Volunteer Regiment of the District
Wizards Hotel, where the Prcsident-eIect
was stopping. First in the procession
was 4 company of flying artillery from
Fort McHenry. with field pieces. These
were followed by the Alexandria Artillery.
company of United States Marines, pre-
reded by the Marine Band. Then in order
marched six military organizations, fol-
lowed by barouche. in which the Presi-
dent was seated, attended by the Marshal
Of the District and his aids. and a number
OF Deputy United States Marshals. Then
came the FIRE companies of Washington, |
Dodsworths celebrated band, of New |
York. the Manhattan Fire Company, Of |
New York, with civic and political asso-
Citations. In the Senate Chamber. in the |
absence OF the Nice-President, the Presi- |
dent-elect was formally presented The |
company of officials and venerable states |
men, preceded by the Chief-Justice and |
President-elect. marched ont of the Cham |
Der TO the Eastern Portico. The large |
platform, it is said, was made of New |
tered 10y Chief-Justice fancy The new |
President then delivered his address. amid |
q snowstorm, TO 10000 or 1900 people.
LEADING EVENTS.
The President returned to the White |
House, accompanied by ex-President Fill |
more and the same military and civic es-
cort. Mr.. Fillmore left the new President |
in the White House with the destiny of n |
great Nation upon him, which had been |
from his own shoulders, and |
proceeded 10 Wizards Hotel. occupying
the same apartments Mr.. Pierce had va
Gated. To his Cabinet President Pierce
invited William l.. Marcy as Secretary of |
State; James Guthrie, of Kentucky, as
Secretary of the Treasury; Jefferson /
Davis, of Mississippi, as Secretary of |
War. Caleb Gushing, of MasSa chuSetts
was made Attorney-General. President |
Pierce's Administration was memorable |
more through the current of events than |
any marked policy. 1t will be remember |
ed that it was in the Summer of 1853 that |
the first Corps of Engineers was sent out |
by the Government to explore a route for |
the Union Pacific Railroad. 1t will also |
be remembered that the enterprise over
the whole country was considered vision |
airy. but il ere long began TO show a prac-
teal side, and at last the stakes were
stuck, the pick-ax and shovel were set to
work, and activities did not cease until the
golden spike was driven that Joined the
Union and Central Pacific into one nn-
broken steel highway, reaching across the
continent.
1t was in the first year of the Pierce
Administration that intercourse was open
ed between the United States and the
Great Empire of Japan. Hitherto the
japanese ports had been closed TO the YES
sells of Christian Nations. 1t was Com
modore Perry, a son of the great COmmo-
dore of Lake Erie fame, who sailed with
his squadron into the Bay of Yeddo and
made known to the Emperor the desire Of
the United States to enter into n CONNER
Cial treaty After long waiting and much