Herald of the times. [volume] (Newport, R.I.) 1830-1846, 1831-04-06
SPEECH OF MR.. WEBSTER, AT
THE DINNER IN NEW-YORK,
ON THE 25th ult.

After the announcement Of several reg
ular toasts,
Chancellor Kent rose and said that he
was now about to propose toast TO which
he doubted not their judgment and hearts
would cordially respond. Among the
great men ofNew-E -Engla that had been
reared by her fostering care, there was
one who stood before the whole Ameri-
can people as an object ofpecular at
tachment and pride-one who, on late
occasion, had most cogently reiuted the
arguments Of those who had endeavored
to weaken the bond of union in our con-
federacy, and caused their false spec cula-
tions to disappear like spectres before the
sun-one who, by the accuracy Of his
reasoning, the power OF his illustrations,
and his manly zeal, had directed public
attention towards their national rights, s.
rescued constitutional law from the ar
chives in which it had SO long slumbered.
1t was unnecessary to say that that indi-
vidual was he whose name he should
give.
"Our Guest, DANIEL WEBsTER-to
his talents we owe most triumphant vim
dication of the great principles Of the
Constitution.
The bursts Of applause from every
quarter of the room were loud and long,
rs this toast was announced. When ST.
lence was proclaimed, Mr.. Webster rose
and said:
He was conscious that he owed the
extraordinary honor which had been con-
ferred upon him by SO large IA number Of
the citizens Of New- ork, to their afec-
tionate attachment to the Constitution Of
the country. For an effort well intend
ed, however otherwise Of an unpretendng
character, made in the discharge of pub
lie duty to our country, of fvindicating Its
authority, you have been pleased to give
me this mark ofapprobation; and it would
be idle afiectation in me to deny that it
gives ME singular qualification. Every
public man must naturally he desiroiis Of
public appreciation, for he will be anxious
to fill his place with reputation. am
anxious not to disappoint the hopes of
those whose representative l am--ot
those who have called me to a very I'M
portant trust. Yet the circumstances un-
der which this meeting is assembled, al
low me to say, are calculated to afford
me the highest qualification. l know,
gentlemen, that you come here to pay no
homage to power, to interest or to patron
age. feel well assured that the main
purpose OF your assembling on this occa-
sion is, to signify your own conviction of
the benefits enjoyed under the constitu-
tion of your beloved country; your own
zeal in its mainten nance ofits support, and
your own regard for him, (even though
it be with feeble arm, who has made
an effort to resist opinions hazardous to
its existence.
/ Gentlemen; it would be strange, in
deed, if it were otherwise! Where bet
ter than here---where sooner than here
where louder than here,-may we expect
to hear voice Of support, and encour-
agement, when the constitution of our
country is in danger? Where, but in this
great commercial metropolis-this city,
which dates its growth, the origin of its
growth, with the origin Of our country
I in this great commercial emporium-this
central point of the united commerce OF
/. the United States? Where but here
, would men rally to the support flour con-
t stitution in things that might affect its
safety?
:. Gentlemen: no one can estimate more
highly the natural advantages ofyour city
: no one can entertain a higher opinion
than myself Of the civil policy which has
created the government of the state oi
New York; but is it not plain to every
man, and will it not be received as truth
among the community, that all these ad'
, vantages oflocal posse and state pol
icy would have withered and decayed
; have fallen, and perished, without the pro-
lection of some government, extending
over all the states? Can this constitu
tion be other than productive Of bene6
!. to all portions and classes government
il had its origin in the minds Of sensible
men, engaged in commerce. 1t IS
truth which will ever stand on record, tha
among those who first saw the necessity
Of a general government, and put fortf
efforts to establish it, were citizens ofthi'
, great city-New York.
Gentlemen: There are those arount
me, who are old enough to remember tha
after the accomplishment Of the indepcn
!, dence of our country, and at the perioe
Of the adoption Of the constitution Of the
United States-this city contained per.
haps some thirty thousand people: it wal
: the capital ofthe state; but i has now be-
!, come the capital Of all the States, with a