The Madisonian. [volume] (Washington City [i.e. Washington, D.C.]) 1837-1845, 1843-06-15


Bunker Ii where the first blood was shed in behalf
Of those glorious principles which our revolution
consecraed-oi those principles which have ar
nouneed to world that the great mass of mankind
were not born with saddles their backs rea " to
be rode by the favored few, booted and spurred lie.
ultimately" "by tie grace OF God" (Great ap-
plause.) No, SIR those principles will have their
influence, not only over the affairs of this mighty
conederacy but the affairs Of after nations for
how can the example Of Democratic America be re-
sisted.
DO you not perceive that light is breaking forth
every where, and that her influence has now civilized
a continent, which, when we were boys, was almost
in state of wilderness wonder how the heart OF
any American, who wanders over our beloved coun-
try, be animated with any other feeling than that
of pride and joy, when he reflects that he is an
American citizen. (Appause.) | not where
he stands-put him on the disputed lire of Maine,
now happily seted-throw him among the bloody
tomahawks of the sayages, happily subdued in the
forests Of Florida and he has still to be proud
that under divine Providence, his destiny has been
cast in land of civil and religious liberty (Great APP
pause.) Why sir, what were we half century
ago' In my own native State, ardon for recur-
ring to iD-you know that Virginan stands before
you, and that the blood of Virginia crimsoned the
soil of every OF the Old thirteen States during the
war-but am not addressing you with any sectional
feeling: speak OF your mighty confederacy as your
| Chief Magistrate, and | acknowledge myself to be
only the President Of the United States in the ag-
gregate, and not in the severance. (Appause) Now
sir, cast your eye back some half century and what
were your Look little further back-nay, some
two hundred years ago. aud remember that the small
seed OF civilization planted at jamestown afterwards
sprung to vigor on Plymouth rock. See it now
stretching forth its roots from the Pacific to the At
lantic, oyershadowing continent, and the dews Of
two mighty resting its branches. (Cheers)
This is the confederacy under which we live. (Hear
hear)
Greeted as am, as the Chief Magistrate of this
confederacy, by you, the Mayor Of this great com
mercial emporium, where the traders of all nations
congrcgate--where merchants do tread your streets
from the most distant regions Of the earth-where
you are springing up with giant strides with mighty
powers and influence over the affairs of this great
country can only say that receive your greeting
in the spirit in which it is offered. come up in no
spirit OF party amongst YOU. | go to indulge in re-
collections along with others, of our revolutionary
history, when go to Bunker Hill. | come in the
name OF union--unon among all our people-(ap-
plause) --union such as you manifest in your city
councils on this occasion-union such as was mani
tested by lorefahers in the hard battles of the
reyoution-( cheers )-union such was consecrated
by the victory of Sarato ga-unon such as was so.
| lemnlzed by the convention at Yorktown-(cheers)
"a union, sir not on papers union, not in Consti-
tution-a union not in lip service-but union spring
ing from the heart, and causing to love each other
as American citizens. (AppIause.) This is the
spirit with which ] have come, sir; and receive
the CALCULATIONS of the great city of New York, ten
dered by you, Mr.. Mayor with infinite satisfaction.
come with no body guard other than those have
represented. have none of the trappngs of
the miserable, puny lrappings which mark either
monarchy or an aristocracy. stand upon the plat
form of the constitution, which guarantees freedom
OF opinion and freedom of person. (Cheers.)
II is not to be expected here, where freedom of
opinion exists that there will be difference of OPT
Mon but perfect union and unanimty cannot be
attained But, in the name Of that great Providence
that rules US, and has conducted us through SO
many hery trials, lei us indulge spirit Of tolerance
yards thcan off tho
what in principle it is true, but looking for and de-
string the meas to promote the happiness Of our
beloved country and the dignity OF the human race
and the Perpetuaon of free Institutions r, ten
der you my hand in cordial recprocation of yo,r
| greeting. (Great cheering
The Maypr shook hands warmly with the Presi-
dent, who was then introduced to many gentlemen
present. He next proceeded to review a battalion
OF the CITY Guards, and the Ligh: Guards, which
were drawn up IN line in the of the Castle
In ,he city, at er the departure of the boats The
mornng was chiefly occupied by the military, who
began In earnest by ten O'clock assembling at Their
various stations, preparatory 10 taking their places
| tor reviw They were out IN great numbers and
squad OF neat and trinity dressed soldiers might be
seen at almost every corner surrounded by lst,ess
crowds Of citizens, anxious endeavorinp to trife
away the Tine unn the business of the day should
commence Notwithstanding that nothing was vet
to be seen, Broadway, the Park, and the Bat
terry full OF people hurrync hiihe and tbitber
Casting anxious glances al The Il gs which sAuno
gracefully and maestcaly to the breeze or 10 kintI
out to see, as If already The cynosure Of all ewes was
visible 1t was evident, from indications not TO b.
Misunderstood that nothing like business entered in
TO any bodys calculai ns and that the only busi-
ness which would I've tended TO- on that dav was
the reception OF the President. At every pnn,
where an inch Of ground could be spared, a booth
root beer cart, or al OPP lie stand had taken forma
possession; ard even the walk in front of Trini-
ty church-un he very confines of the emoire of III,
dead, and VI hin speaking dstance' of the dilapi-
d,ted tomb-stoncs-the 'almighy" pency had
reared ITS temples, IN the shape of rlckey tables and
broken lumblers, with a shrewd TANK iawed Yankee
or QUIZ cal good natured Pat lander by way OF
mlnlSterIng priest.
We could not help pausing for moment before
that massive Gothic pie, surrounded bv the crumb-
ling memorials of the dead 10 watch the husy ,na
unthinking crowd.
Proceeding down Broadway, we entered Castle
Gai den, Tor the purpose of getting mouthful of the
fresh sea breeze which is sweeping ar und tina,
magnihcent terrace, before the crowd, with their Sc
gars and punchy bfeaths and vainos G shaIatious
should come TO desecrate the scene The garden
was literally hung with banners of all the nations
under tie sun; and the sweet and graceful fountain
there, with Its Durmurng and poetce voices seemed
OuoblIng and dancing III the light of Joy. The land
ing place, where our guest first to press the soil
OF the empire CITY, was conveniently provided and
beautifully decorated with flags From this our eve
naturally turned to the glorious bay, which Law daz
zllng IN the sun, and upon whose unduatinc bosom
Piouuy rouc the gallant North Carolina and indie
pendence surrounded by beautiful and taut-rcged
revenue cutters, and a whole fleet of steamers and
smaller boats. As far as the eye could reach the
bay seemed studded with vessels
And now barge belonging to the North Carolina
shoots swiftly out from the shadow of the Castle
and sweeps over the sparkling wave-bearing a CAV
and brilliant company to partake Of an entertain
ment and dance which was TO be given the quar-
ter deck OF the noble ship. What a beautiful Thing
is the barge of gar vessel, rowed by well drilled
and practised oarsmen 1t ,eemed as if il had but
one pair Of oars, and their shado,o--so regular and
even IS the pulls and, gradually fades IN the dis
tance IT appears like splendid bird, gracefully soar
ing and dipping its broad wings.
Turning towards the shore, the Battery presented
an animated and interesting appearance. The mill.
tary had already begun assembling in immense num-
hers. and. hN three O'clock thnr IL.