"government by the people, of the people and for the people" has not perished from off the face of the earth, but "still lives the home of liberty and the birth-right of every American citizen." Mayor Warwick responded in a patriotic and appropriate address, after which the guests were driven around town in carriages until the time for their departure, when they boarded the train and started on their trip South, delighted with their reception in Fredericksburg. A Chinaman who witnessed the demonstration remarked that Christians charged his people with idolatry in worshipping the dead, because they honored their deceased parents, but a Chinaman never worshipped an old bell as he had seen Christian people doing on this occasion. CHAPTER XVII _Visits of Heroes--Gala Days--The Society of the Army of the Potomac Enters Town, &c._ Fredericksburg has received the visits of many heroes and statesmen, and on various occasions has been placed on "dress parade," and proved herself equal to the demands made upon her on every occasion. Only a few of these visits are mentioned here, but these few should be placed upon perpetual record that they may inspire our noble youth and the coming generations and cause them to appreciate more highly the great blessings transmitted to them through the efforts and achievements of those heroes. GEN. GREEN VISITS THE TOWN. The first we mention is the visit of Major-General Nathaniel Green, on his way from Georgia to his home in New Hampshire at the close of the Revolutionary war. In 1780 the patriot cause in Georgia and North Carolina appeared to be lost, in consequence of the overwhelming numbers of the British and the ravages of the Tories, which brought disaster to our arms. In this condition of things Washington recommended that Gen. Nathaniel Green should be placed in command, but Congress sent Gen. Gates instead. Before leaving for his new field Gen. Gates had an interview with Gen. Charles Lee--who was then without a command--in Fredericksburg, when Gen. Lee charged him in parting, "Beware that your northern laurels do not change to southern willows." Gen. Gates went to his field of operation, met with disaster, and was relieved by Gen. Green; and it is worthy of note that Gen. Gates left Fredericksburg for his southern command, and Gen. Green passed through Fredericksburg when he went down to relieve him.