The Madisonian. [volume] (Washington City [i.e. Washington, D.C.]) 1837-1845, 1845-03-14
Correspondence Of the Baltimore Sun.
WASHINGTON, March 8, l845.

Correspondence Of the Baltimore Sum-
WASHINGTON, March 8, lS45
The General Pos. O6ice-I have Just witnessed a
most interesting and impressive ceremony. At three
O'Clock, this afternoon, about one hundred and fifty
gentlemen proceeded, in procession, from the general
post Office edce to the residence of the Hon. Charles
A. Wicklife, late Postmaster General They were
received by their host with cordial greetings. Be-
fore partaking of refreshments however, 10 which
they we're invited, Major s. R. Hobbie FIRST Asss-
tant Postmaster General stepped forward before the
company, and made the following address:
Governor WickHfe:- We are here assembled for
parting interview. The officers, clerks, and messen-
gers of the General Post Office; ALSO those of the
Auditors Office and of the city post Office together
with gentlemen prominently connected with the post
Office service in other parts of the Union are here
met to take their final leave of you, the officer
who, for the last three and half years has had the
control and direction of their public conduct.
come forward sir, not the selected organ of
this body of gentlemen, much from my position
among them. What shall say will be my own sem
tments, but trust they will find cordial concur
renee in every bosom present. AS exposition of
the feelings of all upon this interesting occasion, it
will no doubt prove inadequate and defective and
shall be grated if the deficiencies are made up by
remarks from other gentlemen.
1t Isl SIT, about three years and halfthat you have
stood at the head of one of the great Departments of
the Governmen!-greate in its extent and details
greater in the number of persons in its employment
and far greater in the number affected by its opera
tons than any other branch of the executive service
We know, sir, that during this period, your duties
have been most arduous-that the obstacles nterfer-
ing with the performance Of those duties were nume-
rous and embarrassing-and the responsibilities, es-
pecally in view Of failure, appalling And we like
wise know, sir-or rather gentlemen, for appeal to
my friends and assocates-we know with what en-
ergy OF mind and purpose, with what devotion of
time and effort these great labors carried for
ward by our chief; and we also know that the fear
lessness with which he encountered all responsible
ties equalled only by the magnanmity with
which he has conceded credit 10 others far beyond
their share IN these labors. Yes sir the generosity
that has been manifested in this respect has been
such as to demand from those, who have been the
recipients OF II, profound gratitude.
What have been The results OF your administration
Of post Office affairs 10 the opinion of the people, is
not Tor US to declare. In our restricted sphere we
cannot claim to be even part Of the jury who are to
make up the verdict But we are witnesses sir
from positions and opportunities important wit
nesses to material facts aud circumstances necessary
to an enlightened formation Of the public Judgment
And in view of this knowledge, confidently be-
eve, that the public sentiment respecting your Off
cial acts, which shall be wisely and Justly formed
will pronounce in unmistakable terms, the language
Of approval
We know, sir, that it is impossible to please ALL
We say tins from experience running through Sc
vele administrations of the Post Office Depa ument
This huge machine is too vast and complicated and
necessarily bears in its operations upon 100 many con
0ciing claims and cashIng interests, to command the
and satisfaction of all And, besides there are
those whose interests are not the great of The
lsw-whose claims Incident with those of
the public welfare and with them the decisions of
the officer, who takes the one as his guide and the
other The great object of his action, cannot fail TO
excite the murmurs of disapprobaion. But cavil aud
complaint from such sources will soon pass away
And when II is seen that this high functionary en-
phaiically pointing 10 Gov. has looked TO the la
he most legitimate expressions Of the public will
has looked 10 The great inter- Of the whole peo-
pie as paramount TO sectional special or individual
interests, however UNFORTUNATELY The latter may have
been pressed upon hm-when it it ia seem that hay-
ing performed his allotted period of service he re,ires
with a conscience void Of offence a hand unstaipeJ
with corruption and heart true TO the impulses and
hopes of pairotism-Is it, my friends, too much to an
clpate from the public voice. in reference To him. the
cheering declaration, ,osH dons thou good aud fahfli
serrant."
Here the speaker was interrupted by much APP
plause
Major H. resumed. wish 10 add remark or two
more. wish TO speak of that which lies more i'm |
mediately within the range Of our observations and
eeings-the personal and social intercourse growing
out of our official relations 1t is our happiness TO
know that 1t has been marked by kindly feelings |
good offices, by acts and sentiments of friendship
And here, within the pr, cncts of The hosptabe am
ly circle hope 1t will not be deemed obtrusive in me
TO allude to those elegant, and what is more kind
hearted civtes and courtesies that have been enjoy
ed beneath this roof and have shed such grace and
charm over that intercourse. But, now sir, it is |
brought to close with most Of US by this separation
Faithful memory, however, will perform her office;
and the incidents and impressions Of nee
ship and intercourse official and personal, will remain
and abide IN our grateful recoectiops.
This address followed by long and loud an
plause, which having subsidized, Mr.. Wckline replied
follows
Sir In the sincerity Of my heart say 10 you, and
the gentlemen present, was not prepared for this
scene. When, on Yesterday you informed me thai
the othcers and clerks of the department desired to
call aud take leave of this day. felt the force of
The compliment intended, and emily nerved myself TO
pronounce the parting, and among friends meoncho-
ly word, "farepeli"
feel myself at this time unequal to The task ola
suitable reply to the remarks which YOU as the organ
OF the gentlemen present, here addressed to me-
MI Wlckte was certainly much affected and
aiter pause OF some moments, remarked i Par
oon, sur tne weakness so manifest it is impossible
to forbid the tear Of friendship TO fail on such an oc
css'on' who would not, under the circumsts nces
which surround me, feel feeli 1t IS your kind.
ness, gentlemen that has almost denied me the DOW
er OF expression You, sir, have correctly described
the nature, extent, and interesting operations of the
os' once department. You have been too long
and intimately connected with it not to know the
which lie in the pathway of him who u.s.
SUI mes its chief control .
Without solicitation, was called by friend from
my peaceful home, to the discharge of the high and
responsible duties of Postmaster General at time
ana under circumstances peculiar in the political
history Of the Government The pecunisry condi- I
ion OF the country, and the prostration Of trade and
commerce, to say nothing Of The conflicting eleme ns
IL party warfare, were well calculated to embarrass
he quiet and successful operations of the Depsr
nept.