Richmond daily times. [volume] (Richmond [Va.]) 1850-1853, 1851-05-27
THE PRESIDENTS TOuR.

SPEECH PRESIDENT BUFFALO.
Mr.. Mayor and Fellow Citizens-I need notsay that
overwhelmed with it, Ii is one which Roman Gene
raj, in the proudest days of the Eternal City, might be
proud OF. tApplause.) can hardly believe that the
nation Mr.. Mayor and fellow citizens, it appears to
as it but few days since traverscd your
city triendless, helpless boy, and for all that am
and for all that hope to be- and Tor all that can do
for my country lit is 10 you that mainly indebted
To come back under such circumstances as these to
my fellow citizens, with whom hope to spend the re-
mander OF my days, forces my mind recollections
that are overpowering. tApplause.) hope, fellow
citizens and 1t is the last hope OF my heart that may
lay bones IN yonder grave yard, with yours and be
permitted by providence to mingle my dust with yours
Like the tempest ossed sailor, who to foreign
lands in search OF wealh-lke the merchant who visits
every and every clime-ke the California gold dig
ger who endures every hardship while all these hope
10 return to the places OF their BIRTH and to spend their
money among their old associates. so do hope to re-
turn again once more among you and to spend the
remainder OF my daysin peace and quetness among
you. feel that all The honors conferred upon me are
comparatively vaueess unless my conduct has the ap
probation OF those among whom my lite has been spent.
| [Applause.] But fellow citizens, know that the ho-
nOrs OF this reception not intended Tor me PERSONAL
y far from it, they from all classes OF my fellow
citizens, from all parties, Wing and Democratic from
every grade, as it were, from every color: and from
| the welcome tina! was extended to me across Main
street, [auding to flag on which was inscribed,
| Welcome, our Mllald Fiimore,"I TO the little
flowers that thrown into the carriage 10 me, all
this was intended tribute 10 the high office which
have the honor to fill. Your Mayor, in abiding to
the subject much pleased to expess appreciation of
the course which feel it my duty 10 pursue in admin
| istering the affairs OF the government.
| know full well, fellow citizens that painful be-
reavement OF the nation brought me to the head Of the
administration at time OF great peril and anxiety to the
country. know full well that in performing What
considered be my duty, have wounded the feelings
and lost the confidence omany in this vast assemblage,
whom | loved and esteemed, and whose confidence
he
low citizens, it is gratifying know that in the main
my is approved, and it is pie asng to reflect that
this approval not confined to my own political par
y ~
Fellow citizens, partzans must differ as to the
modes OF administering the affairs OF the government
but when the government Itself is In Jeopardy-when
treason stalks abroad at the South, and show its snay
head at the North, then hope to see the abandonment
OF all party feeling, and 10 witness rally OF patriots
all parties, to the support Of our common government
Great outburs OF appause Fellow citizens most O
what has been attributed to me- due to those dlstn
guished gentlemen who associated with me in the
administration OF the government. But do NO
claim all the honor OF having done something towards
quoting The agtations The country. large portion
is also due to those distinguished democrats-in Con
gress, and out OF Congress-who gave their confidence
and their support TO save the constitution and the Uni
on. An regard this testimony OF yours, to-day,
approval OF my course alone, but that OF all those
, distinguished statesmen who stood by our common
i9country in the hour OF peril. [Applause.I
Your illuslrious Mayor has also alluded with appro
baton to the fact that the government exerted its pow
in preventing aggression the territory of oregr
nation with which we at peace. In dschargne
that duty, ellow-citzens, the government actua
ted by precisely the principles as it would be il
enforcing the laws OF our own country. There is nc
bery-there is security for any one, unless law
whatever it is, is enforced. There would be no JUS
tice part towards foreign countries unless we
maintained those friendly relations and extend them
the rights which are due from friendly country to
e another. We might push headong into a conquest
with Cuba, into against any foreign power;
but don't you the consequences that would arise
from such state Of things. We would, by doing,
destroy the very principle which government is
based, and our ruin nation would be The result
Our only security, therefore, is in jusce and in
I moderation. Hence our government hence our Con-
gress made 1t criminal oelce to invade the terrific
, ny of any foreign country, with WHICH we are at
peace. [Appausel In the suppression ofihe invasion
of Cuba, did but execute the law which swore on
| the Holy Evangelist ] would execute, and which |
| again swear will continue execute, if God, in his
providence, snail let me live. Great appause) did
not rise for the purpose ofmakng speech, but simply
to return my heartfelt Acknowledgements for he kind
reception which you have extended 10 Had the
language to express the emotions with which my heart
is OVERLOOKING " ould say more, but cannot. 1t is
not in speeches alone that your kindness see
a welcome extended to in the numerous assem-
bIage around me, who are here to meet me as broth-
ers and sisters. He again thanked the assemblage
and then sat down.