The daily union. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1845-1857, 1856-04-22
THE PRESIDENT AT ANNAPOLIS.


visited the Naval Academy at Annapolis lie was N, u
the Annapolis junction" BY committee appointed b,
mayor and city council Of Annapolis, consisting Of
Murray, Alexander Randell, Thomas Franklin Wp
Spencer, Col j. Walton, J. Maeubbin, aud wm. r..
esquirss with special train Of cars provided BY The
napolis Railroad Company.
on arriving at Annapolis be was escorted to odg II
at waltons City Hotel and at balfPast oclOe b,
ceeded to the senate chamber Of the State House when
was briefly addressed by James Murray, esq, on III, :,
Of the ci,zeas, as follows;
Mr. President: A committee Of seven, appointed }, !
civil authorities of city, have been inrused viii
pleasant daty Of welcoming you 10 ancient N
We aware, sir, that your visit TO this place was M
what Of official character but under existing Crrn
stances We have thought II particularly appropriate N
you should be received, your FIRST Official visit 10 n
napos in this chamber, where the first great lounaa6
stone of our free and independent government laid
Near the spot which you stand, the great Fahe, =
HE Country then the commander-incbet OF all The am
Of The United States in the full fash Of victory, with
votion 10 him OF the people never equaed with dsing
esedness which has parallel in history SURRENDERED N
position and his power into the hands Of the represu
fives of the people who gave IL and became again prs
citizen Had Washington been like other heroes-wN
any OF whom IL would be almost calunny to eonpar
him-hadthe love of power Tor moment trumphed owe
his virtues IL might have been destiny TO live under
very different form OF government and the great expe
ofa free people governing themselves might neve
have been tried and accomplished
But thanks to the Great ana good Power who create
him. as If for this special purpose, he above hQma
weakness of this sort The same ardent love Of eoun,
and of liberty which mpeled him TO the field were fouu
equally powerful after the objects OF accom-
pshed The Union Of the States and glorious cons
tuition founded mainly his great example and I'M
firing zeal under 1t have become great and powerful
people To preserve that Union we must be true The
constitution Dissolve it, and again the rope and
mean not fatter when then say TO you in behalf
of those represent that welcome you the leader Of
the great conservative party Of the country abopg to Sc
and perpetuate this Union, and deyoiedy trust
that the great Disposer OF human events will smile on yop
labors. ...a. H..a
| again welcome you most cordially, TO our city
The President in reply, expressed his cordial thanks 10
the chairman for such agreeable welcome his frs
visit the ancient and interesting city Of Annapolis T
fact said the President that II Is the seat Of govenm
OF State distinguished no less for the enterprise than for
the intelligence, patriotism, and high tone Of Its citizen,
and the circumstance that here is wisely established e
seat of national institution of universal interest would
Of themselves make II place OF peculiar interest But
be without other of attraction stronger
and more controlling than these One especially d.
sres to meet such population only ii seemed TO him
dwell in locality haliowed BY many precious mem
ores and instinct with many associations suggestive Of
elevated purposes and noble sentiments.
Familiarity with the most sacred scenes does undoubs
eddy diminish in degree those emotions of reverence
and which they at first inspire but it is pleasant
to believe that the power of their influence
lost Standing in this hall bis thoughts nrolun.
arly turned the past Indeed, from the mouen, he
entered the enyrons of Annapolis bis faculties seemed sur
rendered to the dominion Of memory. The occasions
peculiar trial and anxiety Of which this city was at times
the centre those Of JOY and exuaon aud that great
OF matches moral sublimiy 10 which ausion had been
SO iorcbly made, were all before him II is for the
nent if the touch OF wand had obliterated the present
and restored the past Still the solemn fact stands that
is here present who witnessed the Of tina, day
in November, lTsl, when all business was suspended
the streets tbronged with people, and every window
and balcony crowded with lie and beauty upon The
arrival Of Washington fresh from the victorious field Of
Yorktown None here who present the sublime
specaoie-perhaps the august in all snnals-
when in this the Father of his Country resigned bis
military power into the hands Of the civil authority from
whence il None here who attended the dctera.
lions of the delegates of those States which were represent
ed in the asemblage whieh met in 1886 consider u.
best remedy the defects of the federal governm
4 We dwell upon these scenes and standing here brpg
the actors in them wildly before but do we,
ought derive instruction and strength from their e1aup,
and their precepts2 fear, continued the President
to the extent which safety, duty,
and gratitude should suggest fear that while
oyng The peerless inheritance which has been transmitted
to US sufficiently mindful Of the price which
il was purchased that in the midst Of degree Of proc
rery Of freedom OF personal security OF individual hap
pines and enjoyment such IS no great community ever
possessed before prone forget the only
by which these blessings can be preserved and made
/ petual
To my mind Mr. Chairman there Is something earfuliu
the consciousness that The of the epoch
have all passed away Their very presence swcd and sub
dutd everything like spirit Of iapa,icis sectonalisn
and intolerance They could speak and they did speak
words Of admonion and instruction which, II needed and
obeyed by the mass of population, North and South
East and West would give entire security 10 the noble fab
rio Of our institutions and complete that h.
signal experiment Of mans capacity for selfgovenuent
to realize more than their most ancpsops ever
embraced. Washington always spoke as be spoke here
when independence had just been acknowledge and
when the trials and suengs and sacrifices OF that bleed
ing, at times furnishing, bui always firm and patriotic
army OF liberty were universally appreciated and &C
knowledged. He came from scenes Of triumph, bat be
did not forget that they were, also Of trial
He spoke from his recent experience and with fs
view OF all the embarrsesments which still %
he overcome by the statesmen and patriots OF the land
IL Is for 10 remember that II is with nations with TO-
dviduals harder task TO and enjoy with profit g
prosperity than TO endure with becoming ortitude ga
adversely. The later years OF the republic 10 me
present circumstances 10 which the Father Of bis Coun
otsn referred not merely with the wisdom of sage b.
with the spirit Of prophet
Let said the President give earnest heed 10 bis lc
sons and manifest for his great ab
great deeds by love for that country 10 which
gave the services Of youth, manhood and mature age AM
by devotion this blessed Union ofsa,es upon the sr
walton Of which reposed the hopes which gave such calls
and beautiful serenity TO the last years Of his most usea
and eventfnl life
The President appropriately alluded 10 the portraits
the sgner Of the Declaration Of Independence in bis rs
upon the walls Of the chamber and concluded w
renewal OF bis thanks the people Of Annapolis for u
honor OF their generous welcome.
The neat cbaste and appropriate reply Of the Presdeu
which imperfcy reported produced marked sensation
His tone Of voice, and his manner when abiding to th
sot whereon he stood, hsiloved BY immortal as,Oe'
tons 10 the portraits Of Samuel Chase Charles Carroll
carrollton William Pacs, and Thomas Stone which ver
hanging upon the walls Of the chamber those words
cunse and advice addressed by Washington and otbt
revolutionary fathers TO their conn rvmen ard which