The republic., 1851-09-04
reception OF Gen. wool a, BanAIo. N. Y.


From the Buffalo Courier, September /.
The following are the remarks Of Mr.. Mayor
Wadsworth, and the reply OF General Wool, on the
occasion Of the reception of the latter as the citys
guest, on Saturday;
"GEsERAL: The military pageant, Of which
your presence has formed so interesting part is
drawing to close, and the civic authorities, who
were SO proud TO greet you at your coming, again
present their most respectful salutations az the
hour of your departure approaches =, tg
"Soldiers and citizens have been alike honored
by your visit and at this hour meet togetherto re-
ceive your parting words -.
''The soldier is grateful for the approving voice
with which, in yonder camp, you just now spoke
Of their discipline, and, with the earnest eloquence
of experienced age, to keep alive the martial
spirit in their hearts.
"The citizen is grateful TO the r-worn veteran
who has passed thirty mine years of his life in the
military service OF his country--who has perfected
the discipline of many an army-planned many
battle, and executed what he planned with almost
unyarying success.
General our soldiers will not forget this, TO
them, most delightful visi-our citizens will not
forget it; and for that long, long past, when the
hand the head, and the heart, strove together for
the peace and honor of the nation, fear not, Tor
history has already taken you TO herself and chron
iced your labors for your country's good In her
safe and ample depository. ....
General, the best wishes Of all our citizens
will forever attend YOU"
To these pertinent and eloquent remfxss Gene.
raj Wool replied as follows:
When accepted the call of my friends, Major
General Randall and Colonel Scroggs, to review
the Goth regiment did not expect to meet this vast
assemblage, this enthusiastic greeting, and this
kind welcome to Buffalo, welcome that has filled
with the deepest emotion. To what may at
tribute this generous and hosptable reception
Certainly not 10 any merits of my own, but to some
personal partiality feeling of private friend
ship, and to that sympathy which is ever found to
beat III the hearts of kindred spirits.
''lt is nearly thirty nine years since first visit
ed Buffalo. II was shortly after the battle OF
Queenston. At that time il was a small village,
but afterwards wholly destroyed and the frontier
from this TO Niagara laid waste by those with
whom we were contending. Such regret to say
are the fruits of war.
'But Buffalo, Phoenix like rose from her ashes,
and has become beautiful and prosperous city.
At the period of her destruction, except here and
there spot from this to Utica wilderness
covered with dense forests. How is it now? The
forests have given way before the of the sturdy
yeoman and in their stead we behold cultivated
fields, numerous flocks and herds, fine and COM
Portable dwellings, and large store houses well
filled with the fruits of the earth.
Having traverscd again and again the United
States, save that which has been recently annexed,
if l should be asked where shall find district of
country unsurpassed for intelligence, enterprise,
comfort and happiness, l would unhesitatngly
point to that lying between the Hudson and Lakes
Erie and Ontario. No part of extended en-
pre, of the same dimensions, has less waste land,
and with its hydraulic power and canals and rail
roads running in all directions, its advantages for
farmers, manufacturers, merchants and mechan-
les, are far beyond any other. Already is it stud
ded with beautiful villages and splendid Cities
among which Buffalo stands unrivalled Her COM
manding position at the foot of Lake Erie, her
grand commercial advantages derived from the
great inland seas of the west and her outlets by
canals and railroads, all indicate that if she is not
at this time, she will be, the great and queen
city of the interior of New York.
"I3ut these great improvements and advance
ment in civilization are not limited to Western
New York. To what may all these blessings be at
tributed? To kind Providence, our form of Gov
ernment, and free institutions, which leave the
people free and unfettered by power II is in this
country, and this country alone, that man is free
agent. Here there is no power to restrain him cx-
cept he be guilty of crime All his faculties, men
tai and physical, are at his disposal. He walks
abroad in his own majesty, and there are none TO
make him afraid He neither feels nor fears pow
er, or those appointed TO administer the affairs Of
government He may travel from Maine to Cali
iornia and Oregon, and no one would have right
to ask him, ''Why do you sop TO all which may
we not attribute the advancement OF the people Of
the United States in improvement and civilization
beyond all others? And yet with all these unpaT-
allcled privileges and prosperity unknown to any
other people, we find those among US who are not
satisfied. Strange as it may appear, We have few
discontentcd spirits who would dissolve this gor-
GUS Union, established by the sacrifice of 80 much
blood and treasure and with it prosperity, and
forever blast the hopes of the liberal of the world.
They are, however, so few in number that do
not apprehend any serious results from any efforts
of the times nevertheless, sufficient to admon-
ish us that eternal vigilance is the price of liberty.
As we nation composed of States or sover-
eighties, with diversified interests, it ought not TO
surprise US if they should occasionally clash In
such a case, what should be our duty? Concilia-
ton and harmony, and strict adherence to the
Constitution, and faithfully carrying out all its
provisions, at the same time doing all in our power
to prevent discomfort and heart-burninge, which,
if encouraged, will do than all else to en-
danger the Union, and destroy our hopes and pros
perity.
"Of my services, to which your honor has al
luded in such fiattering terins 1t becomes not me
TO speak, Ii have conducted myself in long
military career, whether in peace war, as to
command the appreciation of my countrymen,
more than satisfied Their good opinion, your
good opinion, and that of my native State, is far
more precious than office
"For the honor this day conferred upon me by
you mayor, and other civil authorities, and the
citizens of Buffalo, well as the military, would
offer the thanks of grateful heart. II it could
speak, it would convince you in the most stirring
and eloquent language how truly it ia appreciated
by one whose whole life has been devoted to the
service of tho Union and its preservation
General Wool left, we believe, yesterday, for
Fort Niagara and the posts upon Lake Ontario.