Wilmington journal. [volume] (Wilmington, N.C.) 1844-1895, 1847-06-04
THE PRESIDENTS VISIT.

. VISAA.
TIE reception which the President has thus far
received has been alike honorable to the Old North
State and fattering to him. We take from the
Raleigh Register, of Tuesday last, the following
mos. interesting account of the mode and manner
of the reception The article is written in the
proper spirit, and does the Editor of the Register
a great deal Of credit -
RECEPTION OF THE PRESIDENT.
The reception Of the President of the United
States in this City, on Saturday last, was OF the
most gratifying and credible kind-g7atifying to
the feelings of the President himself on his return
to the early scenes of his Collegiate days, to his
old friends, and to the community at large. on the
visit of the Chief Magistrate of the Union to the
Metropolis Of his native State-and credltable to
the cha racter of the people of the Old North,
always celebrated for their loyalty to, and
respect for, the laws. and constituted Authorities
of the Nation.-The City was thronged with
strangers, who, with our City Council, and Citi-
Gems generally, united in q laudablc emulation TO
do honor to the frs: Official Dignitary of the Re-
public.
Nor was his reception here, the only place
where marked manifestations ofrespect were shown
him. From the time he reached the confines OF
aur State, until his arrival in this City, every
where, he was received most cordially by our citi
zens and rendered the inequalities of our generous
old Commonwealth. The President and suite. con
sisting of his family, the Hon. John Y. Mason,
Secretary of the Navy, Col. Walker. (his private
Secretary and Lieut.. Maury, of the avy, arri-
we'd at CASTOR on the morning of the 29,h, about
8 o'clock, where they were allowed to retire a
few hours for rest and repose.-Between and
o'clock, A. NJ, the President was waited upon by
the Committee appointed by the Counties Of
Warren, Granville and Franklin, to receive him
on his entrance upon the borders of our state,
whe John D. Hawkins, Esq addressed him on
behalf of the Committee and the counties which
they represented, and welcomed him and his suite
to the kindness and hospitality of the people of
North Carolina. We have heard President Polk 8
reply spoken of, as being most appropriate and in
excellent taste.
After the party had breakfasted, they took the
Cars route for this city. At most of the De-
pots, there were considerable crowds of citizens
to receive and welcome them. At Franklin, they
werc met by committee Of Is from this city, and
az dressed by d. K. McRae, Esq, to which the Pre-
sident made an appropriate response. On the
whole route, we learn, every thing was conducted
in the most spirited and tasteful manner, becom-
) ing the citizens of our good old State, who had
been given to the nation of her native born sons.
At o'clock, P. NJ, the "Ringgold Artillerists,'
the " Cossacks," aud the Wake Cavalry" para
ded in the Capitol Square, and after going thro'
several evolutons, proceeded to the Depot, &C
companiCd by an immense concourse OF our cltl-
zens, countymen and strangers. At about half
past o'clock, P. NJ. the shrill whistle of the En-
CINE announced the approach of the Cars. when
the Military and citizens formed double columns,
in open order; at the head Of which, on the arri-
val of the President and suite, he received by
VIM. Dallas Haywood, Esq, Intendant OF Polio e,
and welcomed to our beautiful and hosptable city
of Oaks. We not near enough to hear the
remarks of the Intcndant OF the reply of the Pre-
sident but have heard them spoken of by those
were fortunate enough to get a nearer proximity,
as being highly appropriate and interesting. The
l distinguished visitors were then conducted down
the column, which received them at Present
AIMS" to the stately coaches and four in waiting
for them, when they were escorted up Halifax
street around the Capitol Square into Wilmington
street, down which they proceeded to Newbern
street, thence into Fay etteve street and up to the
. Capitol Square, and thence to the quarters pre-
pared for them at the Eagle Hotel, under the man.
agement of the courteous Proprietor, Col. Edw'd
Yarbrough. All along during the Procession,
the distinguished Guests were saluted by our la
dies with the waving of 'kerchiefs, &C., which
were duly acknowledged and recprocated by po-
, lite bows bland smiles and cheerful and gratifed
countenances. On the arrival of the President,
and while the Procession was moving, salute of
80 guns was fired.
On the arrival of the Procession at the Hotel,
y the President was addressed by Professor Green,
in behalf the Faculty and Students Of our Univer-
sity, the Alma Mater of President Polk, and
whose semicentennial Commencement, the OBJ.
ject of his visit to attend. The dense throng
of the spectators prevented US from hearing but
little of his address but from the learned quali6-
cations, good judgment, and exquisite taste for
such occasions, of Professor Green, we feel assur
ed that it just what it should have been, re-
fleeing credit upon the head and heart of the
speaker, and worthy the ancient and renowned
. seat of learning of which he was the beneftting
;: representative. The Presidents response was IN
|, the highest degree appropriate, gratifying and
praiseworthy, and was delivered in style of ear.
nestness and pleasure, which gave assurance that
the expressions of the lips, the true represen
:, tatives of the feelings Of a happy and grateful
heart. The recurrence of the President to the ma
" ny delightful and happy days spent in our city
when relieved from the labors of Collegiate duties
y he attended upon the deliberations of our Genera
3 Assembly, &C., and the happiness it afforded him
- to return again to these delightful scenes, and te
his native State, was most happily expressed, ane
awakened in the breast of the North Carolinian
pleasure in hailing the President Of the Union a.
: a feow-citizen of the same old member of thu
= Confederacy. AS we presume his remarks, witt
those of Professor Green, and all others delivered
on this interesting occasion, will be published VI
~ will not anticipate either by attempting analy
, SIS
At the conclusion of these interesting ceremo
). MES, Col. John H. Manly, Chief Marshal of tn
: day, announced to the large throng assembled
. that the President and suite would attend in tn
=. Senate Chamber in the Capitol. at 81 o'clock, 4
receive the attentions and cvilities of their fellow
- citizens. After which, the company dispersed
=, highly gratifed doubtless with the anlmating in
~ ', cidents of the day.
~ The magnificent affair at night, may, withou
5 disparagement 10 the excellent and praiseworth,
" arrangements Of the day, be said to have been tn
most brilliant of the cortegc of preparations to d.
honor to the nations Chief Magistrate. TIL
southern front of Capitol Square and Fayettevill
j. street. were most beautifully and tastefully ilu
minated with variousy colored lights, while som
! of the houses on the street were also handsomel
10 illuminated. At about the appointed hour, tn
" President, attended by the Secretary of the Navy
% and SUITE appeared in the Senate Chamber, wher
Is they were introduced by the 1ntendant and othe
y members ofthe committee of Recepon,t to the ladie
y & gentlemen, as they advanced and gave the han