The republic. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1849-1853, 1851-06-30

amongst its dependents probably some eight
hundred public officers, am happy 10 iniofs-
you that, to tie best Of my knowledge and ~,
lief, have not left an abolitionist disunoaixt
in office. prolonged cheering.l have not look.
ed whether a man was Wing or DemocrAt-when
he was honest. capable, and faithful, have re-
tanned him without reference to his Political prn-
ciples. But holding as | do, that man who
seeks to overthrow the Constitution, either directly
or indirectly, can oonscientously take oath to
supportit, have refused to retain any man in pub
lie service who infected even with those prin-
ciples. [Applause.l
Fellow citizens, permit me to return to you
my cordial thanks for the kind and enthusiastic
welcome which you have extended to my superior
in Office and my personal friend, and permit me to
bid you most respectful adieu."
Mr.. MAcFARLAND then remarked:
"There il another distinguished gentleman, fell
lowe citizens, in the company of the Chief Magis-
trate OF the country--a gentleman distinguished
by his public services before he became a member
OF the Cabinet-conspcuou now for his public and
private virtues. have only to introduce to you,
gentlemen, Mr.. Hall, citizen of New York, and
member OF the Cabinet" [Applause.]
Mr.. N. X. HALL, Postmaster General, after
the applause had subsidized, said
"FELLow-crrzrNs You have heard your es.
teemed and worthy President, and one Of the most
noble and eloquent of Virginia's sons. am sure
you will excuse me if simply return you my most
cordial and sincere thanks for this evidence of
TEEN for the President, and for the confidence.in
his Administration which you have manifested"
After the ceremonies on the portico, the
President and Secretaries were escorted to the
Hall of the Convention, whereupon the presi-
dent of that body called it together, and the fol-
lowing proceedings took place.
Messrs. Miller and Watts, on behalf of the
committee on the part of the convention, then
appeared in the centre aisle, escorting the Pre-
sdent Of the United States, accompanied by
the Secretary of the Interior and the Postmas-
ter General.
The convention received the President
standing, when Mr. Miller said: "Mr. Presi-
dent, have the honor to introduce to you the
President of the United States"
The president of the convention then said:
''Mr. PREsIpcNT: II gives me great satisfaction,
in obedience to the order of the convention, to bid
you welcome to the hall Of it's deliberations. Vir-
ginia the first of the AmericanStates to estab-
lish civil liberty by the adoption of written
stitution. She was of the mist earnest in Sc
curing to the States of the Confederacy, for the
benefit of all, the same great principle, by means
of the Federal Constitution.
Representing the people of the Commonwealth,
in her sovereign capacity, her delegates in conven
ton, charged with the high duty of revising her
fundamental law. have not hesitated TO avail them
selves of the occasion of your visit to testify their
high appreciation Of your personal worth, and to
evince xbe respect justly due to the exalted Of
fetal station to which, under the Federal Consti-
tuition, your countrymen have called you.
GAS our great Confederacy increases in terrific
rial extent, in population, and in diversified inter-
ests, the duties Of the Presidential office grow in
Importance, and the necessity becomes more man
est of executing the law of the Constitution in the
spiriknf It's adoption.
"M6very patriotic endeavor to perform this mo-
mentous duty as good citizens, loving our coun
try, we wish you the most complete success.
81 am gratified that you have found even brief
interval of leisure to visit Virginia. Seeing her
people, and receiving, as am you will, every
where at their hands the respect and hospitality
due to 80 distinguished citizen, and to public
servant charged with such responsible duties, your
association cannot fail to exert most beneficial in
fiuence for the public good.
81 am happy to receive you and to present you
to the Convention OF Virginia"
The President Of the United States replied !:
"Mr. PRESIDENT: This reception is to me so unex-
pected and novel that feel that have no adequate
language to express the emotions of my heart. To
look around upon the representatives Of the sover
eighty of Virginia, congregated for the purpose of
revising her organic law-of doing for that State
what is done by force in all other countries but
America-is a qualification. is satisfaction which
have language to express. To receive this
honor in the capital of Virginia, the birth place OF
Washington, Jefferson, and Madison, and where
their ashes still repose-the birthplace and resi-
dence Of Marshall, where his ashes also repose, is
to me sincere qualification.
"That shall receive from the inhabitants Of the
| Old Dominion, and those representing her, under
all circumstances, all needful aid in the faithful
discharge of my duty, never for moment
doubt. The State that first formed written con
stitution, l trust, will be the last to abandon it.
The State which has at all times given such gen.
support to the Union, trust will be the last
| to abandon it, The State to which we have all
looked for the Interpretation of the great charter
of our liberties, is the State certainly that should
| be the last to abandon it.
alt is qualification to meet the representative
of such a State upon an occasion like this, for
which beg leave to return my heartfelt thanks u
[Great applause.]
| The President was then placed in seat on
the right of the president Of the convention.
| On motion of Mr.. Miller, the chair was then
vacated at the pleasure of the president of the
convention.
The president of the convention remarked
that during the recess it would give him great
pleasure to introduce members personally to the
President of the United States /; whereupon
the members came forward and were accord
ingly presented, except one gentleman, sup
posed to be of the Calhoun school,
When the president again resumed the chair,
on motion Of Mr.. Bolts, the convention ad.
journed until tomorrow morning at o'clock
TREEs.--Much land which would have produced
trees, and nothing but trces-as the rocky points
ofhills barren knobs, the sides fguIleyshavc beer
left Naked and the soil, having nothing hold its
| particles together, has been washed to sterility
| Another injury which has ensued from this de
sruction Of trees is the greater exposure of many
eitu In he fnrce of In