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

posed by the North and East; but the
minority uniting with the congressman of
the South enabled Mr.. Douglas to carry
his measure through Congress. The Mis-
souri, Compromise was virtually repealed,
for the bill provided that the people OF
the two Territories should decide for them
selves whether the new States should be
free or slaveholding. and both these Terri
tories lay north of SO degrees and 80 min
utes. Nebraska peacefully settled her ter
ritorial existence, but the Territory of
Kansas became the battlefield of a fierce
political conflict. Bleeding Kansas" for
years was synonymous with all that was
lawless and violent. Human passions ran
high, and the agitation extended over the
Union and became the issue on which the
people divided in the Presidential election
of 1856.
President Pierce released the reins
of government when dark shadows
had gathered upon the horizon; but there
is always a brighter side, that shines over
the gray sky of the morning. and to this
side we will turn before closing the page
and story connected with the Inaugural of
President Pierce.
The social functions at the White
House were carried on with the same
punctiliOusness during the Administration
of President Pierce that characterized for
mer Administrations. We are only too
fortunately, some writers of those days
have given false impressions of the part
Mrs. Pierce took in the inequalities ex-
tended in the Executive Mansion.
Mr.. Gabright, in his "Recollections Of
Men and Things at Washington
makes the statement that Mrs.
Pierce did not appear at receptions
until the close Of the Administra-
ton Of President Pierce. Mr.. j. ID.
Hoover, friend of the family, in 4 letter
over his signature, says: This is an in
cxcusabe biunder, for the fact is Mrs.
Pierce seldom omitted attendance upon the
public receptions of the President She
was also personally present at her Friday
receptions, although at times suffering
greatly, for she was in extremely cnfeebled
health. 1t is said at the Presidents levees
she would often be conducted to the Blue
Room, and there receive with that quiet
ease and grace that always characterized
her. She presided, too, with the Presi-
dent at State dinners. as we'll as those of
more social order, and never before or
since has hospitality been dispensed with
more lavish hand in the White House.
Everyone knew and sympathized with
Mrs. Pierce, and felt that the fearful
shock she received on the railroad just be-
fore she came to Washington would have
wrecked many woman stronger physic-
ally. She saw her only surviving son, a
hoy OF 10, crushed IN FdlirOau accident.
She came to Washington with that burden
of sorrow, and also previously had she lost
both her other sons. Yet she suppressed
her feelings before the public, and did her
duty toward the position held by her hus-
band as President of the United States
Her father was the Rev. Jesse Appleton,
ID. d.. President OF Bowdoin College She
consequently was reared in an atmosphere
of cultivated and Christian refinement. No
lady of the White House left warmer
friends in Washington. 1t is said she had
not an enemy. Mrs. Pierce died in And
over, Mass, Dec. 2, 1863, and was buried
beside her children in Concord, n. Fl.
One of the daily pagers had this notice:
Today this paper records the lamented de-
cease of one who filled the highest station
in the land with dignity and propriety un-
surpassed, and who has adorned private
life with every estimable quality which
could become a true Christian, gentle
woman
President Pierce returned to private
life without having advocated a single
measure or done aught to solve the vexed
problems that were rapidly approaching
solution, leaving TO mis- unfortunate sue.
cessor, James Buchanan, a legacy of inex-
tricable troubles. He died Oct. 8. 1869
and was buried at Concord, n ii.