Richmond daily times. [volume] (Richmond [Va.]) 1850-1853, 1851-06-28
PRESIDENT FILLMORE AT THE CAPITAL
OF VIRGINIA.
HIS VISIT TO THE CONVENTION.

our citizens was escorted ii o'clock, yesterday,
from his quarters at the Powhatan House. the south
en portico Of the Capitol, where he was welcomed to
on behalf OF her citizens. by VIM. Il. Mac
farand, Esq, who spoke as follows:
Mr.. PRESIDENT | have the honor, in the name Of
the citizens OF Richmond, to greet you with cordial
sincere and hearty welcome. our arrival among US
is occasion OF congratulaon with one and all. We
happy of the opportunity to manifest respect for
the President of the United States; and embrace j,
more gladly, in this instance, because know tha
our title the esteem OF your countrymen rests, not
alone upon your position. ours is, indeed, high
for It's dignity and honors-but higher yet
for the fearful influence which it does and must exert
upon the desnies OF the republic. Its best and trues
qualification that without which all other endowmenis
are worthless if they be not dangerous, is earnest
watchul, invincbe devotion to the union of the States
"a devotion ardent and untaltering to be
inaccessible to sectional appeals, come they from
the North or the South, the West or the East
claiming anything at the expense OF the harmony and
integrity OF the Union. 1t is such sentiment and
habit OF devotion to the Union which constitutes the
GROWING virtues of an American statesman; and with
out it, public services and talents only to be-
tray. Sir, we believe that you possess this virtne-
your public acts have evlnced it-and we are con-
hdent that your administration will be conspcu-
Gus Tor seadast energetic, and we trust successful en-
deavor TO preserve, confirm and perpetuae the Union
Again, sir, bid you, and the distinguished gentlemen
who accompany you, heartfelt welcome to the ma
tive Stale of Washington, and to its metropolis.
Mr.. MCFARLAND introduced to the assembly the
PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES, who said fol-
lows:
Mr. CHAIRMAN This very fatterlng reception from
the capital OF the Old Dominion leaves me no Ian
guage adequate express the grateful emotions OF my
heart That should have received such welcome
from any part of The Old Dominion would have been
gratifying me, but have received from its capital
and from its citizens at large, causes emotions otgrati
tude that overwhelming. This is the first time
ever had the pleasure of seeing Virginia and Virginia
life Sir have passed through the lower paris oy your
State anxious not only to visit your cities and
your noble rivers, but your hospitabe inhabitants.
wished to look Of those noble plantations for
which Virginia as Virginia has been celebrated. Ii
was granted to me; and must say, sir, have wit
messed those scenes which have impressed upon my
mind that il is impossible should have seen any thing
but the fairy land of Virginia. / cannot conceive it
possible that State large and extensive this
exhibit many such beautiful plantations so highly cut-
waited, as had the pleasure Of witnessing yesterday,
as sailed up your noble river that leads to this beau
titul city. watched with anxious sollcude the first
appearance of the spires, but regret to say that they
were barely visible when the shades OF night closed
over them, and was compelled to land upon your
shores amidst the vast multitude which thronged the
Streets whose faces could only by the Pickering
light of the lamp the flash OF the cannon, and The
lightning of heaven | of course saw but few faces, as
passed through your streets. am happy this morn
ming meet face to face in this vast multitude that are
assembled here. the intelligence OF the Old Dominion.
You have been pleased, sir, to allude to the humble
services which it has been my fortune 10 re nder
he country in the position in which l now
placed. l believe l can say, with full sincerity
of heart that whatever may have been those services for
good or evil; whatever may have been the exalted
position now occupy, is to which Inever aspred.
My sole ambition has been, since the responsibility has
been upon me by all wise Providence, so to dis
charge those duties, if possible, TO cement the Union
of our country, and to pepetuate our glorious const-
tuition. [Great applause.]
When sir, nearly year since, by lameptable dis
pensation OF divine Providence, the ehief magistrate
OF the Union, who by your voice was elevated TO this
high position, was laid in the dust, confess, sir,
fnor od fFOr InI0n oh
luton. When the balance seemed to be trembling
uncertain whence it should vbrae, received from the
glorious capital Of the Old Dominion expression of
sentiment from the representatives OF the people in this
glorious State, that gave more Joy my heart than
would receive to be elected thousand times to
the high office which now hold Cheering and APP
plause.]
beg to return TO you, and through you to the ct
zens OF the metropolis, my sincere and grateful thanks
for this kind reception. have no language to express
the pleasure and delight have experienced to-day in
travelling about your beautiful city, and in witnessing
the palaces with which it is adorned
My stay amongst you must nee essarily be short
But have seen enough OF Virginia hospitality to in
duce me, if ever it s within my power, to visit you
again. II | cannot, hope to meet you at other
time, and at some other place.
Again, sir, return you, and those associated with
ven 1t is not my habit TO speak, but there
those with me-hose from the soil OF Virglna-who
are associated in the Administration whom doubt not
you will be happy to hear
this occasion, shall perform most grateful and
ceptable service, in introducing to you of
| honored and distinguished fellow. citizens-Mr. Stu.
ART the Secretary ofthe able and distinguished man
whom have had the honor just to hear. introduce
to you, gentlemen, Mr.. STUART
He welcomed with vociferous cheering, which
subsidng, Mr.. STUART spoke as follows:
Fellow CITIzENs-I feel as if it were somewhat I'm.
kind in my distinguished friend 10 present me thus
expectedly before you came here, not to participate
in the enthusiastic ceremonial which we are now wit
hIrft ho 1ntada ,dI
tor. Youmust excuse me, my fellow-citizens, from
making speech on this occasion. All that desire to
say is that am happy 10 stand again in the metropo-
lis OF this old dominion. | am happy to have come
here through the glorious channel which leads to the
Atlantic, and with the flag of the Union waving over
my head am happy to have come here associated
with the two gentlemen. who, though they do not pro-
less to be northern men with southern principles, can
you from personal knowledge OF their character
are national men nth American principles. Gre
mendous applause) Men who know the obligations
belonging 10 the high position which they occupy
Men who respect the sancty of the oaths which they
have TAKEN Men, also, who are prepared to throw
aside all sectional leelngif such they ever had
and " no looking with an eye fixed upon the good OF
the country, the integrity OF the constitution, and the
pepetuy OF the Union, will go on in the course which
they have hitherto pursued.
Fellow citizens, permit me as one of you, to say,
am happy 10 congratulate you upon the prospect OF
return OF raterna feeling. l congratulate you that
old Virginia has spoken with potential voice; and
assure you, that when the resolutions up from
ulS ChphOl 10 Inc ulcy were
ed with feeling of enthusiasm and delight, little short
of that day which experienced by ancestors,
when the news came that independence had been de-
cared OF our oppressors.
Fellow citizens, it infused feeling of security into
every HEARTH strengthened the of the admnistra-
ton. and il has palsed the power OF those who were
seeking with raorous hearts and hands sunder the
cords which have bound together. Fellow citizens,
speak strong language, but speak in all sincerity
and truth; and have acted upon it oiciay-that no
man who is an aboitionst or disunonst can be pa
,rio [Applause] Within the broad sphere OF The
office which hold, and which numbers amongst its de-
pendens probably 800 public officers, am happy
inform you thatto the best OF my knowledge and be-
lief, have not left an abotonist disunonist in Of
flee. Prolonged cheerngI have not looked whether
man was Wing or Democrat-wlen he was honest
capable and faithful have retained him without re-
ference to his political principles. But l ho'd that no
man who seeks TO overthrow The Constitution, either
directly indirectly, can conscentously take oath
TO support it, have refused to retain any man in public