The Washington union. [volume] (City of Washington [D.C.]) 1857-1859, 1858-07-21
HON JACOB TY7OMPSON.- RECEPTION By TIE
gef CITIZENS or OXFORD.
prom tho osrord Mercury, Jc,y 1871

Intelligence having been received that fellow citi
zen, Hon. Jacob Thompson, Secretary Of the Interior
would probably arrive at town Monday evening,
by the train from the North, large crowd OF citizens
among them quite number Of ladies' assembled at the
Depot TO welcome him. Tao cid fcld-piece had been
hauled 10 the ground and the evening train hove n
sight, il sent forth its hoarse notes 10 greet the dsin
guished gentleman The flag Of the lafayette company
of volunteers in the Mexican war, that had waved over
the gallant band on Buena Ystas bloody field, unmled
its tatered but honored folds TO the breeze Loud and
prolonged cheering suted Mr. Thompson ON his appear
anco, and he escorted to the platform Of the Depot
where for n few minutes he kept busy receiving
the congratulations Of his friends and acquaintance
Our fellow-townsman, Il. r. Bccl,er, esq. then step
ped forward and in behalf of the people of Oxford de-
lvercd brief and appropriate speech, welcoming tho
honorable gentleman to his home. He spoke fccrgy
of the satisfaction With which the people of our
nifty felt in witnessing the return to their midst,
for brief season. of their honorcd fellowczen and
referred to his eminent services in Congress and in tho
cabinet upon which his friends and the country looked
with satisfaction and with pride
Mr.. Thompson, deeply affected, replied thanking tho
citizens for this demonstration Of their regard which
the gratifying to him because unexpected 1t made
upon him (he remarkedD an impression too deep and
strong for the uterance of language adequate to express
IL graed him from the bottom Of his heart to meet
with cordial welcome from his old friends, whom he
had known long and WE'LL to whom he endeared by
the strongest ties of Friendships among whom for many
yeats his lot had been cast ind among whom he expect
ed to die From his heart of hearts he thanked his e
low-ctzens. If said he) have discharged my duty in
the responsible stations to which have been called
while grateful to the country for any expression
satisfaction of my conduct your approval and esteem
dcare to my heart than that which could from any
other quarter of the nation My post is sipccure
is full of arduous duties and responsibilities but when
entered upon their discharge il was with determine
ton to do all my power to preserve the equal rights
ALL and to do exact justice TO all am, indeed, graft
fed and proud to know that my in Office has met
your commentator.
pentlema, ,rOCeefle1 II, be
could not pass the occasion by without alIudng briefly
the of the administration with which he
ncctcd When he accepted his present position, il
with entire ignorance to the peculiar characteristics Of
the President did not doubt his purity and his pa
trotism but he knew that misgivngs felt by
Of his fellow-citzcns to the Presidents But
hc said) after sixteen months Of intimate coDnexon with
the administration and close observation of all the Pres
lents public acts he gratcd to ray that he cheer
fully endorsed every act of Mr. Buchanan in every
tence and syllable Not thing hts administration
far which the speaker did not cordially endorse The
speaker proceeded to brief but earnest tribute to the
firnnes, uprightness, and devoted patriotism of tho
President. He related two three cases which had
called forth universal admiration of these great traits Of
Mr.. Buchanans instancing fugitive slave
in Ohio where the mob had rescued the fugitive from
the hands Of the marshal and that official teegraphed to
Mr. Thompson for instructions in the matter He consulted
With the President and (aid he) quick lightning end
firm as the thundcrbolt was the response Execute the
law the President expects every officer of the govern
ment to do his duty and he will do his" Again, in
tho Kansas question, and the Utah difficulties,
opposition to Law manifested, the President took i'm
mediate and energetic steps for the enforcement of that
law Again, when britain invaded tights upon the
high seas Mr. Buchanan with characteristic promptneS
and mness demonstrated and laid down TO England the
clear principles Of international law and Just before ho
(the speaker left Washington three days previous, the
administration had the satisfaction Of receiving from the
British ministry explicit dsavowa of the high handed
proceedings of her officers in the Gulf Such had been
the of Mr.. Buchanan thus far and such it would
be TO the end.
Again thanking the citizens for their manifestation Of
regard he concluded and proceeded, in company with
relatives and friends TO his residence. Tho honorable
Secretary appears to be in fine health and spirits