Phenix gazette. [volume] (Alexandria [D.C.]) 1825-1833, 1828-06-13
From the Boston Courier.
FANEUlL-HALL DINNER.

winch wAS-|OuE NlSlUSuiouSl
the nubles' homage which free men can give,
or a free NAV receive, the homage oil their hearts
Nj WEBSTER said
The honor cor lerred by this occasion, as well
as the manner in which he meeting has been
pleased to receive what has now been proposed
To ,hem from the Chair, requires from me a
mus, respectful acknowledgement and a few
words al honest s sipcere thanks. l should, In
deed be lost 10 all just Telling, or gully oil a
weak aud puerile aff, Citation, If | should fail to
manifest the emotions, which are excited by
these testimonials Of regard, from those among
whom | hive, who see me Cftenesl and know me
besr. IF the appreciation Of good men be an OBJ
iect fit tobe pur SUED, il is fit 10 be enjoyed; if it
be, as il doubtless Is one Of the most string and
invfsora,ing motives, which operate upon the
mind, i, is also, among The richest rewards
which console aod CRAFTY he heart.
| confess myself particularly touched, and af-
frcled, MIR President, aud gentlemen, by the
kind feeling WINK h you manifest towards me, as
your fellow citiz"n, your neighbor and your
friend. Respect and confidence, in these rela>
:ions of life, lie ar he foundation Of all valuable
character. They are as essential TO Solid or
permanent re- reputation, as to dun able socia! hap-
pirtss. assure YOU, sir, with the utmost siA-
ceri v. hat here Is n1th,ns which could flow
from eu'Gaa appreciation or applause, no dis
function howr'er higt, o. ~alluring, no obj"ci Of
ambiuoo, which could possibly be brought
within ue Lorizon of my view, that would
tempt me, in any degree, justly to forfeit III" at
~tachment Of my private friends, or sarrender
my hold, as a citizen, aud a neIgl'bor, on the
confidence Of the community liz which ! live; a
community, To which | owe 81 much, in The
bosom Of which | have enjoyed so much, aud
where | still hone 10 remain, in the exercise Of
mutual good offices, and the Interchange Of mu-
tual good wishes for the residue Of life.
The communication witch the meeting ha,
bestowed on my attempts at public service, ]
am conscious, is measured rather by their own
kindness than any other standard. OF those at
trmpts, no one can think more humbly than l
do. Thesaff,irs OF the general government: for
eipr add domestic, are vast and various, and
complicated, They require from those who
would aspire to take a Trading part in them an
amount, q ~y;risty, aud an accuracy Of informa>
ten, whiCh, even il The adequate capacity were
not wanting, 2re not r,slly attained by one whose
attention is necessarily mainly devoted 20 the
duties Of an active and laboriIus proi, ssion.-.
For this, rs well as tor many other reasons, |
am cor soious Of having discharged m! public
duics, in a manner no way eni lIag them to the
degree of favyI which mas now been manifested.
Aud tn, manifestation Of favor and regard
IA hN " SSlNN'S''y ~
dor aud kindncss Of the meeting, on this coca
sion, since it is well known, that in a recent in.
stance, aud in regard 10 an important measure,
/ have felt il my duty to give a vote, IN respect
10 The expedicncy and propriety of which con"
siderable difference Of opinion exists, between
persons equally entitled 10 myhrgard and couf-
dcnce. The candid Interpretation which has
. been given 10 that vote, by those who disap
proved il, and the assembling together here, Tor
the pui pose OF this occasion, of those who fell
pain, as we'll as those who felt pleasure, at The
success Of The measure for which the vote was
given, afford ample proof, how far unsuspecl-
ed oprighineS Of intention, and the exercise OF
an independent Judgment may be respect
ed, even by those who differ from the results
10 which that exercise Of judgment has arriv-
ed. There is no class Of the community for
whose interest / have ever cherished a more
sincere regard, ,han that on whose pur.
suits some parts of the measure alluded
10 bear with grea, severity. They are salts.
fed, I hope, that in supporting a measure
in any degree injurious 10 them; l must have
been governed by other paramount reasons, sat-
~isfactory 10 my own conscience; and tina, ihe
blow, inflicted on their int rests, was felt by me
almosta as painfully and heavily, as il could he
By thnse on whom. il Immediately fell. l am
not now about 10 enter into the reasons OF that
role, or to explain the necessity, under which
found myself placed, by a most strange aud
unprecedented manner Of legislation, Of taking
the evil ola public measure for the sake OF lis
good; the good aud the bad provisions relating
to different subjects, having not The slightest
connexion with each other, yet yoked together,
aud kip. together, for reasons and purposes
which ] need not state, as they have been bold
ly avowed, and are now before the public.
Ia WAS nv nisfOrtupe Sir nm that orc,aiop
to differ from my most estima5le & worthy coll
league. And yet probably, our difference was
not so broad as it might seem. We both saw,
in the measure, something to approve. If it
could have been left to US TO mould and frame
il according TO our opinions of what the good
Of the country required, there would have been
nc diversity Of judgment between US, as to
what should have been retained and what re-
jected. The only difference was, when the mea>
sure had assumed its final shape, whether the
good it contained SO far preponderated over its