Staunton spectator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1849-1896, 1856-07-02
Reception of Mr.. Fillmore.

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! The steamer Atlantic which arrived at New
York about u o'clock Sunday night, the 22ni
Eult., brought among its passengers the Hon
Willard Fillmore. In pursuance of previous
arrangements he was welcomed by public re
ception, the utmost enthusiasm being exhibited
! by the thousands who were awaiting his arriya
at that late hour of the night. As soon as the
gang plank was made secure to the vessels side
the Fillmore Committee and q crowd of people
poured along it like torrent, and in over the
sides of the ship, driving back the astonished
passengers In they went to the cabin, where
Mr. Fillmore was waiting to receive them. AT
ter the usual shaking OF hands, Alderman
Briggs delivered an address, to which Mr.. Fill.
more replied as follows:
Mr.. Chairlnan-T unexpected and fiatter-
ing reception from the city OF New York, and
my native State, reaches heart that may not
feel otherwise than grateful 1t is true, Sir, that
for more than a year, l have been labori-
Gus traveller in foreign countries, and although
! | have wandered far, my heart has always been
with the American people. [Great applause. +
And this, Sir, is the happiest and proudest day
of my life to be received by city which is
known throughout Europe. For, sir, travel
where you will, there, and ask the humblest
peasant what town he knows in the United
States, and he will tell you that it is. New York
| Applause. am proud to own that am ma
tive of the State of New York, and am proud
er still, sir, to be able to say, that am an Ameri
can citizen. [Applause, and three cheers were
here given for Mr.. Ellmore.]
Sir, You have been pleased to allude to my
former services in the councils OF my country
1t does not become me to speak OF them here
They have passed into history. Much less does
it become me to speak of the future. All can
say is, sir, that my name, unsolicited on my
part, and entirely unexpected, has been present.
ed by my friends for the suffrages OF the people.
If they shall see fit again to manifest their con-
tidence in me by elevating me to that high po-
sition, all can promise is q faithful and impair
tial administration of the laws of the country to
ever part of the country. [Applause.l II there
be those either North or South who desire an
administration for the North as against the
South, or for the South as against the North,
they are not the men who should give their sui
frages to me. Most enthusiastic applause and
cries "That's SOL For my own part, know
only my country, my whole country, and moth
ing but my country. Great Applause.] But,
SIT, dlll unexpectedly uPoh oh ehio 49,
sion to address these few remarks, and must
conclude by again returning my sincere thanks
to the corporation of the city of New York,
which has done me the honor to welcome Inc
back again [Applause.]
A Voice-"And the people too"
The people too-to all | return my thanks.
A Voice-It is no Corporation, but the PEG
pie.
Mr.. Van Ripper, on behalf of the board OF
Councilmen, then welcomed Mr. Fillmore, and
congratulated him upon his safe return to his
native land, to which Mr. T. bowed his grateful
Acknowledgements.
The Committee now took Mr.. Fillmore in
charge, and after two or three efforts succeeded
in getting him over the side Of the steamer,
down the gang plank, and after that through
the crowd into the carriage on the pier. The
carriage was Immediately beset by an eager
throng, and by another gigantic effort the COM
mittee succeeded in getting it off the pier. The
crowd then formed in a procession of five a
breast and formed an escort for the ex-President
up to the ST. Nicholas, cheering all the way
When they reached the hotel they found anoth
err crowd assembled in front, by which he was
literally overwhelmed. Before he could be res
cued from the carriage, half-a-dozen stout, bur-
ly fellows had him by the arms and hands and
by the coat, and for a time there was struggle
between them and the committee rs to which
should have possession. BY main strength the
committee carried him of, and pushing him be-
fore them, they gained the door in safety, rush
ed ND stairs. and closely followed by some two
or three dozen, they succeeded in getting him
into n room, where Mr.. Fillmore was saved
from his friends. But the multitude outside
became impatient, and were loud in their de-
mands to the Committee to "fetch him out.
So he had to come, and his appearance on the
balcony was greeted with o storm of applause.
Somebody called out three groans for the black
Republicans, and they were given with hearty
rood will When silence was restored, Mr..
Fillmore spoke as follows:
Fellow-Citizens- believe I shall hardly
trespass upon the Sabbath, as | think it is mid
night
A Voice-It is Monday morning,
If | ventured so far as to return you my most
cordial thanks for this very unexpected welcome
back to my native state. Great applause II
You can well conceive that person coming
from long voyage, weakened by sea sickness
and distracted by dizziness incident to such
scene, can hardly appreciate the enthusiasm of
street full of people gathered at midnight for
the purpose of receiving me. Applause. can
only say, citizens, that during the absence
of more than a year have seen much European
life. have been enabled to contrast it with
that of my own country. ! have been able to
look at the condition of other nations as COM
pared to my own, and | can say to you, fellow
citizens, that after all my wanderings my heart
fondly turns to America as the home ofmy BIRTH
But fellow citizens this is no time for speech
| merely came forward to thank you, and to say
to you that from this time forward | am on.y
of you and with you. Loud and continued
cheering ...
Mr.. Fillmore retired amid enthusiastic cheer
ing, and took supper with the committees.
The formal reception extended to Mr. Fillmore
by the authorities and citizens of New York
took place on Tuesday and was in the highest
degree enthusiastic and complimentary. Mr..
Fillmore was escorted from his lodgings at the
St Nicholas Hotel to the City Hall by large
procession of military companies, political clubs
and bodies of private citizens. The Express
Gives the following detail of the ensuing scenes
Mr. Fillmore accompanied by the committee,
on1 followed by the American General Commit
the left the hotel at five minutes to twelve, and
was received by the throng Of people in the
streats with tremendous cheers. The flags
were waved, the drums rolled, the guard of hon.
or presented arms; the ladies who thronged the
balconies and windows OF the hotel and houses
on both sides of the street, waved their hand
Iercbiefs and smiled an enthusiastic welcome
His borouche, followed by the other carriages,
fled t1 through the open ranks of the process
s;on. which closed after him. As he proceeded,
cbear mon cheer rent the air. He was obliged
70 continually bow his thanks. The people
nonred in throngs into Broadway, to obtain
glimpse at the honored guest ofthe city. While
6assing the clubs, the bands struck up "Hal to
the t Chief" and "See, the Oonquering Hero
Comes :" others played "Hail Columbia" and
- l.,,n,,nnrs and fifers rave yankee doodle |