Richmond daily times. [volume] (Richmond [Va.]) 1850-1853, 1851-08-16
RECEPTION OF THE PRESIDENT AT
GTAIIMElN

STAUNTON, VA.
The President of the United States, accompanied
by the Hon Mr.. Stuart, Secretary OF The Interior,
reached Staunton at noon on Saturday last. He was
met about mile from the town by the Mayor and a
number Of citizens in carriages and on horseback and
having taken seat in an elegant barouche he was es-
corted into the town. The Stanton Spectator, from
which we learn these particulars, says
As they passed through The streets, the scene was
highly exciting. Every window and door was occu-
pied by ladies, whose bright faces and waving handker-
chiefs expressed their approbation and the SIDE walks
were thronged by multitude who gave vent TO their
feelings by repeated and hearty cheers. On arriving at
the Virginia Hotel the scene surpassed anything we
have witnessed in this place. The street was soon
filled with dense of people on foot and on horse
back, while from every window of the large Hotel,
from the basement to the attic, and from the windows
OF the neighboring houses, and from the house
tops, human faces were peerng, eager TO and hear.
The Pres dent was conducted to an elevated plat
form, where he was addtessd by Judge l.. ?. Thomp-
son, in appropriate and eloquent series of remarks
TO which the President replied follows
Nj. Chairman and FelLOao Cjtisens
This most unexpected compliment has found me with
out adequate language to express the grateful
ofmy heart. | left Washington for few brie DAYS to
seek retreat for while from the cares of office and
the dust OF the city, and on my way l looked
not for the ceremony OF formal receptions. To say
that deiQhed with your beautiful valley would but
family express the feelings with which have passed
through it. Itreminds me OF my own native land its
farms resemble those of Western N. ork. Your Valley
however, is fringed by Blue Ridges--Weslern New
York is frnged by the blue waters of the Lakes. To
pass through such Valey-greeted by compliments
such as have received, is honor enough for me. do
not however, appropriate these honors to myself but
regard them expressions OF what you consider due
the exalted station Providence has permitted
cupy. They designed too, for your honored friend
the Secretary OF the Interior turning to Mr. Stuart
whom have brought with me to his home, and whom,
like yourselves, delight to honor And how could
doubt that accompanied by him to your town. EN-.
bosomed in the hills which surround it, should meet
with cordial welcome from the citizens OF old Au-
gusa? [Applause
to which you ave been pleased to allude in terms oil
euIogy, have nothing 10 say 1t has been remarked
by wise man that no ones biography should be writ
ten until he is dead and prudent man should leave
his public to be judged by others My past acts
are the only pledges can give of what my adminisra
tien is hereafter to be- have no promises to make,
except that in all | do | shall take the Constitution
for my guide aud will assume all the responsibilities it
imposes, whatever the sacrifice may be; and while that
flag floats pointing TO the National flag suspended from
the hotel,l will maintain that Constitution and the
Union it secures, at any and every cost Great ap-
pause.J
Again, tellow-citzens 1 tender to you my grateful
acknowledgements this very hattering reception.
Mr.. STUART was then called to the stand and de-
livered short address marked by much feeling and
eoquence He spoke to people who had known him
from his BIRTH The flatterlng reception he had met
with was a compliment he had no right TO expect
He did not appear before them to make speech; the
occasion forbade it. He spoke of the condition Of the
country when the present t admnlsralon came into
dissolution and torn by discussions; but that by prudent
counses these evils had been turned away, and the
country again started career of prosperity ans
honor. He called Virginia the Flag Ship of the Union;
wherever she led the way the South would follow
He hoped she would continue ever loyal to the CON
sitution. If she gave way the influence of nullfi
cation secession the time would then arrive when
the strength OF the government would be tested He
spoke ofthe policy Of the administration; 1t was illus
trated by no bloody battles fought or green laurels
won; but its course peaceabe and straight forward
He might almost say it was conducted on mahemati-
cal principles, always seeking a desired point by a
straight line. He apologsed for OBTAINING the peop!e
and again rendered for the President and himself his
heartfelt thanks for the kind and cordial reception given
then
The President then retired to the paror OF the Hotei
where large number OF ladies and gent emen were
SUCCESSFULLY introduced to him. AT four O'clock about
hundred gentlemen sat down with the President 10
sumptuous dinner prepared by the proprietor of the Ho-
tel and in the evening he was entertained at the res
dence OF Mr. Stuart, where many OF the citizens paid
their respects to both guest and host On Sun day the
President attended divine worship several Churches
and on Monday morning left town in an extra coach
for the White Sulphur Springs.
The Spectator concludes its account of the truly
hospitabIe reception of the Chief Magistrate in the fol
lowing terms
Thus Mr. Fillmore has come and gone, but the i'm
preston made by his manly bearing, his honest face
and his PLAN yet earnest and patriotic language will
not be transient. He is indeed noble specimen of
man and gentleman, and wins all hearts that approach
him by the unaffected sincerity and gracetuness of his
manners. Prepossessed were in his favsr our
expectations far exceeded, and this we believe to
be the unanimous sentiment OF our people. He came
among travelling any private citizen, without os
tentaon or display, and only preceded by the know
ledge that in trying times he had discharged the du-
ties Of his high office with wisdom and fidelity he was
received with popular enthusiasm such as is seldom
awakened except 10 greet military hero, and he has
left US with the personal best wishes of every ndiy.
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