Semi-weekly standard. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1853-18??, 1857-06-06
From the Washington stsr.l
HON. D. 8. DICKINsON'S SPEECH AT THE
1oA'' WASHINGTON SERENADE

from the Washington Star
uoN 9. DICKINSONS SPEECH AT THE
A10-' WASHINGTON SERENADE.
Nv FRIENDS AND Fellow CITIZENS II can make
m return for this testimonial of regard for private
citizen but the sincere tribute of grateful heart
Upon the expiration of my term as q Senator IN
CONGRESS, more than six years since, returned 10
my home with more pleasing antcipatlons tnan l
bad left it, and have since been devoted to PROBES
sona and rural pursuits, with no intervals OF
alton. Finding that few days could be borrowed
from accustomed avocations, l came with that por.
ton of my household which a Providence that
sdoeth all things well" has spared to me, and
party of family friends, to revisit the political me-
fropolis and indulge the train of sad and pleasing
memories which the chapgeful currents of life have
presented for our contemplation. We came to see
again the place where We had reared our Children
where we had formed lifelong hips-where
we had enjoyed generous hospitality and sweet
social communion-where we had been associated
with those who have gone to their rewards and
repose,-the ilustrious ad,-where we had so
long and so faithfully been sustained and cheered
by the valued and confding friends who have re-
membered US in our seclusion and come hther to
cheer and honor us again with their kindly greet.
ings :,
We have seen again that venerated Senate cham
ber SO redolent of stirring recollections, and be-
thought US of the once familiar voices which are
now hushed forever. We have seen again the an
cent Capitol extending in its mighty magnificence
and architectural grandeur to meet the increasing
demands of great and growing people tine early
golden sunshine which we loved in other days
beams again; the same spacious parks. the familiar
walks, the bubblng fountains the spreading trees,
the shaded lawns the green sunny slopes the bright
blooming flowers, and the glorious Potomac, are all
here, an Mt up their voices with numerous smiling
friends todd us welcome
On every hand evidences are rising up, as if by
r
and taste, rendering Washington worthy of the con-
secrated name it bears; worthy to be the Federal
capital of great family of free and Independent
States. That it may remain such forever is my ar
dent prayer; that every State may come here to
minge in the family communion with her sovereign,
together like children of a common father, in the
true spirit of the Constitution and prosecute togeth
er their benign mission Of liberty on earth-the
freedom, equality and selfgovernment of man.
In the humble public career to which allusion has
been so kindly made, it was my highest ambition to
sacrifice upon the altar of my country my choicest
offerings. O. would that, in cause SO sacred, I
had had other and choicer gifts to bestow. What
was that public course, let history tell. will only
add that were that course upon the absorbing ques
tons of that day to be repeated it would only be
changed by pursuing the same Subjects in the same
direction and in the same manner, with such in
creased force a more abundant reflection and en-
larged experience would enable me to command
Our country is enjoying unexampled prosperity,
and our people demand repose from causeless agita
ton, either domestic or foreign. The fires of fanat
icism at home are burning themselves out for lack
OF fuel, and great, brave and intrepid people
satisfied tina. they better advance the blessings
Of civilization and Christianity by cultivating the
arts of peace, than by resorts to the sword
An executive chief has recently been inaugurated
to discharge the most honorable relations EARTH
in whose wisdom, and in that of those he has cho-
sen as his constitutional advisers, the great mass of
the American people, in every section of the Union,
have entire confidence-confdence that justice,
frmness and moderation will characterize our inter-
course with other nations-that the integrity of the
Union will be preserved in the spirit of the Consti
tuition; the rights of sovereign States maintained
invioate and the people of the Territories maintain
ed in the dearest privileges of the American CITIZEN
good order and the constitutional guarantee of true
selfgovernment.
No one has ever fully estimated the moral influ-
ences of the people of Washington upon the desti-
MES of this country through the social relations of
been thus mitigated, how many errors corrected,
how many lasting, valued friendships have been
formed. And may this gentle, genial influence con-
tiEue to diffuse its blessings throughout the entire
Confederacy, and continue to strengthen the bonds
Of fraternal feeling which make multitude one
May every star in the constellation shed its radiance
upon every other and may they vie with one anoth-
er hereafter only in brightness and glory.
For myself and family and friends, thank you
cordially for the honor extended U.S. and shall look
back upon it hereafter of the bright passages
upon the page of lfe's history We shall return to
our home pleased and gratifed with our brief visit
remembering that our lines have fallen here in pleas
ant places and among such friends few have ever
had