The republic. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1849-1853, 1851-09-20
Reception at the state House.

At half past three the PRESIDENT and SUITE and
the Legislative Committee, left the Revere House
and, escorted by the Independent Cadets of Boston
and the Independent Cadets of Salem, proceeded
to the Sate-house.
The galleries and the body OF the House Of Rep
resentatves were filled to OVERLOOKING long before
the arrival of the PRESIDENT. Seats had been re.
served for the PRESIDENT and suite for the Cover
nor and Council, and for the Legislative Commit
tee of Arrangements In the body of the house
were many of the Ovcrseers and members of the
Faculty Of Harvard University, officers of the Ar
my and Navy, and many distinguished citizens OF
the State.
At quarter before four O'Clock the Governor and
Council entered the hail. and took the places which
had been assigned for them. The cheering out
side indicated that the PhEsIpEgT was near and in
few minutes he entered, accompanied by Mr.
Webster, Mr.. Stuart, MIR. Conrad, and the Legis-
latiye Committee. The audience rose to receive
them. AS soon there was sufficient degree OF
quiet General Wilson presented the PRESIDENT to
Governor boutwell,, who addressed him as follows:
"Ma. PRESIDENT: 1t is my agreeable duty, in
accordance with the unanimous vote of the Legis-
lature, and in the name of the people of Massachu-
sets, to tender to you generous welcome to the
territory and inequalities of this Commonwealth.
"And we wish to extend TO those distinguished
citizens OF other States who associated with
you In the administration of the National Govern
ment an equal welcome. Nor will we forget, in
the occasion, TO welcome and honor him whom
Massachusetts has honored through a large part
of her constitutional history. loud cheers
"The words Of welcome are upon my lips, but
the sentiment is in the hearts of the people.
"They respect the purity of your private life;
they appreciate the duration, variety and elevated
character of your public services; and finally they
welcome you as the Chief Magistrate of the Amer
lean Republic.
"We invite you to more intimate acquaint
ance with the people of Massachusetts to an exam
ination of their mechanical and manufacturing
skill and success, and to nearer view of their com
mercial and agriculture resources and power.
eve shall gladly open TO your inspection our in
stiutions of different orders for the reformation of
the gulty-our asylums for the care and restora
ton of the deaf, the dumb, tue blind, and the in
sane-our schools, academies, and colleges estab-
iished and maintained for the education of the
whole people.
'And especially do we desire TO direct your at
tention to the system Of railways, whose network
has been spread over Massachusetts and New Eng
land within the last twenty years.
eve trust that you will see in that system not
only evidences OF past accumulation Of wealth, but
also clear indications of future growth and pros-
perity.
s'Nor shall we attempt to conceal from you the
darker side of our character; for the poor the g-
norant, and the vcious still found amongst US.
"But we desire to assure you that on this coca.
zion we forget all names and distinctions but the
honorable of american citizens that in the flu
tufe, in the past, Massachusetts will prove true
to the Constitution and the Union that she will
know no North, 40 South, East, no West; but
only the Repuolbc, one and indivisble.
"Aud for yourself, sir, allow US TO hope that your
public life may be agreeable to you and beneficial
TO the country, and that in your hours of retire
Inent you may enjoy the usual rewards Of virtu.
Gus private and pubic career"
President FILLMORE replied to Governor Boutwell,
as follows:
Governor OF MASSACHUSETTS,: Under no cir
cumstances could have received such welcome
as this, through the executive head of this great
State, without feeling the deepest emotions of graf
itudc From the moment that crossed the line Of
this State it has been but one scene of apparent
welcome which could not have anticipated.
"You have said, sir, that your institutions oil
every kind arc open TO the inspection of myself and
those associated with 1t is qualification &c
be permitted TO look into the institutions of this
State, the hourishing, perhaps, of any in the
Union. You have said, sir, that your State is pre-
pared TO sustain the Constitution and the Union
Sir, as passed through this city, and saw YOU
streets lined for miles with dense multitude o
| people, often excited, and witnessed the exuem,
order that prevailed everywhere, could never loi
a moment believe that this community could bt
brought TO commit treason against the United
| States [Applause.
"Sir it has been my duty, and sometimes pain
ful one, to execute the laws of the Union upor
! those who did not approve of them North anC
South. This must inevitably be the case TO all whC
| occupy the position that now do. But sir Sc,
manifested in the faces of this intelligent conmu
nifty that which proves to that, so far as th
community is concerned, and believe go far al
this State is concerned, this duty, however painful
it may be, will hereafter be performed with ease
| Hear! hear!l
"Sir, congratulate you upon the proud cm
| hence that your State occupies in the great work.
| of internal improvement. You have spread GU
| your railroads, and invited the commerce of th
| North, and she is now pouring her tributes int
| the lap of this proud State May you long, will
those who are associated with you, live to enjoy
| this rich blessing. You have taught your siste
States, although you may not possess the power o
inviting commerce by canals, yet that there is an
! other mode by which you can stretch forth you
! Brarian arms and reach the furthest cities of th
/ United States, and bring thence their wealth ant
! products.
''Sir, it does not become me to express the emo
| tons Of those who accompany me. They fa
! better able to express il for themselves. Permi
! me, however to say, that receive this testimony
from the city of Boston, and from the State Of Mas
sachusetts, not az personal respect TO myself, bu
as an evidence Of devotion TO our Union and to on
/ glorious Constitution, and their determination 4
maintain them" Loud and prolonged cheers.l
As soon as the PRESIDE MT had concluded hisre
marks, Mr.. WrRsrER was presented to the Cover
| nor by Benjamin Stevens, esq., Sergeant at Arms