Montgomery County sentinel. [volume] (Rockville, Md.) 1855-1974, 1877-10-19
Address Of Welcome.

| Upon the visit, last week, of the President
| and portion of his Cabinet to the Agricultural
| Fair at Frederick the following eloquent adj
dress Of welcome was delivered;
Hon John Richie, Of Frederick Nd, said :
Mr.. Presdent--ln the name of our society
and Of this greeting multitude from the States
| of Pennsy lvania, Virginia and Maryland, |
bid you and your cabinet a cordial welcome
| to our midst
Whilst you are expected to manifest a lively
| interest 10 enterprises that promote the welfare
OF your countrymen, it is nevertheless high
| distinction TO have the chief executive and his
advisers with US on this occasion, and we de-
sire TO express our sincere appreciation Of the
honor. Applause.
An exposition of this kind is well worthy
OF your attendance. In former age royalty
loved TO lend is presence to the pageantry of
the tournament, and in our day il appropri-
ately arrays itself where standing armies, the
support OF its prerogatres, sweep in grand
and imposing review. With corresponding
fitness the President Of republic is becom-
ingly found where the people areassembled to
display their achievements in art and agricul-
ture and to celebrate their triumphs of peace.
Great applause.
Probably, Mr.. President, your first refec
ton as you contemplate this landscapes, how
marked the contrast between tbs circumstances
that attended your former presence on our soil
and those which now surround you. Then
you came as a soldier The tread of contend
ing armies shook the earth. Carnage and
desolation ruled the scene. The heights of
yonder mountain, now bending so sereney
over this peaceful valley, were hameG into
volcanic aspect by the beching fires Of oppos-
ing artillery. Down its very side your own
form was carried, PROSTATE and bleeding, from
he kuttI IL
il, and under its shadow you were nursed by
the gentle hands of our own people back to
health and viqor again
Events progressed The storm OF civil war
spent the first sharpness Of its fury. But down
until the destinies of the Union were com
mitted to your care dark and ominous rem
nants of the storm.cloud fingered 20 obscure
the heavens, and its sul!en reverberations
broke the quiet and threatened the peace Of
this land il was reserved for You to pro-
nounce the mandate that restored once more to
our country cloudless sky and silenced those
angry mutterings into calm.
Sir, this is not the occasion 10 enter the re-
gon of party politics but ! feel that / am
above it when say that the great body of your
countrymep, however separated by party
lines, are true and just enough TO fully recog-
nze and appreciate the patriotism that aimed
at and the moral courage that achieved so
blessed consummation. Applause.
We may not cease to ponder the grave as
poets Of that struggle which finally invested
you with the title to the presidential office
Democrats and Republicans may still fifty
continue to discuss the cardinal issues between
them; some honest men may conscientiously
differ with you on the minor question of the
time and method Of your inierposiiion, and
the stormy petrels oil politics, who thrive only
To- a.,. N
their dsmay and dsapproval at policy
which guides the ship Of State into calm and
sunshine; but rest assured the masses Of your
countrymen will award you the verdict Of
'well done" for having used the opportunity
of your great Office since in it to bring back
peace and unity TO this long distracted land
The friends Of the South will applaud you,
the friends Of the Unirn will applaud you !;
for in restoring the one you have re-estab-
lished the other.
Through the warm and potent clasp of your
hand the long-dormant sense of brotherhood
has been reawakened and when the healing
spirit Of your counsels shall have cured the
dis,emper OF prejudice, enlightened patriotism
will realize that the surcst antido,es TO sec
iionalism are justice and good will and then
may we confidently hope for Union beni6cent,
beloved and perpetual. Beholding, as you
here do landscape typical in its recovery
from every vesiige OF the strife that once
marred lis beauty, of the peace that now
abides throughout our border standing amid
q greeting concourse of your fellow-citizens
from representative States, who illustrate in
their frsternal intercourse how the asperties
Of the war are fast fading away in every sec
ton, and surrounded by the evidences oil
rcviying industry, to which your pacific
policy has contributed n fresh and powerful
impulse, feel that all the circumstances are in
happy accord for the congratulations and
welcome we now tender you. [Applause