Phenix gazette. [volume] (Alexandria [D.C.]) 1825-1833, 1833-06-13
DANIEL WEBSTER.

clothed with official power, but it IS merit only
that can attract such attentions as MIR. Webster
is receiving on his tour to the West. At no
MACE, however, have those attentions been grea-
ter or more appropriate than in the city OF but'
falo. After that gentleman's arrival, Commit
tee Of the citizens was appointed to invite III" 10
partake Of public dinner as "a testimony oil
their very high respect for his eminent pubic
services, and acknowledged private worth Mr.
Webster declined the invitation and assignee Tor
reason that as his stay in that city must De snort
he wished to devote all the time al MS COM
mand to the examination Of its interesting OBJ
jects, and to an unrestralned anu uneeremoheou'
intercourse with its citizens
This invitation was followed BY another from
Messrs, Pratt, Taylor & Co. proprietors OF
splend,d steamboat on the stocks at Black Rock,
to witness her launch on Monday. To this he
assented, and embarked on that day on board
vessel which anchored of the ways Ut the new
boat, which was decorated with the UNIoNFLAG
at bow and stern. with two flags amiLships, and
fac staff amid. ships, bearing. at haltmast. the
insignia "DANIEL WEBSrER"-imme'll
~ over it, Liberty and Union. now and forever,
one and inseparable," surmounted BY the Ameri'
can Eagle and National Ensign. At the hour aP-
pointed she glidpd beautifully from her moor
iucs, greeted by the hearty acclamations of thou
sands. The steamboat was then brought along
aide of the vessel from which Mr.. w. and others
went on board. when the boat was formally
named DANIEL WEBSTER, and that gentle
man was addressed on the occasion by Mr.. Ira
cy. to which he made an appropriate reply, Prin.
cipally touching upon the growing greatness OF
that hourishing young city, and relating 'nci'
dents that had occurred within his personal OBJ
servati0n.
In the evening the mechanics aud nanufac'
turers met at the Farmers Hotel. organized,
and appointed committee, Who delivered an
address to Mr.. w. relating more Immediately
to their especial interests; and from his Reply we
subjnin an extract expressive Of his views Of
the Tariff policy.
"Desiring always to avoid extremes. and to OBJ
serve prudent moderation in regard to the pro-
tective system, I yet mold steadine,s and perse
verance in maintaining what has been established
70 be essential to the public prosperity. Nothing
can be worse than that what concerns the dal.
ly labor, and the daily bread Of whole classes of
the people should be subject to frequent and viz
lent changes. 1t were tar better not TO move at
all, than TO move forward and then fall back
again.
MY sentiments, gentlemen, on the Tariff ques-
ton. are general, known. In my opinion. a
just and leading object in the whole system is
the encouragement and protection OF American
manual labor. confess, that every days expe.
rience convinces me more and more of the high
propriety of regarding this object. Our govern
ment IS made for all, not for a few. It's object
is, to promote the greatest good ct the whole;
and this ought to be kept constantly in view in
its administration. The far greater number Of
those who maintain the government, belong to
what may be called the industrious or productive
classes Of the community. With US labor is not
depressed, ignorant and unintellgent On the
contrary, it is active, spirited, enterprisns. seek
ing its own rewards, and laying up for ITS own
competence and its own support The motive to
labor. is the great stimulus to our whole society;
and no system is wise or just, which does not at.
lection Of American labor against the injurious
spects general handcraft productions, is known
TO have been one end designed to be
obtained BY establishing the constitutions: and
this object and the constitutional power to ac-
compish it ought never to be surrendered or com
promised in any degree.
Our political institutions, Gentlemen, place
power in the hands Of all the peoples; and TO
make the exercise Of this power, in such hands,
it is indispensable that all the people
should enjoy, first, the means of education, and
second, the reasonable certainty of procuring
competent livelihood By industry and labor
These institutions are neither designed for nor
suited to nation Of ignorant paupers. To dis
seminate knowledge, then, universally, aud to
secure to labor and industry their just rewards,
is the duty both of the General aud State Gu.
vernments, each in the exercise of its appropri-
ate powers. To be free, the People must be in.
tellisently free; to be substantially independent.
they must be able to secure themselves against
want, by sobriety and industry; TO be safe depo.
STORIES OF political power, they must be able to
comprehend aud understand the general inter.
ests Of the community, and must have stake,
themselves, in the welfare of the community
The interest Of labor, therefore, has an import
ance, in our system, beyond what belongs to it
as mere question Of POLITICAL economy. It's
connected with our forms Of Government, and
our whole social system. The activity and pros.
perity, which at present prevail among US, as
every one must notice, are produced by the ex.
eitement OF compensating prices to labor; and it