The daily union., 1846-05-02
DINNER OF THE MAIL CONTRACTORS.

We should have been happy to attend the dinner
given a. Coleman's Hotel on Thursday; but we
were prevented by circumstances which we could
describe the seene-the sentiments given and the
speeches delivered. But unless some historian
should be kind enough to step forth and rescue the
whole spectacle from oblivion, we are afraid II
will pass away among the things that have been,
without a single trace to preserve 1t from fading
away, except it be on the memory of the guests
and spectators. We understand it was a gay and
happy party. But we are indebted TO a friend for
the opportunity of placing in our columns the
following speech Of Col. Richard NJ. Johnson,
who graced the scene with his presence. To our
own profession, the post Offices and all their
agents have peculiar attractions, and extraordi-
nary utilities. The press would be scarcely
anything without the mails. They are like wings
to the helmet, and the heels, and eOduceus OF
Mercury, giving speed to its motions, and power
TO its circulation:
Ma. PRESIDENT AND GENTLEMEN ] should do vio-
lence TO my own feelings not TO express my gTat-
tude for your kindness. The sentiment Of friend
ship is always congenia to the throbbings Of SEN
sitiye bosom, and in that bond we form one broth
erhood. Permit me, on this occasion, to congratu-
late you the condition and prospects Of our hap
py country, in whose service you are engaged.
Our liberties, civil and religious, fixed on a ba-
sis as firm as the mountains. Our laws are all
equal-the path 10 wealth and honor is alike open
to al-the man Of enterprise finds all the incentive
that hope can promise, with the assurance that he
is secured the enjoyment Of the fruit OF his honest
labor Our country, under her free Institutions
has grown in strength and resources beyond all ex-
ample. Her moral character has risen with her i'm.
provements. Cur territory extends from the Allan
tic to the Pacific oceans, and from the cold regions
of the North to the Mexican gulf, where verna
bloom is perpetual. Our population has increased
from three to twenty millions; and what is still
grateful, all free, equal, and happy. The tide
of prosperity is still more rapid than ever, and with
out prospect Of an ebb. In few short years a hun
dred millions Of freemen will enjoy the blessings Of
our land. Every section has the same interest in
chershing happy union, for the same rights and
prerogauyes are common to all, and protected by
all. To secure this union, intelligence and inter
are all that is necessary the facilities for
these are committed to the mail contractors. To
convey intelligence with frequency and rapidity,
and to transport passengers from one section of our
country to another, are To form the arteries and
veins Of the body polite by which the circulation
Of life is perpetuated and nourishment administered
to every member. You constitute an important
part of this patriotic band, and especially your
services lie in the West and Southwest, where our
growth is most rapid and important. To be asso-
ciated with you in this happy festival consider as
high honor, and while [ tender my grateful ac-
Acknowledgements for your kind consideration of me,
permit me to conclude with this sentiment: "Speedy
mails, crowded coaches, and low postage"