LATER AMERICAN NEWS

Timaru Herald, Volume V, Issue 156, 24 November 1866, Page 4

LATER AMERICAN NEWS

By the barque Canton, which arrived m Auckland on the 7th instant from California, we have news to the 31st Ang-ust. From the Alia California of lhat date we take the following" items of intelligence: — THE PRESIDENTIAL EXCURSION. Philadelphia, August 20th. — Tin; Presidential party left at 7 o'clock this morning", General Mcnde accompanying them to New York. General liuttcr/ield arrived here last night as the representative of the Committee of the citizens of New York. New York, Aug-ust 29th. — The Presidential party arrived, via Jersey City, at a little past one o'clock this afternoon, and were received by Mayor Hoffman, the members of the Common Council, and the city military. The Mayor made a brief speech of welcome, which was briefly responded to. The procession moved to the City Hall, where, m the Governor's room, a formal reception took place. Subsequent!}', there was a review of the military by President Johnson, when the immense procession moved through Broadway to Delmonico's where, at six o'clock, there will bo a grand banquet. Broadway and all the public and private residences, and all the foreign and domestic shipping", are gaily decorated with Hags and streamers, and a larger crowd of people is m the streets than on the arrival of the remains of the late President Lincoln. Thus far, all has gone on smoothly, the weather being" propitious. To-night the President will be serenaded, at ten o'clock, m front of Delmonico's, and if not too weary will make an address. Mayor Hoffman, m his welcome to the President at the City Hall, said : The City of New York, which now greets you has never faltered m its devotion to the Union and the Constitution, and never will. It is the metropolis of the country, and when it speaks it does not speak m whispers or utter uncertain sounds. It speaks to-day, and I trust this great demonstration, m which capital and labor have both united, will cheer your heart and strengthen your hands m the great work of peace and restoration m which you are engaged. I will detain you no longer. The people are impatient to greet you. Their actions will speak more eloquently than mere words. 1 beg your accepting 1 of this engrossed copy of the resolutions of the Common Council, and with them extend to you the hospitalities of the city." The President, m a voice evidently affected by emotion, said, — " To make a reply to what you have just given utterance to, under the circumstances, would be more than I could undertake. I am overwhelmed at the reception you have accorded to me. (Applause.) Language is inadequate to give expression to my feelings. I accepted your invitation, and now beg" you will m retui'n accept my most sincere thanks. Such an invitation, from this great metropolis ought to encourage, and it does encourage me, m the faithful discharge of my duty. (Cheers.) It is peculiarly acceptable at this time, fresh as we are from the battle-field, but there is still a greater battle before us. (Cheers.) In reference to Avliat I have done, it is before you, and it is for you to determine what my conduct has been. (Applause.) In conclusion, let silence speak for me — what I ought to saj r and what I intend to do. (Cheers.) In accepting these resolutions, accompanied by the sentiments so gracefully uttered, I again return you my sincere thanks." At the conclusion of the President's remarks he was greeted with three times three cheers. Loud calls were then made for Mr Secretary Seward, who m response said, " I feel that I am at home, and I thank yoxi tor the welcome you have extended. (Cheers.) I feel more than that, for I have brought with me to your and my home the President of the United States. (Cheers.) United by the arms of our heroes, by the virtue of our citizens, and by the wisdom and energy of our Chief Magistrate, if anything- is wanting-, it is the certificate which we look for at the coming' polls to bear us out m our opinions that the United States should consist of thirty-six instead of twenty-five States. (Great applause.) In the city and States of New York the people should be faithful, first to their wives, then to their children, then to the city and State, and then to the country. To those duties I adhere, and if persons were to interfere with me m the faithfully carrying- out of these principles, I could overbalance them and still be faithful to the country. (Great cheering".) After the address the Mayor presented the city officials and citizens, which ceremony continued for about an hour. The procession of the party up Broadway was n magnificent ovation. Every available space was occupied by the assembled thousands. Bouquets were showered down by hundreds. The cheers which greeted General Grant and Admiral Farragrit were especially noticeable. On their arrival at Delmonico's the part}' reviewed the division of troops. The President was called upon to speak, but declined to make a speech, saying" that " none was needed after the demonstration which had been made to-day. I leave the Constitution and Union m your hands." The party was afterwards entertained at dinner by a few privileged citizens, which was continued until a late hour of the nig-ht.