The daily union. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1845-1857, 1852-05-25

Republic
Visit TO the President by the Members or the
Presbyterian General Assembly.
The members Of the Presbyterian General Assembly,
now holding its annual session in this city, visited the
President OF the United States, accompanied by quits
number Of ladies connected with their families on Satur-
day afternoon last
The visers. upon entering the Presidents House. were
arranged IN circle around the spacious East Room
where President Fillmore appeared, and intro
duced to the Rev DR. Adams the newly elected Moder
ator OF the Assembly, by the Rev John c. Smith,
Rev DIR. Adams theIeupon addressed the President
follows:
"Mr. PRESIDENT: We trust that you will al once ap-
precatc the sentiment which has inspired this ancient
body. the general assembly OF the Presbyterian Church,
(and il is pleasant "reminiscences that it first organ
zed in The same year, the same month, and in part by the
men, with the first American Cengress in this it's
first convocaton in the city OF Washington 10 wait upon
the President Of the United States Do not impute to
idle curiosity AS ministers OF religion and onhcers OF
Christian churches. We should lmpeach ourselves Tor
nifty which your excelency has afforded for expressing
our profound respect for the Chief Magistrate OF this
free Christian, and Protestant country self governed
people, of all Others should be deficient in the
timent OF loyalty. As expostoB OF inspired truth,
believe that rulers ordained OF God. that we may
lead quiet and peaceable lives and that good rulers
and good among the greatest blessings
which His benignant providence can besiow upon any
people
tribes accustomed to address the President OF the
country their Great Father. Our hearts respond to
he beauty and q ns se " . M
of whom has been said Providence ordained that
he should be childess that nation mlght always call
him Father On those melancholy occasions when death
has smtten the head of the republic and were called
to guide the swollen emotions OF national grief into the
channels of religious truth we were ourselves surprised
into consciousness OF the tenderness OF that relation
which unites the people Of this country to their chosen
Presidents sentiment often overlooked amid the col
sions of party spirit but which we would on every oc-
casion cultivate and express
"Though many OF our body are laymen, and some of
them have held hold important political posltions
governors Of States, judges OF the highest courts,
and members of State national legisatures-yet. as
body we have no political relations or associations we
aspire 10 no connexon between church and State; yet
may not be presumpuOus to think that our peculiar
relations to feOw-cltlzcns may exert some bench
effect upon the condition and prospects OF the coun
Try We remember @ our history we are naakiu. 1911
All-wse Providence. That is the best nation which
is composed OF the best men, and i is our constant aim
by the inculcaons OF religious truth, nurture that in
tegence and virtue, that liberty and restraint, which are
at once our national ornament and protection. .
1t may not be without interest to you, Mr. President.
more than fifteen hundred ministers, and, In connexion
with the delegates from corresponding bodies now with
US, many hundreds Of thousands OF Christian people
ieTnal feelings like the roots OF the willows along the
water courses, binding the banks in solid and compact
sod contribute directly strong and decided national
settlement Our religious sympathes make patriotic.
Mr. President. II is not inappropriate to this occasion
say that accustomed to pray for you We IN.
struct people that il is alike unknd and unsafe, un
generous and regous. TO elevate fellowcitzen TO the
very highest position oil trust and responsibility and then
withhold fron him the benefit OF their prayem When
eaddened by the burden OF your official may be
support and satisfaction for you 10 remember the ~
often the Sabbath eturns thousands IN all our cities
and villages resortng to the temples Of regioa fail not
to impIore the aid and blessing OF Almighty God upon
the President of the United States.
Thanking you for this kind reception beg you to
accept the OF sincere respect and affec
tion"
President Fillmore briefly responded TO the address,
pressing the high qualification i, afforded him of receiving
the visit Of so large intelligent and imposing eccesi-
ascal body The sentiments of love, OF religious and
political freedom OF devotion to the country, expressed
he duly appreciated and in regard the regular invoca
ons of the blessings and aid OF Heaven in behalf of the
head OF the nation, he felt its full force and importance
To appreciate his feelings, his deep anxiety growing
out OF the daily incidents ansprng at home and abroad.
il was necessary to be placed in situation where the
weight OF such matters are personally imposed and be
therefore felt the pleased to know that continual
prayers were oe red in behalf OF him upon whom many
important public duties devolvcd The mission of the
ministry having for IFS object the dissemination oil truth,
religion and intelligence forms interesting guarantee
OF the peace perpeiuy and prosperity OF our common
country Again thanking them for their vist he wished
them pleasant sojourn, and happy return to their
homes.
The visers were then Individually introduced to the
President quite number OF whom he recognised ~ ch-
zens OF the State OF his nativity
The OF an imposing character, and formed
as we have reason for believing incident IN the
ourn OF the large and intelligent body that partci ted in
II of the highest qualification.