Minnesota weekly times. [volume] (St. Paul, Minn.) 1854-1859, 1855-03-27

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y ?. neporrted for the Times.
CELEBRArIox or ST. PATRIcKw DxY.-suP-
rEK AT THE CITY HALL = ss''A~
SPEECHES., T0ASTS, Co..
As many have expressed a. desire to see the
speeches given at the supper in honor of Irclands
Patron Saint, on the 18th inst, we make room for
part of the proceedings to-day. Tho remain'
der we shall give tomorrow. p, $50
REGULAR TOASTS.
l. The day we celcbratc-an everything re-
membrance of Ireland's Patron Saint. uiT5yF TIs
Responded to by Charles j. Honniss, Pres't Of
the evening. ..f s.@fGaAU ava
.. His Holiness Plus the Ninth-may years
yet be reserved to him to add honor to his august
office. .' .-15 .aE p.
Responded to by Rev. Mr. McManus.
3. The President of the United States-May
he always Justify himself in his exalted position
by shadowing forth and sustaining the great and
cardinal principles of liberty.
His Honor, Judge Sherburnc, being called upon
responded in substance rs follows:
Mr.. S. said the sentiment which had just been
read was appropriate to the occasion, but he
wished, for more reasons than one, that some 9TH
or person than himself had been called upon to
respond to it. He said, it is next to impossible
to speak of the President of the United States
without speaking of his official acts, and proba-
bly, quite impossible to refer to the manner in
which he had discharged his duties, without clash
ing with the views of some gentleman present.
He would therefore decline tho honor of respond
ing to the sentiment but for the respect which
he entertained for the occasion, and for that por-
ton of his fellow citizens who had honored him
by their invitation to be present.
This large and respectable gathering is found
here for purposes very different from any Of o
Partizan character, and he trusted the only party
feeling around the festive board, was that We all
belong to one party, and that the great party Of
American Citizens.
But, said Mr.. S., the placc-the of6ce-of Pres
ident of these United States, may, as he supposed
be considered proper subject in the presence of
all parties. We are all proud of our govern
ment and Of our country. We are proud to Wit
ness its rapid growth in wealth, population and
power. We are constantly realizing the benign
influences of our institutions and laws. And we
are as constantly rejoicing to witness these inau-
spreading over the entire extent of our COM
mon country. Our hearts beat with Enthusiasm
ms We behold the evidences around this festive
board that our country, its government and laws,
are appreciated by our brother man upon a dis
tant continent, as we appreciate them who have
grown up under their protection and encourage
ment.
But every government must have supreme
head. The head Of our government is created
and sustained by our Constitution and laws. At
this moment there is no higher place occupied by
man, than that which is filled by the American
President. He is placed there by our votes, and
We share equally in our power to make the selec-
ton. II we respect and love our country, its in
situations and laws, we should respect and vener-
atc its supreme head speak of the Office and
not Of the oficer-for when we come to want yen-
Grafton for that high and exalted position, there
is great danger that We may fail in the discharge
of our duties aspatriotic citizens No free govern
ment can be permenent without the support of
the people, and none can long receive their sup
port unless they look upon it with appreciation
and pride. Have not politicians and the political
press at the present day fallen into habit which
is having strong tendency to degrade the Office
of President in the minds of the American peo-
pie? IL placing man in the Presidential chair
who is fitted by his talents and character to oc-
cupy that high place, must necessarially subject
him to the SANDER, abuse and coarse ribaldry of
his countrymen, he naturally falls in the estima-
ton of many and the place which he occupies
must also sink down with him who fills it. l think
the practice Of covering our Presidents with in
discriminate abuse, is disgraceful to us as a ma
ton, and must be as injurious as it is disgraceful.
No party is exempt from this practice. Both
Democrats and Wings are perhaps equally guilty.
No sooner has President taken his seat, than the
great body of the politicians of the country ar
range themselves upon different sides-his Hatter-
ers upon the one side and his traducers upon the
other. Upon the one side he is deifed, and never
commits wrong Or makes mistake. Upon the
other he is constantly villifed, and never does a
good act; or, if he should be so fortunate as to
commit an act which cannot be called in question,
he is charged with wicked and dangerous mo-
tive. Rarely is man found so void of preu-
dice or sel6shness to judge with candor, criti-
size with fairness, or advise with honesty. A
President is thus left to guide his ship as best he
can-certain only of an equal amount of abuse
whether he escapes the shoals and rocks in his
way, or mars her beauty and value by their con-
tact.
This state Of things arises in great measure,
not on account of the difference of opinion on any
political principle, but in strife for patronage,
place and power. The history of the present ad-
minstration may be cited as an example. If q
whig had been elected, have no doubt but the
example would have been equally pertinent.
Our present Chief Magistrate came into Office
with a unanmity which is without precedent for
long time past. The complaints and abuse
which are cast upon him, are in proportion to the
majority of votes which elected him. Claims
were made upon him which he had no power to
discharge. Cliques claimed to control him because
they had supported him, when to have been con-
trolled by them would have been dishonor and
disgrace to himself and an insult to the great body
of the people. His patronage was limited by our
Constitution and laws. He had no power to null
tiply places, as the loaves and fishes were multi
piled on certain occasion of which we read, and
the consequence has been that among his original
supporters have since been found his most violent
traducers; for it is universally true that when our
friend becomes an enemy, he is more bitter than
all.
A President is never allowed by his enemies to
make a mistakc-if he commits an error, and
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