Staunton spectator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1849-1896, 1851-09-03
COMPLIMENTARY DEMONSTRATION.

49, - oANi , DllCl olaJ LA o-
ton to do him honor, proceeded to his resi-
dence where the following interesting adj
dresses were delivered. We were not pres
ent, but are informed that the crowd was
large and respectable. JOHN L. PEYToN,
Esq, having been selected to make known
the sentiments of the people, addressed the
Secretary of the Interior in the following
appropriate manner.
MR.. PEYToN's ADDRESS.
Mr.. STUART:-lt gives me great pleasure, to
express to you, in bebafof this large and respeca
bic meeting Of your cid friends and fellow-county
men, their feelings Of qualification a; seeing you
once more In their midst and surrounded by your
family. Sir. your brief, but brilliant career in
public lifs, while II has endeared you TO your party
has not lost you single friend in the opposition J;
for however much they may have differed with you
upon public affairs, they all appreciate fully the
high considerations of patriotism which have al
ways acualed your course.
The duty we owe to our country is real and sub
santial, not chimerica and you have performed
yours, in the opinion of those by whom am sur
rounded, with faithful regard the public inter
est and not like that numerous class of false friends
to the people, "who intend nothing by serving the
public, but TO feed their avarce, their vanity and
their luxury, without the sense ofany duty they
owe to God or man."
Your firmness, moderation and ability in the sup
port of The Compromise measures OF the last con-
gress. furnish striking illustration of the wisdom,
sagacitv and patriotism for which you nave ever
been distinguished and for which we who know
you best have so long done you honor AT tins
moment storm threatens as in the South, ana
should it prove hit too true that we are already IN
volved in serious difficulties with Spain, we feel
that it is no dsparagement to the illustrons head
of the government TO say that we have additional
confidence in the action of the government, since
sir that action to certain extent is influenced by
your prudence, zeal and fidelity to the rights and
interests of your cOuntry-that country, to which
we are bound by 50 many sacred ties of affection,
by so many associations of ideas. by so many hopes
of future peace, happiness and security; whose
name inspires so many feelings, awakens so many
recoections and whose glory, distinction and per-
pe,uity are dearer even than life and which we
pledge ourselves this night, 10 defend from every
peril whether from The enemies she nestles in her
bosom or those less dangerous foes who menace her
from without.
We have therefore come together for the pur-
pose of paying you the rihne of our confidance.r
spect and regard and TO give expression TO our feel
ngs Of sincere pleasure al seeing you once more up
on the soil of Augusta
We trust your public duties will admit. after
your long absence, ola pro,racted stay, that your
old friends and associates may have an opportunity
generally, of taking you by the hand and welcom-
ing you TO your home.
Go however when you may let me assure you in
behalf of this large assembly. that you carry with
you our hest wishes for your continued health, hap
piness and prosperity.
Mr.. STUART met the unusual demonstra-
ton with his usual courtesy and responded
most happily as follows. HIS speech will be
read with interest throughout the country:
MR.. sTUART's REPLY.
FELLOW ClTIzENs.-I have no language ade-
quately 10 express my gratitude to you tor your
Kindness am here but for single day before
my return to my official labors in Washington. 1t
has been source Of great pleasure 10 have an op-
por,unily of greeting my old friends, and taking
Them once more by the hand. But such compli-
ment as this was wholly unexpected. The only
return can make is to express 10 you my grateful
thanks. 1t is an honor which is greatly enhanced
by the fact that it is bestowed by those who have
known me we'll for the greater portion OF their
lives and who therefore are best prepared to testify
how far have endeavored to discharge my duties
as citizen and man.
But fellow citizens understand from the Ian
guage Of the gentleman who'acted as your organs
that you are here not merely to testify your respect
for me as an individual, but TO express your appro-
baton Of the course OF the administration with
which have the honor TO be associated. Disclaim-
ing for myself any merit for my participation in its
measures / feel at liberty 10 say that in my opinion
the head of that administration and my associates
in The Cabinet, richly deserve The confidence & re
specl of the public. ! believe that at no time have
more patriotic and upright men filled the high
places of The land. The President has recently been
among you and you have all had an opportunity of
seeing and hearing him,and forming your own opin-
ion of his character and conduct | am content to
abide the Judgment which you may pronounce up
on him. But cannot forbear from saying that
wish you all knew him as we'll as do. Of one
thing am certain, the more you know OF him the
more highly will you esteem him.
Two years ago it became my duty to vinaicate
him before the people Of Augusta of the fonl charge
of abolitonism and localism Of sentiment and prn
cipe. Having served with him in Congress and
known him well, was enable 10 hurl back these
charges with scorn and contempt | told the people
that he was sound and trustworthy man, spotess
in his private relations and conduct aborous in his
habits national in his principles and patriotic in
all his purposes 10 convey TO my fellow citizens
the most correct idea ofhs character, said To them
that if were to select the man of all my acqualnt
ance whom he most resemoled in person, in the
purity of his life and in the fairness and manliness
of his character. and in the strength Of his inlelec
tual faculties, that man would be Chapman John
sun! knew full well the import of the words used.
knew that Mr.. Johnson had spent the greater part
of his life among the people Of Augusta and was
properly appreciated by them. knew therefore
that in their minds the name of Chapman Johnson
was the comprehensive synonyme of every thing
thar was vrlnous in private life and elevated and
noble in official station.
Fellow. citizens, leave it for you to decide from
an inspection of the original. how far the portrait
which | then drew was true 10 life.
But little more than one year ago this nation
was clothed in mourning for the death of the lale
President Taylor. What pang shot through
every heart, when it was proclaimed that the old
Thunderer Of Buena Vista was no more! What
deep solici.ude pervaded the public mind, particu-
arly in the South, when it was found that The
desinies of his great Republic had passed into the
hands Of Nolhern man, and one who was repre-
scented oy his opponents to be sectional in his feel
ngs and unfaithful TO the Constitution. For my
own part shared to but small extent In those
apprehensiuns. | knew The man and had full CON-
6idence in him | believed he would be equal u the