The daily union. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1845-1857, 1857-03-10

the bill granting leave to Minnesota to form State
constitution the commencement of which appeared in last
Friday IS issue of the Union.
VISIT OF CITIZENS OF MI ssoURI TO GENERAL
PIERCE AND MR.. UCHANAN-INTEREsTING IN
TERVlEWS.
On Saturday at o'clock the citizens Of Missouri now
visit to Washington called upon General Pierce at the
residence of Governor Marcy Besides the two senators
and representatives in the city, the party
posed of about twenty citizens.
They presented by the Hon. James L. Green 10 the
ez-Presdent who addressed by Thomas c. Reynolds
United States District Attorney of Missouri in substance
follows
Mr. PRTsIDEHr: The Missourinns in this city, have
come without distinction of party, religion origin, to
pay their respects and take leave Of you They have done
the high and most agreeable honor OF making me their
organ en- this occasion.
We congratulate you that although at the commence
OF your presidency country then ENJOYED
prosperity unexamped in the history of nations yet
der your wise and firm administration it has reached as
higher condition of wealth and happiness.
We congratulate you that while war of giants was
shaking the eastern continents 10 their very centres the
policy and foresight OF yourself and your counseors ena
bed you for America the b ssngs of profound
peace without lowering national dignity or leopard
ing any Of our in .eress.
The public voice accords you the great merit of having
conducted the general affairs of country with
and ability and it must be mos. gratifying rejection
you that you have consistently followed throughout your
administration the great leading principles which lie at
the foundation of our government.
Particularly, Mssourians do we feel it to be happy
coincidence that the very day when the Journals OF the
land arespeadDg their readers the decision of the Su
preme Court of the United States Ito which all good ct
zens without reference their previous opinions will
eheeruly submt) solemuy endorsing the great leading
principle of your administration have the happiness of
congratu!atnF, imposing triumph, the President
who amid difficulties and dangers, firmly stood by his
honest convictions of constitutional duty, which
decided by that august tribunal 10 be right
Seldom does Providence youchsae TO any the signal
boon of making his rule in the annals of his
try To you it has granted this special grace for when
the future historian in camer days. shall write the history
Of Union, he viii date from your administration the
period when the sublime prncpeof popular sovereignty
under the guidance of tmehonored constitution,
declared supreme throughout the broad expanse Of
land.
To you sir and TO her that admirable lady whoge many
virtues acknowledged by all who have the privilege to
know her. and to whom your high station has beeo but
burden that only affection and of duty enabled her
TO bear most cordially wish health happiness prosper
ity, and length oil days.
This address was delivered by Mr. Reynolds with n
warmth and earnestness of tone which showed that it
proceeded from the heart Gen. Pierce evidently much
affected by it, and several Of the ladies who present
were moved to tears by the beautiful and touching alr
sion to Mrs. Pierce
He replied in admirable and eloquent speech of
siderable length whose dignity and elevation of tone made
profound impression upon those assembled.
We regret that it is in power give his Ian
guage this occasion, but dare not trust either
notes or memories TO do it justice
After expressing his profound of the high compli
thus paid him. the exPreden proceeded to declare
that it was impossible for any then present realize
when he had assumed the rens of government At that
nf
had ass, mbled around him that band of councillors
whose large exI erience and greater knowledge affairs
be had been to great degree indebted for the ucces
his administration.
In reference to the great and leading of his ad
mnisatou they had stood together brohes and had
been as unit in sentiment
Those persons were much mistaken who supposed that
he had not foreseen the that arise om the
Inauguration of this great principle and st mist
ken those who supposed that he had been for
disturbed moved by the foogates of abuse and
dctracton which had been opened upon him. He had had
but move-a of duty he had been guided but
by prncple constitutional obligation He had
not attempted anticipate either the Judgment Of the pee
pie the decision of any tribunals he had but followed
the light which his of duty and his con-
sttutional opinions had vouchsafed him. Ills known
sentiments and his previous political could have
led to other result; and while it of inf
mite qualification to him to find his opinions sanctioned
by the highest tribunal in the land he bore into his retire
men that highest of all rewards the consciousness Of hav
ing discharged his duty TO his country,
Gov Marcy having entered during the delivery Of this
speech he paid handsome compliment the services
that distinguished gentleman and declared that it had
been fortunate thing for the nation that foreign af
fairs bad been able hands Peace bad teen the pol
icy of the administration BECAUSE in the first place il was
that should peace with foreign nations but continue
for twenty years longer and the combined nations
Europe would desire to cops with US such the rapid
increase OF our power Bat peace had been policy
from still higher motive viz the of humanity and
the advancement of civilization Nor in maintaining this
policy of peace had the honor dignity OF the nation been
sacrificed On the contrary while to the weaker and fee
bier pewers he had been defeenia and conciliaory
the strongeespecally where behind the power we be-
held rowning CONFERENCE.-THE had been firm and exact
ing.
General Pierce concluded by paying handsome comp-
ment to Missouri and her citizens expressing the great
qualification he had received from this visit and his firm
conviction that the Union and the constitution would be
preserved, and that sounder sentiment already be-
ginning TO prevail in that section where the Of
agitation had rolled the highest and beat the sngries