Daily American organ. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1856, 1856-06-27

Mr. Fillmore in Brooklyn.
Mr.. Fillmores reception in Brooklyn on Wed
nesday was enthusiastic in the highest degree.
The procession was over mile in length. The
Mayor addressed Mr.. Fillmore in the City Hall
The following Is
Mr.. FILLxoRKs REPLY.
Mr. MAYOR receive this kind congratulation
and welcome from the city OF Brooklyn, through
its Chief Magistrate, with no ordinary emotions
You have been pleased TO say, sir, that you are no
strangers to me. / am equally happy 70 be per-
mitted to say that j am no stranger to the city OF
Brooklyn. I have watched its unusually rapid
growth with degree Of interest that perhaps you
NAV appreciate. No city in this State has e1pe-
rienced so remarkable growth, and could not
but think, as I passed through your streets and
looked at the pslasial buildings by which they are
adorned that TO European ears the announcement
would seem incredible that this city numbers now
nearly quarter Of million Of inhabitants, and
that IL has grown up TO its present enormous size
almost within the last half century.
Europe exhibits no such example as this. Eu-
rope knows not the advantages Of freedom and the
benefits of seligovernment. Sir, you have been
pleased to refer to the bones of those martyrs to
the American cause who sleep within the vicinity
where we now stand. Can it be possible---can rea-
sonable men for q moment suspect--that the de-
scendants of these martyrs could basely sacrifice
the patrimony they inherited from their siresY--
never! Remember that great leader in the
Revolutionary war, George Washington, [prolong-
ed cheers, remember that the advice which he
gave to his fellow citizens-his parting advice in
his farewell address--was to stand by the Union;
loud and enthusiastic cheers, and cries of wen
never forget it;"l to frown upon every man, no
matter what might be his pretensions, who should
| presume for one moment to say that he was pa
riot and yet would do any act tending to dissolve
| this glorious Union. Great and continued cheer
ing.
Sir, in speaking thus, l know / speak but the
| common sentiment of the American people.
| TCheersl am not willing to believe that there
3 ons in this room who does not concur in the
sentiments of Washington. But, sir, pardon me
for again abiding to your beautiful city. ! was
struck with the, order which prevailed to-day,
without the aid Of any dsspotc police regulations
Such spectacle could not be met with in any city
Of Europe. You will there see at every step
armed men ready with fixed bayonets to keep the
peace Here in this free land, under this govern
rnent of the people, where they make the law
through their representatives and sustain them by
their own might and power, no such gems darmes
are necessary to maintain order Here the rush
Mt the door became so oppressive, and the cheer
| ing 40 enthusiastic, that some moments elapsed
/ III.
somewhat restored, he continued:]
Every man in this city, sir, regards himself ms
specially deputed to keep the peace. This is one
| Of the blessings Of free government was
struck with another thing, which is, that you have
I here military array which would do honor to
airy city in the Union. Great cheering. 1t has
been said that the fostering of q military spirit
is unnecessary in time of peace, excepting as a
preparat' on Of war, and although am man oil
peace myself, yet am also firm believer in the
maxim of George Washington" in time of peace
prepare for war" {Cheers. Therefore, sir, l COM
mend your city for its military spirit by which
yves much gratifed, and congratulate you on the
i.ct that you have spch noble corps of independ-
ent soldiers ready to discharge their duty in the
maintenance of the law If 1t be necessary, and still
more to indicate the honor of the nation should
itibe attacked [Great cheers.l
Sir, dCcency and propriety forbid that should
make any allusion to party politics on this occa-
sion, and am happy to hear you say that this re-
ception is not rendered on party grounds, or be-
cause happier accidentally to be candidate for
Office. should be unwilling to receive it If it
were So and its chief value s, that it is yolun-
tary offering to me not as an individual, but be-
i cause have heretofore been honored by holding
the office of the Chief Magistrate of this great and
mighty nation. Though cannot presume to APP
propriate it individually, yet il anything could add
to the qualification Of revisiting my native land, it
i .hat have been received by my fellow-citzens
with sincere COM -.-.s,tulations like the present.
feel prouder of this than OF an "a. ma marks OF
distinction which have been showered on me by
foreign monarchs and nobility. Although do not
underestimate them, yet prefer greatly the hon
or and regard of my own countrymen to all others
in the world. As value my own country above
all others, so value and esteem the congratula-
tons of my countrymen above all others, and,
therefore, it is that, with heartfelt gratitude re-
turn to you, and through you to the city of Brook
lyn my cordial and sincere thanks for this recep
ton. Loud and prolonged cheers.