Fremont journal. [volume] (Fremont, Sandusky County [Ohio]) 1853-1866, 1854-05-12
m. Fillmore at Montgomery, Alabama.

MI kttimoro ~ MOhSVmotyb hiavam@'
The steamer Magnolia. with Mr.. Fillmore
and the Hon. John P. Kennedy on board, did
not arrive at our wharf until about IL o'clock
N. As she approached the landing the two
military companies the city, the Blues, COM
manded by Capt Ovens, aud the Rifles, COM
manded by Capt Thorn, we're formed into
line on the bluff, and the firing Of minute guns
gave our distinguished guests an assurance ot
the cordial welcome they were about to re-
eeivs--ihe bank Of the river being lined, in
the meantime, by an immense concourse Of
our citizens who had assembled 10 welcome
them into our midst. A committee Of gentle
men waited upon the distinguished guests
and escorted them to an open carriage drawn
by four beautiful grey horses, which they en-
tered accompanied by the Mayor, MIR. G. R
Hansford, and the Hon. H. w. Hillard. A
procession was then formed, by the Marshal Of
the day, Col. Joel Riggs, assisted by Mr.. John
N. Perkins, and proceeded to the Capitol
On reaching the gate of the Capitol, the pro-
cession formed on foot and in proceeding from
the entrance to the capitol, passed through
q line Of little girls arranged in white, who
threw in the path Of Mr.. Fillmore beautiful
bouquets, in rich profusion, with flowers pre-
pared for the occasion.
On arriving at the stand prepared for the
occasion in front Of the Capitol, the vast as
semblage as called to order by the Marshal
OF the day, when Mr.. Moss, in eloquent and
mastery speech, extended to Mr.. Fillmore
and his distinguished companion, Mr. Kenne-
dy, ia the name and BY the authority Of the
citizens, the hospitality and freedom Of the
city. In his remarks, Mr. Moss alluded to the
administration Of Mr.. Fillmore in an able and
mastery manner briefly reviewing the fear
ful and alarming crisis in which he was called
in the providence of God, to discharge the
highly responsible duties Of Chief Magistrate
Of greatly excited, it not fanatical country
Mr.. NJ. then paid a glowing tribute to the
heroic tirmness and manly independence with
which Mr.. Fillmore met the crsis and nobly
discharged the trust which had been so un-
expectedly placed in his hands. He spoke of
the compromise measures, the wisdom which
prompted and adopted them, and the tirmness
with which they were enforced and sustained,
aud in the name of the people W elcomed our
distinguished guest, not as "a Northern man
with Southern principles" but as an Ameri-
can, with American principles, rs broad as
our nationality. He welcomed too, in compi-
mentary terms, Mr.. Kennedy, not only as a
co-laborer with Mr. Fillmore in his sdminstra.
ton, but for his literary services and eminent
worth. 1t is impossible to do justice to the
speech Of Mr.. Moss, as we took no notes at
the time, and are compelled to give this sketch
in hurried and necessarily unprepared way.
Mr.. Fillmore responded in a feeling. appro-
pirate and eloquent manner to the reception
which had been extended to him by our citi-
gems He confessed be was overpowered by
the demonstration Of regard which had met
him at every place in his journey through the
South. He said that il was more like the tri-
umphal march Of a conquering general than
the reception Of a private citizen. He felt
the more overpowered by these manifesto.
tions of regard, because he was satisfied that
he did not deserve them. He had only per-
formed his duty, and said that next to the
appreciation of his own conscience, the assur
ance that his course received the sanction of
the people, was a source of the highest graft
6cation. He alluded to the circumstances
which surrounded him when called to the
Presidency the excited condition OF the
country-the raging storm which had been
engendered by contending factions; to the
fact he had been born and educated in free
State. and as having necessarily imbibed pre-
judices against the institution of savery-the
resolution to examine himself and take the
constitution for his guide, and rising above all
narrow. sectional feeling and prejudice, to ad-
minister the government with strict regard to
the rights and interest of every section, north
south, east and west But, said he, should
feel that had dishonored myself, if | had ad-
ministered the government for the benefit Of
the South at the expense of tie North
did no such thing. but acted honestly and sin.
cerely for the benefit of the whole country
lie briefly alluded to his course in regard to
the Texas difficulty, which at that time as
sumed fearful and threatening aspect; said
that he felt it TO be his duty TO protect the
citizens of New Mexico from the threatened
invasion Of Texas, and while he knew that bis
course was unpalp patable to the South, he be-
lieved il to be his sworn duty to protect the
New Mexicans in accordance with the provis
ions of our treaty stipulations, and he had de
termined to do it. This, be stated, brough
about the Compromise measures which haC
30 happily settled the whole controversy. HI
alluded to the passage of the Fugitive Sav
Law, as particular obnoxious to his own sec
ton, and said he knew that bis approval O
that measure would lose him many friends
but the Constitution said that fugitives from
labor must be given up; and as he had swor
to support the Constitution, he signed the bi
that they should be surrendered. Then. sal,
he. came the onerous and responsible duty t
enforce this, notwithstanding he had beeI
threatened by the fanaticism which ragged "A
the North against it,
Mr.. Fillmore said that he had no languag
to express his sense of gratitude at the cordis
reception he had met within this city, and re
ferred eloquently to the beautiful flower
which had been thrown in his pathway by tn
little rosebuds which he found in our mids
He thanked again and again the citizens fc
the kindness with which he had been honol
ed, and took his seat, amidst The applause
the assembled multitude.