Wilmington journal. [volume] (Wilmington, N.C.) 1844-1895, 1857-03-20
Visit of Citizens Missouri to Gen. Pierce ana Mr
Buehanan ...Inferesffny fnferyleNs.


Buchanan.-Intercsting interviews.
On Saturday, at O'Clock, the citizens of Missouri
now on visit 10 Washington, called upon Genersi
Pierce at The residence of Governor Marcy. Besides
the two senators AMI represe tatves now IN the CITY,
the party composed of about twenty citizens
They presented by the Hon James l. Green
10 the ex President, who was addressed by Ihos Z.
Reynolds. United States District Attorney of Missou-
RI, IN substance, as follows:
Mr. President: The Missourians, now in this
city, have come without distinction of party Fellglon,
or crIgll, TO pay tber respects, and take leave oil
you. They have done me the high and most agree |
able honor of making me their organ on this occa'
sion.
We congratulate you that, although at the COM
mencement Of yur Presidency our country even then
enjoyed prosperity unexampled in the history OF
nations, yet, under your wise and firm admInIstra'
tloa, 1t has reached still higher condition oil wealth
and happiness.
We congratulate you that, while war of giants
was shaking the eastern continents to their very CEN
ties, the policy and foresight of yourself and your
counseors enabled you to preserve for America the
blessings of profound peace without lowering our
national dignity or jeopardzng any of our interests
"The public voice accords to you the great merit
OF having conducted the general affairs of country
with success and ability, and it must be most graf
lylng reflection to you that you have consistently
followed throughout your administration the great
leading principles which lie at the foundation OF our
government.
happy coincidence that, on the very day when the
journals of the land spreading before their read
ers the decision Of the Supreme Court of the United
States Ito which all good citizens, without reference
| to their previous opinions, will cheertuliy subm)
so, emnly endorsing The great leading principle Of
your administration, have the happiness of con-
graduating, imposing triumph, the President
who, amid difficulties and dangers, firmly stood by
| his honest convictions of constitutional duty, which
are decided by that august trlbuna! 10 be right
! '' Seldom does Providence youchsafe to any man
the signal boon of making his rule era in the an
nails of his country To you il has granted this spe-
cal grace for when the future historian in calmer
days, shall write the history of our Union, he will
date from your administration the period when the
sublime principle of popular sovereignty under the
guidance Of time honored constitution, de-
clared supreme throughout the broad expanse OF our
! land.
"To you sir, and 10 her, that admirable lady whose
many virtues are acknowledged by all who have the
privilege to know her, and to whom your his station
has been but burden, that only affection and
of duty enabled her to bear, most cordially wish
health, happiness, prosperity, and length of days"
This address delivered by Mr.. Reynolds with
a warmth and earnestness OF tone which showed
that it proceeded from The heart. Gen. Pierce was
evidently much affected by it, and several of the ladies
who were present were moved to tears hy the beau
liful and touching alusion to Mrs. Pierce.
! He replied in admirable and eoduent speech of
considerable length, whose dignity and elevation of
tone made a profound impression upon those assem-.
bled.
We regret that it is not in power to give his
! language on this occasion. but dare not trust
either our notes or our memories to DO it justice.
Alter expressing his profound sense of the higt
compliment thus paid HIM, the ex President proceed
ed to declare that it impossible for any one her
presen: 10 realize the difference between his feelings
now and at the time when he had assumed the rein
Of government At that time inexperienced, and will
dlstrust OF his abilities, he had assembled arounC
ho~ ,ro 1lo~,
and greater knowledge of affairs be had been tt
great degree indebted for the success of his admin
lstratlOn. II
In reference TO the great and leading measure Of
his administration they had stood together broth
: ers, and had been unit in sentiment.
Those persons much mistaken who supposed
that he had not oreseen the storm that to arise
from the inauguration of this great principle, anC
il still more mistaken those who supposed tlat h
: had been for one moment disturbed moved by h'
food gates of abuse and detraction which hal beer
r opened upon him He had but one motIve-a sense
OF duty; he had been guided but by one prncip,
his constitutional obligation He had not at
tempted to anticipate either the judlm of the peo
pie or the decision of any tribunal he had but follow
ed the light which his of duty and his ow
+ constitutional opinions had vouchsafed TO him. Hi
, known senti rents and his previous political course
, could have led to other result and while it
scource of infinite qualification him find his opin
? ions sanctioned by the highest tribunal in The land
j, he bore into his retirement that highest of all re
wards, the consciousness of having discharged h'
a duty TO his country.
d Gov. Marcy having entered during the delivery 0
e this speech, he paid handsome compliment to the
services OF that distinguished gentleman and declared
that it had been fortunate thing for The nation tha
our foreign affairs had been in SO able hands Peace
, had been The policy of the administ alton, because
in the first place, 1t aware that, should peace
with foreign nations but continue for twenty year
longer, and not the combined nations of Europ'
would desire to cope with u.s. such was the rapid IN
Il crease of power. But peace had been polio.
d from still higher motive viz the cause OF human
a ty and the advancement OF civilization. Nor IN main
If tanning this policy Of peace had the honor dignity
of the nation been sacrificed. On the contrary, while
to the weaker and feebler powers we bad been de
fcrential and conciliatory, 10 the srOnger-especIa
!. where behind the power we behed trownng coun
ID tenahce-we had been firm and exacting.
l. Gen Pierce concluded by paying handsome com
pliment to Missouri and her citizens, expressing th
;s great qualification he had received from this visit
J. and his firm conviction that the Union and the con
sttuton would be preserved, and that sounder sen
tment was already beginning to prevail even IN tina
section where the of agitation had rolled tn
ot highest and beat the angtiest.
~ :, When Gen. Pierce had concluded his reply, th
gentlemen present were introduced 10 Gov. Marcy
and, after highly interesting interview, retired;
: l he Missourians then repaired to the Whlte Hous
~ 10 pay their respects 10 MIR. Buchanan, from whom
ess they received most cordial welcome.
lis Again they presented by Mr. Green an
Mr.. Reynolds in behalf of the delegation, addresse
&c the President very nearly to the following effect
y MIR. PRESIDENT: The Missourians here presen
n without distinction of party. have united to pay 20
'n lheir respects. Our fathers abolished the kngl
ne Office in our land but
~ AN honest mans the king of men,
10 and In you we are proud to recognize sucn Klns
and present to him not the homage OF subjects, bu
r. the respect of free czens, approaching you smpl
| ho