The republic. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1849-1853, 1850-12-12
Reception OF Senators FOots aud Downs
by the Union safety Committee in New

1 senatOrs FOOtn DOWns
by the Union Safety Committee in New
York.
Senators FooTE, Of Mississippi, and Senator
Downs, of louisiana, having arrived at New York
ON Saturday, in the steamer Georgia, from New
Orleans, the Journal If Commerce informs I'D were
on Monday received by the Union Safety Commit
tee at the Governors in the City Hall. which
was packed with much larger number of persons
than could conveniently find standing place,
whilst many others thronged the entries and win
dows, who were unable to gain admission. His
honor the Mayor (the Mayor elect being present
with him) introduced the distinguished visters to
the meeting, which gave them a. most enthusiastic
reception. When the cheering had subsidized, OG-
DEN HOFFMAN, Esq \, in the name Of the committee
and citizens of New York, babe them welcome in
most brilliant speech, which was in substance
follows;
He said, addressing the Senators, at time
when this country seemed most III danger from
prevalence OF spirit of disunion and fanatcism In
the land meeting was held in this city, ire
specuve OF party, whose objects were to foster
and revive that spirit in which the Constitution
was originally framed and adopted by our fathers.
A committee was appointed by that meeting to
carry out its objects and to represent its views.
That committee is here, and on me has de-
voved the agreeable duty, gentlemen, OF bidding
you, In their name, welcome to our city; and as
their organ, to express to you their gratitude Tor
the noble patriotism you have displayed in the de-
fence Of measures having for their object the per-
petuty of that Union, which has produced all that
prosperity and happiness of which you see SO many
proofs III our city. That meeting was called Tor no
party purpose, but, like this committee, com
posed of members OF different political creeds, who
had many time and oft struggled against each
other, under different banners, but yet of men who,
Initiating the noble example set by yourselves gem
tlcmen forgot party, while raliying to the rescue
OF their country, and the preservation OF that mon,
which lies at the foundation of its existence, as
Tree and prosperous republic. [Cheers That Ia
not all, gentlemen. This example has been fol-
lowed by Boston, Philadelph and other cities, in
the same spirit, and with the same end in view.
We had the hope that it might do abundant good;
that it might have the effect Of checking the pro-
gress OF fanaticism and folly so rife in the land
We hoped, too, that, at the South, it would tend to
remove that erroneous though too prevalent opn-
ion that the North is the enemy of the South, and
ID ready to trample upon the rights guaranteed to
the Constitution. We did hope. moreover, that it
would nerve the arms and sustain the hearts Of
those who, in the South itself, nobiy contend
ing against disunion, secession, and treason lpro-
tractcd cheers;l and that it might teach both the
North and the South that they arc bound together
by fraternal and sacred ties.
Ii is not for me to say how far these hopes have
been realized, yet could not but indulge in emo.
tons OF JOY and happiness, when distinguished
gentleman from Georgia, whom We had the honor
of welcoming, in this place, few days ago, told US
OF the manner in which the proceedings OF that
meeting had been received in his State, and OF the
beneficial effect produced by them, there. ["Tkree
cheers for Cohbn'1 Gentlemen, you are strangers
to most OF us, bat we are strangers to the zeal
and devotcdncss with which you came up to the
advocacy upon the floor Of the Senate, of measures
calculated TO preserve the Union and the Constitu
ton. You are strangers to most of US; but when
We saw you abandoning your position as partisans.
and assuming responsibilities representatives OF
your States for the security of the best interests OF
your country, be assured that you lived in the
hearts of thousands of the patriotic citizens OF the
NORTH whose hearts and hands were with you, and
whose voices cried 81 Fame and honor to you'll
[Great applause.I You sir, especially address
ing Mr. Downs, of Louisiana,) have most nobly
encountered formidable opposition in the effort you
have made for yourcountry.
Standing almost alone among the representatives
of your State, in favor Of the measures the adop
ton Of which the safety Of the Union depended,
you dared to diter from your distinguished col
league, in the Senate, and advocated those mea-
sures with an eloquence and an ability fully equal
10 the occasion. We shared air, here, in the joy
with which, when you returned TO your constitu
ents, you were SO approvingly received by them
g. Three cheers for Senator Downs") And you,
SIR Cunning to Senator Foote,) who now come to
Us, from trials and fluctuations at home, victorious
and who ercwhile, in your place in the Senate
forgetting party ties stood by your country IN its
time of peril, and then returning home, bearded the
lion In his den and contended then Tor the Union,
with the same eloquence and DEVOTION we say wei
come, toe We reloiced to reflect that the
time has come when in Mississippi, the mists of
prejudice have dispersed and the voice of Georgia
echoed by her she halls the return OF her fear
ess Senator-her distinguished son Great
checring)
Gentlemen, in the name of the Union Committee
of Safety, bid you n cordial welcome to city.
ICheers. In the name of all who know that the
South, as well as the North shed its blood for the
adjustment OF their common country's independ-
ence, who know that by compromises between them
the Union was framed who would hand down, UNI
impaired to their descendants the rich boon they
have inherited, bid you welcome, and may God
support you in all the trials that may yet be before
you, in carrying on and carrying out the glorious
work in which you arc engaged! 1.-THE most en-
thusiastic cheering.l
After this speech was concluded, loud calls were
made for Senator FooTE, who presented himself
amidst great applause.
Mr.. FoorE then came forward and said: Gentle
men, fellow citizens of the city of New York, re-
Oicc 10 be here this day. witness this spontaneous
and unanimous expression of enthusiastic devotion
10 the Union and the Constitution. | was not
prepared Tor the scene before me. | had read the
report OF your glorious meeting at Castle Garden.
In contenuing against opposition in my own State,
was checred and sustained upon finding that the
proceedings of that meeting had had the effect of
encouraging and supporting the true friends OF the
Union there, and OF parayzIng the arms that were
raised for it's dissolution. (Chccrs.) Never, in my
opinion, flowed more beneficial effects from any
public meeting held than those which have al
ready resulted from that by whose invitation stand
here to-day. WARN applause.)
Yes, it is true, the eloquent gentleman, the
organ OF that committee, on this occasion has said,
the example of that meeting has been worthily fol-
lowed in many parts Of tue country, North and
the capital OF my own State-I was present at
Union meeting presided over by the President of
the late Nashville Conventional do not mean the
iafe'f Nashville Convention, but the fret Of the
two-Chief Justice Sharkcy, who, when he
that the tendency and the intent of the leaders in
the movement which led TO the Convention
treason, promptly abandoned it. Continuous
cheeringl At that meeting. gentlemen, resolu-
uons in perfect conformity with your own at Castle
Garden were passed with enthusiasm; a State
Union party was formed, and arrangements were
iyTh ff I'M mt apitd dat sli off
the Union issue. And am happy TO be able 10 say
that we have every encouragement that the Union
cause will triumph and prevail in Mississippi,
as we'll as everywhere else. fChecrs.l Who can
doubt it Has not the prominent advocate Of abo-
hton, whom II would be indicate TO mention here,
by name, tlaughter,l declared already that the sg-
tation ia not 10 be any longer continued? speak
but from rumor, upon the authority Of some OF that
portion OF the public press which has favored the
cause Of that distinguished Senator. tRenevcd
laughter and chocrs.1 Maryland declares for the
Union and 30 does little Delaware; and in the Old
Dominion, in which rcpose the ashes of Washing
ton, OF Marshall of jefferson, and Madison, and