Semi-weekly standard. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1853-18??, 1857-03-11
IS From tie Washing Ion Uuio1s March
FAREWELL RECEPTION All THE WHITE

essss': IS &. s3s HOUSE n ss sss
While all psiotic citizens in every section the
country, bear testimony to tho dignity, the rmness
and the patriotism. which have marked the Official
career Of President Pierce, his high moral worth
and social excel.encies have insured for him theast
ing respect of the citizens of this metropolis It vas
not to be wondered at therefore, that large con-
course of ladies and gentlemen visited the White
House yesterday, when the municipal authorities, in
compliance with official vote, went to pay their
parting respects. The East Room was filed in
few moments after the doors were opened and
when the President made his appearance, Mayor
Magruder addressed him as follows:
Mr. PRESIDENT: have the honor of introducing
to you the boards of aldermen and common council,
and other members of city government, together
with many of my fellow-citieens who have no official
connection with me. We come to acknowledge our
grateful appreciation of the official kindness you
have evinced towards our city in the many recon.
mendations you have made to the national legisla.
ture in our INSTRUMENTATION which fully
show that you recognize to just extent the ooil-
CATION Of the nation to foster the capital by aiding
it's people to make it what its founders designed to
be-a great and beautiful metropolis, worthy of .
great and powerful nation.
And, sir, we have not only to express our high
sense of our obligations to you officially, but We
have also to acknowledge the kindness which has
marked your social intercourse with us and
stituents, and to assure you that the community
yea,s feel that in your departure they will rather
lose one of their most cherished citizens than
one who has had only official residence amongst
them. We need not, then, say that We greve at the
separation, and that farewell is only full of
official respect, but also of personal esteem and af
fiction; and sincerely hope that in your retire.
ment you may enjoy the harvest of peaceful happ-
ness which must proceed from the consciousness of
faithful discharge of your public duties.
The Presidents reply was happily conceived, and
beautifully expressed his manner endorsing his words
the sentiments of his heart. He was listened to
with marked attention, and the deep feeling mani
tested by the audience showed the regret with which
they listened to his parting words. They were, SUBJ
stantialiy, follows:
Mr. MAYOR: receive with unaffected gratifca.
ton this demonstration of sentiments of good will
toward myself on the part of the city authorities
and people of Washington. Nearly one-half of the
years Of my manhood have been passed here and
the experience Of each year has only served to en-
haIce my appreciation of tho admirable qualities
which characterize the permanent population of the
District. No man notice the quiet of Sabbath
in this city, and the evidences all hands of its
sacred observance, without being impressed by the
conviction that he is among people remarkable for
their intelligence, order, probity, aud high moral
worth. Here have shared largely in a generous
hospitality, have made many valued acquaintances,
and formed friendships which l trust may BE- as last
ing as my life.
Under the circumstances, it would be strange, I'M
deed, if could regard with anything but lively in
terest whatever is calculated to promote your happi-
ness and advance your substantial prosperity
Here, among your resident citizens, every section
of our common country is represented; and they
are fortunately habitualy free from the influences
of discord or alienation. Here the love of this bles.
sed Union and the spirit of liberation which ever
mated the founder of the city, and the Father of
his Country, have never grown cold.
AS the seat of government and centre of the fede-
raj political power, you will always enjoy great and
peculiar advantages. Added to these, a genial,
luxurious climate, and scenery of rare beauty, must
make the District of Columbia, at no distant day. the
seat OF great city, pre-emincntly distinguished for
arts TASTE science, and refinement. / enjoy in
ticipation the career which see before you
There are certain great improvements the compile
ton of which earnestly desired to witness during
my official term TRUST they are delayed-not aban-
doned. Should wise Providence permit Inc to
visit you hereafter, hope to find gushing fountains
from the Great Falls of the Potomac everywhere in
your city springng up and sparkling in the sunlight,
and representing, in their native purity and abund-
ance, your moral health and social prosperity.
desire to express, for Mrs. Pierce and myself,
the assurance of regret at parting with friends
who have established claims for grateful remem-
brance. which we shall never cease to remember.
At the conclusion of the remarks the authorities
and citizens, Individually. shook hands with the
President many lingering to express their gratitude
for his courtesies and kindnesses since he has occu
pied the Presidential chair. Several large deputa-
tons of clerks from the Treasury and other depart
ments were then in turn presented to pay their
adieus, and there was no diminuton of the influx of
visitors until the President forced to retire. that
he might attend to the pressing official business
1t has well been remarked that retiring President
ever elected mere regret iom the community of
Washington; Of his predecessors has been
easier of access more kind in courtesy, more atten
tive to the bereaved and suffering among US, more
devoted to all the interests of the city. Official po
| sltion 10 no longer required to commend him to the
esteem and respect Of the people of Washington,
and their best wishes for his health and happiness,
with that Of his esn,able lady, will ever attend him.