The Salt Lake tribune. [volume] (Salt Lake City, Utah) 1890-current, 1910-11-23
TODAY IN HISTORY
WEDNESDAY,. NOV. %. 1910.
Birthday OF Franklin Pierce,


Today is the birthday OF Franklin
Fierce. fourteenth president OF the United
states, los years ago. in n little village
IN New Hampshire. Pinrcc had more
than the average advantage OF young
men Of his time, for his father WAS q
prosperous farmer and d successful poll
t'c!an. being the leader OF his party In
his stale, and when Franklin was scarce
~ out Of college nc was elected governor
Of New Hampshire; He studied law and
began practice in 1921, his fathers pub
lie position helping him greatly a, tho
start shortly after Inc was admitted to
The bar lie argued his first court case.
which WAS a miserable effort But he
sympathetic expression OF q friend: "T
will try nine hundred and ninety -ninc
cases. If clients continue To trust me.
and II / fail | have today, | VIII try
cases IN this court house In manner
that VII mortify neither myself nor my
He followed his father into politics.
and, like the governor. he was strong
Jackson man. He was first elected 70
the legislature. then 10 represent his dis
trlct in the lower house OF congress. and
finally to a seat In the United States
senate.
When the Mexican war broke out in
1916 he enrolled himself as a private and
was soon appointed colonel OF the regi-
ment He served with distinction
throughout the war, was advanced rap
idly and throughout the conflict displayed
personal bravery and regard for the
Welfare of the men that won him the
highest credit.
After the war he returned 10 the prac-
tice OF law a Concord, Then came the
Democratic national convention in Bal
ballotlngs for a candidate for president,
In which General Pierce's name did not
apnear, the Virginia delegation brought
II forward, and on the forty-nInth bal
he p,as b,f 10
II for all others. General Winfield Scott.
The Whie candidate. was his opponent,
and at tho November election Pierce
carried all but four states
Just about the time Pierce was in
Quoted into the presidency the slavery
question was exciting the country, and
during the four years Of his admins
tration he had anything but nowery
bed of case" upon which to reposc When
his term had expired and his friends
sought for him a denomination they found
that his attitude had brought much dis
senson INTO the ranks and he was de-
fcated by James Buchanan.
Franklin Pierce was one OF the most
misunderstood OF all tho presidents TImo
has softened tho harsh Judgment that
the heat Of party strife and civil war.
fis generosity and Kindness Of hear;
are gratefully remembered by those who
knew him. and particularly by the
Younger members Of his profession, whom
he was always ready TO aid and advise.
In public life he never sought an oppor-
tunity for personal gain His integrity
was above suspicion After nine years
service In congress and in the senate
OF the United States. after brilliant and
successful professional career, his estate
hardly amounted to $4,000.
Franklin Pierce too. was a true pa
triot and a sincere lover Of his country
To decline a cabinet appointment and
enlist as a private soldier in the army
OF his country. were acts which ono who
knew his carly training and his chjval~
rous character might reasonably expect
Of him. He was too old to take any
part In the civil war. but from the timo
he returned from a European trip after
he had left Washington he lived n re-
tired life az Concord, where he died on
October 6, 1869.