The Portland daily press., 1867-06-08
The Presidents Southern Tour,
RALEIGH, N. c., June 6.

RALEIGH, N. c., June g.
The Presidential party attended the COM
mencement exercises of the University at
Chapel Hill yesterday. They were escorted
from Raleigh by procession, including the
scholars and officers OF the institution and the
Governor of North Carolina. Before the war
the average number of pupils was 500, but at
present there are not more than 100. A ball
was given tonight by the graduating class,
which was attended by portion of the Presi-
Dental party. The President and his friends
will leave Chapel Hill on Friday and return to
Washington on Saturday afternoon
Second Dispatch.-The University exercises
being over at Chapel Hill the Presidential
party left there this morning on their return
trip, and was everywhere received with marked
hospitality and respect, but public demonstra-
lions have been as calm and composed as those
of the North on the reception cases. The ex-
cursion has been so tar pleasant to all con-
cerned. Major Gen. Sickles and staff and
Governor Worth accompanied the party back
to Raleigh.
PETERSBURG, va, June z.
The President and party arrived here at
o'clock this evening on their return to Wash
ington, having been escorted hither from Jar
etts depot, thirty miles from Petersburg by
Mayor Cottier and committee of the City
Council. The Mayor renewed the tender of
inequalities formerly offered by the municipal
authorities. The President, while grateful for
this manifestation of kindness, regrette ID that
his public engagements compelled him to de-
cline the desired sojourn for day, as business
required his immediate return to Washington.
A large concourse of people at the hotel re-
ceived the party with repeated cheers, and the
President having been called for made a few
remarks, in which he said he tried to discharge
his duties faithfully. He had made conscien-
tious conviction his courage, the public good
his aim and the Constitution his guide, and by
these he would stand. He expressed his graft
tude for the reception, and hoped that when
he again came here it would be under more
favorable circumstances, with the country
whole, peace and prosperity everywhere pre-
yailing. He was heartily cheered. Secretory
Seward, in response to a call, merely remarked
that they had heard from the President exact
ly whist he would say were he to make speech.
Postmaster General Randall was required to
speak, and he briefly admonished all to forget
the strife Of the past and to unite for the future
in our countrys prosperity. The party re-
manned an hour in Petersburg, and were hand
somely entertained with supper, besides re-
ceiving other attentions. The party will re-
main at Richmond tonight and leave Tor
Washington on Saturday morning. .-l.
RICHMOND, VA, June Z.
The Presidential party arrived here at ten
o'clock, and were met at the depot by the May
or and Committee of the City Council, and
Capt. Milward of the Spoottswotd Hotel, by
whom they were escorted to that hotel. AT
all the stations on the way hither many per-
sons, notwithstanding the rain, came to see
the President, and saluted him with cheers
At Weldon he made few remarks merely
in acknowledgement of the compliment, as did
also Secretary Seward. Several voices were
heard replying to the latter, "God bless You
old man, God bless you'll" and similar wishes
were expressed for the President The recep-
ton at Weldon was more earnest than at ai1y
other place between Raleigh and Petersburg.
After the President arrived at the Spots
wood Hotel large number of persons crowd
ed to the parlors, where the President and Mr..
Seward We're introduced to them. There was
tonight more enthusiasm than when the Pres
ident arrived in this city last Monday, and the
greeting was more cordial. The President
made short address to the people assembled
in the parlors OF the hotel. He presumed that
if his policy and that of his administration was
not understood from the speeches he had al
ready made, no speech IS he could now make
would render his principles more clear He
returned his thanks IOr the cordial reception
extended TO him by the citizens of Richmond
Mr.. Seward, who was warmly received, said he
waspleased with the reception all along the trip
and in the city. and thought the North as well
as the South were coming to understand the
mathematical axiom that the whole is greater
tqan the part. He said he never favored war
until forced into it; he never desired peace
without tull restoration of the Union. If
Washington could be called from his grave,
and the questions now in issue could be pre-
scented to him he would say, mo confiscation;
try" He did not aspire to be greater than
Washington, and thanked the audience for
their kind attention. The crowd then retired.