Richmond enquirer. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1815-1867, 1823-07-01

we beg your acceptance OF, our sincere ac-
You are waited upon, sir, hy
4 denomination Of Christians. 10 whom ration
al Freedom IS dear as the current of the
SOUL" whose ecclesiastical government is in
terwov-D with its dictates, and whose ardent
desires and endeavours embrace the victories
at patriotism aud piety, from the Potomac 10
the ends VI the earth.
Our Convention, sir, ferventy wish the con
tinuaoce Of your health, and all the consola
lions which rectituje aud b.nrvulence can
administer; and that, when your course of
service on earth shall terminate, amid the
tears of your fellow citizens, and the hymns
Of serahhim, you may be introduced into the
everlasting mansions of God.
On behalf Of The Conusiilion.
President OF the United States of America.
To this address the President Of the Uni
ted States'was pleased tn make the following
reply:
I'o The members orihs Genera, Convention Of
The Baptist Denon,in alton, no,t TIA session TN
his city.
ln approaching the period at which shall
retire rs private lie, after having devoted,
from very early youth, my jealous and un-
wearied afurts to promote the welfare ofmy
country, need not assure you, that the goud
opinion and good wishes of my fellow citizens,
will constitute the most consoliDg reward that
shall carry with me. The communication,
therefore, which have just received from so
respectable body as convention of your
society, now assembled here, from The several
states, has excited in my mind the most CRATE
full emotions.
l concur with you, fellow citizens, that it is
our peculiar good fortune 10 live under "a gov
ernment which recognizes no distinction of
ranks, government founded on the sover-
eighty ofthe people under which every CHI =
Zen has equal rights, and is protected in The
enjoyment of them, by the mild, but efficient
operations of the law. Under our govern
ment, every officer, however high his trust,
holds it by the free suffrage Of his fellow citi-
zens, and is responsible To them, in the mode
prescribed by the constitution, for the faithful
discharge of its duties. Here there can be no
oppression; religion is free; industry, science,
and the arts, are encouraged, and vice punish
ed. Whenever we take into view the present
1ourishinS and happy condition of our coun-
try, mark its origin, and the rapidity with
which it has reached the present stage, we
trace at once the cause from whence we derive
these blessings WE see that we owe them TO
the freedom of our institutions.
From the commencement of our Revolution
to the present day, our career has been dis
hngnished by very interesting occurrences,
some of which have been fraught with diff
Guilty. Happily the virtue and intelligence of
the people, which were always most signaly
displayed in the greatest emergencies, never
failed TO triumph over them. Ii is on that
great resource, on that primary cause, the
virtue and intelligence of the great body of
the people; that we must rely for future sue
cess. IL they continue TO lie competent TO all
the duties Of self government, AS trust and
confidently believe, we shall be safe. 1t is
from deep conviction of this truth, that see,
with great interest and satisfaction, so many
literary institutions springing up in different
parts of our Uniun, from which light is diffu-
sed over the whole.
beg you TO accept my grateful acknow
Judgments for the interest which you take in
my future welfare, and to be assured that
very sincerely reciprocate it, as to yourselves.
JAMES MONROE