Lynchburg Virginian. [volume] (Lynchburg [Va.]) 1829-185?, 1851-07-10

The RresideDe In Fredericksburg.
On his return from Lower Virginian, to
Washington. President Fillmore accepted
the hospitality ofrhe citizens of Freder'cks-
burg. rendered him in very handsome
manner, by our contemporary Of IAe Ne1s'
the worthy mayor Of that ancient town.
The President in his response to the Ma.
vor,. address remarked, that he had heard
much of Virginia hospitality, but with the
Queen of Sheba, he could say "the bali had
not been told" At the hotel he was again
addressed. by DR.. Wexford and replied, in
the following patriotic and feeling Ian
guage.
"Nr. Chairman and Fciior-eaizens To these re-
pcated welcomes can only return my rcpested
thanks. Ny journey, from the time left wash
;ngton to my arrival here, has been through coun-
try entirely unknown to me-a country OF great
novelty to me- and a country OF great historical IN
teresf And during the whole of il, permit me to
say there no point where that interest has been
greater than in visiting your beautiful city ,,
.Here. am told, were the Fairgrounds Of Wash
iueton. Here il was where he drank in those les
sou, Of youth which so emincntly fitted him in his
manhood for tho defence Of his country against the
tyrannies of power, and for the establishment OF a
Union which trust the citizens Of this town will be
the last to abandon.
Here, too, rePosc. have been told, the ashes
of his mother. Precious relics. Can il be Poss-
bic tina, treason can find its growth hcrel No, SIR
no, sir No matter what disunonisis ut one end OF
the Union or factionsts at the other may do, the
mon reared upon the soil where Washington stood
can never be traitors. A voice in the crowd
True, truc' and great cheers-]
"Sir. visit YOUR town with no common interest
have travesed your streets and met your citizens
with no ordinary satisfaction The beautiful mill
tary array that has welcomed us, the courtesies
have received from your public authorities and from
individuals. nll seem to indicate to my mind not
merely personal courtesies, but generation for the
Constitution of our country, and for that Union
which it maintans
Hon. n, X. Hall, the Postmaster General, was.
then introduced TO the audience, whom he address
ed as follows:
"Fellor-citi-ens am greatly gratihed with the
reception which we have met with in this CITY, 50
full Of historical interest well calculated to excite
patriotic sentiments. | have been extremely graft
fled too TO witness at every step in our progress
during the short Journey which we have made in
Virginia. the manifestations Of confidence in the
Administration, Of which l am happy to be the
humblest member. The long personal associations
which have maintained with the President, as his
intimate personal friend, have given me n right to
feel mare than common interest in his success, and
peculiar qualification that bis course OF conduct
has been such us TO meet the approval of his te-
low-citizens.
Al thank YOU for the cordial reception which you
have eiyen US | thank you for the kind manner
in which you have received myself trust that
under no circumstances, while live, or while my
children live, will the people OF fredericksburg
and that portion Of the country where shall reside
be other than citizens of the same glorious Union
under that Constitution under which your fathers
nm ours so long and goriously lived.
II return you again my most sincere and cordial
thanks for this very gratifying reception"
Hon. Alex II. II. Stuart, the Secretary OF the
Interior was then introduced to the audience, whom
he addressed as follows:
"Felior-cai-cns: The complimentary manner in
which my name has been announced to you by your
chairman demands at my hands the expression OF
my grateful thanks. am happy fellow-citizens to
meet before me this assemblage Of the yeomanry OF
Eastern Virginia. Coming a. do from beyond
the Blue Mount aims, it is source OF infinite graft
ficaiion to see assembled around me those who al
though belonging to different section, feel arc all
Virginians. Fellow-citizens we have seen OF late
within our State limits the agitation OF questions
which threatened, to extent, the integrity OF
this old Commonwealth. We have heard it said
that this venerable Old Dominion was to be rent in
twain that we were to have Old Virginia cast of the
Mountains, and New Virginia west of the Noun
tains. God forbid that should live ever to
such result. Chcers. God forbid that should
see the day when could not come to the town OF
Fredericksburg-thel land ofthe MERGERS and of the
other distinguished families who here did service to
our country in the revolutionary strugge-and feel
that had no title to call them brethren. Far dis
4 1 IL.
up my share in the glories of Yorktown and of all
the scenes which have been illumincd by the deeds
of our ancestors. No, fellow-ciiizcns. am happy
congratulate you that this agi tation has passed
way; that this discorI- = at end, and that
Virginia will again be in feeling, one in interest,
and one in sentiment. [Applause.1
81 assure you that YOU have been laboring under
mistake in regard to the feelings of the West to-
wards the East. You, who have believed that there
is any antagonsm sentiment there, have done injus-
tice to that portion Of the State. We look upon you
as brethren, and hesitate say. that if tho
vii hour should ever which TO divide Nir-
GINA it is the Blue Ridge but the Alleghanies
which would mark the line.
After holding levec in the Parlor of the
Hotel, where many Of the fair ladi of
Fredericksburg and its vicinity were pre-
sent, the President and his friends were
escorted to the dinner table. When the
cloth was removed, the following sent-
ment, appropriately prefaced, was offered
and received with prolonged applause:
so. Our distinguished guest. the President of the
United States True to the Constitution of his coun-
try the needle to the pole; he has steered the
ship of State through threatning storm with
| statesman's arm and patriots soul"
In response TO this sentiment, the Presi-
dent after disclaim;nga any ri hit to such an
honor, said:
But wish 10 say, before I proceed further. that
in the few remarks which have to make, desire
to address them to you in private | hope if there
is "a chiel amang you takn notes" that he will
burn and not print them. My own impression is,
that individual exercising the first office in the
gift of the nation should rather be known BY his
official acts and official course, than by speeches
made at dinner table. ! shall therefore not avail
myself Of this occasion to express to you the policy
by which mean to be governed in the administra-
ton of the government. Upon that subject suffice
it TO say. when took the oath prescribed by the
Constitution to support the Union and defend it.
what said and intend to carry out that pro-
| mise. Great and prolonged applause. In the ex-
ecuion of this duty mean to know sectional diff
crences My maxim is equal and exact justice to ALL
favors to none. Renewed applause and cheer
ing. Those who willing that the government
shall be administered upon these principles hope
will be my friends matter by what political appel
ation they may have been known heretofore-whc-
thcr Wings or Democrats. [Chcers.1 / could not
but be sensible, when Unexpectedly elevated to this
position, of the great danger which threatened our
country. We have heard much ofdanger to this
Union-I fear, no more than all have heard-but
pardon for spying that in my estimation it should
never have become Of discussion. TIE
worry idea Of disunicn should be frowned upon by
every true American deserving Of no argument
and Of no justification. 1t is to me painful that it
should even be a subject of conversation.
Pardon me for abiding in this connection to an
anecdote in my Congressional career ] had an old
| and valued friend one whom esteemed, yet who
scd and necuar nniinus of