The Georgetown news., 1855-09-20
Reception of the Governor Elect In san
Francisco.

on Saturday evening, that the Hon. j.
| Neely j ohnson was to arrive by the steam
| er from Sacramento, an immense crowd as
sembled to welcome him at the wharf,
Long before the steamer came in sight can
Mons were fired, and when the bell of the
Antelope was heard, rockets shot up into
the clouds, full band struck up Nation
al air, and as the steamer dr6w near the
pier, q shout Of welcome rose from the
crowd Of his felow-citizens who hailed him
as the victorious leader of the first grand
battle in which the Americon Party had
been engaged on the Pacific.
Col. johnson was conducted to a carriage
drawn by four white horses, which was in
waiting; behind which procession was
cession wat formed in carriages and on foot,
composed Of some two or three thousand
people, which marched through several of
the principal streets Of the city, amid en-
| thusiastic cheers, and Illuminated bv con-
slant succession of rockets, to the Oriental
Hotel. Upon its arrival there, Col Bailie
Peyton addressed our Governor elect as
follows:
Col. johnson: / rise to perform most
agreeable duty. In the name of the citi-
zens Of San Francisco, bid you welcome
to our city. welcome you as the Cover
nor elect of the people of California; the
real peOple-the American people,
| hail you as the successful champion Of
| the American Party fresh from the field of
your tolls and your triumphs.
But few short months ago reward was
offered for the sight OF a Know Nothing,
and now Sam" has a son born. Behold
his tirst-bOrn on the Pacihc:~ he stands be-
fore you, chip of the old block. He is
young, to be sure; but what could be ex-
pected when "Sam" himself is only q three
year old last grass?
In your election, Sir, q great work is be-
gun-a mighty stride has been made to-
wards reform. California has been redeem
ed by the first effort of our young Hercules.
She now stands forth in all her native beau
ty and loneliness as one Of the purest and
fairest, as she is one of the richest and most
favored, among all her sisters. She will as
sumo the place assigned for her by Provi-
dence, and shine as one of the brightest
stars of the American constellation.
You have much to do. Your name is
identified with the great moral and political
movement Of the day. You are on these
shores the embodiment, the personation of
the great idea Of reform. Thorough re-
form, and especially of those abuses which
have corrupted legislation and the ballot
box. You have before you herculean
task, but fear not falter not; you have Her.
cules at your back. Sam is with YOU
You see how faithfully and thoroughly he
does his work. He will purify the high
places. He will turn the resistIesS tide, the
mighty river Of public sentiment and pub
lie virtue through the Augean stables.
The same brawny arms and strong hands,
hardened by honest toll, that elevated YOU
to the Chief Magistracy of California, will
lay down the rails and turn loose the iron
borse-upon the Pacific road. VIII it not
be cheering to hear the clank of his hOof on
the plains, and his neighing in the noun
tain passes and to see him come dashing
into our great city with the fire streaming
from his nostriis?
This is a work for Sam, and he alone can
accomplish it. And first, he must reform
the Government at Washington. One Of
his best sons must be placed in the White
House. 1t is only for Sam to will it, and
it's all done. His word is law, the true
source of power. He is the only real soye-
reign in America. Sam as the people, the
natiUe born, free, lncorruptible, unc0nqoera-
bic american people.
l again, sir, welcome you most heartily
and cordially to our city.
At the close of Col. Peyton's address,
which was frequently interrupted by shouts
Of approval and applause, Mr.. johnson
stood up in his carriage and replied as fol-
lows:
How can words express the gratitude
which l feel for your manifestation on this
occasion? 1t is true that the canvass is
passed-the battle has been fought, and the
voice of the American people is triumphant.
You have elected me to the responsible sta
tion of Governor of the State of California,
but the reformation of those abuses under
which you have so long suffered, will de-
pend IN a great measure upon the legisla-
tive branch of the government. So far as
L am concerned, l have only to say as |
have said to the people in the vallies and
Oh the mountain tops, whom l have adj
dressed, that as far as in me lies, all my eff
forts shall be directed to the attainment of
the objects inscribed on our banners-re-
trenchment of the expenses Of the State
government, and reform of the abuses ofthe
administration. feel inadequate to the
task of speaking at length upon these sub
jects at present. 1t is not now the time,
and all | can say is, that l feel gratifed for
this manifestation of the regard and conf
dence of the citizens Of the great emporium
of the Pacific Applause.] will endeav
or to carry out during my administration
the reforms the necessity of which called our
party into existence.
When Mr.. johnson had concluded, the
applause was deafening.