The republic. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1849-1853, 1851-07-01

=
zens with ordinary satisfaction. The beautiful
military array that has welcomed US, the courte-
sizes have received from your public authorities,
and from individuals, oil seem TO indicate to my
mind not merely personal courtesies, but vene-
ration for the Constitution of our country, and for
ahat Union which it maintains.
"Sir, am unprepared to address you. had
supposed the address was made TO me at the cars;
and can only, to these repeated welcomes, repeat
my thanks, and, may venture to say, the thanks
Of those described in the beautiful figure you have
expresscd-and which is all true except in regard to
myselfas to the other officers who have controlled
the ship Of State. As TO the crew here, sir, when
the vessel shall demand their assistance, every man
know will be found at his post" [Grent and pro-
longcd cheering
At the dinner subsequently, given at the Ex-
change Hotel, Thomas BARTON, esq, presi-
dent of the day, addressed the company in the
| following remarks:
oFELLow2 CITIZENS OF FRRDERIcKsBURG: desire
TO hold little private conference with you, not to
be heard by strangers, and which you are TO keep
entirely secret. / will remind you that in this
ancient town never invite any person 10 see us I'M
less really desire to extend hospitality TO them;
and no official station, however exalted can unite
US in our various political opinions, TO unite har
Inoniously as now, in tribute Of respect, unless
founded upon higher claims to our estcem. There
is another habit of our people which highly COM
mend, and il is, 10 say few hattering things as
possible to any one who is present; and there
fore will merely suppose case: that
should come among us who was the artificer
of his own fortuue-whose energy, talent, and
virtue, without intrigue, concealment, or pre-
varication, in contest with the galaxy Of talent
Ot,r crlo hio,
stationary, the most eminent and exalted upon
earth, and, when il attained, wisdom, pru-
dence and moderation, marked his every act and
stamped il with the characteristics Of love of coun
try, and the absence of all selshness orambition-
a man born in a different cline than occupy,
and yet knows North, no South, East,
West, but who knows and loves his country, and
his whole country; why, fellow citizens, if such
man as this should come among US, would we
only respect or admire? No, he would take cap
tive our hearts; and it is just with that feeling de-
sire you to receive the following sentiment:
Our distinguished guest, the President OF
the United States: True to the Constitution of his
country as the needle to tho pole. He has steered
the ship of State through threatening storm with
a statesman's arm and patriotic soul"
To which, after prolonged applause, Presi-
dent FILLMORE responded:
i
and trust that the imaginary character alluded to
by my honorable friend Oh my left, will ReRer be
applied to me. have claim to such an honor;
and the toast which you have given is Of itself
even quite too fauering.
"But wish to say, before proceed further, that
in the few remarks which have to make, desire
to address them you in private. hope, if there
| is "a chiel anang ye takin' 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 10 express you the policy
by which TO be governed in the admins
trasion Of the Government. Upon that subject
suffice it 20 say, w$en took the oath pre-
scribed by the Constitution to support the
Union and defend il, l meant what 1 said
| and intend to carry out that promise [Great
and long prolonged applause.l Ia the execu-
ton of this duty | mean to know no sectional
differences. Ay maxim is, equal and exact justice
to all, fayors 10 Renewed applause and
cheering.l Those who willing that the Gov
eminent shall be administered upon those princi-
Piles hope will be my friends, matter by what
political appellation they may have been known
by Observation-Disclosures Wings or Democrats.
[Cheers. | could not but be sensible, when unex-
pectedly elevated TO this position of the great dan
ger which threatened our country. We have heard
much ofdanger to the Union-I fear no more than
all have heard; but pardon me for saying that in
my estimation il should never have become source
Of discussion. The very idea of disunion should
be frowned upon by every true American as de-
serving ofne argument and of no justification. 1t
is to painful that it should even be subject of
conversation.
Pardon me for abiding in this connexion to
an anecdote in my congressional career. had an
old and valued friend, whom esteemed, yet
who possessed some eccentrcities and peculiar no.
tons of political duty of which did not approve.
need not cay that alude to the venerable Mr..
Adams. You are all aware that he was early inn
bued with the principle, upon which he universally
practised, that every citizen had the right to be
heard in Congress by his petition, and that he was
often made the medium of presenting to the House
matter of which he entirely disapproved. Iis ma kim
that every citizen had the right to petition and
that the duty Of Congress to consider such pc
tition. Acting upon this known principle, he was
often played upon doubtless by those who
influenced by mischevous purposes. well recol-
lect one occasion that he and stated to the
House that he had received petition of very pc
culiar character, the continents Of which he did not
approve; but the principle upon which he univer-
sally acted he felt it be his duty to present it to
the House. He stated that il petition from
certain citizens, whose names signed to il,
praying for dissolution Of the Union; but for the
purpose of freeing himself from the imputation of
| fayoring such a sentiment he at the same time
that he discharged his duty, in the presentation of
the petition, felt it also to be his duty to accompany
il with resolution that it be referred to a select
committee, with positive instructions to report
against the prayer Of the petitioners. What wcro
the proceedings upon that occasions This an
| nunciation was no sooner made in the House
of Representatives than the whole House seemed
| to be in fermcnt, and in very few mo-
mcnts a resolution introduced for the purpose
\ Of expeing Mr. Adams from the House for having
dared to introduce petition there for the dis-
solution of the Union, although accompanied at
| the same time with positive declaration on hs
cart that he opposed TO il, and appeal to the
| House to sanction his sentiments on the subject.