Semi-weekly standard. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1853-18??, 1855-09-01
pee.ntipn Of the President,


0uent response Of President Pierce-A Liberal
aaad Patriotic Spirit, dc.
Upon hearing of the purpose of the PRESIDENT OF
the Gaited States to visit the bite Sulphur Springs
Greenbrier county, Virginia, number OF the vsi-
tiers assembled in public meeting to take steps to
tender to him. as mark of their high respect,
public reception. On motion OF Judge Mason OF Nd
Mr. w. NJ. Porcher of South Carolina was caHed 10
the chair, and Col. Abraham Van Buren, OF n. IL
was appointed secretary. The object of the meeting
having been stated by the chair, on motion, q com
mttee appointed, to make arrangements TO car
nv into effect the view and wishes OF the hee'l"S'
The committee consisted OF the following seh'ienei''
viz:
Ex President Tyler, Hon. W. Bouware and James
LYONS ESQ. of Va; Judge Mason, Hon. John Mel
SON, Hon. w. d. Merrick, of Md; Hon. A. kencher'
Hon w N Edwards aud Cen Eaton, n. T.; Col A
Van Buren, and JAS S. Sanford, Esq, OF N; T.;
Judge Caruthers, of Tenn; Gen. Kicks, Miss; Coy
j. L. Manning, Hon. F. W. Pickens and w. NJ.
Porcher, S. c. John H. Voolfolk, Esq, of KY; Mr..
RIGGS. D. c.; Mr.. Bddle Pa; Mr., Chickering, Mass;
Hon. f. S. Lyon, Ala; Mr.. Chas. Moncure, La; DR..
Walker, Ca; William Calwel Esq, of Va; and Ma
jor Mccullough ofTexas.
Subsequently upon meeting of the committee,
Ex-Presdent Tyler was UNANIMOUSLY CHOSEN us
chairman. and as such was requested to tender to
the President the inequalities of the State, and to
receive him on behalf of the visitors At the same
time a subcommittee, consisting OF Mr. Porcher
Judge Mason, Col. Van Buren, and Mr. Bouware,
were appointed to meet the President and his taml-
ly and friends the way, and escort them 10 the
place OF recepton.-Goy. Manning was designated
to introduce the President individually to such OF
the yisters as might desire to form his personal &C
ouaintance. Accordingly about IL o'clock on Tues
day the 21st inst, the subcommittee met the Pres
ident and his party at a hotel about mile from the
Springs where he addressed by the chairman,
Mr. Porcher, as follows:
"Mr. President, we have been delegated by the
general committee at the head of which stands Ex-
President Tyler, to wecome your approach to the
Virginia Springs, and to escort you to that place.
where you will be received by the COMMITTEE ana
numerous assembly ready to do honor to chlel
magistrate whose patriotism has been shown not
only in the Senate chamber, but on the field SH,
we welcome YOU not only in behalf of those who
sent us but We welcome you to the ianh OF WASH
ington jefferson, Madison, and Monroe, VINO were
the friends of constitutional rights and liberties
To this address the President briefly replied, and
in substance said, that he was deeply impressed
with the honor conferred upon him, and that he
would with great pleasure, place himself IN the
hands of the committee.
The procession, consisting of a number OF open
barouches one drawn by four horses, in which the
President and part of the committee were seated
was then formed. The rest of the Presidents par
ty consisting of Mrs Pierce, Mr.. ebster, (prva:e
secretary Senator Mason, MIR Hoover, United
States Marshal of the District of Columbia, and Mr.
John S. Barbour occupied the other carriages with
the rest of the committee. The carriages then pro-
ceeded towards the Springs, giving the President
ample time to view the beautiful scenery OF this
lovely spot. The President was most cordially and
and people from the surrounding counties, who Lad
assembled in front of the drawing-room TO do him
honor. The venerable Ex-PrcSident Tyler received
him in the most graceful and dignhed manner, and
him thus:
Mr. President The citizens here assembled
from almost every State of the Union have appoint
ed us a committee to tender you their cordial con-
gratulatonS upon your safe arrival at this celeora-
ted watering place. In the fact that they have con-
stituted the medium for the Interpretation of
their feelings and sentiments you will readily con-
cude that their greetings presented without the
remotest reference to political parties. have no
place now, such is the working Of our free nstitu-
tons. among politicians, and my position IS entirely
in the social circle. There is not of US all, how
ever who does not regard you the representative
Of great idea, which, springing from the bosom OF
a confederacy of States constitutes you the chief
magistrate of glorious republic, and in that senti
ment apart from all other considerations, emitting
you to their difference and respect each and all
lutte you. Your journey hther has been unaccom-
panied by the ostentation and parade which attends
upon the movements Of the chief executive officers
of other countries. No sabre has flashed, no bayo
net has gstened in the eyes OF the populace
body of armed mercenaries has surrounded your
person. and yet your body guard larger and siren
ger than ever in the history of surrounded
the person of any other than an American President
A whole people constitute that body guard, which
now amounts to nearly 80 600, coo of treemen Their
destinies, under the constitution, are, i'll great
measure, committed to your hands, and We are well
sarily beset you. While we sleep, it is your pro-
vince to keep watch the public safety, and al
ter much labor and toll you come hither to enjoy
short repose and at this health giving fountain
renew your ability to encounter new cares and new
anxieties And where else upon earth spot
be found better suited to your purpose? No noise
of rival factions disturbs this peaceful valley Here
Ill meet in forgetfulness of party diff Fence, and
unite in one u8broken social circle, animated alone
by the feeling that the country which you pre-
side is country and that true glory is in the
American name. That health giving fountain, like
lie pool of Sloan, gives strength the weak and
restores the faded in all morning pride to
the check blanched by sickness and by pain. To
this spot we tender you true and cordial welcome,
and after the name of our fathers, receive you in
our midst to all our social enjoyments one of
The President of the United States replied as fol-
lows:
He said he had come hther for relaxation and re-
pose but although he could not repress feeling of
regret when he heard, late last evening" of the pur-
pose to receive him in public manner, he was,
ertheless, deeply moved by this and cordial
greeting on the part of his countrymen assembled
at this Paradise of watering places the attractions
and charms of which Strikingiy evinced by the
presence of those from all, the most distant
portions of the Union, who represented more than
add, without violation of the proprietes of the &C.
:asion, he hoped none of the modern isms, which
we're potent for evil but powerless for good which
could distract and destroy, but never construct OF
ldorn He was sure that this assembage while it
comprised large share of the beauty and refine
nent, also represented the intelligence patriotism
Ind valor of the country.
Permit me, sir, he said, to express the grati6ca-
lion at the part you have consented to bear on this