The Sumter banner. [volume] (Sumterville, S.C.) 1846-1855, 1850-09-25
r From Arthur's Home Gazcttc.]
Recollections and Anecdotes Of the
Presidents of the United States.

Recollections and Anecdotes Of the
Presidents of the United States.
by ARTHUR JOS. STANSBURY.
Washington his ADDRESS to Con-
gress aVhen Elected for the last
time.
But I once had an opportunity far
more favorable, Of bcholding this
greatest ofmen, under circumstances
tho best possible, for exhibiting him
to the fullest advantage. 1t was a
privilege which could happen but
once to any man; andI esteem the
hour when enjoyed it, as one of
the brightest moments I was ever
permitted to know. It's remem-
brancc yet glows vividly on my mind:
years have not dimmed it: the whole
scene lis yet4beforc me: and:5 need
issrlob sa Nth aiisat force repeated
public occasions5 of a like kind have
since recalled it to remembrance
Yes, it was my favored lot to see
and hear President Washington ad-
dress the Congress of the United
States, when elected for the last
aime ,--of men now living, how few
scan say tho same.
Twas but school boy at the time,
and had followed one of the many
groups of people. who, from all quar-
ters, were making their way TO the
Hall in Chestnut street, at the corner
of Fifth, where the two Houses of
Congress then held their sittings, and
whore they were that day to be ad-
dressed by the President, on the
opening Of his second term of office.
Boys can often manage to work their
way through crowd better than
men can: atall events, it so happen
cd that I succeeded in reaching the
steps Of the Hall, from which clcva-
ton looking in every direction, I
could see nothing but human heads:
a vast fluctuating sea, swaying to and
fro, and filing every accessible place
which commanded even distinct
view of the building. They had con.
gregated, not with the hope of get
ting into the Hall, for that was ply
-sically impossible, but that they
might see Washington. Many an
anxious look was cast in the dircc.
ton from which he was expected to
come, till at length, true to the ap-
pointed hour, Che was the most pune
tual ofmcn,) } an agitation was oh.
sorvablc on the outskirts of the crowd,
which gradually opened and gave
space for the approach of an elegant
white coach, drawn by six superb
white horses, having on its four
sides, beautiful designs of the four
seasons, painted by Cipriani. 1t
slowly made its way, till it drew up
Immediately in front Of the Hail.
The rush was now tremendous. But
as the coach door opened, there is
sued from it two gentlemen, with
long white wands, who, with some
difficulty. parted the people, so as to
open passage from the carriage to
tho steps, on which the fortunate
school-boy had achieved footing.
and whence the whole proceeding
could be distinctly seen. AS the
person of the President emerged
from the carriage, universal shout
rent the air, and continued, as he We
ry deliberately asccnded the stcps.
On reaching the platform, lie paused,
looking back on the carriage, thus
aAordins to the anxiety of the pco.
pie, the Indulgence they desired. of
feasting their eyes eupon his pcrs N.
Never did q more majestic parsonage
present himself to tho public gaze.--
lie was within two feet Of nc: could
have touched his cl,thcs: but | SHOULD