Weekly national intelligencer. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1841-1869, 1853-07-16
INTERESTING AvowaLs.


disclose to the public, in an afterdnner speech, the
views of the Government on particular subjects,
which, for reasons of State they prefer not make
known, or have no suitable opportunity to maize
known, in formal official manner. Though less
necessary to be resorted to in our free and plain
spoken country, the practice has its conveniences
even here, and we are glad to see that Cabinet
Ministers have embraced the occasion of the banquet
given to the PRESIDENT at Philadelphia to refer
very freely, and in his presence, to great measure
(the Pacific Railroad) in which the country feels
deep interest, but involving constitutional points
which it was feared by the friends of the scheme
would present difficulties with Democratic Admin
istration. From these difficulties, however, the
Secretary Of War has cleared the way far con-
stitutona principle is concerned and the Secretary
of the Treasury has cleared the way so far as the
means are concerned. The friends of that gigantic
project Of internal improvement will read the frank
revelations Of these high Executive advisers with
pleasure, and all Of our readers with interest.
We copy the proceedings at the Banquet as they
are reported in the Philadelphia papers.
Mayor GILpIN presided. After the company dined,
the Mayor arose. and in few appropriate remarks,
offered the first toast THE health of the President of
the United States"
This was received with enthusiastic cheers at the
close of which President PIERCE rose and said:
Mr.. Mayor and fellow-citizens As have than
had occasion to say to-day, feel that you have
overborne by your kindness, and wish say that
which ought not to omit to you Mr.. Mayor, and all
who differ with politically that if in the changes and
chances Of life my party shall be placed in different
position, may have the grace to do the thing that
you are doing now--to give the same hearty welcome.
[Cheers.
There are no circumstances our political relations
show why you and should not be the best of friends
[Cheers. For instance, take our friend Gen. Cadwaa
DER he is Wing but when his country wanted his
vices, though surrounded by ample and wealth
and all the comforts and uxures of lfe he marched to
the field and noby fought his country's battles Is
he not patriot? Cres of aye and cheers Look too,
another friend me- (Gen. Patterson Did he not
abandon his private interests and all the endearment of
home and march to the field of battle? Cries of aye
and cheers. rejoice, then, in having two such
near me, one my right and the other my left,
and you, sir, addressing the Mayor to boot Such
meetings merge party, and remind us all that we are
Americans.
After the President had concluded, Mayor GrIs gave
toast, The health of the present Cabinet; y which
received with three hearty cheers
The Hon. JEFFERSON DAVIS spoke in reply lie said |
that the part of those members of the Cabinet
he their sincere thanks for the compliment
rendered them They stood in the attitude of those who
enjoy the advantage of reflected light yet they
they entitled to the consideration of those present
because they members of the Cabinet 1t rather
because they American citizens and brought with
in the circle of Pennsylvania hospitality, that comp
ments had been bestowed on them Applause Penn |
sylvania hospitality not to be limited hereafter, it
has been heretofore by the slow progress Of the old
wagon and Conestoga horse, by the yet rapid
march of the coach by the yet rapid march of
the railroad. No. Pennsylvania was tied by lightning |
to every portion of the United States and with her coal
and iron she about establish commercial relations
with the slope of the Pacific and look into that
unknown region Of Asia which involves China and Persia
Tremendous cheering, which prevailed for many min
utes They knew that he belonged to the Strict Con-
sructon School, which turned to the right to
the left to serve any purpose of expedency
The PRESIDENT interposed that he knew he would not
Mr.. DAVIS, Continuing Within the limits of the
States they would touch nothing and he spoke not for
himself alone but his honored chief himself IAppause
But when they looked to their possessions in the
sore Of the Pacific there two things which arrested
attention Upon the pages Of history nothing mark
ed steadily than that running back the remotest
antiquity mountains divided nations that the light
shadow fell upon the side the other would the
character Of men be modified and government changed
But had not been in the progress of mind in its
fct with matter, that the United States had advanced
had gained additional force and had they not reached
period when they could triumph this natural obsta
ce when they could skip the mountains, tunnel them or
pass them by any known to civil engineering bind
together that the fluctuations Of life should
become to them IS nothing? [Great applause
He had said that he strict constructionis; but
he had also Knocked the idea that the constitution had
construction within the limits Of the United States and
another outside of them [Appause. He had always
Knocked the idea that this Government could build road
outside Of the United States and could not build
within it, [Great applause.
There another question, which involved the ques
ton of the integrity of the Pacific possessions; another
closer question to which he knew the heart Of Pennyl
vania would respond II the question Of protection,
which in her strength she had always shown herself will
ing throw the weak. If the Pacific possessions
should be threatened by hostile feet, the Government
would have navy there nterpose for their proec
ton and if that hostile feet belonged such Power
England France ii would take all the navy Of the Uni
ted States to keep road open which would either
of the Isthmuses Of this continent. And while the navy
Of the United States thus employed what would be
easy than for such maritime Power either of
these to strike at those possessions and rend them from
these States TO the extent of the gold regions which
la behind the coast? If then, purely military ques
ito it should become necessary to have inercommu
nc son that the Governments munitions Of and
could be thrown upon the Pacific for its defence the
app caton Of the power Of the Government to this
would be within the strict limits Of the constitution
Enh usiastc applause But if it could be shown land
he aw s held his opinion open to conviction from any
quarter that these means not required, not
cesary and by necessary he meant absolutely required
then he would say, show the other which would
answer as substitute, and as MISREPRESENTATION Demo
ne We uld accept the proposition. Applause
Under very ingenious construction which had been
plG cd upo the various powers Of the Government
der every amfcation which ingenuity had suggested to
supply deficiency OF in vain had
been spted be shown him how the military
OF this Government which consisted in the sneWs
and strong het uts Of its citizens could be used the