The Massachusetts spy. [volume] (Worcester [Mass.]) 1831-1858, 1832-10-24
MR.. WEBSTER'S SPEECH.
AT THE NATIONAL REPUBLICAN CONVENTION, woR-
cEsTER, OCTOBER H.

than part of my duty al this interesting moment TO make
my own opinions on the state of public affairs known and
however may have performed other duties this least
Is my purpose the present occasion fully Discharge
moi intending TO comment al length all The subjects
winch now attract public attention, discuss any thing,
IN detail, WISH nevertheless before an assembly large
and respectable the present. and through them the whole
people oil the state TO lay open, without reserve, my own
sentiments hopes and fears respecting the state, and The late
OF our common country.
The Resolutions which have been read from the Chair
press the opinion that the public good requires an cectua
change in the administration OF the General Government,
both OF measures, and of men. In this opinion heartily
concur.
Mr.. Presdenl-therc is no citizen of the State who in
principle and by habua sentiment is less disposed than my
self TO general opposition Government less DESTROYS of
frequent changes in its administration entertain this feel
ing strongly and at all times towards the Government of the
United States because have regarded the Federal
Constitution frame of Government peculiar, and
delicate in its relations the State Governments that
might be in danger of overthrow, ell from ndscrmi
nate and wanon opposition, as from weak wicked adj
minsraton Bui may arise in which the Govern
ment longer safe in the hands which has been
trusted may come to be question, not much in what
particular manner according 10 what particular political
opinions the Government shall be administered whether
the Constitution itself shall be preserved and maintained
Now, sir in my Judgment such case, and Just such
question, at this before the American People
Entertaining this sentiment and thoroughly and entirely
Vnced OF lis truth, wish, as far my humble power
tends to awaken the People TO more earnest attention TO
their public concerns. With the People, and the People
alone lies any remedy for the past and any security for the
future No delegated power equal to the exgency of the
present crisis No public servants however able or faithful,
IT for sovereign mierposon. The rescue, if
come at all, must from that power which other pow
or earth resist earnestly wish, therefore, unmpor-
tant as my own opinions may be- and entitled as know
they to considerable regard yet since they hon
est and sincere and since they respect nothing less than dan
gers which appear TO me 10 threaten the Government and
Constitution of the country, erventy WISH that | could
make them known only TO this meeting and to this
State but every in the Union. take the hazard of
the reputation of an alarms cheeruly submit the i'm
putauon OF overeXclled apprehension discard all fear of
the cry OF false prophecy and declare, that in my udg
ment only the great interests of the country but the
Constitution itself is in imminent peril and that nothing
save, either the the other but that voice which has
authority TO 10 the evils OF mrule and mgovernmen
Hitherto shall ye come but no farther
1t is true sir that il the natural effect of good consit
tlon to protect the People But who shall protect the Const
tuition Who shall guard the guardian What arm but the
mighty of the People itself is able popular govern
ment 10 uphold public institutions The Constitution itself
is but the creature of The public will and every crisis which
threatens IT, it must It's secury the same power 10
which il owes its origin.
The appeal therefore, the People, Not to party nor
to pazans not to protested politicians; those who
have interest in Office and place greater than their stake
m the country but TO the People and the whole People
those who in regard political affairs have no wish but for
good government, and who have the power accomplish
their wishes
Mr. President the principles and leading measures of
the Administration hostile the great interests of the coun-
try
Are they dangerous the Constitution and TO the Union of
the States?
there any prospect of beneficial change of principles
and measures, without a change of men
Is there reason able ground hope for such change of
men
On these several questions desire 10 state NV own com
Vctions, fully, though as briefly as possible.
As government IS intended 10 be practical institution if
1t be wisely formed the first and most natural of its adj
mlnsaiion is the effect produced by it. Let look then
to the actual state OF affairs. Is it such should follow
good administration of a good Constitution
r we see on" State openly threatening the
cuon oil me revenue laws OF the Unon by acts of her
This proceeding is threatened not by irresponsible persons
bit by those who fill her chief places of power and
In another State, free citizens of the country mpfson-
II of The S1-
prone Court pronounced for their deverance Immued in
dungeon marked and patched subjects of penitenary
punishment these free citizens pass their DAYS in counting the
slow revolving hours OF their miserable captivity and their
nights in ieveS decisive dreams of their own homes and
their own families while the Constitution stands adjudged
to be violated law OF Congress is efecuay repealed by
the act OF State and Judgment of deverance by the SUI
premc Court, is set at nought and condemned.
Treaties importing the solemn and sacred obligations
are denied to have binding force.
feeling that there is great insecurity for property, and
the stability Of the of living extensively prevails
The whole sub Get of the Tariff acted on for the moment
IS at the same moment declared, not to be at rest but liable
TO be again moved and with greater effect just so soon as
power for that purpose shall he obtained.
The currency of the country hitherto safe sound and uni
VerSaly satisfactory threatened with violent change and
an embarrassment in ecunary affairs equally distressing and
Unnecessary hangs all the trading and active classes
society.
ongused and ong-approved Legislative Instrument for
the collection of revenue well secured against abuse and al
ways responsible to Congress and 10 the laws is denied fur
her exs'ence and lis place is proposed to be supplied by
new branch OF the Executive Department with money pow
er controlled and conducted solely by Executive agency
The power oil the VETO exercised as an eXtraorli
nary, but as an ordinary power common mode of de-
eatng Acts OF Congress not acceptable the Executive
We hear day. that the President needs The advice of no
Cabinets that few Secretaries Clerks are enough for
him. The next, informed. that the Supreme Court is
but an obstacle 10 the popular WILL and the whole judicial de-
parmen but an ncumbrance to Government. And while on
one side the judicial power thus derded and denounced on
the other arises the cry cu down the Scnae and over the
whole at The same time prevails the loud avowa shouted
with all the lungs of conscious party strength and party m
umph that the spols Of the belong 10 the viclors
This condition Of things Sir this general and obvious aspec
OF affairs the result of three years admin sucb
the country has experienced
But not resting this general view of results let me in
qure what the principles and policy ofhe Administration are
on the leading interests of the country subordinate the Con
stuon itself And first what its principles and what its
policy respecting the Tariff? Is this great question settled
or unsettled! And the present Administration for
Sir, the question is wholly unsettled, and the principles of
the ADMINISTRATION, according 10 its most recent avowa Of
those principles is adverse the protecting policy decidedly
hostile to the whole system, root and branch and this on per-
.manent and alleged constitutional grounds.
In the first place, nothing has been done TO s9tc the Tariff
question The Anl-lar gentlemen who voted for the late
law have, none OF hem said they would adhere to it, On
the contrary they supported it, because as far as il went
was reduction and that was what they wished and if they
obtained this degree of reduction now would be easier TO
obtain greater degree hereafter and they frankly declared
that their intent and purpose 10 insist reduction and
TO pursue reduction, unremtngy till all duties on imports
were brought down TO one general and equal per ccnace and
that regulated by the wants of the revenues or that if
different rates of duty should remain different articles
sun at he Woe should be lad Tor revenue, and
only; and that they would, the of their power push
this course of policy, till Protection by duties, special
object Of National policy should be abandoned altogether
in the National Councils Ii is deuson, therefore, sir to
imagine that the present Tariff stands safely conceded
ground covers not inch that has been fought for
and must not be again fought for 1t stands while its friends
can protect it, and not an hour longer.
In the next place in the compend of Executive opinions
contained in the VETO Message, the whole principle of the
protecting policy plainly and pontedly denounced.
Having gone through lis argument against the Bank Char
ter as now exists and il has existed either under the
present former law for near forty wears and having add
ed to the wedoubcd logic Of ha, argument the still more
doubtful aid Of large array Of opprobrious cphes the Mes
try, holds this language
Most of the difficulties Government now encounters