The republic. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1849-1853, 1851-05-23

merry peal, and an excellent band was sending
forth its merry music. The sun was shining
out in his glory The beautiful trees, with
which the streets of the city are filled, added
to the effect of the scene. Man, and nature,
and art, seemed to rejoice as if jubilee were
come.
Among the notices on the banners that over
hung the streets through which the procession
passed were the following:
Our oacn Fillmore.
On tri-colored banner:
The Compromise Of 1887, and the Compromise
of 1850.
Kentucky Patriotism
On one side, and on the opposite:
Faithful North Carolina.
One complimentary to Crittenden and the
other to Graham. The next motto was, the
Defender Of the Constitution,
Complimentary to Webster Then there
was
The Constitution as 1t Is.
And this:
The Union Forever.
The Rochester american office was covered
with flags; indeed the whole city was decorated
with flags and banners, and the display was
magnificent and without ostentatiOn. The
President was enthusiastically cheered by the
dense multitude as the procession moved along,
and the ladies waved their hahdkerchiefs from
the windows and balconies of the houses. The
whole thing was most enthusiastic.
On reaching Washington square, the militia
nv and firemen formed into two open lines,
through which the President and his Cabinet,
and Mayor and Common Council, and Com
mittees of Reception, passed to handsome
platform erected for the occasion. Around the
fine square were five banners hung, one of
which bore the following inscriptions:
The Union Forever.
The scene was striking and picturesque.
After the pause of a few minutes, Mayor Paine
then addressed the President as follows;
SPEECH OF THE MAYOR OF ROCHESTER,.
Ma PRESIDENT: In behalf of the citizens OF Ro-
chester, ! am most happy to receive you, and the
distinguished gentlemen who accompany you, and
give you hearty welcome to the inequalities of
our city. For a long period prominent resident
of western New York, identified with her interests.
and jealous in her general advancement, you
would at all times, for that reason alone, be well
come among us and greeted as one by whose
presence Rochester would feel herself highly hon.
ored. You have, sir, with the gentlemen who are
with you, recently passed over of the most
stupendous undertakings of the age-the New
York and Erie railroads. work which rebounds
not only to the enterprise and energies of the ci-
zens of New York, but would be proudly pointed
at by the citizens of the whole Union, as a gigan-
tic monument of American genius and persever-
ance; and, sir, the inhabitants of this regional
though not so locally interested in it those in
that section of the State through which it passes
rejoice equally with them in the completion of this
great enterprise; but, sir, we have another noble
work-the Erie canal-with the progress of which,
as citizen Of western New York. you tami-
liar One of still greater Importance, not only to
this State, but the whole of that vast region OF
country lying west of us, whose increasing pro-
auctions are borne over lakes and western
rivers, through this great artificial channel to the
waters of the Atlantic 1t is this great internal
improvement, which, as may say, 10 the mother
and fosterer of all the other public works of the
Empire State, as it has made western New York
| what it ia; as it has cleared our forests and
cleared our wilderness into rich agricultural
country, settled with hardy and intelligent popu-
ton. It has built up the furnishing cities and
villages through which you have passed from
Buffalo, and are to pass on your way eastward to
Albany Yes, sir, il has constructed and fostered
il into other portions of the State, and it has given
an impetus to all the important railroad enterprises
which have been undertaken. Towards this great
Improvement if the Same liberal policy 10 pursued
by all the citizens of this State has been followed
by the citizens of Western New York towards our
own various other internal improvements it is be-
| ieved that, before another Presidential term has
expired, you will witness completion of this great
work, by its enlargement to such an adequate
depth and width, to carry on ts broad bosom tc
the tide waters of the Atlantic, with and with
cheapness defying competition, the whole surplus
products OF that vast country ofSaes that lie to the
| west of us and then, sir, the wisdom of its pro-
| lection, and the glory Of its founder, the immor
tai Clinton, will be fully realized, and the memory
| of its opponents will pass into oblivion. speal
to you, sir, freely upon this topic because at thu
West VIC are all united upon this subject, and al
low no difference in political sentiments to divd,
US upon our canal policy; and because, either
of orthern New York and of sister city Buffa
To- at the western termination of this great work
and as one who has been a New York legislato
and financial officer, you are familiar with the sub
| ject, and deeply impressed with the necessity o
| this finishing improvement Of one of the creates
State works of this or any other country, in an
| Gent or modern times l am well aware, how
| ever, tDat tncse lOCai hcCure
= small portion of yonr attention while in the dis
charge of the responsible duties which otherwis
devolvc upon you. The signal services. sir
which. as President Of the United States, yo
have rendered our common country, by your re
cent efforts in maintaining obedience TO her laws
allaying that commotion which threatened tn
security of the Union, have placed you pre-emi
ncntly high in the estimation Of every true Ameri
can, established for you reputation of which fc,
men can boast, and give assurance that in you
hands the most important public trusts may b
safely committed. The ordeal through which on
country has recently passed has been one of no or
binary character, and demanded, what ii has re
cevcd, the wisdom and prudence of a sound, OK
perienced. and enlightened mind. Other nation
impatiently awaited the result, experimenting tina
something of an omnous character prevailed. an
| excited alarm in the bosom Of every patriot an
friend Of the Union. All eyes were turned toward
you, the centre, the conscrvator OF our nationa
integrity. You stood firm, far seeing, patri
otic. and nobly meeting the cxigency OF the occa