Weekly standard. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1858-1865, 1859-06-08

his former associations and to minge with friends Of
other days. We welcome you, Mr.. Secretary ofthe
Interior with peculiar pleasure to your native State
Though Mississippi has adopted you and reposed in
you her confidence and her trust yet North Carroll
ma claims you by birth, by education, and by fond
recollections as hers Yes, sir, as long
GAS blooms that wreath thou we'll hast won,
Carolina with exnlting joy
Pro :'aims that Thompson was her SON.
We need not assure you, gentlemen, that you will
meet every where on your passage through State
the most cordial, the most enthusiastic receptions,
for you will find the people of the good old North
State ever ready to receive with outstretched arms
and glowing hearts the patriot, the statesman, and
the lover of liberty and still as ready trust to
'stand wall Of fire around our much loved sol' to
repcl the invasion of the foe.
We are struck. sir, at the wonderful contrast pre-
scented between this the peaceful and social visit of
the distinguished Chief Magistrate of twenty-five
millions of freemen, when compared with the proud
marches of the mighty men of Europe, who are now
rushing forward to the field of battle with all the
gorgeous panoply of WARMTH banners floating IN
the breeze and br,stling bayonets cleaning in the
sun, over the lovely PANS of classic Italy,
They carry death and destruction before them and
snread desolation around. They overthrow mighty
dynasties change long established political princi-
piles, and sap the very foundation of society. You
come sir, on a message of peace and good will to-
wards men. You bring Joy and gladness with you,
and spread harmony and delight around. You seek
to change no mans political views or to overthmw
no political party. You see no frightened inbabi-
tants rushing away at your approach
but on the.other hand you behold this large assem-
bage of your fellow citizens of every party and pro-
fession of every age and condition, come forward to-
day with one accord to welcome and to bless you;
for repeat sir that ever ready to render the
homage of grateful hearts to exalted abilities, devo
ted patriotism and ardent love of country, and we are
happy that we are permitted to testify to you, per-
sonally. high appreciation of your tirmness IN
the discharge of your official duties and of your he
roic determination to stand by the Constitution and
the Union. Allow me, sir, to wish you pleasant
soiourn in our midst and safe return to your home
when your contemplated festivities shall have closed,
and to assure you that you will carry with you
through life our best wishes for your long and con-
tinued happiness May you live long. very long, to
enjoy the esteem of your felow-cizens and the con-
seriousness of life devoted to the honor and glory
of your country and may the evening of your life
be as tranquil and serene its meridian has been
glorious and useful
To which Mr. Buchanan replied as follows:
Fellow citizens of North-Carolina: am happy
to meet YOU. From the time that entered your Clio
rious old State until the present time, have been
received with the utmost cordiaty and kindness.
Il
steliness of character for your conservative feeling
and for your true patriotism. You are we'll known
to your sister States, and emphaiallys well known
toIhat State from which proSeaQ NeApplause:)
As long as the people of North Carolina entertain
the principles and the feelings for which they have
been remarkable, as long they entertain that love
of country which has always distinguished them,
as long as they entertain that conservative spirit
which binds together the different States of the
~ II, nj
their fellow citizens of other States. (Applausc.>
The time may come to try their patriotism, and
trust they will find themselves equal to the crisis.
People attempt to value the constitution and the
Union. They are invaluable. (Applause.) Money
cannot represent their value. You cannot estimate
the blessings which the constitution and the Union
confer upon the people of the United States and all
mankind Let us, then, cherish it and promote it.
Let Us swear by the memory of our fathers that we
will resist every attemp: to tear from the constella
ton of States, of which the Union is composed any
fragment Of light; and let the be cxecrated for
all time who will attempt to break up this Curious
Aconfederacy. loud applause.) thank you, fellow
citizens, for this cordial reception am somewhat
fatigued, and feel unable to address you at any
length. 1t is tue, as the gentleman said, do not
come among you like mighty conqueror to dcvas-
tate and destroy, but come among you as plain,
humble individual, like yourselves, with all the
icclliSS anu VI HiduhHhu I"
sincere pride at the cordial reception which greets
me everywhere" (App:ause)
Loud calls were then made for Mr. Thompson,
who stepped forward and said:
Fellow citizens: 1t is not for the want of feel
ing that hesitate to speak. | could not meet you
without having feeling. I don't feel as stranger
among you. feel now that I tread the soil in
which the bones of my ancestors rest and in which
I have spent the larger half of my days You are
neighbors Of mine and this welcome you give, after
have been so long wandering away from the State,
gives my heart pleasure. (Applause.) Fellow cti-
zans, engaged in public service l have been,
leading an active life, | have been in some degree
drawn off from you. To most of you personally
| am stranger. only know those who are as old
as myself and little older. The young men OF
fathers.
"where'er | gu, whatever lands see.
Ny heart uniravelled, fundly turns to thee"
(Applause.) / never will forget North Carolina,
and may God forgive me if ever should entertain
thought of forgetting that good old State, always
so dear to me. | could say but little more, unless
indulge little in the political line and inasl luch
as this would be improper, you will excuse me
from saying anything more"
The whole company then proceeded to dinner
prepared by Maj. Thomas and Lady, and an excel
lent dinner it was Franklinton never acquitted it
self so we'll as on this occasion. Great praise due
to all for their admirable arrangements, and for thu
proprety and hcartiness with which they honoret
the nations Chief The Reporter for the Heratt
says:
AT the close of these addresses the whole COM
pany proceeded to dinner, which was served up in
| spacious room sufficient to accommodate hundred
persons. The President and the committee, Will
some invited guests, occupied one table, and tn
military companies another. All parties evidentl.
enjoyed themselves we'll, for they came forth from
the dining room considerably refreshed and some
what liveier. The sound of the steam whistle
soon brought all to the cars; and after few min
utes we were on the route again, with only twenty
seven miles to overcome.
On reaching astaton called " Huntsville Station,
number of ladies were standing OH the platform
awaiting the arrival of the President Being prett
tired from the repeated descents and ascents to an
Al Al A..