The daily Madisonian. [volume] (Washington City [i.e. Washington, D.C.]) 1841-1845, 1843-04-19
THE PROCESSION, &C.

oten dUte 10 procure ue III" s0F''' " way ~
ceed ngs in time for the paper To day we
supply the deficiency from the BALTIMORE SUM-
and the whole will go forth in connected anu
perfect form in the semi-weekly aud weekly
papers.
Seldom, very seldom does il occur here that such
an amount OF happiness is experienced Ia one day as
was enjoyed yesterday by hundreds OF our fellow
citizens fruy, from the mornings dawn until the
misty shades Of evening" the day was repete with ra-
tional enjoy heightened by happy conscious
ness Of having discharged duty to patriotism and to
beneroaee. Without the usual display Of advertise
| menls handbills pufs and programmes, the "Wash
ington City Benevolent Association" amounting to
| several hundred fine, hardy looking men, assembled
at their hall on street, about 10 o'clock in the
morning, for the purpose of marching in procession
to the Executive mansion, as has been their wont on
Saint Patricks day, for many years, but OF which
they we're deprived, few weeks since, IN conse-
quence of the depth Of snow lying on our streets
Preceded by the Marine Band, and the committee OF
arrang ements the line of march was formed at III
o'clock and proceeded down xth street, intending
to march along Pennsy lvania avenue. They had
only reached Louisiana avenue, however, when the
Society was most agreeably surprised by the near
approach of one of volunteer companies, rapidly
advancing to the s.iri,ed tune Of Saint Patrick's
day in the morning" The venerable Mr.. Philip En-
mis- president of the society, Immediately directed
la I to be made, which was instantly complied with;
when, clapping spurs to the furious charger, he
dashed ahead towards the volunteers when he learn
ed from Captain Duvall, Of the splendid corps of
Morgan Rihemen, Of Georgetown, that they were
fastening to tender their services escort to the
| association.
Honors so unex pected to the society, and spirit
ed and laudabe the part Of the volunteers, were
most enthusiastically received, and, after the usual
| salutations, the " Morgans" were formed into two
divsioDs-the first taking the right, aud the second
the left Of the line.
The procession then proceeded along Pennsylva-
MIA avenue, to the Executive mansion and as few
but themselves seemed to understand the true in
tent and meaning" OF the display, several thou
sand persons accompanied them to the White
house, On their arrival, the doors Of the mansion
were thrown open--the society and volunteers were
first received in the East Room, where they
compactIy formed as body Of men were, under
similar circumstances and every recess and corner
Of the adjoining rooms and hall w,re thronged with
anxious and attentive spectators, amounting to-
tainly, not less than one thousand persons
The audience being thus accommodated, and eve
ry thing in readiness, only indicated by the
profound silence which ensued, President Tyler,
companied BY his two sons the Hons. Messrs. Spen-
Ger, Upshur, and Porter, Mr.. Postmaster General
Wcklite, Professor Sewall, and several other dis
tinguisbed gentlemen, entered the room, and having
taken stand the centre
James Hoban, Esq, the eloquent advocate of Re-
peal, then advanced, and introduced the society to
the President of the United States in the following
terms:
Mr. President: The members of the Washington
Benevolent Society, composed of emigran:s and their
immediate descendants, whose association is now Of
more than twenty years duration, and widely and
favoraby known to our community by their frequent
acts OF charity, with number OF native citizens
sident here, intended in the of the late cee
braton of ST. Patrcks day to wait upon your Excel
ency, in order 10 tender to you expression Of
those feelings Of personal respect and kindness
which they deemed appropriate to such occasion.
The inclemency of the weather then prevented
the discharge of that pleasing duty which now de-
wolves upon them and the organ Of the expression Of
which they have done me the honor to make me.
They desire me TO express to your Excelency their
deep of the warm solictude for the prosperity
and intimate sympathies with the condition, Of the
stranger and exile, which you have expressed
and felt Strong indeed is their attachment to gov
ernment and to laws which have awarded 10 them
political equality with the cit of country the
generous institutions of which have afforded to them
a reception and home, unqualified by any Of those
mpositlons and restrictions, which bgotry, envy
ignorance would entwne around the fortune, the
pride, or the dignity OF the stranger, who, fleeing
from tyranny of elder world Of prejudice, and Of
despotism has found upon this western SOIL that de-
gree Of personal independence and of happiness
which aDtiquaed error Gin unholy union with the
time strength encroachmens of corruption and
of power) had denied him, in the land of his nativity
They not forgetful Of the open and dignihed
manner in which you have chosen publicly to avow
your deep conviction of the importance and truth Of
truly American sentiments OF hberaty in their be-
hal-sentments for the entertainment, and the man
of the expression Of which, they cannot to
feel profoundly grateful. Those sentiments we're
Just, they liberal, they manly, they well
became "the ruler of free people"
In the Of your friends here present, and for
myself individually, sincerely pray that you may
long enjoy that confidence and favor, the expression
Of which have essayed thus ieebly that your many
excellent qualities may cont nue. TO endear you TO all
sharing the pleasure Of your society and acquain-
lance that your public may prove grateful
to yourself and profitable TO your, and to our,
try and when the and vclssitudes Of your po.
litical career closed that your evening of
istence may descend cloudess and undarkened thro
ing back upon the illuminated path Of its progress,
the lingering and the grateful light Of an honored
name to posery.
The delivery Of the PRESIDENT reply was marked
with that hrmness animation and touching eloquence
which have always characterized his speeches. IL
the eloquence Of the heart, and seemed TO find
hearty response in the bosom Of every who
| heard II.
At the close Of the speech the band played [" The
Exile Of Erin, Wsshingtons March, and several
other national airs, in handsome STYLE and then the
military and society, by countermarches, passed m
review before the President and his Cabinet Minis
tiers, and saluted them with tokens Of respect.
The procession then proceeded down the Avenue
10 street. where they halted in front Of Saint Pa
tricks Church, and paid their respects TO the Very
Reverend and time-honored William Matthews, who
appeared in front Of the church. with tie smiles of
piety and beneyolence playing, usual upon his
countenance. Thence they proceeded to "St Vim
cents Orphan Asylum,n where another halt was
made, and their respects paid TO the excellent Sis
tiers Of Charity" and their little orphan charge
Then along to 9Th street, down sth TO T. street,
when they halted in front Of the Mayors residence,
for the purpose Of rendering him their respects. The
Mayor however, did not appear, doubtless from the
circumstance that he was not apprsed Of their n,en-
ton to honor him with visit
The procession then marched along Seventh street
and Pennsylvania avenue TO the Capitol, around the
Capitol, and then 10 the residence OF james Hoban
Esq, where they paid some high compliments in the
way Of favorilc tunes by the band thence to Sixth
street where, after the usual salutes the volunteer.
took their leave and the society marched to their