The daily Madisonian. [volume] (Washington City [i.e. Washington, D.C.]) 1841-1845, 1845-03-14
{ To be continued J
Correspondence Of the Baltimore Sun.
wAsHsGros, March 8, ls45.

WAsHisGros, March Q, 1919
The Csneral Post O6ies--l have Just witnessed
most interesting aud impressive ceremony. AT three
O'Clock, this afternoon, about one hundred and hity
gentlemen proceeded, IN procession, from the general
post office edce the residence Of the Hon. Charles
A. Wcklfe, late Postmaster General. They we're
received by their host with cordial greetings. Be-
fore psrtsking Of refreshments, however, 10 which
they invited, Major >. X. Hobbie, First Assis-
tant Postmaster General stepped forward before the
company and made the following address
Governor WiekhGe We are here assembled for
parting interview. The officers clerks, and mersen-
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, here
met take their final leave Of you, as the officer
who, for the a,t three and half years. has had the
control and direction of their public conduct
/ come forward, SIR, not as the selected organ Of
this body Of gentlemen, so much as from my position
among them. What shall say will be my
tmenls but trust they will find a cordial concur
renee in every bosom present. As an exposition of
the feelings OF all upon this interesting occasion, II
will no doubt prove inadequate and defective aud
shall be gratfed # the deficiencies made up by
remarks from other gentlemen.
IL is sir, about three years and half that you have
stood at the head of of the great Departments of
the Goyernmen.-greater in its extent and details
greater in the number of persons IN its employment
and tar greater in the number affected by lis opera
tons than any other branch of the executive service
We know, sir, that during this period, your duties
have been most arduousthat the obstacles interior.
ing with the performance Of those duties were hume
rous and embarrassng-and the responsibilities, es-
pecally 10 view oil failure, appalling. AHd 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 chief; and we also know, that the fear
essness with which he encountered all responsible
ties was equaled only by the msgnsnimty with
which he has conceded credit to others far beyond
their share IN these abors Yes sir the geneI osity
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 administrat ion
Of post office affairs 10 the opinion Of the people, IS
not for US TO declare. In our restricted sphere we
cannot claim 10 be 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 and circumstances necessary
TO an enlightened formation OF the public judgment.
And in view OF this knowledge, we 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 1t is impossible to please all
We say tins trUm an experience running through Sc
were administrations of the Post Office Depa rment
This huge machine is too and complicated, and
necessarily bears in its operations upon TOO many con
hc'ing claims and cashng interests, to command the
assent and satisfaction of ALL And, besides there are
those whose interests not the great interests of he
aw-whose claims are not co Incident with those of
the public welfare and with them the decision, of
tie officer, who takes the his guide and the
other the great object of his action cannot fail TO
excite the murmurs of dsapprobation But cavil and
complaint from such sources will soon pass away
And when IT ~ seen that this high functionary fem
pha'icolly polntD g Gov. w has looked to the law
the most legitimate expressions of the public will
has looked to the great interests Of the whole peo-
pie as paramount TO sectional or specal individual
interests, however unfortunately the latter may have
been pressed upon him-when it it is seen, that hav-
ing ertormed his allotted period of service he re,res
with conscience VOID Of offence, a hand unstaned
with corruption, and heart true TO the impulse and
hopes OF palrotsm-ls it, my ends, loo much to an
cipae from the public voice, reference to him the
cheering declaration wsH DONE thou good and faithful
servant"
Here the speaker was interrupted by much ap-
plause
Major Fl. resumed. ! wish TO add remark or two
more wish to speak of that which lies more i'm
mediately within the range Of our observations and
ieeings-he personal and social intercourse growing
out OF our official relations. 1t is happiness to
Know, that II has been marked by kindly feelings
good Offices by acts and sentiments of friendship
And here, within the pr, ciDcts of the hospitabe fam
ly circle hope it will be deemed obrusiye in me
to alude to those elegant, and what is more kind
hearted cv'lties and couteses that have been enioy
cd beneath hsroof, and have shed such a grace and
charm over that intercourse. But now sir i, is
brought TO close with most of u.s. by this separation
rallhiul memory. however, will perform her Office.
and the incidents and impressions Of our aca
ship and intercourse lohcal and personal will rema IN
and abide IN our grateful recollections.
THIS address was followed by long and loud an
Piause, which having subsidized, Mr. WcklTe replied
follows:
Sir In the sincerity of my heart saw TO Won. and
the gentlemen present, was not prepared for this
scene, When, on yesterday, You informed me tha,
the officers and clerks of the department desired to
call aud take leave of this day felt the force of
the compliment intended, and only nerved myself In
pronounce The parting, and among friends uleoncho-
ly word, "fgeDeH"
feel my sell at this time unequal to the task of a
suitable repy TO The remarks which You the organ
OF the gentlemen present, here addressed To me
MI Wicklilie was certainly much affected and
alter pause Of some moments, remarked Il Par.
don, SIR, The weakness so manifest it is impossible
TO forbid the tear Of friendship to faI on such an oc
caslon. who would not, under the circumstances
which surround me, feel feeli Il IL Your kiod
ness, gentlemen, that has almost denied me the pow |
er OF expression. You, sir, have correctly described
The nature, extent, and interesting oprrstions of The
Post Ofhce Department You have been too long
snd intimately connected with IL not TO know the /
oihcultles which lie in the pathway of him who a .
su mes Us 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 a time.
sno under circumstances peculiar in the political
history Of the Government. The pecunisrv oondi.
uon OF me country, and the prostrson Of trade and
commerce. 10 say nothing OF the conflicting elements
~ parry warfare, we're well cslcolstsd to .rharra.s
nent