The mountain sentinel. [volume] (Ebensburg, Pa.) 1844-1853, 1853-07-21

nave now no llVlng actUT anu 8ftHesS Oh
time but that ponderous bell (reierr'ng {" the
one placed in the Hall, which was east for the
purpose Of proclaiEiing the Declaration Though
mute now, spoke volumes then Though silent
now speaks volumes still
Proclaim Li5erty throughout oil the Land, unto
al the Inhabitants thereof"
But, Mr. President. il is not my province TO
dilate on these things. Here. in ..lniepend-
ence Hail. in the presence of the authorities 4
the city and adjacent districts and of other dis
tficts. bid you Il sincere and hearty welcome
10 our city.
REPLY OF GENERAL PIERCE.
Mr.. Mayor and Citizens ef Philadelphia -
1t grieves me that physically so unable to
respond t. this most hearty and touching well
come. Sir, my heart is iul-full of gratitude
OF you, and full of gratitude to all this people.
who have piaced you III the position which you
occupy. did think that had tried III my day
to do some little for the cause of my country
but such day this makes "a mans heart over
run with gratitude to people like the inhabit-
ants of Philadelphia. | have been much
prised-aye, sir, filled with the profoundest
awe, at the manuer in which you have received
me- Phiadelphia. city of some mark !. If
your mountains and your valiies did not TEEN
with the elements of comfort to your population,
if your citizens in all tine h,s MT b e.i fore
most whenever the country has wanted their aid.
II your institutions of learning were not amongst
your proudest monuments, the single fact to
WHICH you nave :.uVSfLeu- SIR, t0at from hence
was proclaimed the Declaration of IN lei, ,enence,
would pat Pennsylvania and Philadelphia upon
a pre-eminence which IN the Providence OF God
no other State or-cIty can ever enjoy. Ap-
plaase. Sir, feel rs YOU DO, that we must
bow We can hardly do anything e.se bat bow
before these reeoliections and associations.
reel how inadequate is language, sir, and
you also feel 1t, when You come 10 speak of that
period. Language does not reach it,, sir Our
hearts honor 1t in all its depth. power and full
ness, hope These men, sir. of whom you have
spoken, who planned here tine institutions of II
free government, let remember, were ho-
liday patriots; they were no scheming philan-
thropists: they we're visionary statesmen
They deiberated amid tae difficulties that sur
rounded them AMI here they medtated. amid
tue clanor of arms, though they had been
environed with peace. and in absolute security.
And they solved the great problem. which was
a terror to despots. and an inspiration to patri-
ots and as though the issue did. not involve the
question of their necks
Sir, here stood. land l say il. they
come before US now. here. | say, stood Thomas
jefferson and Franklin. and Roger Sherman and
also perhaps, (tor this is the first time | have
been here, IN this very room, stood the dannt
less john Hancock. he received from those
men, not only the assertion of our rights hut
the charter of our liberties Can we do anv-
thing but bow IN a place like this? 1t is not in
my power 10 speak to you at length. You have
said very properly, perhaps, that it is not your
province. 1t certainly is not mine to disturb
the deep current of feeling which courses the
hearts aud minds of those around me.
But IL is not only your city-it is your State
that is OF some marx. In peculiar are
your res"urces of wealth and power reposed in
her own bosom. She is empire~in herself =
Why! the developement of the uses of iron and
coal so pre-eminently since 1876 the foundation
of British wealth and power would of itself con-
stItote "A never failing source of prosperity to
you. But, sir ii is not that on which YOU bave
mainly relied. 1t is your agriculture. How
rich you are not only in the means of produc-
ton, but above all, in the men who produce.
(Applause.)
Sir,-I would not here forget that remarka-
bic German population. SO distinguished for
their thrift their industry their integrity, and
their devotion to civil and religions liberty, and
think You must all rejoice that wherever that
race go. and are spread they look to Pennsyl-
vania IN some respect their second father
land.
Sir it is not chiefly. perhaps, or not so much
on account of yeur honored rs sources or on ac-
count of your commanding political influence in
point of votes, that this nation has designated
you the Keystone of the Arch. 1t is because of
your geographical position.
\ u are neither a Southern, Northern.
Eastern nor Western State and ] should per
haps not much exnggerate if we've t. say that
you are all combined. tApplause.) Yonr riv-
ers this side of The ridge empty themselves
into the beautiful bay below you. On the west
they swell the food Of the Ohio and finally wash
the shores of louisiana.
Sir, let me say to you that patriotic men
throughout this entire cunntrv, North and South,
look To you, aud will always do So not simply
as the Keystone of the Arch. but as the great
central. self sustaining link, in The chain which
binds this Union into one harmonious whole,
and which, holding it steadily and firmly TO its
mnorings. will enable IL to ride every storm.
4 Enthusiastic Applause.)
Noble, noble men of PHILADELPHIA and men
of Pennsylvania Noble for your flelit to the
duties imposed upon you by the obligations of
your Constitution. May not say. let me say
here, you are not only triply med. but you
now and have been triply bound. Here was
the Declaration of Independence proclaimed
here the articles of confederation were promul-
gated, and here, finally, rhat Constitution for
which you have so nobly stood. adopted
CHEERS L could wish for You higher hon
or, and for my country higher place and
curity than that great and noble devotion which
you have thus far so honorably upheld and main
tained.
This speech was listened to with profound in
terest, and at it's close three hearty cheers were
given for President Pierce.
The party then left the Hall, and the Presi-
dent was escorted TO his lodgings. at the Mer-
chants Hotel. An immense crowd thronged in
front of the building. and after repeated calls,
Gen. Pierce came forward aud made a brief but
very happy speech.
He expressed his thanks in eloquent language
and uaid glowing compliment TO the chivalry,
gallantry and patri ,tsm of Pennsylvania. Her
ready to respond to the call of
their country, and wherever hoated their flag
victory WAS sure to follow.