England. I do not believe the fact to be so in this State. Our people set a value upon the Union which language cannot express; they look for a compromise-expect a compromise-conceived in a spirit of justice and patriotism, firmly and manfully."

In January, 1852, the Democracy of New-Hampshire presented General Pierce as their candidate for the Presidency. The General declined the honor in the following language:

“CONCORD, January 12th, 1852. "DEAR SIR: I take the liberty to address you, because no channel more appropriate occurs to me through which to express my thanks to the convention over which you presided on the 8th instant, and to the masses there represented.

"I am far from being insensible to the steady and generous confidence so often manifested towards me by the people of this State; and although the object indicated in the resolution, having particular reference to myself, be not one of desire on my part, the expression is not on that account, less gratifying.

"Doubtless the spontaneous and just appreciation of an intelligent people, is the best earthly reward for earnest and cheerful services rendered to one's state and country; and while it is a matter of unfeigned regret that my life has been so barren of

usefulness, I shall ever hold this and similar tributes, among my most cherished recollections.

"To these, my sincere and grateful acknowledgments, I desire to add, that the same motive which induced me several years ago to retire from public life, and which since that time controlled my judgment in this respect, now impel me to say, that the use of my name, in any event, before the Democratic National Convention at Baltimore, to which you are a delegate, would be utterly repugnant to my tastes and wishes. I am, with the highest respect and esteem, your friend,

"FRANK. PIERCE.

"HON. CHAS. G. ATHERTON, Nashville, N. H."

The following is the last letter of General Pierce, before the meeting of the National Democratic Convention at Baltimore. It is addressed to Colonel Lally, of New-Hampshire :

"TREMONT HOUSE, BOSTON, May 27th, 1852.

"I intended to speak to you more fully upon the subject of the compromise measures than I had an opportunity to do. The importance of the action of the convention upon this question cannot be overestimated. I believe there will be no disposition on the part of the South to press resolutions unnecessarily offensive to the sentiments of the North. But can we say as much on our side? Will the North come cheerfully up to the mark of constitutional right? If not, a breach in our party is inev

itable. The matter should be met at the threshold, because it rises above party, and looks at the very existence of the confederacy.

"The sentiment of no one State is to be regarded upon this subject; but having fought the battle in New-Hampshire upon the fugitive slave law, and upon what we believed to be the ground of constitutional right, we should of course desire the approval of the democracy of the country. What I wish to say to you is this. If the compromise measures are not to be substantially and firmly maintained, the plain rights secured by the Constitution will be trampled in the dust. What difference can it make to you or me, whether the outrage shall seem to fall on South Carolina, or Maine, or New Hampshire ? Are not the rights of each equally dear to us all? I will never yield to a craven spirit, that from considerations of policy would endanger the Union. Entertaining these views, the action of the convention must, in my judgment, be vital. If we of the North, who have stood by the constitutional rights of the South are to be abandoned to any time-serving policy, the hopes of democracy and of the Union must sink together. As I told you, my name will not be before the convention; but I cannot help feeling that what there is to be done will be important beyond men and parties-transcendently important to the hopes of democratic progress and civil liberty. Your friend,

"FRANK. PIERCE."

CHAPTER XI.

The National Convention-Letter of the Committee-Gen. Pierce's Reply-Remarks.

Ir is not necessary for us here to give a detailed report of the doings of the Democratic National Convention, which met at Baltimore on Tuesday, the 12th of June. Its course is well known. The protracted struggle between the friends of several prominent candidates has become a matter of history. After four days spent in earnest attempts to come to a decision, on the thirty-sixth ballot, the Virginia delegation cast their vote for FRANKLIN PIERCE, of New-Hampshire. On the forty-eighth ballot, Mr. Pierce polled 55 votes. On the fortyninth ballot, North-Carolina first came to the support of the Granite Statesman, amid tumultuous applause. The Mississippi delegation followed in the same track; then came Tennessee and Alabama. By this time, the whole Convention was one mass of enthusiasm. State after State wheeled into the support of Franklin Pierce, until the vote stoodFor General Pierce, 282; all others, 11. huzzas followed the announcement of the vote. was in vain for the officers of the Convention to attempt to restrain the wild manifestations of delight on the part of the audience. Out of doors, the

Loud

It

thunder of cannon was soon heard, and the streets were full of people, filled with enthusiasm.

FRANKLIN PIERCE was then declared to be the unanimous choice of the Convention for the Presidency.

The Committee of Resolutions reported the following, and, by a vote of 167 ayes to 97 nays, they were adopted, and now constitute

THE DEMOCRATIC PLATFORM.

"Resolved, That the American Democracy place their trust in the intelligence, the patriotism, and the discriminating justice of the American people.

"Resolved, That we regard this as a distinctive feature of our political creed, which we are proud to maintain before the world, as a great moral element in a form of government springing from and upheld by the popular will; and we contrast it with the creed and practice of Federalism, under whatever name or form, which seeks to palsy the will of the constituent, and which conceives no imposture too monstrous for the popular credulity.

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Resolved, Therefore, that, entertaining these views, the Democratic party of this Union, through their delegates assembled in a General Convention of the States, coming together in a spirit of concord, of devotion to the doctrines and faith of a free representative government, and appealing to their fellow citizens for the rectitude of their intentions,