Nashville daily patriot. [volume] (Nashville, Tenn.) 1855-1857, 1856-07-11
Speech of III. w. Rodgers. ESQ.

WELCOMING Ma. FILLMORE HOME TO BUFFALO,
JUNE %, 1856.
After order had been partially restored, Mr.. II.
W. Rodgers, prominent Democrat of Buffalo
came forward and welcomed Mr.. Fillmore in the
following address:
"MR. FILLMORE: Your neighbors and friends, re-
presented by a committee of citizens and of the
Common Council of the city of Buffalo, have coms
missOned me to express to you, on your return to
the city of your residence their friendly greetings
This agreeable duty / gladly perform, and in their
name, and on their behalf do now extend to YOU
sincere and hearty welcome. Cheers Your
qualities as a neighbor and a citizen, not less than
your distinguished public career have elicit ed for
you on this occasion a spontaneous expression of
affection and regard; and it is for graduation
that this reception, without distinction of sect
party, generously extended to citizen sustains
ing in some partisan relations. This, sir hap
PLY illustrates the liberal feeling good sense and
juctice of man whose education grow out of and
have their foundation 10 free and liberal institutions.
Even graceful little daughters, catching the i'm
pulse that moves the popular mind, hasten to do
you homage Immense applause Not many years
since, you entered our city as you have tO-day,
amid the of artillery, the ringing of bells, and
the joyous shouts OF our citizens. Cheers You
were then the incumbent of the highest Office
come now, clothed with insignia OF Office, in the
simple character of private citizen; and it may
well be to you source of high qualification that
the demonstrations of respect which greeted you
then, are still more imposing now. Cheers and
applause.
During your absence from the country, we have
not been inattentive observers OF the respect and
consideration that have been paid you, by your in
telligent countrymen resident abroad and by the
1isfiUu nod Cd ,uitb I'll
Courts which it has been your privilege and pleas
ure to visit. Applause Your unostentitious
movements have especially attracted our attention
and commanded our respect. Men of sense, in the
Old World as well as the New have fully appreciat-
ed the simplicity and dignity OF your department,
lspplau~e, and we are proud TO avow that your
intercourse with the iustrOus and enlightened men
of Europe, thus characterized, has reflected honor
and lustre upon our country and its institutions.
Applause. You have had opportunity, and
have not failed, TO contrast and compare the
governments OF the Old World with that of
your own country; and will not doubt
that your confidence in the ultimate success
of the great experiment of self government,
based on the popular will has been thereby mater.
ally strengthened and confirmed. OF your present;
relation to public and political affairs, do not pro-
pose to speak. 1t is well understood and no iasti-
dous delieacy should attempt to conceal it, that in
reference TO certain important and vital questions
agltaiing the public mind, you and large class of
your fellow citizens myself incuded) entertain con-
1icting opinions. A discussion Of these questions
does not therefore pertain to this occasion But
your administration of the Federal Government be-
longs to the past, and its history is written.
CHEERS. 1t is stamped with a conservative and
national character that challenges the respect of
all just and enlightened minds; and your country
will continue to to il with patriotic PRIDE
You succeeded to the Presidential office, and enter
ed upon the discharge Of its duties in troubous
times-the Union in peril. | should be false
to myself, unjust to you, sir, and fahess to those
whom represent, when speaking Of your admins
traton, 10 pass unnoticed the important part
you acted in bringing about the Compromise meas
ures Of 1850. [Applause.
at is not be forgotten that envy and malignity
sssailed your motves-that you were desert
ed by former political associates and friends
and that in the midst Of a popular excitement
and clamor that bsnched the cheek Of many
a patriot yoa stood fsarlessly and firmly BIZ
the Union. - Long applause. Justice to others,
aud among them the illustrious dead requires me
add that around that Union side by side withyou,
stood Clay, and Webster, and Dickinson, aud Cass,
whose deeds, like yours, have become the common
heritage Of the Republic, and are ndelibly written
in its history. All honor TO you sir TO them and
to other statesmen, who, holding diverse political
and party views stood together in that struggle for
the defence OF the constitution. Cheers. l-In
your personal success and in your fortunate career
public man, your felloW-ctzens and former
constituents restricted BY party lines, feel just
and an honorable pride. Your progress has been
marked By unusual industry and selfrelianee, and
affords most useful lesson of encouragement, es-
pecially TO the young. From humble birth and
small beginnings, you have filed the highest sta
ton upon earth. The mothers of Erie county, and
other States, viii hereafter point their 10 your
example, triumphant illustration Of what vr~
taous conduct and untiring effort may accomplish
[Applausel in government whose honors are With
10 the reach OF the rich and the poor alike, and
whose GaVors and blessings ike the dews Of heavea
ISL equally upon all In conclusion, sir, eougrA
tulAte You upon your ssfc return 10 your native
land. and wishing you many years Of health and
happiness. again greet yon with 4 cordial welcome