Fayetteville Observer

Political Endorsements.

Democratic Nominee.

The New York Herald says of the Democratic Nominee, Gen. Pierce:

In political principles he is sound to the back bone—a democrat of the old school, free from all the isms of the day; and that he distinguished himself in the Mexican war. Of his nomination, the same paper says, it was the best that could have been made, and was received in the city of New York with general exultation by all the respectable and most influential members of the democracy. They are now confident of carrying the State of New York, in November, against any whig candidate that may be started. Gen. Pierce has quite enough of military reputation to take the wiry edge off of General Scott, who has nothing else to trust.

Gen. Pierce is, besides, a good statesman—a sound politician—a sensible man—a discreet man—and never wrote any "hasty-plate-of-soup" letters in his life. He is perfectly sound on the Compromise, and on every other question of great national interest. He went through the great campaign of Mexico with bravery, courage and patriotism. At the close he rested quietly on his deeds, and made no attempt to get up quarrels with his brother officers, to claim exclusive credit over others, for performing his duty to his country.

The correspondent of the Baltimore Sun, in writing from Washington, says: The nominations of Gen. Pierce and Col. King please best on the sober second thought; and the more democrats reflect the more are they satisfied with it. I have not heard, as yet, a single whisper of discontent, and there is no doubt whatever but that the ticket made in Baltimore will bring out the whole strength of the party in New York and Pennsylvania. It spreads satisfaction and content everywhere. The platform, especially, is giving satisfaction all round, and it is that which will give strength to the nominations. The democrats say they want nothing but an unexceptionable man; the principles set forth in the declaration must do the rest.

The Cincinnati Enquirer, in speaking of Gen. Pierce, says: He is an accomplished gentleman, liberal though very decided, in his views. He is about fifty years of age, of fine personal appearance and of an exceedingly agreeable and social disposition. He is just the kind of a man that every American would like could they be brought in personal contact with him. We speak this from our personal knowledge of the man. He will fill with honor the Presidential Chair, and will do it with firmness and ability, but with an absence of hauteur, which can not but be agreeable to the Republican simplicity of the American people.

The Louisville Democrat says:

Our distinguished leader, Gen. Pierce, stands in the front ranks of the democratic party. He has been elected a member of the House of Representatives and of the Senate of the U. S., where he served with marked ability. He was tendered a place in Mr. Polk's cabinet, that of Attorney General, which he respectfully declined. Subsequently he served in the army, during the Mexican war. He is regarded as one of the most eminent jurists in the U. S.; he is just the man upon whom the democratic party of the North, and South, and East, and West can unite in one solid phalanx and give a unanimous support.

The Louisville Times says: At Contreras, when dashing over the pedregal for the purpose of heading his brigade, Gen. Pierce's horse fell under him, and crushed the leg of his rider in the fall. The battle of Cherubusco followed next day, and scorning to hang back within his tent, with crutch in hand, he mounted his goodly steed, and urged his men "on to victory!"

In the foremost rank of battle he was found; and through most of that bloody day, he was the spirit of the wing in which he was placed. But with fatigue and the anguish of a fractured limb, he became faint, and was borne insensible from the field; but not before (could he have heard) the shouts of victory would have filled his ears, and brought back the quick pulsations to his noble heart.

We speak with enthusiasm of the gallantry of Gen. Pierce, because, attached to that branch of service, we were an eye-witness of all that we represent. It was with pride and exultation that we saw him rejecting the privilege accorded the wounded, and baring "his bosom to the strife." Our admiration knew no bounds—for we felt that there was a heart truly American—American in its most comprehensive sense—reckless of self, and all for its country.

Great Ratification Meeting in Washington.

WASHINGTON, June 9.

Agreeable to a call of the Jackson Democratic Association, a vast multitude of persons assembled in front of the City Hall this evening, to ratify the Baltimore Democratic nominations.

The meeting being called to order, Gen. Robert Armstrong was elected as President, and a number of gentlemen Vice Presidents, among whom were Thos. Ritchie and Amos Kendall.

Mr. Ritchie was called for, and expressed his hearty concurrence in the nominations of the Convention, and spoke in high terms of the candidates, &c.

Gen. Cass was then introduced to the meeting, and the following is an extract from his speech:

I congratulate you, my fellow citizens, upon the fortunate termination of the labors of the Democratic Convention. They have done their work, and have done it well. They have presented to us, as our standard-bearer during the ensuing Presidential campaign, an able and an honorable citizen, with a character above reproach—a true democrat, a tried patriot, and an experienced statesman, who has faithfully served his country in high stations, in peace and in war, and who will serve her with equal fidelity in that higher station to which we intend to elevate him. I know him well, and say of him what I know of him. He will go for the Union, and the Constitution; discarding all sectional feelings, and discountenancing every effort to excite agitation from which, God, in His mercy, has delivered us. And I confidently trust that our whole party everywhere through the land, will come up to the good work, and with one heart and one mind, will gladly seize the occasion, mutually to forget and forgive past dissensions, so that the only strife hereafter will be who shall show most devotion to the true and time-honored principles of our party. Let us look back only to learn wisdom and experience, but forward to gain new strength and confidence from united exertion.

I have already said that the Convention had done its work well.—Now, let every democrat go and do his work equally well, and all will be safe. And such, I doubt not, will be the course of the party. For the decree has gone forth—he who runs may read it in all the signs of the times—the hand writing is upon the wall, and there it is written in words that need no interpreter, that a democratic administration is to control the government of the country for the next four years—aye, and I trust for long years thereafter."

Gen. Houston was received with loud hurras, and made but few remarks. He knew the nominees intimately and well, and vouched for their patriotism, talents, and sound democracy. By the letter which had been read, it would be seen that Gen. Pierce was for the whole Union, and nothing less.

Judge Douglass was next introduced, and was received with more enthusiasm than any of the preceding speakers.

"We have," said Judge Douglass, "assembled here to-night to congratulate the country and one another, on the cordial reunion of the democratic party. The National Convention which recently assembled in Baltimore, has presented a platform on which all democrats can stand with honor and with safety—a platform worthy of the best days of the party under a Jefferson or a Jackson. They have also presented to us the names of two eminent Statesmen for our support as President and Vice President of the United States, whose lives and characters illustrate and adorn that system of government which it is our aim and mission, as a party, to maintain and perpetuate. With such a platform and such a ticket, a glorious victory awaits us.

"It is unnecessary to detain you with a discussion as to the principles of the two parties, but I shall be prepared for the whigs when they shall have presented their candidates and platform."

Gen. Lane, Frank. Gallagher, of Baltimore, Hon. Alexander Buel, of Michigan, H. B. Wright, of Penn., and other gentlemen, addressed the meeting, and as we close this report at midnight it is in full blast.

While the meeting was still in progress, the band of music was detailed to serenade the Hon. Wm. R. King, at his residence. Responding to the compliment, he came forward and made a handsome speech in acceptance of the nomination, and in behalf of Gen. Pierce.

Personal Appearance and Habits of Gen. Pierce.

Everybody, of course, is anxious to know something about the personal of the man who is to be our next President. He is not far from five feet eleven inches in height, and finely proportioned. His face is impressive and commanding, and beaming all over with the light of intellect and energy. We have never seen a countenance which exhibits more lofty purpose, zeal and undisguised frankness. With a mind of the highest order, and harmoniously developed, he combines the suavity of a child. His habits are those of a man who believes there is a great deal to be done, and very little time to do it in. He is forever at work, and we may safely say, that from the first time he entered public life, no man spent his powers more profusely, in carrying out what was allotted to him, than Gen. Pierce.

As an orator we will pit him against any man in the country—but his arguments are none the less compact for the beauty of his diction and the elegance of his gestures; in his love of country he is a perfect enthusiast. Had he a dozen lives to give they would be freely yielded up at her shrine. This silent feature of his character he may have inherited from his father, who was a General in the revolutionary war, and, we may add, was afterwards Governor of New Hampshire. We delight in being thus particular, though we have not said all we shall say.—Cleveland Plaindealer.

Gen. Pierce is a native of Hillsborough county, New Hampshire, and of excellent family, his father being the Gen. Pierce whose name had honorable rank in the last war. Hillsborough county is the birthplace of several eminent men: Hon. Daniel Webster, Gen. Cass, Hon. John A. Dix, &c.

On landing at Newport, Rhode Island, on his return from Mexico, Gen. Pierce found that there was due him of arrears of pay, $240. He added from his private purse $60 to this sum, and distributed it among the poorer of his fellow soldiers.