The daily union. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1845-1857, 1855-01-09

but all the country may saw viii not cease TO yensrate
that great hero whose gallant deeds shed much as,re
upon bis name and upon this day We and children
viii celebrate each Of the sh OF January
day Of rejoicing ON the last sh Of January We were
sembled in Philadelphia, IN Independence Hail. This year
We find ourselves al the metropolis Of the ns,on
BLEED Al only forty days notice In q single newspaper
From this SIR you Judge what feeng there v IL
lalon 10 the last / glad many soldiers
here and regard Y Is proof of what have always
been urging 10 their behalf
The President Of tho United States replied In substance
as follows;
TAs Psesidrsfs SpcccA.
tender 10 you sir and to your associates my grateful
Acknowledgements for the privilege o. this interview and
my sincere thanks for the Kind reference you have been
pleased TO make self and certain members u sm
lily who participated with YOU but decsssed II
hardly be necessary for TO say that heart does
not fail TO respond 10 appropriate alasons to that
great hero who has given Immortality 10 the day on
whose anniversary you are assembled. As this runner
Gus assembage OF veterans entered the
could have observed their eountenanocs without being
impressed with the fact that they the for such
that Of 1879 The lines OF intelligence and marked
emphasis OF character unnisakabe What crowd Of
associations spring from the presenee Of the veteran rs
manders me- General Scott and Commodore Aorrs
and from the banner in your midst inscribed with the
free trade and sailors rights an, grstfied TO
observe among you delegation from red brethren,
who were found faithful in the period OF trial and whose
services entitled be cherished with grateful
branee That period of history Of which par
cuary reminded by this anniversary and the meeting Of
tried men, many of whom have probably nst before
III
euiar interest NY earliest reading Of ,hs ssirrng
in which you bore part forty ago. and my
earliest "reminiscences connected with the OF 1874
well rccollect that the approach Of every mail
tcpaed BY my footsteps to the threshold Of the village
post Office NATURALLY felt the deepest for those
who had left my own home to take part in the
conflict; but my young heart gave out its quick sym
pathies to all who contributed 10 the cause person
al service, sustained it at home by earnest and ef
hcient encouragement, Having been taught That ! was
the republic cheernly to make sacrifice for the main
of his conntrys rights and honor would be diff
6cut to express the pride and asctionate regard with
which looked upon such attachments of volunteers
occasionally stopped my fathers mansion their way
10 the northern frontier many Of them 70 return
Time has only served enhance the admiration inspired
by their prompt enrolment under the flag Of their
try, and their subsequent vaor in defending IL; and
is gratifying meet here to-day this numerous dele
CATION Of the survivors Of that noble army and gallant
navy. readily conceive how many incidents, unm
portant in themselves Of camp and field, deck and
long forgotten have been recalled ~ you hare met
those with whom You parted the closc of your last
paign and how the sad but glorious memories Of such
early in the and foremost in the 6ght years ago
gathered to the fathers, come back 70 youl
The genius Of government tho fundamental principle
that large standing armies are not be maintained In time
Of peace, all interests nation, and all our aenti
mcnts and opinions individuals, promise peace but II
unfortunately again called to Of security
will chiefly in the conviction that the patriotic spirit
which gave courage to hearts and vgor your
with the fathers Of the revolution around you. You
listened to their precepts You studied their Yon
observed their principles % action, and you have
noby emuated their example. They have pasped from
EARTH and Of later generation look to the
vivors of the second Of Independence" for the
exhibition q disinerested parotsm and Lesson: Of wis
dom teach how to transmit this priceless inheritance
with it's multiplied and multiplying blessings Although
you assemble here from different and distant parts Of the
ted by common sentiment Of devotion Is ths Unon and
by purpose faithfully to maintain al the const
tnonal rights Of the people of all the States It II truth
inspiring conspicuous that those who have hssn
u
Countrywide have fought her battles In time u WAR
have been the in peace however broadly they
may have differed upon OF policy 10 disseminate
dangerous political hecsies to revS the Institutions
der which they live catch up the echo of rsgn preiu
ona obligations and to At dcance tho laws Of tho
land No. gentlemen Far from III f0u responded
am sure, cordially the sentiment 1T gallant aodier
OF your time and nm eminent statesman Of tho pr<sent
whom observed marching to-day a. i private Ii YOUR
ranks, when he said II struck by Judicial
blindness Gods chosen people Of old, W. shall
cling to this constitution the mariner cnex "a the last
plank when storm and tempest close around HIM" Tquote
from memory, but express the sentiment sss
Mr.. President and gentlemen, must NOT dctain you !
wish for you, individually and collectively every bless
ngal that you reasonably expect and ali that your
country consistently confer You realizing to-day
let say in the consciousness Of duties well performed
and in the award Of the respect ind the gratitude Of your
countryen, which everywhere grces yo the best
pense conferred for meritorious services rendered
ones countra reward incapable of being measured by
any standard OF value known to trade A universal
commentator noby earned and the rich inheritance Of
your example, wi descend your children and ii they
like their sres will bic By them prizeJ above all that
you may leave beside whatever be tie extent or Your POI.
sessions.
Ny heart gentlemen, beats with prouder throb on the
eighth of January than any other day Of tho year,
always excepting the fourth OF July but feel Just
that its pulsaons feer and stronger because yoa
here You not only veteran soldiers but American
citizens and need welcome to the house Of which you
the propretors and for the time being but the
tenant fo viii permit hOweycr, 10 rtmars Aat tha
house and its occupant alike honorcd by your presence
May God, who hns so sgnaly blessed country, pre-
serve and ever bess its defenders!
The place alone prevented that outburst " enthusiasm
which the feeling and eloquent remarks Of the President
peculiarly calculated to call forth AS ID was he was
frequently interrupted with applause and ut the close or his
remarks three cheers and three more we're given In bis
honor Three cheers also given for General Oass
three more for General Scott and as many for nfree
trade and sailors rights AT the signal from the grand
marshal the various delegations formed rs well as the
crowd would permit into sections and resumed their
line q narcbpassng through the door at the extreme
north end Of the AT this door The President sta
toned himself in order thai be might sak1 each u the
veterans by the hand bid him welcome to Washington
and wish him God speed on hs journey home Many
Of the old soldiers awaited themselves the occasion
stop for minute have chat with the President
about hc old tmes All left delighted with their recep
ton and particularly delighted with the plain unpre,end