Richmond enquirer. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1815-1867, 1828-04-11


town, which was entered amidst the ringing of
bells and other demonstrations OF public Joy. The
General alighted at Mr. Irwin's tavern, from
whence he and his suite were Immediately con-
Quoted by the committee in attendance 10 tho
quarters, few doors distant, provided for him. at
Mr.. Daniel Leinau's house. lie was there receiy-
cd without the door by the Committee of Arrange
nents, and by number of Revolutionary officers
and soldiers who had been invited TO attend on the
occasion. On the arrival of the General at Mr..
Leinaus house, in front Of which the whole pro-
cession had formed, and where several hundreds OF
persons had previously assembled, Col. Samuel
ii. Laughlin addressed the General as follows:
| GeneTdi-Permt me in the name of NY fell
low citizens here assembled, and one of the indi-
vIdnal members Of the committee OF arrangements
whom Immediately represent, respectfully 10 bid
you hearty welcome TO our village, and to feci-
tate you on the recurrence of the anniversary of
your BIRTH
This interview has not been solicited for political
purposes We utterly dscaim all such motives. 1t
las been sought for the qualification of friendship
ano good feeling-for the purpose of testfying our
nndiminished estimation of the great moral va
ue' OF public and private virtue, united with the
most distinguished abilities.
You see assembled around you, sir, those who
have known you both in public and private life
some ten, some twenty, some thirty, and some for
nearly forty years. We all know YOU, froin tho
greatest 10 the least; from these grav-headet vet
Grams oil the Revolution, 10 the most juvenile spec
taIor IN this extensive crowd. To oil, this day
"reminiscences. The aged remember YOU as the
able and Jealous advocate of your clients rights
me energetic prosecutor of public crmes--as the
enlightened statesman who mainly assisted in franz
ing the constitution under which we now live in
The enjoyment OF freedom and happiness and az
he stern and even handed dispenser of Justice
and right" from the bench of the highest judicial
tribunal OF the state. They have seen you at two
memorable periods of the history of your country
acting the part of an Independent and approved
member OF The National Senate. Others, and not
a lew, OF those less advanced in years, have known
you ever since the days of their earliest YOUTH az
an exemplary private citizen, an industrious far
Iner, kind neighbour, sincere friend the peace
maker, and The confidential arbitrator of mems
controversies. Many here present who have
served with you, as citiZen-sodiers, during near
Iy the whole OF your career of arms-frmn Ten
nessee TO Mississippi, from Mississippi to the Horse
Shoe, from the Horse Shoe 10 New Orleans and
from New Orleans TO Pensacola. With Won they
have partaken of the Joys Of victory of the com
forts OF hospitality and kindness and of the wants
cares, dangers and privations OF the camp. They
can bear the fullest testimony of your generous
humanity towards the vanquished enemies of YOUR
country upon all occasions, and Of your unremited
kntlness to your officers and soldiers. None Of US
nave been inattentive observers OF the events OF
more recent times. " have seen national bene-
factor made the object Of the most unsparing per
secuuon We have seen his public and private
actions and motives falsiied and niisrepresented.
I We have seen his domestic peace assailed by the
tongues and pens of SANDER and detraction. We
have seen the wife OF his basoru--one whose
whole life has been continued series of vrtuous
charitable, pious and praiseworihy actions devoid
lot even the appearance OF reproach-nade the in
nocent object OF the yenal libeers blacklist defa-
nation. But, protected by truth and honor we
have also seen the shafts of canmny fall harmless
from nm and his house, and our hearts have re-
lJoiced at the sight. The hearts of our wives of
our sisters, and Of our daughters, have been mad;
glad.
Do ut, sir, bcseech you, deem any thing
here said as The language of empty adulation.-S
We're il such, should do great Injustice to nv
! own feelings, and to the sentiments of those homo
rabie men whose humble organ am, and be great
ly wanting in respect to the character of him <
address. have no language at command, Gene
raj, to express the pleasure YOUR friends feel AZ
this meeting. Their looks and actions must be
their own interpreteTs-they speak language
more audible to the heart than can any feeble
words of mine. Once more, sir, allow me to greet
y0u with cordial welcome-a welcome, in the sin
ceiity OF which, every bosom present srdeLily
participates.
To which the General answered as follows:
ST:-Ths hearty, sincere, and kind welcome
of my fellow citizens Of Rutherford county, ON
the anniversary Of my birth, inspires me with feel
ings cannot find language 10 express. 1t is no
less true, than gratifying TO me- to recognize in this
large assembly of my friends, many OF those who
have been acquainted with me for nearly forty
years ana TO whom al my acts, civil, judicial and
military, are familiar and well known.
Yes, sir, iii true That myself and bosom com
panon have been assaulted with the malignant
shafts of caumny and dctracOn; but truth is,orn-
nipotent and will prevail over fasehooh and error
NJ trust has always been placed in the nteni-
: gence and virtue of the People--the Legitimate
source Of all political power, and incorfspfibio
fountain Of integrity. The appreciation, therefore,
OF this numerous concourse OF my fellow citizens
many Of whom have been eyewitness of my
conduct from my earliest age to the present time
furnishes ample evidence of the correctness Of XIV
views, and that my confidence has not been mis-
placed. This, sir, is of higher value TO me than
all the power, wealth and pomp that Office can be-
stow. Our government being based upon the virtue
and intelligence of the people, so long they are
inspired by feelings of genuine patriotism, perso-
cution and defamation will be made to recoh upon
/ the heads Of their authors.
Accept, sir, for yourself, and present, pray YOU
to the Committee and my iellow-ciiizens, whose
organ you are, my best wishes for their prosperity
! and happiness.
The General then went round the little group o.
1 revolutionary survivors, and shook each cordially
and impressiyely by the hand. They nearly
TO man, old and familiar acquantances, some Of
whom, however he had not seen for several years.
With these venerable friends, he then retired in
20 the house, where, ia the course Of two hours,
nc was greeted by the friendly saluations Of hun
dreds Of good men and true, among whom were
many Of those who had known him ever since he
cfnigrated 10 Tennessee, then territory and some
few Of whom had known him both az a schoolboy
and as a student Of law.
When the dinner hour arrived, the General AMI
bis accompanying friends, Gov. Houston Colonel
Charles Biddle, Mai. ". y Lewis, and Col X s.
/ W. Earl, were conducted by the Committee of Ar
engagements to the old representatives, hall in the
served, prepared by MIR James Irwin for the &C
/ rd5i0n. Between two and three hundred oropfI,