Daily union and American. [volume] (Nashville, Tenn.) 1865-1866, 1866-09-04
President JohnsOn's Reception at Buff:

faIO.
BUFFALO. N. Y, Sept. 3-The following is ex-
President FILLMORE's speech ON the reception O
the President and suite in this city to-day:
Mr.. PRESIDENT pleasing duty has been
assigned me welcoming you and your distinguish
ed members, and the gallant officers Of the army
accompanying you, to the hospitblitieS Of Buffalo
This duty is the more grateful to my feelings and
the more- honorable to you sir, | am author
lied to speak in the name, and on behalf of not
only of the city authorities, but also of al our
citizens. without distinction OF party sect. have
cordially united IN this testimony of respect to the
Chief Magistrate of the natien, they know and
appreciate your patriotic devotion to the Union
during the darkest days of rebellion, when the
Senators and Representatives in Congress threat
ened treason, and your own State swung from her
mOOrings under the conviction, and drifted into
the turbed stream of Secession, you stood like q
rock in the middle of the ocean, against which the
waves of rebellion dashed in vain. still standing
erect, while the tempest howled and the waters
surged around you you firmly resolved that the
Union should be maintained.
Since the war new issues have arisen, of which
it would not be proper for me to speak this oc-
casiOu, but think may venture to assure you
that however we may differ as 10 the best mode of
accomplishing it, yet we are, with few exceptions.
anxious to see the Union restored under the Con-
stitution, and commercial intercourse and frater-
nal love again welding the North and South.
The sooner this is accomplished the better for the
country. Every intelligent man knows that until
all this is done their credit cannot be established
abroad, and business. to a certain extent, must
be paralyzed at home. As matters now stand all
is doubts and uncertainties, and no man can
safely predict what may happen next month or
next year. But l will not detain you any longer
this evening. The multitude that stands before
you are anxious to hear the voice of the man they
have met to honor, and not mine, and therefore
with sincere prayers l repeat the prayer that
your journey may be pleasant and safe one.
| repeat the cordial welcome TO our city. and
regret that your stay is necessarily brief. Allow
me the honor to present yOn to your and to our
Mr.. FrLLMoRE's address was.received with great
applause.
THE PRESIDENTS REPLY.
Mr.. CHAIRMAN, and through you this large con-
course that stands before me: feel incompetent
to present in language sufficient to describe the
feelings and emotions prOdueed but if | were
disposed to make a speech. and time would per-
NIT me to do it, notwithstanding, | am over
whelmed with the presentation here to-day and
in the manifestations of regard and respect. am
yet myself wholly unprepared The mind would
be exceedingly barren, the genius dull that could
not say something IN welcome on an occasion like
this [Applausel.
/ SIN free to confess to you that since l started
on this tour, from the capitol Of the Government
to my place of destination in the West, the de-
monstrations that have been manifested by the
great mass of the people, are exceedingly fat
tering and gratifying to me, for | am nothing but
mortal man, and man is susceptible to hattery,
and loVesit. While 1 admit this defect and i'm
perfection of my nature, l trust in God that
/ have discrimination enough to see the
difference between manifestation given to in-
dividuals and the emergencies that bring them
forth. Hear. hear There is one thing cannot
be mistaken in. The signs of the times are that
the American people have undertaken great
work. There was a rebellion, and the Govern
ment sometime since commenced to put the
rebellion down. At the beginning of the sup
preston Of this rebellion there certain prin-
cipIes declared as has been alleged BY your
distinguished representative to-day, whose cha
raeter is to us known for a great many years, if
not as well as in person in the midst of the strug-
gle when the rebellion began. When it seemed to
me that the political horizon was most lowering.
| determined to stand upon the Constitution
and the flag of my country.
He sent me letter from distant Government,
which was exceedingly encouraging and crafty
ing at such time. When surrounded by trials
and difficulties, sometimes these who have the
reputation of the strongest arms and hearts yield
and give up, but we got encouraging news like
this from various quarters, and when such ap-
probation is manifested By the great masses of
the people, still | tell you have confidence in the
great masses Of the peOple-that they will settle
this question and the Union and Constitution
be preserved, lapplause,l as has been. When
the rebellion ended l placed my feet on the Con-
stitutiOn of America as the great rampant of
freedom, and there have stood from that mo-
ment to the present and,l God being willing. /
intend to stand by the flag of my country till it
triumphs. Repeated cheers.] 1t has been said
by,sOme that | have abandoned the principles Of
those who elected me, and that had committed
treason to my country. Let me stand before you
to-day, and could look each man in the eye,
and ne had the power to look into the reeesses of
my heart he would then ascertain who had been
When 1 started in this struggle in opposition to
the leaders Of the South. was determined When
this great circle Of the Union, the magic circle Of
freedom, whether attacked from the North or
South. that my business was TO protect and defend
tho cities of God, and stood against the attack in
the South until victory perched on our standard.
l stood until the army was dissolved, until they
came forward and acknowledged their error
and said the armies of their own selection had set.
tied against them, and in spirit of magnanimity
they said TO their sister States they were again
willing to accept terms of adherence to the Con-
stitution and protection to the Union. Submit to
the law said, and let us become one people.
The States ratified the amendment through
their Legislatures, and they have done the other
things required OF them. and these conditions of
covenant were participated in by your distin-
guished fellow citizen, the Secretary Of State.
Hon. WM. II. SEwARD. Applause. They said
to the people " no had acknOwl lodged their error
rescind your ordinances ofseeession, They did it.
They said abolish the obligations incurred in car
rying on the rebellion. They did il. They rah-
fed the amendment to the Constitution of the
United States abolishing slavery forever within
the jurisdiction of the United States. And now
that the apple Of diseord is removed and now that
they are willing to submit 10 our terlns--n0w that
they give allegianee to the Constitution and laws
now that they are willing to pay the debt in
Cured in suppressing them, and now when they
are willing to take up the flag aud support the
Constitution Of the country, Jet enjoy the
Union together. have said, as others that they
are bone Of our bone, and flesh Of our hesh-they
are our kindred. We should have no divisions
here. but should go on with the work Of restora-
gratitude And now parting with you, nOtwith-
standing treason has been charged on me- / have
committed no treason. I have filled my place in
this Government. What should / play traitor
for. They say | have pardOned here and there
/ have pardOned when Governor and since being
President of the United States. | am one Of
those who believe that a man may do wrong
and afterwards do right. Applause, and cries of
bully for you. And if we were all put down who
do wrong, fear my eountrymen there would not
be many Of us left in parting from you. l tender
my sincere thanks for your manifest regard and
respect to the Chief Magistrate of the United
States, fellOw-citiZens. For | thank God am
citizen Of the United States, and not as cOnteuded
by leaving State out Of the Uniani and therefore
/ thank God | am citizen of tie United States.
In parting with you on this occasion. if | know
myself, and think do, Laughter | do itwith
the best of feeling Of feelings of my heart, with
wishes for cur prosperity, and the blessings Of
heaven 10 shower upon you under this flag and
your country Not with twenty-five stars but
with thirty-six. LApplause,l
l hand over TO you the Union Of these States
not semi-circe. but a complete circle Of the
States. and along with them the flag Of your
country, and take the Union, for | know they will
be preserved and protected in your hands. "A
Suicc- EuTeVcz. AppiHuse) without dis
tinctiOn Of party / have been made welcome here
to-day. and the time Is coming when men are
tearing loose from the shaekles Of party. The
time Is coming when you will sec the great mass
Of the people IN the country rallyiDg around the
altar OF their country instead Of their party and
when you see that you may be assured Of the
eOuntry's safety. take the flag. take the COnstitu
tan. take the Union, and take Government into
your own hands. and know that they are safe.
May the blessings Of God rest on you. Goodbye.
| thank you for this welcome. (Three cheers