Burlington free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1827-1865, 1847-12-31
he whole building was decorated in the finest

, Immediately under this magnificent arch TIN
. address Of the Mayor and the reply of the gen
d eral were so brief that we give them entire
, The following were the remarks of his homo
the Mayor
: General-ln behalf of the city of New Or
leans, which have the honor to represent OF
this occasion, it is my pleasing Office to WELDON
J your happy return to your country and you
| home and in behalf of the Municipal Councils
tender to you the hospitality ofthis city whl
, i. is your pleasure to remain among us.
" No circumstance could have filled our heart
with more joy than we now feel, in having thu
opportunity to express to you our gratitude TO
the distinguished services you have rendered on
country. The brilliant achievements performed
in Mexico by the fearless and daring band tina
, You have led on from victory to victory. have
inspired us with feelings which no language i
sufficiently powerful to convey. For sucl
achievements, genaral. every 'rue America.
heart from one extremity TO the other of this Re
public. is filled with gratitude and admiration.-
Wherever you direct your steps. upon any spo
where the star spanglcd ban err triumpla ntl,
expands it, folds to the breeze, you will find a
nations love to greet yon-you will hear =;
whole peoples spontaneous applause to eXtol the
splendor of your deeds. which your modesty
would in vain endeavor to weaken in your own
eyes.
Again, general, bid you hearty welcome
in the name Of all the citizens of New Orleans u
10 this the general responded briefly, thus -
Mr.. Mayor
1.-The welcome which meet on this dav from
the people of New Orleans, announced by yom
their honored representative, overwhems me
with feelings which no words can express.
You have been pleased to qualify with terms
OF the highest appreciation the services of the
army which have had the honor to command
in Mexico Could those brave officers and SOL
diers whose gaantrv achieved tn, successes to
which you refer be present on this OCCASION aud
witness the grand out pouring of gratitude which
their devotion has elected, the measure OF nv
satisfaction would be complete. For them and
myself thank from my heart. the people Of
New Orleans. and accept, Mr.. Mayor, the offer
OF their hosptality.'
The reception over, the general emerged from
beneath the arch and proceeded, uncovered aud
on foot. towards the Cathedral. The greater
part of the troops which were to form the escort
were drawn up within the Place d'Arnes. from
which the multitude wat excluded but around
the square and IN all the streets which led to it,
aS far as the eve could reach, evecy foot of
ground was occupied. Tens Of thousands were
here congregafed together, all breathing one
spirit. all animated by the single desire to man
Hest to Gen. Taylor their respect for his CHAR
acter and their aileclionate gratitude for his SER
vices To elicit such demonstration of enthu-
siasm, so generous and so pure, repays the labor
of lifetime.
With some difficulty the general and the at
tending party reached the Cathedral. No soon.
err were the doors thrown open than the editice
was crowded to its utmost capacity: it was but
the work ofan instant. Thousands were disap.
pointed of obtaining access TO the church,
Here the Bishop made an appropriate address to
The general, after which the re Deum was
sung. This portion az the ceremonies of the
day we were not so fortunate as TO see; to OBJ
tain a''mi'iance to the church was next to i'm.
possible, save by accident. We are assured that
the address of the Bishop was particularly tc-
lcions. His remarks upon the humanity with
which the war has been carried on on our part,
and which has been especial, displayed by Gen.
Taylor touched so scnsibly the feelings of the
general that he made an instant though brief re-
ply to the Bishop, responding warmly to his
earnest aspirations that peace might be spec
Oily secured. The proceedings in the Cathedral
occupied about half an hour.
Leaving the church by side door, the gem
eral next appeared before the people mounted
upon his famed charger, ''Old Whitley" as lie
Is ianIliary called. Nothing could have .iyen
greater satisfaction TO every one than the gen
erals ready compliance with the public wish
that he should use tins iavorite horse during the
day. As soon as he was recognized the hur-
rahs OF the multitude again went up with al
most irenzed enthusiasm. The crowed again
pressed close in upon him, aud his old horse re-
ceived many kind, ailectionate pats, and the sto-
ry is that Old Whitey's personal beauty is good
deal impaired by the depredations made on his
flowing lnane and tail. The procession was
now formed as rapidly as possible 1t was of
immense length, aud every way most imposing
The appearance of the streets through which
the procession passed was particularly interest.
ing. The side walks We're den-y crowded, and
every window, door and balcony was filed with
people. Here the ladies in their brilliant dresses
shone preeminent. They joined in the lond and
general acclaim, which moved in n deaitning
roar as the procession advanced. and the aencr-
al was necessarily occupied hat in hand. in
knowledging their presence and smiles. Upon
reaching the st. Charles Hotel the general took
his station in front on the coonnade, AID their
remained until the whole procession moved
past. Every inch Of room in this vicinity was
occupied by the people, and all were struggling
to get as near to the general AS possible, lie
wcaried not in acknow lodging the incessant
IN iniie stations Of regard. His face was lit up
by excitement and Deamed with enthusiasm and
benevnlence. When the procession had at
length filed past, the general stepped forward
and addressed his thanks to the officers aud mar
s,ls of the day, and then Withdrew amidst
shouts and cheers, which seemed to shake the
very foundation OF the noble pile within whose
walls he is now entertained Us the city's guest.
Soon after dark the vast st. Charles Hotel
became suddenly one blaze of light every wind
ow was brilliantly illuminated from top to bot
tom, shedding II strong light upon all the sur
rounding objects, and making the stately pile
appear unusually large. Between the pillars of
the colonnade in front Of the building were sus-
pended large variegated lanterns upon cnaplets
of live oak. In front of the ladies' paror WAS
transparency of the general IN an old brown
coat, with the motto" A little more grape,
Capt. Bragg" In front Of the gentlemen's par
Tor was another transparency OF the general with
the w0rd>-"l have no reniorccments to give
you, but Major Bliss and will support you ="
In various parts OF the building there were 9TH
er appropriate transparencles and devices, adj
ding much to the general effect Crowds Of
citizens assembled in the streets to gaze upon
the brilliant sight, and all seemed to ENJOY it as
the bright blaze lighted by grateful countrymen
to do honor to the brave old hero whose deeds in
arms have been so brilliant.
Early in the evening Governor Johnson and
suite paid their respects to the general at the St.
Charles, and about o'clock his honor the May
or conducted the general into the dining room,
followed by his stall, Gov, Johnson and his sute
officers of the army, and other invited guests
among them some OF our most distinguished civil
dlgnlares.