The national Republican. [volume] (Washington City [D.C.]) 1866-1870, 1866-09-17

formed in line on each side Of the opening
through which the President passed. while
Mayor Wallach, with the Mayor Of George
town and Mayor Of Alexandria, occupied
positions on the steps at the head ofthe space.
A few minutes past seven o'clock the
President reached the City Hall, leaning on
the arm Of Alderman Lloyd, and passed up
the passage-way, the people standing with
after cheer was given. Order having been
restored, Mayor Wallach spoke as follows:
SPEECH OF MAYOR wALLAoH. "a
After shaking hands with the President,
Mayor Wallach spoke as follows:
Mn. PRESIDENT: Every street has sent forth its
resident, every alley its inhabtant and under al
most the very dome Of the Capitol, hallowed by
memories Of noble men and great events, the peo.
pie Of Washington are gathered to tender to you,
sir, and the distinguished associates Of your Jour.
ney, an earnest and heartfelt welcome to the homo
hxsd by tho Constitution, for whish you evince SO
much reverence, as your official residence.
How lively q satisfaction this event of your re.
turn TO their midst occasions your fellow. ctizens
and neighbors Of the metropolis of the Union this
multitude Of upturned and anxious countsnances,
moved BY one impulse Of regard for you, more read
| iy portrays than any language Of mine.
DISTINGUISHED though they be, they have, in com.
mon with the whole country an interest In presorv
ing and showing for the authority Of the
| laws, we'll for what they are now here to show
respect for those who fearessly and honestly exc.
cute them.
Its whole population has, therefore. come out to
greet you eager to attest their appreciation Of your
unimpeaohabe integrity rs a man and public func-
tonary, and that reverence which on every princi
pie Of national pride, honor and patriotism is due
to your elevated position. II Is occasion which,
| uniting all In one common feeling, carries with IL
its own qualification in the thoughts which at this
moment arise in every heart and hang every
tongue; and indeed that the people Of Washington,
comprehsnding them in all their magnitude, and
feeling all their Importance, deeply sympathize with
you In your efforts to inoulcate q spirit Of harmony
throughout the land for the reconstruction and 70
| storstion Of the Union under the solemn convic.
tion that the thirty.six States now, before
the rebellion, but one country. Cheers.
Ninety years ago the predecessors Of those who
occupy positions under yonder dome of the Capitol
declared that the then colonies Of this country
were and ought Of right to be free and indie
| pendent States" That declaration Of those pa
triotic men in q time Of almost equal socitude
| and anxiety, with thoughts mingled with hopes and
fears almost great theirs, meets with o ready
response in your heart and in those Of the multi.
tude. whose earnest hope is that your journey, now
so safely over, may lead TO an era Of harmony and
good feeling, tending to perpetuate the institutions
Of this great and glorious country, which you and
they have so much at heart
1t was needless in me as the organ Of our city
aud representative Of its people to have said what
have the people Of Washington are here them.
selves in masses, from all professions and occupa.
tions individuals and associations to testify the
respect in which they hold you, and the pleasure
your safe return to their midst affords them
THE PRESIDENTS REPLY.
FELLow-cIrzESs: Through your honors1 repre-
sentative and organ here tonight, permit me to
turn to you my sincere thanks for this cordial vel
come and reception upon my return to, may say,
my home, for II have any 1t Is here and upor
Remittance upon the discharge Of my official du.
ties. [Cheers
To receive welcome Of this kind from people
10 whose midst I have lived Tor number of years,
and where have recently been trying to discharge
the duties imposed on me as Chief Magistrate BY
tho Consultation Of the country, to receive such
welcome say, from people under whose eyes
: have been discharging these duties, IL to me q
source Of peculiar and profound gratitude; and all
that can say. intend to say upon the reception
Of this welcome through your honorsd rspresenta
tive, 10 that you must take the past discharge oil
: ny conduct in your midst as evidence Of what
ny futurs course will be. IA voice-"We ask nc
| better.n Cheers
In returning here In your midst to resume my
y, public duties, do not return for the purpose Of
, making professions They would be unmsaning
and worthless If my past conduct Is not sufficient
indication Of what my future course will be.
l Cheers.
Allusion has been made by your honored repre-
sentative to the tour recently performed to partici
4 pate In the laying Of the cornerstone Of monu
I ment to DO erected to one Of our distinguish,
: fellow-citlsns. Let me say to you, that through
that tour the demonstrations and manifestations o
I the popular heart were unmistakable. l tell you
that the great mass Of the American people ar,
being moved, and that the popular heart Is going
to respond TO the demand that the Constitution,
the Union, and the laws Of the United States arr
making upon it. [Great cheers
Though you may occupy position that pre-
cludes your participating in the election Of mem
hers Of Congress in the legislation Of the nation
generally, yet, let me say to you. you are an intel
= ligent, patriotic community. You have a mora
power and influence which, when manifested, dc
monstI ated, and exercised in proper direction, /
not without avail and effect beyond the limits o
!. the District Of Columbia. You . part Of thi
It great vhols-the American people, and you
8 voioss, your power, and your influence have thei
q corresponding prepondsrance In the settlement Q
: | the great questions that arise In this country an
my honest conviction is, that the great mass of tn
American people, when they have an opportunt
u to speak, will speak as they have spoken in time
past and their determination will be potsntisl an
o decided in It's character and 1t will be that tn
q Union, the restoration Of these States must be
a [Chsers.j
have ne speech to make to you TO- night, bu
wish simply to give utteranoe to the funess Of
heart and to tender my thanks for this spontaneou
manifestation, this cordial welcome you have give
to your humble instrument at his return to the d
g. charge of his public duties. Then, through you
y honored representative, please accept my thank
for this manifestation Of confidence in who hs
;, known you long, and will remain among you for
u short time, II life should be spared him. CHEERS
y The President having concluded his r,
% marks, the distinguished party were agai
l. escorted to the carriages when the procet
y sion marched in the following order:
,s THE PROCESSION.
" Aids-Chef Marshal-Aids.
The military escort consisting OF Mau
tnH