Herald of the times. [volume] (Newport, R.I.) 1830-1846, 1841-02-18
Arrival Of Gen. Harrison al
Washington.

tue ITesiueHt Elect OF the CntteG
States reached the city on Tuesday 9Th
/ by the morning train OF cars from Balii-
more, between II and ~ o'clock.
\ The arrangements for his reception,
made by the city committee and hereto
fore announced, were carried out as fully
as the very inclement state Of the wealth
er permitted (snow falling heavily at the
time Tho attendance, indeed, Of citi.
zens from the city and other parts OF the
District, was much larger than could
have been antic patcd under such un-
favorable circumst ances, and proved the
intense desire universally felt to behold
and hail The man Of The people. The pro-
cession formed at the City Hall, though
marching four abreast, extended nearly
from the Hall to Pennsylvania Avenue.
On the arrival Of the cars, tho rush to
the doors of the rail road depot, by tho
multitude not in procession, was so over
whelmibg that it was found impossible to
60 through the ceremony Of the address
there, and tho General was Immediately
conducted, through double lines of cti-
zens, to the City Hall, where Mr.. Sea-
ton, Mayor Of the city, addressed him as
follows:
sin obedience, sir, to the wishes of my fel.
low citizens of Washington, beg leave to
offer you, in their name, O cordial and
heartfelt welcome TO the metropolis Of
the Union. They could not havo assigned
10 me duty more gratifying to my own
feelings, or one which should be more proud
to perform.
"As there was no portion of the American
People who had so deep stake in The Issue
Of the late Presidential election as the in
habtants Of this city, there was no portion
Of them who felt deeper soicltudc in the
event Of il, or more sincere and grateful
JOY at its glorious result
"Allhoueh the peculiar subjects Of Federal
legislation, arc at the mercy, as ii were, OF
the Federal rulers the people of this city yet
dared TO think for themselves, and publicly
to uvow their dsapprovsl Of The measures OF
the Administration; they dared to invoke
their countrymcn throughout the Union to
rise up and rescue the Government from the
hands Of those who had abused their trust,
and whose rule had proved so disastrous to
the public veal.
"For exercising this sacred right-a right
inseparabe from every just notion of rcpub'
IIcan libery-a right never questioned but
by tyrants, and never surrendered but by
slaves; for exercising this free American
privilege, they have been subjected to indig-
mites and expressions which put to shame
the most flagrant Of those acts Of British OPP
preston which lnpclled our fathers TO take
up arms. Still, undsmayed by the menaces
of power, and unsubducd by injustice, the
people oi Washington shrank not from their
duty. They continued to assert the free
right of opinion and of speech, TO proclaim
their own wrongs and those of their country,
and to bear testimony against the incompe-
tency and unfaithfulncss Of the public rulers
and they have the proud satisfaction of be-
lieving that their voice was not altogether
unhcurd in the awakening Of their country
men to sense Of the public danger, and to
the necessity Of change in the Executive
Government.
"Rlevon years ago, sir, you returned to
this city from an honorable and important
trust abroad, the first victim of n reinorseless
po liticu prescription, ill then unknown to
our history. You now enter it at the call If
your country, TO take the place Of those who
prescribed you, and to occupy tho elevated
station which was prostifuted to your perse-
cution--thus signally rebuklng an intoler-
ance alien to the spirit Of liberty, and furnish
ing an example Of retrlbutive justice honora-
BILE to our republican institutions, and cheering
to the friends of free government.
"'The necessity Of reform is Inscribed on
every lineamcnt of the National Adminlstra-
tion and YOU, sir, have been chosen by your
country the honored instrument of that re-
form; in yon the hopes of the nation are now
centsred-hopes, indeed, made bright by un-
doubling confidence.
"llappily, sir. in your known character and
past history we have every guaranty for
faithful. wise, and honest administration OF
the public affairs and we have only TO pray
that it may prove as happy for yourself per-
soDally, rs we are conhGent II VIII be advan-
tagsous for our common country.
I'm the name of my fellow citizens J make
you welcome to the city OF your official resi-
dcncc."
tThc Mayor concluded by rendering TO the
General the hosp,alltics Of the city, aud SAID
he should be happy, Whenever he pleased, to
Conduct him to the quarters provided Tor his
accommodation
To this Address General Harrison re-
Piled, briefly, but well. He said that a
long und intimate acquaintance with the
citizens Of Washington had left him no
room to doubt reception, frem tho May
or and those he represented, as cordial
MS that which he now experienced
Whatever difficulties he mi hit encounter
in the administration Of the Government
ollhe Union, he said he had most pleas
ing anticipation Of happiness in his social
relations for the tlmo which he might re-
side amongst them.
With respect to tho unpropiiious cir
cumstanccs of the affairs of the District,
to which the Mayor had alluded in his
Address, Gen. Ii. said, whatever they
might be, he begged him 10 believe that
no motive was wanting TO induce him, by
all the legal means within his power, to
contribute to their improvement or Teior-
nation.
Mr.. J. A. Blake, President Of the
Washington Tippecanoe Club, was then
intr oduced to General Harrison, and
made a brief aud neat address on behalf
Of the Club, to which the General re-
piled in appropriate terms.
After this ceremonial, an hour was
spent in a personal introduction Of many