The republic. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1849-1853, 1851-09-20

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The demonstrations made ON the part of the cti.
zens of Roxbury were of very enthusiastic char
acter; guns were fired, bells rung and the air rent
with shouts of welcome to the PRESIDENT. The
citizens of the place produced cavalcade Of some
three hundred.
The column proceeded to the Boston line,
on Washington street
Reception of the President at the BOSTON
Line.
The mayor and the committee of reception and
the city guests proceeded to the Neck about ten
o'clock, accompanied by large number of mount
ed marshals, and were drawn up into line on the
east side Of Washington street, when at twelve
o'clock salute fired by the Charlestown artillery
near Union Park, announced the arrival of the
PRESIDENT at the line
Having advanced to within the military escort,
the line saluted him amidst great cheering. His
barouche was then halted few yards south of
northampton street, where the mayor was waiting
to receive him.
The Hon. Henry Wilson, President of the Sen.
ate, who was in the Presidents carriage next rose
and introduced the PREsIDENT TO Mayor BIsELow,
of Boston, who thereupon welcomed the PREsIpENT
with the following remarks:
" SGR The people of Boston now crowd her gates
to receive with tokens of honor the great head of
the Republic, and in their name bid you welcome
TO this metropolis. We regard il as happy omen
that we receive you the spot where our fathers
gathered to hail the coming of Waahingt in the
fret year of his Presidency. The contrast exhib-
tied between that period and this 10 striking and
Instructive. The salutations extended to the frat
President were the offering of only eighteen thou
sand inhabitants, while the welcome proffcred to
his successor this day is the voice of population
of one hundred and forty thousand. The ruler
then received IN he oiTa of
less than four millions of people, who had lately
emerged from the smoke of battle, and were but
beginning, under the influences of liberty and
union, to take rank among the nations of the earth.
You, sir, we receive as the Executive Chief of
population of twenty four millions, living in the
enjoyment of an amount of prosperity and happ-
meas almost unparalleled in the history of the
world
"By remarkable coincidence, which, doubt.
less, has occurred to yourself, you visit us on the
anniversary of the completion of the Federal Con
srtution 1t is day peculiarly fitting for our re-
ception of him whose authority the Federal
Chief Magistrate is derived from that great com.
pact. The day has also special interest for this
cIty-for 1t Is the anniversary of its settlement.
While the occasion thus calls to mind the Phila-
delphia conclave and the Pilgrim colony, / trust
that you will recognise in the character OF our PEG
pie and their institutions the happily blended in
huences of the puritan and the patriot
you have recently, sir, visited Virginia, and
now stand upon the soil of Massac husetts. The
names Of those States recall the story OF the Revo
luton, and the noble part sustained by each in
that greet drama. Your reception in the Old Do
minion indicates her fealty TO the Union, and her
attachment to the principles of other times. This
day will furnish evidence Of the regard of the Bay
State also, Tor that Union, and those principles by
the manner in which her people will testify their
respect for the faithful administrator of the Consu.
tuition and the laws.
at has been the custom Of war, sir for the in
.habians of captured cities to bring forth the KEYS
and lay them at the victor's feet. A nober offer
ing Is rendered to you than was ever surrendered
TO the conqueror; The hearts ofour people here
TO greet you with grateful and affectionate saluta-
tions, and bid you welcome to our homes''
To this speech the President replied:
''MR MAYOR: receive from YOU MS the exccu.
tive organ of this proud city, this welcome for me
emotion. You have alluded TO the fact that this ia
the anniversary of the day which the Constitu-
ton wac completed, and you have also alluded to
the visit of General Washington TO this city. What
a change since the time when he first visited this
city, not for the purpose of receiving the cordial
congratulations of the citizens, but for the purpose
OF defending her against the tyranny and oppres-
sion Of the mother country. Ifmy memory serves
me right. this son of Virginia, who connected the
fate OF that State with you're, appointed ii c
commander in chiefof the army in Philadelphia
and started thence for the seat of war; near your
proud city, forthwith History tells us that he
travelled from Philadelphia here in eleven days
and on his arrival the good citizens of Watcrtown
in your vicinity, gathered together and congratu.
lated him on the speed Of his Journey What has
brought about this change? Why is il that the dis
lance which took him eieven days and that, too,
after the battle of Bunker Hill, which urged him to
use the speed of an express has now been travelled
by me, as matter of pleasure, in almost many
hours? IL s owing to the intellect of your citizens