The North Carolina Standard

COL. JOHNSON:

This distinguished hero and patriot was at Boston on the 12th inst. He was received in fine style, and welcomed to the City by Edward Cruft, Jr. Esq. in the following impressive and eloquent speech:

Sir.—As chairman of the committee of arrangements, it is my honor and my pleasure to tender you, on behalf of your friends, their hospitality and welcome. We read in ancient history that triumphal arches honored the approach of the conqueror as he travelled from place to place; our triumphal arch, and which we erect and dedicate to you, is the arch of gratitude—gratitude for services in war, gratitude for services in peace. We, of the people, untravelled, of our own hearty freewill and consent, would do honor to him, upon whose person are the marks that he has done something for them. We, the descendants of those who fought on yonder plains. Lexington and Bunker's Hill, would greet one whose whole life has been a defence and advocacy of the principles there contended for.—and we who would do homage to the noblest work of God— an honest man—wish to take by the hand—Richard M. Johnson. Miles separate us from your residence, sir, and one might say you were a stranger here; but no, you are no stranger; miles and distance are annihilated, because your known services to our common country for nearly forty years have made us as familiar with you as if you lived amongst us. We all know that in the last war, where the blows fell fastest and thickest, there was your post. We all know that the savage chieftain fell by your hands, and our hearts leap with gratitude when we hear the name of the Hero of the Thames.

We all remember when the attempt was made to strengthen the arm of religion by political enactments, and the eloquence and force of Col. R. M. Johnson, which proclaimed, thus far shalt thou come and no farther; and that throughout the country, the separation of church and state must be, and should be, eternal.

We have not forgotten your labors. year after year, to wipe off that stain from the fair escutcheon of our institutions, that most odious of all forms of slavery, imprisonment for debt. We recognise you as the first American who came forward in our national legislature against this barbarous practice.

We see in you one whose labor for the soldier's widow and orphan has been such as to call down on your head the best wishes and Blessings of thousands.

We hail you as the friend of the oppressed of this and other climes. Your course in the halls of legislation has always been uniformly such that the oppressed and the friends of the oppressed look to you as their advocate and friend.

For all these things, we would do you honor, and homage.

We honor you as a friend, tried and proved; as the supporter of the corner-stone of our free institutions—equal rights to all. The pious Mahometan, in his daily prayers, is said to turn from the remotest land towards the temple of Mecca; so do we turn for strength and support to one who has always proved himself our advocate and friend.

For the services you have rendered your country and fellow men, in the field and in the halls of legislation. we thank you. for them; we delight to do you honor, and we welcome you to the city of Boston.