Phenix gazette. [volume] (Alexandria [D.C.]) 1825-1833, 1832-10-18

yer had the citizens OF Massachusetts, greater rea-
sons to be proud of their distinguished Senator
than on this occasion. -,
When he rose to speak, Mr.. Davis OF Worces-
ter suggested that he could be heard 10 greater
advantage, if he would ascend the platform on
which the Chairman and other officers were seat
ed, at which suggestion MIR. Sisbee rose and IN
vited him to take that stand.
He commenced BY observing that the resoiu'
tons proposed by Mr.. Austin expressed the OPT
nion that thorough change ought 10 take pace
in the administration of our pubic anairs, III
which opinion he decidedly cohcuired. mere
was no individual in the community who was less
disposed than he was, to join IN general opPosl-
ton to the measure of the Government OF the u.
States; but crisis had in his Judgement arrived
which left him no alternative. e.
The people had relied upon their excellent
Constitution, and Justly to a certain extent, for
protec ton; but who. he asked, should protect
that Constitution Who should guard the guar
dams but the people themselves? Were not the
principles aud the leading measures OF the pre-
sent National Administration hostile TO the great
interests of the country? And was there any
prospect Of amendment but By making thorough
change in men and measures!
Upon these topics. Mr.. Webster dwelt with
great power and ability. He considered the
question respecting the union of the States as a
question paramount to all others; and after adj.
verting to the posture Of South Carolina towards
the Union and the conduct Of Georgia in disre.
sardng the opinions Of the Supreme Tribunal of
the land, he depicted in glowing ard impassion.
ed language the enormity committed by the lat
ter state in apprebendlng as criminals those pl-
Gus, meek men who had gone to carry the gospel
to the heather on our borders, under an express
permission from the government; immuring them
IN dungeon where thew had to pass their days
in counting the slow revolving hours Of their mi.
SCRABBLE captivity; when, By this act OF the state,
the supreme Law of the land was annulled and
.rodden under foot-the judgment Of the su.
preme tribunal condemned and despised.
The general aspect Of society, said he. had IN.
dergone change. The doctine Of the ruling
party was proscription--and that for opinion
sake. Did not such spirit forebode despot,sm.
and could the people indulge the belief that they
now breatheG the same air that they were Tor
merly wont to breathea
Mr. Webster then proceeded to submit TO the
Convention his views in regard to the Tariff po-
ioy, as understood by the Administration. No
thing was farther from the truth than that this vi
tally important question was settled.
The last message OF the President to the Con.
sress had explicitly declared that the whole sys-
tenn of protection was an abuse vt the power OF
Legislation, and an abandonment OF the object
for which Congress was intended What hope
then could reasonably be entertained that the po-
icy was settled? Every thing was unsettled but
their se,'let purpose TO change every thIng-to
make the government what thew maintained it
ought to be-nnt the Constitution and the law
but some new thing unknown 10 the bill OF rights
which was framed to protect them in the enjoy
mant of life, liberty and prhpcrty.
He then remarked that the honor Of the coun-
try was Intimately and indi.solub!y connected
With the character and principles OF its chief Of
6cers Heretofore we had had for our Chief
Magistrates, uen and Statesmen, who had lett
behind them consistent views OF the proper ad-
mnlsira,ion Of public afairs-a Washington, an
Adams. and Jeffersou-and delightful indeed
would it now be IL the people could CONTEMPLATE
the President of the United States as one iden-
teal idea-one who did not pass from shade to
shade, and from light to shade, like the shadows
in phantasmagoria.
Mr.. WIS ANALYSIS of the Veto Message-his
contrast of the different sentiments which Gen.
Jackson had at various times advanced-and the
inconsistency of his acts in regard to most OF
the leading measures Of his administrations. were
portrayed by him "ish mont mastery hand
bur have MOI time to give even an abstract.
The subjec, of the Public Lands. Mr. Web
ster said hat he was very DESTROYS OF awakng
the public mind to the Importance OF, IN the old
states Of he Union. The quantity OF acres that
had peen suld. was ab;lt 20 millions, and the
quantity to which the Indian title had been ex'
tinyuished, and which was now IN the market,
amou nt.d 10 about I20 million. enough to make
80 states equal to the area Of Massachusetts,
This domain had been divided by grants and con-
cessions from the several States, and was there
fore common stock. claim had been serious.
ly ged by some Of the poop OF the west,-
that the common property belonged to the State
in which it Law, and the subject came up last win
ter in Congress, Wherein the Senate IT was re-
ferred to the COMMITTEES Of manufactures, OF which
Mr.. CLAW was member, to embarrass hun by
compelling him TO assume responsibility on the
subject He had great pleasure in saying that
Mr. Claw took the question with the eye of
statesman that H. 9 aDr ced the occasion, and
met the responsible, H. showed that the pre-
tence set up. was frivolous--tnat the prices were
low enough-,hat it was common fund, and