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Franklin Pierce
by George P. A. Healy, 1853
FRANKLIN PIERCE
Fourteenth President,
March 4, 1853 – March 4, 1857
Franklin P. Rice, 1882:
FRANKLIN PIERCE, the Fourteenth President of the United States, was born at Hillsborough, New Hampshire, on the 23d of November, 1804. He was educated at Bowdoin College, and studied law with Levi Woodbury. In 1833, he was elected a Member of Congress by the Democrats; and was chosen United States Senator in 1837. In 1842 he resigned his seat and resumed the practice of the law. President Polk tendered him the offices of Attorney General and Secretary of War, which he declined. An ardent supporter of the annexation of Texas, he entered the Mexican War and was made a Brigadier General. In the Democratic Convention of 1852, after forty-eight ballots, he received the nomination for President, and was elected. Daniel Webster was one of his supporters. General Pierce began his administration by denouncing the slavery agitation; and he gathered around him as advisers the representatives of the extreme southern opinion, who took advantage of their position to plot the ruin of the country. The repeal of the Missouri Compromise and the consequent troubles followed. He used his official power to promote the designs of the proslavery party in Kansas. The Ostend Manifesto was one of the curiosities of his administration. He was a competitor for the nomination in 1856. During the Rebellion he sympathized with the South, and delivered a secession oration at Concord on the 4th of July, 1863. He died October 8th, 1869.
Franklin Pierce was not a Doughface, but a Northern Man with Southern Principles. He early adopted the views of the proslavery leaders, and adhered to them with pertinacity to the end of his life. With Jefferson Davis as the master-spirit of his cabinet, it is not remarkable that his administration was discreditable, and injurious to the welfare of the country. The Kansas iniquities left a stain upon his name which can never be effaced. After his policy as President was developed, he was generally repudiated in the North; and when he retired from office, he found himself as a stranger among his own people.
Henry W. Rugg, 1888:
IN THIS land of ours, where the distinctions between the rich and poor are not so marked as in the older nations, the home life of all its families has much in common. From these homes arises a bond of union, linking together lives which share the domestic atmosphere surrounding alike the fireside groups in the mansion of the millionaire, and those in the poor man’s humble cottage. The early American settlers did more than eke out a scanty existence on the shores of the New World; they founded homes whose influence has extended until the present day, a means of strength and blessing to the Nation. That this common sympathy exists is proved by the interest shown in the private life of distinguished citizens, as well as by the fact that biography deals more and more largely with the surroundings, conditions, the birthplace and home life of its subject, instead of closely confining itself to public events or the incidents contributing to a national reputation.
Among the happy homes situated among the hills of New England four score years ago, was that of General Pierce, a soldier in the Revolution, afterwards an energetic citizen who had acquired some little property, had made for his family a comfortable dwelling-place, and was honored by several responsible public positions, among them that of Governor of his State, just tributes to his intelligence and worth. His wife helped in the establishment of that home, was true-hearted, prudent and refined, a faithful companion, a loving, wise, and devoted mother. Here, in Hillsborough, New Hampshire, November 23, 1804, was born Franklin Pierce, the fourteenth President of the United States.
This boy, one of a family of eight children, was a bright and promising lad, entering Bowdoin College, Brunswick, Maine, when sixteen years old. During the four years spent in college he was
Franklin Pierce
by Unknown Artist, c. 1845
noted for his agreeable, courteous manners, which attracted to him many friends among the students and those connected with the institution. Two of the acquaintances made thus early in his career were the poet Longfellow and the gifted writer Hawthorne, who, associated with him in college days, continued to be his life-long friends.
After his graduation from Bowdoin, in 1824, he studied law under the direction of Judge Woodbury, of Portsmouth, afterwards with Judge Parker, of Amherst, his admission to the bar occurring in the year 1827. In addition to his professional interests, Mr. Pierce was early inclined to take active part in politics. An ardent Democrat, he warmly supported the general principles of his party, and earnestly advocated, by speech and with his pen, the election of General Jackson to the presidency. Mr. Pierce’s official political labors dated from his entrance into the State Legislature, in 1829. He served in this capacity for several terms, being chosen speaker of
Franklin Pierce
by Adna Tenney, c. 1852
that body in the year 1832, an office for which he was specially qualified by reason of his gifts, and which he filled to the general acceptance. Elected in 1833 to Congress, he gained little influence and did not attract much attention for his services in this direction. He was, however, popular throughout his State, as was shown by his election to the United States Senate in 1837. While there he gained no conspicuous rank, though he was able in debate, and conscientious in his performance of all official duties.
In the year following his election as Senator Mr. Pierce married Miss Jane Means Appleton, and enjoyed establishing, with her aid, a pleasant home at Concord, the capital of his native State. He resigned his position as Senator in the year 1842, engaging in the practice of his profession, achieving more than ordinary success. He declined at this time the offer of a position in the Cabinet of President Polk, also refusing the proffered nomination as candidate for Governor of New York. He now devoted thought and energies to his large law practice, evincing an excellent quality of mind, as
Franklin Pierce
Hand-colored Lithograph by N. Currier, c. 1852
well as the possession of many legal accomplishments, in caring for his clients’ interests. He achieved wonderful success as a lawyer, his popularity doubtless depending not only upon the mental powers and intellectual training which he displayed, but also upon his gracious, urbane manners; his great personal magnetism influencing juries as it influenced all his associates. Never was a man more courteous in his treatment of friends and foes; he was always calm, moderate, and even-tempered, however trying the occasion or vexatious the circumstances.
At the beginning of the Mexican War, Mr. Pierce joined the army of volunteers, enlisting in a company raised in Concord. Soon commissioned Colonel of the Ninth Regiment, another promotion to the rank of Brigadier-General followed quickly in his military career, as his leadership gave evidence of skill, resolution and bravery. He took part in the battles of Contreras and Molino del Rey, accompanying General Scott to the City of Mexico, the capture of which virtually ended the war.
General Pierce returned to his home during December of 1847, after these services in defense of his country, entering again upon the professional duties which were waiting his attention. In 1850, he occupied a prominent position as presiding officer in the convention called to revise the constitution of New Hampshire. Two years later he was made the standard bearer of the Democratic party, and elected President by a large majority, only four States casting their electoral votes against him.
Sorrow quickly followed upon the election of President Pierce, his only son, a boy of twelve years, being killed in a railway accident, the mother witnessing the horrible disaster, yet powerless to aid her beloved boy. The blow of sudden bereavement fell upon Mr. Pierce with a terrible severity, while it almost crushed his sorrowing wife. From that time forward she carried a saddened, weary heart, and though she tried to cast off the gloom which encircled her life, she was yet greatly changed by this event, which touched the hearts of all who knew its details, and brought into expression a tender sympathy for the parents thus sorely afflicted.
Mr. Pierce entered upon the office of President March 4, 1853, under conditions which seemed to indicate a pleasant and successful administration. He had been elected by an unusually large majority. The party which supported him was strong and
Franklin Pierce / William R. King
Campaign Banner
Hand-colored Lithograph by N. Currier, c. 1852
confident, while the opposite was divided and dispirited. The material prosperity of the country excelled that of any former period. For a brief time the excitement regarding the disturbing questions of slavery was lessened. It was thought by many that the compromise measures would ensure a permanent settlement of these questions. An era of internal peace and mutual good feeling between the north and the South was confidently anticipated. There was not to be, however, a full realization of such expectations. President Pierce, by the terms of his inaugural address, left no doubt as to his purpose to support slavery in the United States, while he announced his resolve that the Fugitive Slave Act should be strictly enforced. Thus President Pierce sounded forth the key-note of his administration, the result being a renewal of agitation, an increase of hostile feeling between the North and the South, giving indications of a struggle that was close at hand. The repeal of the Missouri Compromise, the attempt to establish slavery in Kansas and to strengthen it elsewhere, augmented the feeling between the two sections. The President acted upon the policy that everything must be done to conciliate the South and thus avert consequences so much to be dreaded. Thus he went to the extreme in sanctioning the irregular measures by which slavery was nominally established in Kansas. The people of that territory resisted the imposition, however, and the slave-holding interest was finally defeated, although not without a great cost of suffering and hatred.
In nearly all the acts of his administration, as related to the subject of slavery, President Pierce went contrary to the general feeling of the North, pursuing a policy of conciliation to the South that was not altogether satisfactory to many of his own party. His course in dealing with these questions, together with the legislation of that period respecting slavery, stimulated the growth of the Republican party, which, at the expiration of his term of office, became clothed with the elements of an abiding political power. It is pleasant, however, to consider in this connection other acts of President Pierce’s administration which stand very much to his credit. His conduct of foreign affairs, William L. Marcy being Secretary of State, merited and received general commendation. The firmness shown by the American government in the case of Martin Kosta was much praised, and the action taken in securing a treaty with Japan was regarded in the same favorable light. The purchase of the vast regions of Arizona and New Mexico has been justified in what has since been shown of the needs and progress of our country, while the price, $10,000,000, was but a small sum to pay for 45,000 square miles of territory.
President Pierce failed to receive the nomination of his party for re-election, Mr. Buchanan being selected as the Democratic candidate, and elected after an exciting canvass. The retiring President left Washington on the inauguration of his successor, and soon after traveled extensively through Europe. Returning from his
Franklin Pierce
Hand-colored Lithograph by N. Currier, c. 1853
protracted journeying, he settled at his home in Concord, New Hampshire, where he passed the remainder of his mortal life, taking no active part in political affairs. He died October 8, 1869.
One of President Pierce’s distinguishing characteristics was the steadfastness which he showed in his friendships. He attached himself very deeply to those whom he thought merited his confidence, believing in them so strongly that he was willing to hear no criticism of their actions from others, though perhaps he admitted to himself that it was deserved. Reference has been made to his notable friendship with Longfellow and Hawthorne; he held also the kindest relations with many of his official associates, Senator Benton specially winning his esteem, though at one time political differences of opinion threatened estrangement. President Pierce’s actions in behalf of the Senator, however, gave proof that his friendly feeling always remained the same, for as Mr. Benton said: “It is Pierce’s head that is wrong – his heart is always right.”
The cheerful, social qualities of this representative man were best shown in his personal life, where he delighted in the meeting of congenial acquaintances and exercised a most cordial hospitality. There was something attractive in his bearing which caused even strangers to feel the warmth of his personality and be induced to linger in his presence. As a lawyer his popularity was wonderful; men liked to hear his words upon any subject, and unconsciously were influenced by that charm which pervaded his being. These amiable graces which he exercised were more powerful to win for him success, than more striking qualities of greatness would have been; they appealed directly to the hearts of men, and did not shock them, as genius sometimes does, into a forced appreciation of its greatness. While not underrating President Pierce’s intellectual abilities, it may be justly said that in his human sympathies, his warm heart, his courteous demeanor, was hidden the secret of his success in life; the sweetness of disposition which entered into his manly, upright nature, would have made him a noticeable character, even had he not been exalted to the high rank of a political leader, and called upon to assume the helm of national affairs.
Franklin Pierce
by George P. A. Healy, 1858