Massachusetts spy and Worcester advertiser. [volume] ([Worcester, Mass.]) 1823-1825, 1825-04-13
3anltttrdI.
Mr.. WEBSTER'S SPEECH,

MR.. WEBSTER'S SPEECH.
Az crowded meeting of the citizens of Bos-
ton, held at Faneuil Hall on the evening of
the third inst. the Hon. DANIEL WEB
SIER embraced the occasion to address his
teiow-citizens. The Centinel remarks
that no address ever delivered in the Cradle
OF Liberty, from the days Of James Otis TO
Inc present day, was ever listened to with
more mtenseness, or impression. or was re-
celVed with more ardent and unan imous &C
Carnations. The following report of the
Address is copied from the Boston Courier.
MIR. Webster said he was quite unaccustom-
ed TO appear in that place; having, on no oc-
cason, addressed his fellow.c;izens there,
either to recommend or to oppose the support
OF any candidate for public Office. He had
long been OF opinion, that to preserve the dis
JUNCTION and the hostility Of. political parties.
was not consistent with the highest degree Of
public good. At the same time he did not
find fault with the conduct, nor question the
motives, of those who thought otherwise. But,
entertaining this opinion, he had abstaincd
rom attending on these occasions, in which
the merits OF public men, and of candidates
Tor oihce were discussed, necessarily, with
more or less reference to party attachment and
party organization.
The present was different occasion.-The
sentiment which had called this meeting to-
gethsr, was sentiment of union and concilia-
ton; sentiment, so congenial to his own
feelings, and TO his opinion of the public in
terest, that he could not resist the inclination
to be present, and TO express his entire and
hearty appreciation.
lie should forbear, Mr.. Webster said, from
all remarks upon the particular names, which
had been recommended by the committee.
They had heen selected, he must presume,
fairly, and with due consideration, by those
who were appointed for that purpose. In cas-
es of this sort every one cannot expect to find
every thing precisely as he might wish it but
those who concurred in the general sentiment
would naturally allow that sentiment to pre-
vail, as far as possible, over particular objec-
tons.
On the general question he would make a
few remarks, begging the indulgence of the
meeting, if he should say any thing which
might, with more propriety, proceed from
others.
He hardly conceived how we'll disposed
and intelligent minds could differ, as TO the
question, whether party contest, and party
strife, organized, systematic, and continued
were of themselves desirable ingredients in
the composition of society. Difference of o.
pinion. on political subjects, honorable compe-
tition, and cmulous rivalry, may, indeed. be
useful. But these are very different things
from organized & systematic party combina-
tons. He admitted, even, that party associa-
~; ,IoL oxl
necessary, to the accom- plishment of other ends
and purposes. But this did not prove that,
of themselves, they were good or that they
should be continued and preserved for their
own sake, when there had ceased to be any
object 10 be effected by them
But there were those who supposed. that
whether political party distinctions were, or
were not useful, it was impossible to abolish
them. Now he thought, on the contrary,
that under present circumstances, it was
quite impossible to continue them. New
parties, indeed, might arise, growing out OF
new events, or new questions; but as to those
old parties which had sprung from controver
sizes now no longer pending, or from feel
mgs which time and other causes had now
changed, or greatly allayed, he did not be-
lieve that they could long remain. Efforts in
deed made to that end, with zeal and perse-
verancc, might delay their extinction, but,
he thought, could not prevent it. There was
nothing to keep alive these distinctions, in the
interests and objects which now engage soci-
ETY.. New questions and new objects arise,
having no connection with the subjects of tue
past controversies, and present interest over
comes or absorbs the recollection of former
COntrOVprSIno bat tod No.
existing questions, and present interests, are
not likely to weaken their efforts to promote
them by angry reflections on past differences.
If there were nothing, n, things, to divide a.
bout, he thought the people not likely to
maintain systematic controversies about men.
They have no interest in so doing. Associa.
tons formed to support principles, may be call
ed parties, but if they have no bond of union
but adherence to particular men, hey become
factions.
The people, in his opinion, were at present
grateful to all parties, for whatever of good
they had accomplished, and indulgent to ali for
whatever Of error they had committed; and,
with these feelings, were now mainly intent
on the great objects which affected their pres.
ent interests. There might be exceptions to
this remark; he was afraid here were; but
nevertheless, such appeared to him to be the
general feeling in The country 1t was natur-
al that some prejudices should remain longer
than their causes, as the waves lash the shore
for time, after the storm has subsidized; but
the tendency Of the elements was to repose.
Monopolies Of all sorts were getting out OF
fashion, they were yielding to liberal ideas,
and to the obvious justice ard expediency Of