The western Democrat. [volume] (Charlotte, N.C.) 1852-1870, 1857-03-24
SATURDAY EVENING, March IA, 1857.
Fayetteville, March IA, 1857

SATURDAY EVENING, March IA, 1857.
GENTLEMEN:-Your letter Of welcome
home again." just handed to me- is so cor
dial-clothed SO richly in the glowing Ian
guage, not of mere kindness, but of regard
approaching enthusiasm; so touching in its
| alusion to my humble personal career
from the days ofmy boyhood to the present
| time, that am too full of emotion to reply
| to it.
Although gladdened and comforted with
the conviction that have struggled ardu-
ously to serve well my country, | cannot
but fear that you have done me more than
justice, and applauded me beyond my
merits. But my friends, this is our own
home affair,-this is a family matter-and
instead of formal ''glad to see you home
once more," the members of the family
choose to obey the impulses of generous
hearts and warmly embrace returned
brother after four years absence. This
hearty greeting from home friends and
neighbors, accompanied by an approval and
admiration of my conduct as public SER
want. is, l assure you, to me above all
price. The record of it shall be filed in
my unpretending little family archives, to
be read and priced hereafter by my children.
With profound sincerity 1 state, that
accepted the IfuSC WHICH freSlUenC l. lerCe
so unexpectedly rendered me, with unaffect-
ed diffidence, because l trembled lest l
might not do Justice to my State, which /
well knew had within her limits eminent
and experienced statesmen, who could not
only do much more to sustain her reputa-
ton than myself, but by their ability fling
around her name additional halo. This
feeling of State pride animated me to re-
doubled energy. The appreciation of the
people of my own State, felt, would graft
fy me above all else. Well, therefore, can
| you imagine how keenly, how deeply feel
these frequent manifestations of approval
and satisfaction by the people of my own
State. Joyously, and with a light heart
indeed, have | surrendered the cares and
responsibilities and pride of office. Gladly
do | return once more to my native State,
always dearer to her sons who have had
opportunities to compare her, " in all her
qualities" with others. Her soil is fertile.
her mines inexhaustible, her water power
abundant, her air balmy and healthful, her
geographical position desirable, viewed in
! connection with either foreign or domestic
| trouble, and above all her population lin
my opinion) is the best in the world. In
! such State | am willing to live and to
die.
but my very great uepi'ty 10 warming
me that l am attempting too much, and
must close. I thank you, gentlemen, for
the very kind and gratifying manner in
which you have discharged your duty. I
still love the old Town. Born in sight of
Cross Creek, and within hearing of the
sound of the old Eccles Mill, l shall still
love to linger near those haunts; to wander
along the gay banks of that lovely stream,
and gaze upon the wall of the old mill.
which will be as lively and clatter as merri-
| ly as ever. This old town will yet look
young and proud again. If God should
allow a shattered constitution to be repair
ed. 1 shall be in your midst, helping to do
| the work.
/ have the honor to subscribe myself.
very sincerely and truly, your friend and
Iobedient servant,
&c. DOBBIN.
To Messrs. e. J. Hale, and others. Com.