Wilmington journal., 1857-03-06
From the washington Union of 4th inst.

From the Washington Union of 4th inst |
Farewell Reception at the White House..
While all patriotic citizens, in every section OF the
country bear testimony the dignity, the hrmness,
and the patriotism which have marked the official
career of President Pierce, his hig moral worth and
social exceences have insured Tor him the lasting
respect Of the citizens OF this metropolis 1t was not
to be wondered at, therefore, that large concourse
of ladies and gentlemen visited the White House
yesterday when the municipal authorities, in com
1liance with official vote, went to pay their part
ing respects. The East Room was filled in few
moments after the doors were opened and when the
President made his appearance, Mayor Magruder
addressed him as follows:
Mr.. PRESIDENT | have the honor OF introducing
10 you the board of aldermen and common council,
and other members of our city government, together
with many of my fellow citizens who have no oH1cIal
conn ecton with me. We come 10 acknowledge our
grateful anprecia1ion of the official kindness you have
evinced towards our city in the many recommends
tons YOU have ade to the national legslatureln our
behalf-recomneD Ddaons which fully show that you
recoonise TO Just extent, the obligation OF the ma
tion 10 foster the capital by aiding its people TO make
it what its founders designed it should be-a great
and beautiful metropolis, worthy OF great and pow
erful nation.
And sir, we have not only to express high
sense of obligations to you officially, but we have
also to acknowledge the kindness which has marked
your social intercourse with and our constituents
and to assure you that the community, with whom
you have soourned for the last four years feel that
IN your departure they will rather lose one of their
OWE most cherished citizens than one who has had
only official residence amongst them. We need not
then say that we grieve at the separation, and that
our farewell is not only full of official respect, but
also of personal esteem and affection and we sim
cereIy hope that in your retirement you may enjoy
the harvest of peaceful happiness which must pro-
ceed from the consciousness of faithful discharge OF
your public duties.
The Presidents reply was happily conceived. and
beautifully exI ressed, his endorsing his
words as the sentiments Of his heart He was listen
ed to with marked attention, an the deep feeling
manifetted by the audience showed the regret with
which they listened to his parting words They were
substantially, as fellows
Mr. MAYOR receive with unaffected gratfca.
tion this demonstration of sentiments of good will
toward myself the part of the city authorities and
people of Washington Nearly one-haf of the years
of my manhood have been passed here, and The
experience of each year has only served 10 enhance
my appreciation of The admirable qualities which
characterize the ornament population of the District
No man notice the quiet of q Sabbath in this
city, and the evidences on all hands of its sacred
observance, without being impressed by the conviction
that he is among people remarkable for their intel
ligence order, probity, ard high moral worth. Here
have shared largely in generous hospitality, have
made many valued CquantanCes, and formed friend
ships which trust may he as lasting my life.
Under the circumstances, it would be strange in
deed, if could regard with anything but lively in
ness and advance your substantial prosperity Here,
among your resident citizens, every section of our
common country is represented and they are fortu-
nately habually free from the influences of dscord
or alienation. Here the owe of this blessed Union
and the spirit of federation which animated
the founder of the city, and the Father of his Coun.
try, have never grown cold.
AS the seat of the government and centre OF Tie
federal political power, you will always enjoy great
and peculiar advantages. Added 10 these, genial
r.
make the District of Columbia, at distant day, the
seat of great city, Pre-emnently distinguishe for
arts, taste, science, and refinement. | enjoy in anti.
cpation the career which see before you.
There are certain great improvements the compile
lion of which earnestly desired to witness during
abandoned Should wise Providence permit me tt
visit you hereafter, hope to find gushing fountain
from the Great Falls of the Potomac everywhere IL
your city springng up and sparkling in the sunlight
and representing, in their native purity and abun
dance, your moral health and social prosperity.
desire to express, for Mrs. Pierce and myself, the
of regret at parting with friends who
have established claims for grateful remembrance
which shall never cease to remember.
AT the conclusion of these remarks the authoritie
and citizens, individually, shook hands with the Pre-
sident many lingering to express their gratitude fo
his courtesieS and kndnesses since be has occupie
the presidential chair Several large deputations o
clerks from the Treasury and other departments wer
Gl6n III presented lnelF dOleuS, ana CneT
was no dlmnutlon OF the influx OF vIsters until th
President forced 10 retire, that he might atten
TO the pressing official business. 1t has we'll been re
marked that no retiring President ever elected NOR
regret from the community of Washngton no on
of his predecessors has been easier of access,
kind IN courtesy, more attentive to the bereaved ant
suffering among us, devoted 10 all the interest
of the city. Official position is longer required t.
commend him to the esteem and respect of the peopl
Of Washington, and their best wishes for his healt
and happiness, with that of his estmable lady, wi
attend him.
Hon J. c. DObbIn--The Navy Department
The Journal Of Commerce does no more than sin
pie Justice 10 Secretary Dobbin in the following re
marks:
THE NAVY DEPARTMENT.-Presdent Pierce ha
been fortunate than some of his predecessors
the unity of his cabinet. Regarding the several de
partments coordinate branches of the executv
government he has LETT Their free 10 enforce and carr
out his administrative policy according TO the laws
While the rising commands our patriotic admira
ton, our gratitude should not be entirely withheld
from the sun which is quietly but brilliantly setting
Next to the Department of the Treasury-if, in
deed, with it or before it-nO one of the eXecr
tive branches is more closely identified with tn
great interests of commerce than that of the Nav
Department. 1t was we'll said by Carlyle that "Con
merce is King" The country, therefore, owes
Mr.. Secretary Dobbn many Acknowledgements fl
the ability with which he has uniformly discharge
his arduous duties.
In reviewing the history of the Navy Departmer
for the last four years. we discover progress in til
right direction, which it is to- be hoped may moi
permitted to stop. In the department or ordinant
and gunnery great improvements have been made
JudiciOus measures of preliminary character hay
been adopted 10 secure for service supply of e.
perienced seamen, well qualified by training for tn
exercise of heavy naval armament and for havn
the ordinance of ship at sea constantly under til
immediate supervision Of officer detailed special