Richmond enquirer. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1815-1867, 1849-03-09
RICE MOND. VA.
wednesday Morning, March 6, Is49. y
TIE SCENE YESTERDAY.

ture OF Virginia and 10 thc ci,s1aiS Ul l.ichinon
and worthy Of this proud Old Commonwealth
His devotion 10 Southern rights, if nulhins NOR
eminenlly justified the cordial greeting given
him by the Representatives OF The people OF vi
sinia. Mr.. Polk was accompanied by his lad,
two nieces, and other ladies, and by RI. Wall
er, ESQ, late Secretary OF the Treasury, Majc
Graham, lale Register Of The Treasury, Mr.. Tn,
mas, Nj. C. from Mr.. Folks District, in 1'enne.
see, and others. Al Fredericksburg, and olht
points on the Railroad, The people turned out
welcome him. Al the Junction he was met b
Mcssrs. r. G. Scott, j. A. Seddon and J. S. Ca.
kie, OF The Commillee OF Invitation, who escorue
| him to Richmond, where, in The midst OF a grea
crowd, he was taken in charge by a Commute
| of the Legislature, and conducted 10 The Hall {
The House OF Delegates, wherein had assemble
the Senate, The House, The Governor and Coun
Gil, and large numberot citizens. We reache
The rolunda so Iale, that we were unable 10 tore
our way through The crowd. We learn frou
others, however, that The scene wa iull Of inter
est. Mr.. Speaker Hopkins addressed The Ex
President in The following eloquent language
His remarks we're highly commended:
MIR. Polk: BY The authority and direction o
The General Assembly Of Virginia, | tender Il
Won The hearty congratulations OF The peoples re-
personalities here assembled, and, in their name
bid you a willing and a cordial welcome into lhi:
ancient Hall. Believe me, sir, this is not The
cold expression OF our individual feelings OF good
will and respect towards you, nor is ii designed
10 be any mere ceremony OF formal courtesy 10 a
distinguished stranger. Ii is something more real
more imposing, and Of far deeper ard lasting i'm.
preston than could possibly arise from mere
exhibition of prescribed Formally and idle cere-
mony. II is, sir, The voice, the sentiment, the ap.
proving judgment OF our constituents, lbe people
of Virginia, who assisted in eleva,ing you 10 the
highest post Ut honor and distinction known 10
the civilized world, and who cheeied you on with
their smiles and appreciation throu,h your most re-
markahle, evenltul and successful administration
of The Federal Government. II vonld not be be-
flung in me, On this Interesting occasion, TcpIc
senlins as | do, sir, gentlemen q all parties and
every variety OF political sentiments, 10 review
The various important measures which distin.
euish and immoftaliZe your Administrations
But | may say, that, previous Il yonr admins
lraiion, the setting sun OF Heaven never asst his
last evening rays upon the conhnes OF our glo-
rious Union. But now, sir, an! forever, that
b, ii,ianl orb OF light, when he emfges from The
b,luvs Of the Ailan,ie, darts his firs morning rays
upon tie sandy beach Of our Eatern s%eashore,
and after performing his daily 'ounds through
the heavens, when he dips his broad disc into The
placid bosom Of The calm Pacific, his las, linscr-
ing beams still play upon Ameaean soil in the
e%lit,cring gold dust Of California Again, sir, |
L.l 49,, ,uoIoou,a oud in pnprlscian allnu mo
% assure you that, in your retirement 10 your
home, YOU bear with you The ierrent and ardent
wishes OF The people OF Virginia, for length Of
days Iepletc with health, happin.ss and prosperi-
iy.
Mr.. Polk, in reply, spoke warmly and elo-
quenlly Of The very high compliment in being
thus received by The Legislature OF a Stale, Tor
which he held the nosl profound vene'ation, and
from whose apostles he had drawn and gathered
up his appreciation Of The principles Of con-
st;,uliural liberty. lie said lie was aiken
BY surprise in he ~aalIcring reception e1'
tended TO him By the Representatives. o.
Virciniai and he should regard i, IS The
yery highest honor Of his lite. To be 50 r.
ceived, aavinc just laid down power, and no Ion
ger clothed with he patronage OF lhe Govern
ment, filled him with gfalitads. be had beer
most laboriously engaged during his Adminislfa'
lion. and had endeavored, 10 Inc best Of ms
ability. to discharge The arduous duties ina
had devolved upon him as President Of lh'
United States. Measures oi greater mag
ni,ude had been crowded into the tour year
Of his administration, than had iallen 10 any
that had preceded, and Lac benefit oil Inc coun
,ry alone had guided him in The conduct o
affairs. His principles he had learned ID I'M
school of the iriustrious statesmen oil virginia :
He was no longer a servant Of the people, out ma
become now a s0uereign. Hespoke OF Inc gfea'
ness OF the country, and, in connection wa
The extension OF our territory, Of Inc Value o. w
Union. The Union would be preserved =
maintaining he compre misses OF me Cohst'u'
. ION. Preserve The Union, and The narcn OF gu
country in prosperity and greatness would De I'm
measurable, and surpass The glory :" hhce'
Rome. The mistress Of the world. ne reirire'
n The vas, m that would flow from on
newly.acauired posscssiuns-makins SIX hunale
millions of people commercially tributary 10 "
He continued 10 respond al some lens'h, III nn
! taste and with much iorce-we trust hal some on
who was present. was fortunate enough 10 pr
serve what was so well and so handsomely san
Al. r. Z. Rives Of The Senate, then, IN appI'
nria,e terms, introduced MR.. J. Walker OF
| Of President polk's advisers. Mr.. Waikei' WI
seemed to feel deeply all he said, responded WI
erea, effect, substantially as follows;
Mr.. Speaker aad gentlemen Of te Les'aatsre
1T is with profound sensibiliiy mat l acNnos
ledge the honor this day done me. cei'ain'
conceive il to be at least as high as any olh'
lha, in the course OF my life ! have received
Who that is an American can be upon inc 81
and in The Capitol of Virginia, the moiher
Heroes and Statesmen, whose lame IS oeyo'
Gfecian or Roman parallel, without deep EN-
lions. Virginia! whose great staples are ihie
lect. Patriotism, Courage, Fidelity, ana Yillu
Permit me again, with all my heart, 10 'hai
you.
The ceremonies over, Mr.. Polk and suite we
escorted by the State Guard and many c'llze
10 the Southern Depot, whence, al ., I N
they took their departure for Petersburg and tt
South. Previous 10 the ceremonies at The =
pitol, q salute was fred BY the taye'le Arli'l
~, by order of Governor Floyd. mrs 70
and her friends were, in the meantime nan
somely entertained at the hospitao!e mansion
James A. Seldom, Esq.
The notice was very short-yel 'he comp
men, 10 The E x.President was very marked
The whole affair passed of, very honoraoly 10 o
Stale and iellow-citizens, and, no DOUBT m'
la,terinsly 10 The distinguished recipients oil
high an evidence of public respect.
Messrs. Polk and Walker were IN good hea'
and fine spirits.
A,Washiugton on Monday nigh'there wass
some coub, as 10 Nj. Meredith's being IN Inc =
b;ue, as Secretary Of The Treasury. The run
goes, lha, The Philadelphia delegation went
Gen. Taylor and protested against his appoi
ment. as he was 100 much oil a Tree trade IN
for them. The old General is said TO have
piled, that they must take MIR. NJ. or he wo'