The republic. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1849-1853, 1851-05-20

occaslon. had hoped the duty OF acknowledging
the kind greetings which you have extended to the
President of the United States and those associated
with him. would have devolved on the chief officer
| of the Administration, who is we'll known to the
country as being in the habit of entertaining SEN
ates and popular assembages, and in manner fal
more capable than could hope to do it. He is
however, unavoidably left behind. had still the
expectation that my distinguished colleague, who
has Just taken his seat and who is far better known
to the country than sm--who is far better ac-
quainted with the Government than l am-and
who il far more favorably known TO the peo
pie of tie country than am-would have made q
speech on this occasion in acknowledgment Of
your kindness. These resources having failed,
cannot permit this occasion to pass by without rem
dering my humble tribute to the grand and cordial
reception which you have extended to tho Presi-
dent Of the United States on his visit to his home
II is no ordinary event in country for citizen
occupying its first and most distinguished office
to return to receive the greetings of his neghbors
aud friends OF him az man, fellow citizena, Il
is unnecessary that l should speak. You know
him in that relation far better than ! do OF his
administration Of the Government it is not fitting
that should say any thing. am here for the pur'
pose of rendering to you my thanks, as he has ten
dered them, for the cordially with which you have
received him-for the manner in which the Chie
Magistrate your city has expressed your feelings
and the manner in which you have demonstrated
them on this occasion. [Great applause Fellow
citizens, this is vast country. Standing here, as
do with my back to the dominions ofGreat Britain,
and American territory in front extending to the
confines of Mexico, and which reaches from the At
lantc to the Pacific ocean; in contemplating this
am forced to exclaim, ono pent-up Utica contracts
our powers-the whole boundless continent Is
ours" [Great applause.] Such country spread
over such vast surface, embracing 30 many people
deriving their origin from 80 many different ma
tions-for it may be said that this is the great
chile in which all the nations of Europe tried
and improved-he greatly mistakes the nature
and character of people who supposes that such
country can be governed on any narrow, sec
tional, or selfish principles. [vociferous applause
Our hearts and minds must be elevated to the
great task before US; and, when it is determined
what course of policy to pursue, may differ as
to the mode of pursuing il; but great end is to
be kept in view observance of the Constitution
and all its provisions for which our fathers shed
their blood and perilled their lives. We must
be governed by that, and being governed by it, we
must and shall preserve the union of these States.
Our country, with such vast territory, requires
and demands that when occasions arise where diff
ferences of opinion exist-when section threatens
section and States threaten States, that should
to the principles which the union of these
States was formed, and govern ourselves by adher
ing to these principles lead to what consequences
they may. shall not undertake, this occasion,
TO go into dissertation on this subject; but, COM
ing from section of the country where different
institutions prevail, but where there is strong
love for the Union there is in any other section,
have to exhort you, my fellow citizens, under all
circumstances, to to the Constitution of the
countryside look at the example and character OF
those who framed it, and to read the history of the
country from 1883 to the present time attentivey;
and whenever you find yourselves in any doubt, as
the early Christians did, you must refer to the orr
gnal text, and to the writings of the fathers, before
prejudice arose and diverted attention from the
proper subject of examination II we shall do this,
shall remain united and happy people; we
shall spread over this continent of ours until we
shall be numbered, not by twenties, but by hun
dreds of milions-[ cheers -enjoyiDg the same lib
erty, the same laws, and the same happiness which
still exist in this great community of ours. Fell
wciizens having visited your State for the pur-
pose of examining great work of internal i'm
provement, have been grati6ed. not only on
seeing that, but in seeing the people of your
to those whom accompanied on this occasion,
it ia source Of gratitude and delight that
look on this vast asscmblage around me, OF
men whom / can call fellow-citizens with as
much sincerity as those on the Roanoke the Po-
tomac, the Mississippi, any other great river of
the South. Cheering and waving of handker-
chiefs] hope it will be always so; and if we adj
here to the great principles contained in the Cons-
tuition of the country; if all will be guided by
the maxims of those who framed that Constitu-
ton, and their views of its Interpretation, we shall
establish not only for ourselves principles of pure
liberty, but transmit them to our rernotest pos-
terity. Gentlemen, am exceedingly gratified for
the compliment you have conferred on me. shall
not see you again. You will not see me again; but.
wherever we may be, hope we shall always re-
cognise each other as citizens of common coun-
try; and shall always refer back to this day with
delight and admiration.
Mr.. HALL, the Postmaster General, was
then called on, and spoke as follows:
MR.. HALLS SPEECH.
thank you most kindly, fellow citizens, for the
warm and generous greeting you have extended
to my colleagues in the Cabinet, and to my long
esteemed friend the President of the United States
[cheers and thank you, not lees cordially, when
consider that this demonstration is not intended
as one Of personal respect to us, but rather as a
demonstration of your loyalty--of your aiIec ton
for the Union, and of your determination to re.
spect and support the Constitution of the country.
don't intend on this occasion to address you in
any set form Of speech-that is not my business or
purpose. Tho President has round him gentlemen
who are capable Of addressing you in such man
ncr as to interest and instruct you but cannot
hope to do so on this occasion, especially as there
are gentlemen present who part of the worth
and cloquence Of your own State. You have be-
fore you an eloquent Senator from Illinois, and
other distinguished gentlemen, whom it will be
your delight and admiration to hear. Under such
circumstances, it would be inexcusable in me to
deprive you of the rich treat that you may expect
from these gentlemen.
Mr.. HALL gave way to Governor Hunt, who
said:
GOVERNOR HUNTS SPEECH.
FELLOW CITIZENS: shall attempt little more, on
this occasion, than to express the sincere gratitude