The Athens post. [volume] (Athens, Tenn.) 1848-1917, 1856-07-04
ARRIVAL oFFx.nREsrDEYT FILLMORE.

Ex-President Fillmore, who has been tray-
cling through Europe during the past year,
and whose coming was anxiously looked for
by his political frieAds and admirers, arrived
about twelve o'clock last night, in the At.
lantic. The first news of the approach of
the steamer was the firing Of gun about
half-past nine o'clock, and in less than an
houI after, the report Of two others set all
doubts as to the cause Of the firing at rest
1t was now certain that it was the Atlantic,
together with the committee from the Com
mon Council, proceeded to Collins dock, at
the foot Of Canal street. Here they had a
brass cannon posted, and as the steamer
came up the river they greeted her with sa-
Lutte Of fifty guns. About a thousand per-
sons had assembled on the pier; and although
q number Of police were stationed there. il
was impossible to prevent them frem crowd
ing through the gates. Long before she was
alongside they sent their welcome to MI
Fillmore in the most enthusiastic cheers, and
when she was at length moored, it was al
most impossible to prevent his friends from
rushing en- masse on board the vessel. An
attempt wss made to keep them in order by
q member Of one of the committees, who
mounted a barrel and addressed them as fol-
lows:
"Come, now, gentlemen, you mus keep all
straight; and SO you'll please form in process
sion, five abreast after the carriages"
"Ah, nonsense" cried one of the crowd.
1--WE want none Of your speeches now.
We have got the man we want, and in the
best ship that ever sailed. Hurrah, boys.
| hurrahi"
And three cheers more were given
1t was now discovered that Mr.. Fillmore's
son was on board, when somebody demanded
three more for Mr.. Fillmore, Jr. The demand
was complied with; three cheers were given,
and several pressing forward, seized the son
by the hand. and, in their friendship for the
father, nearly pulled his arms out Of their
sockets. At last the gang plank was made
secure to the vessels side. and the Fillmore
Reception Committee poured along it like a
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. After the usual
shaking of hands, Alderman Briggs addressed
him as follows:
Mn. FILLMoRE.-In the name of New York,
and Of this nation, welcome you to your ma.
| q: - H., Il,
your pilgrimage through the European States
with intense solicitude, fearing that those
natural cslamities always impending over the
living, might deprive t,.em of your valuable
life, and overwhelm your country with uni
versal sorrow; and l congratulate yourself
and kindred that you have passed the dan.
gers of land and sea; and have returned in
health and happiness to your native land;
and above all. rejoice that you will soon re-
turn to the White House, to remove the ver-
min, that have gathered there during your
unfortunate absence from the national helm.
Our country is blessed with all the climates
and productions of nature, and with free in.
stitutions; and the Americans should kinGle
the fires of liberty and union in every vale
and on every hill, on your safe return to again
bless us with an administration that will en-
force respect and obedience to our glorious
flag wherever it waves and restore unity and
tranquility and contentment to the farthest
frontiers Of our beloved country.
Mr.. Fillmore. in reply, then spoke as fol-
lows:
Mr. CHAIRMAS:-This unexpected and fiat
tering 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 year have
been laborious traveller In foreign countries
and although J have wandered far, my heart
has always been with the American people.
Great applause,) And this, Sir, is the happi.
est and proudest day Of my life, to be receiv.
ed by city which is known throughout Eu.
rope. 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 native of the State
Of New York. and ! am prouder still, Sir, to
Applause, and three cheers were here given
for Mr., Fillmore Sir. you have been pleased
to allude to my former services in the coun-
ellis of my country. It 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, Sir, that
my name, unsolicited on my part, and entire
ly unexpected, has been presented by my
friends for the suffrages Of the people. II
they will see fit agaiu to manifest their conf.
dence in me by elevating me to that high po-
stion, all / can promise is faithful and i'm
partial administration of the laws Of
the country to every part of the coun-
try. (Applause.) If there be those either
North or South who desire an admins
traton for the North as against the South, or
for the South as against the North, they are
not the men who should give their SURFACES
to me. Most enthusiastic applause and cries
of "that's So For my own part. l. know
only my country, my whole country, and
nothing but my country. (Great applause.
But, Sir, am unexpectedly called upon, on
this occasion, to address these few remarks,
and must conclude by again returning my sim
cere thanks to the Corporation of the city Of
New York, which has done me the unexpect.
ed honor TO welcome me back again.
! A voice-"And the people, too"
1.-THE people, too,--to all return my
thanks"
A voice-"1t is no Corporation, but the
people"
Mr.. Van Ripper, on behalf Of the Board Of
Councilmen, then welcomed Mr. Fillmore,
and congratulated him on his safe return to
his native land. to which Mr.. F, bowed hi,
grateful Acknowledgements
The Committee now took Mr. Fillmore in
charge, and after two or three tremendou,
, efforts, succeeded in getting him over the side