The republic. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1849-1853, 1851-07-02
The President at FrederieIs.burE.
Fton ne Rielmona Rep,.1liean Of mondau


DEPoT-ARRIvAL AND WELCOME AT FRED
| ERIcKsBURG, &C., &c.
President FILLMORE and suite, accompanied
by number ofgentlemen of this city and seve-
raj members of the State convention, left Rich
mond on Saturday morning, about quarter after
eight O'Clock, in special train of cars which
had been placed at the disposal of the party by
the president of the Richmond, Fredericksburg
and Potomac Railroad Company, to carry them
to Fredericksburg and Aqua creek.
The cars under the command of Captain
George w. Darracott were checked off" with
American flags in honor of the distinguished
| party aboard. Leaving Richmond at a quarter
after 8 O'Clock, the train reached Milford Depot
In good time, where the proprietor of that ex-
cellent hotel, Captain b. +. Darracott, who,
with his brother, Captain Richard Darracott
| deserved the thanks of the whole party, was
| prepared to give the President and his company
a true Virginia welcome. Getting out of the
| cars, the party were invited into the hotel "a
partake of refreshments, such as ice cream,
cakes, Sc, spread abundantly before them; and
during the entertainment many Of the citizens
of Caroline county, who had assembled at the
| depot to see the President, were presented to
his excellency and TO the members of his Cab
met accompanying him. After sojourn Of
| about half hour at Milford, the Presidential
party again took thecars, and were carried, with
fine speed, to the ancient town of Fredercks-
burg, at which place they arrived at quarter
after IL o'clock.
For report of the Presidents speeches, and
others, on this occasion, we are indebted to our
friend VIM. g. BIsEoP, reporter to the State
Convention.
Upon the cars reaching the depot, the Presi-
nd MAJ fU NTH tba
enthusiastic cheering from the great concourse
of citizens which had there assembled.
Upon being introduced by Mr. CONWAY
one of the delegates from the district in the
convention-the President was addressed by
X. b. SEMPLE, esq.-the Mayor of the town
as follows:
"MR PRESIDENT: In behalf of the corporate au-
thorities of Fredericksburg. / tender to you the
Inequalities OF this town. 1t gives me pleasure to
inform you, sir, that a majority of our people are
the advocates Of your Administrations and, even
among those who are your political opponents, we
believe in your honesty and your fidelity. When
the circumstances under which you Unexpectedly
entered upon the duties Of the station which you
now hold occurred, many of your best friends fear
ed the result Of the crisis which then impend
ing. 1t was awful crisis to this country. II
was one which involved the fortunes and liberties
of this people. But are happy to say, sir. that
you met it-and met it most successfully We
doubt whether the page of history furnishes par
allel of such peace, quiet, and prosperity as now
prevails over the land, and which, in no small de-
gree, has been superinduced by the wisdom and
patriotism of the Administration of which you are
the honored head.
"Mr. President, you stand now upon sacred
ground. Along these streets which you will ira
verse this day are the play grounds of WAsHISG-
in his childhood. Within the limits of our
town-on yonder hil-rcpose the remains of his
venerated mother. Here was the home of MEa-
cER-who fell at Princeton, martyr to our coun-
ry's liberty. / mention these things TO you-a
stranger, for the first time visiting our State-as
"reminiscences of the past time, which cannot fail
to interest every American.
Permit me 10 tender to you, and the distin-
guished men with you, the Inequalities of our
town"
To this address the PRESIDENT replied as
follows:
"Mr. MAYOR: beg leave to return to you and
the citizens of Fredericksburg my profound nc
acknowledgements for this very cordial reception
had heard much OF Virginia hospitality, but can
say, with the Queen of Sheba, 'the half had not
been told At every turn have met with kind
and welcome greeting, and can assure you that
visit this place with common interest
"You have alluded to subjects that have called
up emotions in my heart, which, did they not show
themselves on this occasion, must confess myself
dead to the feelings of patriotism. This is the
play ground Of Washington Here sleep the ashes
of his venerated mother Sir the American heart
that shall not beat at illusions like these must in
deed be dead to patriotism. And, so long Mount
Vernon shall be the shrine where political pilgrims
shall worship, so long will Fredericksburg be re-
membered as containing the ashes Of his mother
81 beg leave also to return you my thanks for the
very kind manner in which you have been pleased
to alludc to my Administration. | can only say,
in reference to that, have endeavored to perform
my duty. And can assure you that next to the
qualification feel at having discharged that duty
ia that which feel at knowing that my fellow
citizens appreciate and approve of the manner in
which have discharged it,
81 again tender to You my warmest acknow-
Judgments and most cordial thanks for the well
come you have given me and those accompanying,
me-" [Grcat cheering.
Mr.. Secretary STUART, and Postmaster
GENERAL, and the remainder Of the Presidents
party, comprising Messrs. MILLER and FAULK-
NER, Of the Convention, and others, were in
troduced, and most kindly welcomed
Upon reaching the hotel, the President and
suite were received by DR.. WEXFORD, the chair
man Of the committee on behalf OF the citi-
zens, who spoke as follows:
"MR. President As the organ of my fellow
citizens, 1t becomes my privilege to tender you
and your honorcd associates cordial welcome to
our ancient town. Unpretending in our position,
we can offer for your admiration none of the tr-
umphs of art, nor in traversng our streets can we
present to your view any gorgeous embellishments
of architecture To these our brethren of larger
cities are wont to refer evidence of their wealth
and prosperity. Our jewels of different water.
On the further bank Of our own placid Rappahan-
mock we point TO the hlls trod by the feet of
our youthful Washington, and on our streets to the
cottage which sheltered the age and 70 the ground
where now repose the ashos of her who gave him
his being, who nurtured his childhood watched his
advancing ycars, and lived to see him enjoying
world wlde reputation, which will be surrounded
by halo brighter and still Frightening when the
hereditary lords ofa day are forgotten as fools,
a rpfn I'M "a A.,