From the first he has conducted himself in a retiring manner. Instead of feeling elated at his nomination, he has rather seemed to grow serious under the sense of his great and solemn position. It is no light matter for a man to assume the responsibilities of the Presidency, or to become the candidate of the great Democratic party of the United States for that high office. In a conversation which we had the honor of holding with General Pierce a short time since, he said that the whole matter-his nomination-the coming struggle, &c., &c.—was entirely distasteful to him, and he would not consent to run as the party's candidate, did he not believe it to be his duty so to do. And we saw by his whole demeanor that he spoke from the heart. The following letter from Mr. Pierce was addressed to the Philadelphians in reply to an invitation to participate with them in the celebration of our National Anniversary on the 5th inst.: CONCORD, N. H., June 30, 1852. "GENTLEMEN: There are many reasons why it would be peculiarly gratifying to me, to accept your kind invitation, and pass the next Anniversary of Independence as a Nation, in Philadelphia. "Wherever an American citizen is found on the recurrence of that day, whether upon his own or upon a foreign soil, his thoughts instinctively turn to the consecrated locality of the most sublime spec tacle presented in the history of governments, and his heart beats quicker and warmer for his own country, and most earnestly for the disenthralment of the oppressed everywhere, as his free glance is turned toward 'Independence Hall.' "The suggestions of severe prudence may, for the moment, be less controlling, but it is well that, once in every year, full latitude be given to the impulses that gush out, and the generous ardor that glows for the firm establishment of constitutional liberty throughout the world. It is well that we recount the sacrifices at which this glorious Union, with all its multiplied and multiplying blessings, was purchased. It is well that, in the midst of our congratulations, we remember that in the weakness of our infancy as a people, not only words of cheering were sent across the ocean to greet us, but upon its bosom were borne to our shores hearts to sympathize and arms to strike. How the cherished memories of the noble dead of other lands, whose blood mingled with that of our fathers in the struggle that followed the Declaration, the anniversary of which you are to commemorate, come thronging with the gray dawn of that day of general jubilee! So may they ever come! So will they ever come, while we are faithful to the Constitution, true to our mission, and heedful to the lessons of wisdom which have descended to us. "Independent of the inspiring associations to which I have adverted, it would be pleasant to par ticipate in the National festival in Philadelphia, because I should meet numerous friends whose acquaintance I enjoyed at Washington, many years ago, and more, perhaps, for whom I formed ties of unalterable attachment, in that different field of service, to which so many of your citizens were called, in 1847. "With these strong inducements for compliance, you will readily appreciate the deep regret I feel, in being compelled to deny myself the pleasure of meeting the sterling Democracy of your city and county, as proposed. "I have made arrangements to attend the anniversary of the Society of the Cincinnati, instituted by the officers of the American army, at the close of the Revolution, of which my father was an original member. There is no longer hope of meeting the patriarchs, whose names appear with that of the Father of his country, upon the old constitution of the Society, but I feel a strong desire to be with their descendants on that day. 66 Accept, gentlemen, for yourselves, and present to the Democracy for whom you speak, my grateful acknowledgments. With the highest respect, "Your fellow-citizen, "FRANK. PIERCE, "Committee-ANDREW HAGUE, W. F. SMALL, JACOB LEWIS, O. F. FOGUERAY, W. ENGLISH, CHAPTER XII. Reception of the News of the Nomination of General Pierce in NewHampshire-Meeting of the State Legislature-Mr. Sargent's Speech-Mr. Wells' Speech-Mass Meeting of the People at Concord-Meeting at Boston, at Washington, at New-York, Hartford, &c., &c.-Letters of Mr. Buchanan, Ex-President Van Buren, Messrs. Cass, Houston, Douglass, &c., &c.-Concluding Remarks. THE nomination of General Pierce, as we have already remarked in a previous chapter, has been ratified by the people in all parts of the Union with great enthusiasm. Old feuds have been healed by it, old differences adjusted, and a larger vote will, in November, be polled for Franklin Pierce, than could have been polled for any other man whose name was before the Convention. This is not merely our individual opinion, but that of some of the ablest men in the nation. We have not room for a detailed account of the many great ratification meetings which have been held over the country, but will give a few extracts from some of the best speeches made at such assemblages. As soon as the news of General Pierce's nomination reached New-Hampshire, the whole State was alive with excitement. Bells were rung; cannons were fired, and joy was pictured upon almost every face. The State Legislature was in session at Concord, and a meeting of the Democratic members composing it was soon gathered, in response to the nomination. Governor Martin took the chair, supported by a large number of vice-presidents. Among the many excellent speeches made on the occasion, we quote those of Mr. Sargent, of Wentworth, and Mr. Wells, the President of the Senate. Mr. Sargent spoke as follows: "Mr. President and Gentlemen: I do not rise to make a speech. I am no speech-maker, and if I were, am in no state of preparation at the present time to make one. But there is no Democrat who cannot say something, if need be, on an occasion like this. And if he is not called upon to speak, every true man must feel an interest in the subject which calls us together at the present time. (Cheers.) We meet as members of the Legislature of NewHampshire, as Democrats of the Granite State, to respond to the nomination of General Franklin Pierce, of our State, as a candidate for the Presidency of the United States. (Cheers.) "I had the honor, Mr. President, at the Democratic State Convention, held in this hall, on the 8th day of January last, to introduce the resolution recommending General Pierce to the Baltimore Convention, as a candidate for the Presidency, which resolution was then unanimously adopted. In intro |