Weekly national intelligencer. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1841-1869, 1857-03-28
RECEPTION AT HOME OF AN UPRIGHT PUBLIC MAN.

Mr. GUTHRIE, late Secretary of the Treasury, on
his return home to Louisville, Kentucky, was
received BY his feow-citizens with great cordiaty
Judge PIRTLE chairman of the committee of re-
cepnon, addressed the ex-Secretary as follows:
Mr.. GUTHRIE: We welcome you home the city well
comes you; the county welcomes YOU the State well
comes you back to Kentucky
are not met here political party to greet you
Many OF us have differed from you on general political
quesuohs or twenty years. but meet you express
our Satisfaction at the in which you have dis
the duties of the important Office which YOU have
Just lett Your industrious attention to the duties of the
lreasury department will be profitable example to
tnose VINO come after you The wisdom with which Won
have conducted its business has commanded the
ana applause OF the nation The finances of any coun
Try make department of Government which more than
any other affects almost all industrial pursuits of men
In your administration in this important part of the
Executive branch we have the careful FORESIGHT and
SCUM judgment OF mature and impartial statesman
regulate the tariff ofcustoms any large country is
one oi Inc greatest dlteatles in political economy Int
when Government is stretched out by lines of afitnde
anu longitude That include hemisphere of thirty-one
soyereignties the embarrassment becomes painful
But your recommendations to Congress- have watched
over al branches OF industry; by them agriculture is
encourages manufactures encouraged and commerce
carefully fostered The nation now looks to the fnll
ment of your plans laid before Congress
The rules made by you for the government of the No.
partment of the Treasury and the general reoIatons
under the revenue and collection laws remind us of the
sagacy of that revolutionary statesman who organized
I of Gen
washington but they pass to many subjects not oc
curing, perhaps, to the of that time
And let add sir that the protection Won have af
the peoples money against depredators beset
Inc treasures OF all nations, by the watchful provisions
you have enjoined those concerned with the nubc
funds in any is not the least of those acts of
merit that We would be inclined to mention here
But 1t is not my office parcuarize or discuss What
you have done is remembered with grateful satisfaction
and we offer you cordial salutatons as faithful
public servant coming home.
Mr.. GUTHRIE replied (says the JournsD most
touchingly and appropriately It is but Justice to
Mr. Il. to say that we have reported him inaccu
ratey, as he spoke amid enthusiasm, and it was
with difficulty that we caught even his meaning at
times, not to speak of the language. As correctly
as we could report him, however, we append his
reply:
FRIENDS FELLOW CITIZENS: Allow me to return ron
my heartfelt thanks for the reception which you have
given and for the kind terms in which that reception
has been made by your spokesman this occasion The
puoc man needs the appreciation of his countrymen and
the assurance which you give that my course since
was called from your midst to fill an important post un
der the Nationals Government challenges your approval
and admiration, is of the highest rewards could
meet and awakens emotions which cannot exnress II
is true that for period of four years have given my
whole time to the perpexng duties which devolved upon
me at the head of the Treasury and while there were
others that could have brought to the task more talent
and ability it comforting and pleasing reflection that
you bear witness to the purity of nv motives
1t has been said in reference to individuals that it is
easier bear the trials of adversely than of progperty
Ihat which applies to individuals is less true of ma
tions. During the administration which has lust closed
country has enjoyed the most prospective
every branch of industry and enterprise has ourished
beyond precedent in national history. With pros
perity at every point and overowng public treasury
the liquidation of the public debt suggested itself TO me
as means of depicting the national purse In this era
OF unexamped prosperty-at time when we could look
with confidence to varied industrial pursuits for
q md II
hesitate to recommend reduction of duties on imports
looking to enlargement of the free list and in many
instances, to the entire freedom of the raw material
Owing to the extent of the country and the varied
terest of our people, my task has been delicate one
but endeayoring to contemplate my duty from national
stand point, have had the support am: of
been appreciated by every mind wise and practical men
OF all parties and sections looking the interests and
prosperity of the great Confederacy have cheered and
sustained those who have had these delicate duties to
perform The first step has just been taken in the policy
to which have adyerted, and the contamination has
been entrusted to other but able hands If they should
fail to carry out this great work. just and intelligent
people will be found ready to enforce it. Our country
has passed through the most trying scenes of dyers
we are now called upon for the first timeto withstand the
dangerous influences Of wealth 1t has grown into pro-
vefb that afuence maddens nations and overhowing
treasury is temptation to public plumber that every one
may not resist pray and hope confidently that the
noble old ship OF State will weather the storm which
threatens her, and ride safely into harbor of
national security.
My friend has been pleased aude to the freedom of
the from extravaganza and the safeguards
which were attempted to be thrown around the public
treasure. have my Department ever been solicitous
that should obtain from the Treasury more than
was his right by law; and in carrying out this leading
principle have had the support of who were WISE
discreet, and just.
During the past Administration the Subtreasury has
been in complete operation and has sustained fair but
critical test Many good doubted its praccability
in its incpency but there few if any who continue
to withhold their appreciation of fraught with
so much wisdom With q revenue unparalleled in the
history of the Government exclusively gold and silver
the of exchanges the Government has never been
light while the finances of the country have never been
so secure as at present.
During the four years just passed have had some
knowledge of that which call power and it but
natural that the contact with through which have
passed should call up other and new impulses come
to mingl again with my eow-citizens to labor for the
prosperity OF native State and promote the growth
of my adopted home come back my old associations
L trust better if not wiser man. And, although
have an experience of years the bar trust
yet possess sufficient intellectual power contribute to
the of local enterprises and and somewhat in the
common prosperity. And believe me- my friends my
hearts, moved by this kindly demonstration to degree
of feeling which may not be expressed in language.
The Journal adds: When Mr. Guthrie closed his ad
dress he received the congratulations of many of his
friends in the audience who crowded about him. eager to
welcome who had contributed so much to the prospe
ry of the city in time past and whose fame has become
the property of the whole nation Altogether the display
of the most pleasantly harmonious while it was
of the and enthusiastic demonstrations
made in city,
Professor SEooHI, director of the Astronomical Obser