Burlington free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1827-1865, 1842-09-30
RECEPTION OF MR.. ADAMS

The following is a correct report of the ex.
celent and eloquent Address delivered at Brain.
tree, by the Hon. NATHANIEL MoRroN DAVIS,
OF Plymouth, on the reception of the Hon JOHN
QCINcY ADAMS, on Saturday last We hope
10 be favored, in few days, with a copy of the
Address spoken by that venerable and distn-
gu.shed statesman on this interesting occasion.
Mr. DAVIES SPEECH.
We are assembled fellow citizens, from all
quarters OF our Congressional District, from the
banks of the Neponeset to the Rock of Ply
mouth, 10 welcome the return OF our venerable
Representative, at the close of the longest, and
certainly one OF the most exciting sessions of
tho Congress of the United States.
Since the formation oil this District period
OF nearly ten years, he has represented us on
the floor of Congress We meet to-day, there
fore, to thank hun, not merely for the services of
single session. but to acknowledge the debt OF
gratitude which has been accommodating during
the whole of that period believe | express
the universal sentiment when | say that those
services were never more highly estimated than
at this moment. They have never been more
signal than during the session of Congress
| which has just terminated.
Conspicuous as have been the efforts of your
Representative upon these great ques ms, the
| Tariff, Distribution, the Veto Power, vet gen.
tIemcn, our country and pos,ery viii reserve
their highest hOnOrs for his commanding clo-
qncnce and gigantic labors n defence of right
without winch all other rights and all other III
| tereSts are of small account, the right of Pcti-
ZION. For the maintenance of this right, guar
an,ced by the Constitution in the broadcast terms,
/ your venerable Representative has been bran
ded as a traitor, and his expulsion threatened
! from the post where you had placed him. |
| need not tel you OF the signal defeat of the en-
emes of that right, in their desperate attempt
to overpower and disarIn its veteran champion.
That is triumph, gentlemen, OF which South
ern cllyalry cannot yet boast.
| Though aged he was so iron OF limb,
Few of our youth could cope with him,
And the foes whom he slngy kept al bay
Outnumbered his thin hairs Of silver grey"
| 1he compromise, at the formation OF the Con-
sttution, between freedom and slavery, was un-
doubly founded on the belief that the latter
would dwindle and die. Let that compromise
be maintained. The interests OF humanity, in
volved IN the preservation of the Union, are too
momentous to be hazarded by the disruption oil
this glorious conlederacy. But while we rally
with unwayerng fidelity, around the banner Of
the Union, let US not be false to the spirit o.
the men who formed it.
Let us not suffer that Union to become the
instrument by which slavery is to be perpetual
ted, at the expense OF the rights and interests o
the North. To the people of this district be
longs the honor of sustaining, for the last tel
years, Representative emlneGtly faithful IL
their defence. At each and every attempt o
Southern Representatives and their Northern
allies, to sacrifice, at the altar of slavery, the
freedom of speech and of the press, the right o
! petition, the protection of free labor, and the
lmmunities and privileges OF Northern citizens
he has never failed to sound the alarm, and IL
grid himself for the battle Sagacious TO fore
see, and prompt to denouncc the project for per
, petuating slavery by the annexation OF Texas
TO him in great measure belongs the credit o
wardmg Oft, not only that annexation, but the
y war with Mexico, by which it was to be eilGc
ted. Ever al his post, by day and by night, n
j matter how violent the assault, against any odd
o and all challengers, this soldier OF freedom ha
g never shrunk from the encounter. Amid nsul
abuse and oboquy, the fercest fury of South
D ern nyectve, in the widest OF the storm
r breastng the mad lashings ofthe waves, he ha
If stood, wa'ch-tower upon benighted coast,
illuniine, 10 cheer, and to save.
Permit me, sir, TO congratulate you on you
q safe return This thronging multitude of you
= constituents and friends come to bid you we
n come, and to express their gratitude for you
$, untirlng labors
:, Assembled in this ancient town of Rraintre,
memorable as the birth place OF your illustriou
father and yourself, our minds naturally reve
TO the Important parts which both have sustain
,, ed, in promoting the fame and honor of oil
country. II has been your fortune, in posts
+ 'he hghet' trust and hour, TO have tent YOU