The Caledonian. [volume] (St. Johnsbury, Vt.) 1837-1867, 1851-05-31
PRFsmERT FILLMORR's Address
AT uUFFAIO.

Ma MAYoR AND FELLOy CITIZENS
need not say that ] feel grateful ior this 70
eeptOn from ny friends aud neighbora ! am
oppressed and overwhelmed by the eOfdiali.
| ~, by the unhnimity with which you have
come 20 greet me, on MY return 10 my home.
| Ii is-A reception with which any itOmaa Gen.
eral IN the pAlmiest days Of lie Common
wealth, might have been satisfied, l can
hardly persuade myself lhat Il ~ \ reality. II
seems more like some hAllueinaiion 0f the
mind Bot mol here is The fhslily, 10 tlaai-
sands ofthis mighty throng, came among
YOU, not many years ago, fiiendlesa hoy
For ~ that I am, forai1 that 7 hope b. be-
for an that l. can hope 10 10 Cor 10y tDuatryI
mn, indebted % yoH, "a Aud ! boPa 10 be per
mitted 20 return 20 you, and spend my days
with you. and az lAat 10 sleep ~ yOnder grave
yard and mingle my dust with yonrs The
tenipest-tossed madner-the merchant who
! Journeys In distant chimes " search Of weRitii
! the Californian miner who leaves hls home
% dig for gold far away; retaIn b. their early
associates 20 enjoy ihe fruits Of their labor
I So with me. Whatever Of honor ] may have
acquired whatever Of distinction among my
oountrymen has fallen upon mo, would BE-
yaluelesa unless enjoyed with you. Bat am
aware that all this honor---all this generous
enthusiasmr-all these marks OF respect and
confidence, Arsnot indended FIR me person
! ally " ~ the hlkh oIliftt MnltN NHrOhNh an
I r4lli-tiur .li~r-r-ntiuu ~ -pruvidruru- now
| Ill. that has called firth this spontaneous
gathering Of thousands. All classes are min
I glod before me--Al political considerations
are thrown aside and receive this tribute
ne did the ''Welcomc' stretched Aeross y0ur
Main Nreet--as ! did the flowers that were
thrown into the carriage "a We passed aloDg
As the offerings Of patriotism TO the high
,-li4e 81 CHIEF AasistEaiS Of the country
/ 10
Al approval referred 10 my administration. I
was called 20 my present position by pain
| hil dispansation. II was n time of great PER-
I II 10 the Constitution and 10 the country. In
| the course which have felt compelled, from
firm conviction OF duty, 10 pursue, ! am not
unaware that have lost the confidence and
support ef-n,asy whose fFieldshipl highly
value. But there was no alternative len mo
no other path 10 pursue and preserve our
/ cherished Institutions, and hand thcm and
their blessings down 10 postcrity. Aud it is
gratifying 90 know, and IL Is with pleasure
that am permitted 20 speak OF IL, that this
spirit was not confined 90 any class. IL u not
TO me alone, nor those distinguished gentle
men 10 whom owe whatever Of success has
attended my administration, that the country
is indebted for the happy termination q Our
difficulties, As pariizanG we may differ
questions Ms 20 the manner IN which the gov
tFnmfNt thNll DO uNNuiHthttFNNl M btNtNN W.
But when the Union Is cndangered---whsn
treason stalks nj the South and reArs ia sna-
XIV head at thc North, all rally 10 il support.
All classes, all parties forget their difference
Cd and make n common cause against the com
mon Zoe Distinguished Democrats, QUO of
whom (Scnator Douglas OF Illinoir) 10 by my
side now, gave INC their confidence and sup
/. port and came forward noby In the cause Of
patriotism 20 save the Union and the Gov
" a. f.tf ms
in my humble efforts 20 preserve the inteHri-
~ of the constitution. Your Mayor has al
lnded 10 the measures adopted by the admin
istration 10 preserve our neutrality and Ia
prevent the invasion Of the territory Of q
: friendly power. Ia doing what have done,
, was but dschargng my duty and acting
, upon those principles which have been the
. policy OF the Government from tle beginning
in its intercourse with other nations. IL We
9 depart from this policy, we shall array all thu
0 other powers against Us. There IL no liner
q ty--no security without law. The Law, what
ever IL IT, must be cnfor' cd. II my portior
of our people are permitted 60 rush headlons
g. ths qpeg c5 eS Sg1 d,5sr ns,or. Z, e, =
integrity Of our neutrality, and we should
som find ourselves placed beyond the paie
- ~ international law suri international comfy
Congress wisely made such invasion OF the
o territory OF friendly nationsa criminal offence
And have sworn upon the Holy EvAnrei-
lsis 10 nxnlIitn lLa lAlA- nf- all kiAs-4-lrsv
ondeavored 10 the best of my ability to exc
cute them. intend 10 execute them, and,
God hclpiugme, ] will execute them. But
e did not rise TO make a speech This was not
a fitting occasion to dwell upon grave Affairs
of state. rise 10 give utterance, fully, 20 the
grateful emotions of nay heart---Bnt in tha
oyerpowcring strength Of tho feelings, called
, into action 10y the scenes around mc-by tho
warm confidence Of my fellow citiEens, a
shown in the thousands before me, can but
family tell yon all / feel. When / look up-
on your many familiar faces, they seem 10 me
! like the faces of brothers and sisters. again
thank you for this reception thank you,
Mr. Mayor, for the cordially with which, ON
behalf of your citizens, you have welcomed
me TO this my cherished home"
NFu xyr9psrrp,a ouux,r,xr ~ x,x,v,