细节
PIERCE, Franklin (1804-1869). Autograph letter signed ("Franklin Pierce"), as former President, to Carroll Spence, New York, 12 June 1860. 3 pages, 4to, puncture holes along center crease.
"I WOULD NOT UNDER ANY CIRCUMSTANCES PERMIT MY NAME TO GO BEFORE THE CONVENTION." PIERCE STEERS CLEAR OF THE FATEFUL 1860 PRESIDENTIAL CONTEST. Spence, a delegate at the fractious Democratic Party conclave in Baltimore that spring, wanted to throw Pierce's hat into the ring. The former President makes this unequivocal response: "With regard to the convention I hope for the best, but am not without deep solicitude. I thank you for the manner in which your friendship leads you to speak of me, but I would not under any circumstances permit my name to go before the convention." The Baltimore convention was the Democrats' second shot at nominating a presidential candidate. Their convention at Charleston in April broke up when Southern delegates walked out, furious at the convention's unwillingness to adopt a plank calling for the Federal protection of slavery in the territories. They reconvened at June in Baltimore and nominated Stephen A. Douglas. However, a rump group of Southerners also met at Baltimore to pass the rejected plank, and put forward a "National Democratic" candidate, John C. Breckenridge.
Pierce alludes also to his wife's chronic illness and depression: "Mrs. Pierce was so much prostrated by the effects of the voyage and other causes that she has not had the strength to proceed on our journey to New England." Mrs. Pierce never recovered emotionally from the death of the couple's 12-year old son Bennie in 1855. She was chronically depressed and then developed tuberculosis, which claimed her life in 1863. Her husband fared no better. Neither their comfortable financial circumstances, nor their extensive travels in Europe and the Caribbean could revive their zest for life.
"I WOULD NOT UNDER ANY CIRCUMSTANCES PERMIT MY NAME TO GO BEFORE THE CONVENTION." PIERCE STEERS CLEAR OF THE FATEFUL 1860 PRESIDENTIAL CONTEST. Spence, a delegate at the fractious Democratic Party conclave in Baltimore that spring, wanted to throw Pierce's hat into the ring. The former President makes this unequivocal response: "With regard to the convention I hope for the best, but am not without deep solicitude. I thank you for the manner in which your friendship leads you to speak of me, but I would not under any circumstances permit my name to go before the convention." The Baltimore convention was the Democrats' second shot at nominating a presidential candidate. Their convention at Charleston in April broke up when Southern delegates walked out, furious at the convention's unwillingness to adopt a plank calling for the Federal protection of slavery in the territories. They reconvened at June in Baltimore and nominated Stephen A. Douglas. However, a rump group of Southerners also met at Baltimore to pass the rejected plank, and put forward a "National Democratic" candidate, John C. Breckenridge.
Pierce alludes also to his wife's chronic illness and depression: "Mrs. Pierce was so much prostrated by the effects of the voyage and other causes that she has not had the strength to proceed on our journey to New England." Mrs. Pierce never recovered emotionally from the death of the couple's 12-year old son Bennie in 1855. She was chronically depressed and then developed tuberculosis, which claimed her life in 1863. Her husband fared no better. Neither their comfortable financial circumstances, nor their extensive travels in Europe and the Caribbean could revive their zest for life.