The Washington union., 1857-05-09
From the Philadelphia Argus
spoNTANEoUs TRIBUTE TO Ex-PRESIDENT
PIERCE.

gpONTANEOUS ~ AA
PIERCE
AZ the most praseworthy and gratifyng acts OF the
and generous hearted democracy of the city yester-
49, brilliant as was their triumph, was the remembrance
-, their work was done, that had among US as
- a distinguished and honored champion of demo
80 principles who had led the way unfaterineiy in
nv times of peril and always to victory and with
ntbusiasm worthy at their own achievements,
"A te lofty patriotism and unequailed staesmanshp OF
,h yuest they honored the democratic hosts came up
tom their various wards TO offer him, IN the flush OF vie-
-. their tribute of respect IL spontaneous trb-
- .nd the time for ii most fitting and appropriate
"a IN Ia character il testified the unwavering attach
oort Of the democracy TO an honored public servant
10 lost sight Of self and all considerations save those Of
n, highest patriotism in the bold assertion and further
nc Of the great principles and ideas OF the national de-
mouacy.
n bacame known during the day that ex-President
psr had recently returned from Concord to his family
= mi; itv and the idea was conceived Of demonstrating
= hin; the high respect entertained for him by the de-
-acv of PHILADELPHIA and their qualification at his
.norarv soiourn in our city. To him, no longer
tbsd with official power the democracy owed debt of
lasting gratitude for the brilliant and high toned states
.nship that had made his administration bright era
q our national history and proudly they bore to him
hir reaths Of victory The yarie. wards having been
h..rd from to sufficient extent to render complete
trumph no longer matter Of doubt, crowds Of enthu
s,sc democrats began about II o'clock TO wend their
ay TO exPresiden Perces quarters at the La Pierre
Hnse and in short time Broad street densey filed
v be crowd for an entire square while Becks admirable
hand which had been pressed into service by the ubant
democracy discoursed eloquent music in honor of the
distinguished guest.
The crowd at this time numbered six eight
,sonsana persons and calls for the exPresdent
MINGLED with deafenng cheers the returns from still
other wards were reported Finally, about quarter to
- o'clock ex President Pierce made his appearance upon
a. balcony accompanied by General Patterson and
,,,mber Of personal friends His appearance the sig
nal for an outbreak of deafening applause and cheer fol-
lowed cheer for some minutes.
When the applause had somewhat subsidized, General
patterson stepped forward and in neat but brief speech
;otrced General Pierce to the multitude General Pat
tcrson said in substance:
.I am glad my friends to see you here, and to know
that YOU have been engaged in good cause You have
Ien doing today that which helped to do from twenty
10 forty wears ago-meeng and defeating the opponents
Of democracy rejoiccd to hear your cheers for
they assured Of victory love 10 bear hearty, JOY
ous Pennsyyania cheer and yours familiar TO my
ear there are but kinds of men in the world that
can give cheer worth listening tosolders and dem
ocrats.
has made his mark the bar Of his Granite State
and in Congresswho served you served and served
his country faithfully and efficiently upon the battleieis
Of honored and loved by his subordi-
mates his equals and bis superors in rank and who has
lust retired from the highest Office earth, the presi
dency Of these United States to minge terms of equal
ity and familiar intercourse with his fellowctzens ready
and hereafter to peril his prosperity and life in de-
fence the honor the liberty the constitutional rights
of his countrymen Gentlemen of Philadelphia without
further preface permit to introduce to you un-
Anchng democrat, accomplished gentleman, gallant
soldier pure patriot and an honest man, Gen. franklin
Fierce
The speech Of Gen Patterson was received with hearty
and frequent cheers and when he had concluded the
weIkn rang again with heartfelt welcome to General
Pierce. He paused moment, and at single gesture,
indicating purpose to speak, quiet pervaded the vast
multitude. Gen. Pierce manifestly affected by the
more than cordial feeling pcrvang the vast crowd before
him. and spoke with great warmth and feeling. Hespoke
for about quarter Of an hour, saying in substance
II thank you fellowcitizens for this unexpected CALL
and desire express the qualification which feel in meet
ing and being introduced by gentleman who permits
to call him my friend who has done honor to your city,
and rendered signal service not only to the State of Penn
ssvana but country both in civil life and
on the field Of battle.
''Good amiss or out Of season j
congratulate you upon the results which have followed
your exercise to-day Of the most sacred right of reemen
that of choosing for themselves those who shall
their win in the conduct of public affairs congratulate
yo not because you follow this that banner with this
that inscription but because you sustain principles
which come TO with the unequivocal and solemn
ton of the revolutionary fathers principles which sug
go first of all, and cardinal virtue for
the constitution and love for the Union Whatever may
be said done elsewhere to whatever degree the public
mind may be namcd in other localities by unrcectng
hnatcsn, you at least recognise law for your gui
dance IN matters pertaining to government and your duty
citizens OF the republic higher than that which was
framed In your Independence Hall(immense cheer
ing and which, with the blessing of o shall stand as
the fundamental law Of the land honored, reyercd,
obeyed. [Deafenng cheers
II have highly enjoyed gentlemen, quiet month In
your city, The occasion has afforded opportunity to
observe at leisure than before the extent and
admirable character Of your public institutions to adj
niTe the large and intelligent application Of by
Your citizens TO the promotion Of art and science and
regard as have done, with unalloyed qualification the
noble steps which have been taln to meet the wants
moral, mental, and physical--of suffering humanity
iou citizens of Philadelphia have shown that while You
remember the generous spirit Of federation of William Penn
you have not forgotten to emulate his expansive beneyo
enee You have shown, too; that long the conse
Grated Hall on Independence Square to which have ad
Verted shall stand you determined that the work
wrought by the fathers there shall stand with it. Long
continued cheers
n honor you for all this Your geographical posi-
uoa IN the Unon and the precious and glorious memo
nes which must ever cluster around you here impose
ngh and peculiar responsibilities and have faith 10 be-
heSe That you will continue to redeem them all.
Summoned thus suddenly before you, i can hardly
@ expected to be stirred by the same degree Of enthus
m which gows in your bosoms at the closc Of this day
your struggle and triumph but trust the hour may
never M come, early late night day. when my heart
M WI not warm TO my country and TO my honest, patr
wy, ana aw-abiding countrymen, whether native or