Martinsburg gazette. [volume] (Martinsburg, Va. [W. Va.]) 1833-1855, 1834-09-11
THE ca znnTn.
MONDAY, sEPT. 0, aea4.
MR.. WEBSTER's SPEECH,
At The Salem Festiual.

Respected fellow citizens My honorable and
worthy colleague has preceded me, as was his
right and place, in expressing TO You his own
sense and my own Of the great honor conferred
upon rs by this assembly, IL is not to be Doubt
ed fellow Citizens, as he has properly and truly
stated, that next to the Consciousness Of an hon
7 est spdeavor TO serve those whose servants we
4Eisythe high satisfaction of receiving at their
aMhds proof that they think our efforts well in
tended. Gentlemen, with heart full of grateful
acknowledgements, for all the kindness which
has been expressed towards us, permit me to
say, that know you mean by this meetng-by
this congregation OF cItizens-to express your
spprobations not only of our endeaYors, but also
Of those Of the patriotic citizens composing the
majority Of the senate with whom we have acted.
Those distinguished men, now gone TO their
homes IN every State of England in most of the
middle, southern and western States-wili feel
the same pleasure that we feel, when they, too
shall hear that their efforts to STAY the tide of
mis- government have found support in the Just ,
intelligent and patriotic population in the county
Of Essex. But, gentlemen, in all governments
truly republican, men are nothing principle is
every thing; and know that not men, but prin-
cp1es; not individuals, but the great cause of
civil liberty, has brought you here to-day
know that the country, and not the servants of
the country, has drawn together the assembly
by which am surrounded. 1t is with the cause
10 be pleaded, and not with its impotent pleaders
that you have TO do.
Fellow citizens, you are assembled under
name that for a century and half has designated
the lovers of civil liberty; under a name which,
borne aloit, has carried terror and dsmay TO the
bosoms of despots, from the time Of the Stuarts
down TO the present period. And how is it-by
what magic or miracle is it, that, within the
short space of three months, the appelaton of
Wing has spread over country from the east
20 the west, and from the north TO the south, en-
bracng in its denomination all lovers of Consti-
tuti0nai liberty. How is it TO be accounted for,
but by the fact that there is something in the
state of the case-Something in the condition of
the country, and in the purposes of the Govern
ment on the one hand, and something in the de-
termination and spirit of the people on the other
hand, that makes the name " Wing" applica-
be that makes the name correctly characters
tic OF things as they are, and that makes IFS oppo
site appropriate and descriptive OF men as they
are. Gentlemen, il is as certain that Wing and
Tory does not circulate in the political hemis
pierre without adequate cause, as that the light
ming is not found in the clouds without electrici-
ty And now what is the question which has
gwen rise to the renewal of these distinctive
names? 1t can be no subordinate question, no
temporary measure, no question Of mere politi-
cal expedieney, that has had this etiect-such
questions arise, men take different views Of them
and express their sentiments, decision takes
place, and the matter passes away toreyer-lt
must be some question which takes hold of the
Constitution, which is dear TO the hearts of the
people some question connected with that lib
cry which the people of the United States have
intelligence enough TO know is the source of all
the blessings they enjoy. What is the question,
then 1t is the question Of resistance or nonre-
sistancc TO Executive power. The Wings go
for resistance the Tories, following the princi-
pies Of their predecessors, go for resistance.
II, however, we believe the oracles Of the latter
| the whole is question of Bank OF the Bank
an institution Of yesterday, and that expires
tomorrow. Why, gentlemen, it would not be-
come to tell you that this is not the question
well
the question lies deeper.
Ii has happend that the Bank has been the OBJ
ject upon which Executive power has been at
tempted TO be exercised and who does not
know that in all cases where similar attempts
have been made, an object has been invariably
chosen which was odious, or might be made obi
GUS to the people? Despotism is sharp sighted,
and whenever it commences its career CT usurpa-
ton it makes choice of something-its first trans
gresSion will be against some institution which
cannot command the sympathies of the people
IS our duty, then, to watch the principle OF the
movement, and not TO look at the merit or demer
II Of the object against which power is directed.
Allow me TO recnr here to the rise OF this great
question. The Chief Magistrate was elected
under circumstances of a very imposing charac-
Ter. Although it may be true that he did not
receive majority of the votes OF the whole peo-
/ pie, yet, considering the complex manner in
which the votes were takcn-the great States
voting BY States aud the majority Teckoned by
States, repeat that the majority ne had was
very imposing. 1t seemed TO say that ii was
the will of the people that this individual should
still continue TO be President Of tho u. States,
aud although some of us looked in a different
direction, vet we felt ourselves bound to submit
10 this decision of the people. We did submit.
And can answer for myself and the other repre-
sentatves of this State, that nothing was further
from our wishes than to be obliged TO enter into,
course of opposition Events occurred during
the session before the las-a great crisis arrived,
in which we thought it our duty to support the
Executive, 10 MAINTAIN lnyloiate the law, and TO
uphold the Just power of the Government We
did support him without hesitation, and, by our
numbers, if BY nothing else, we did so with
some effect. Affairs, however, afterwards took
adiiferent direction, and we also felt it our duty
subsequently TO take a different course. TINS
time twelve months the country was in high
state of prosperity, and in this part Of it there
was assurediy no desire unnecessarily to oppose
the administration. The President had Just been
among us he had received the strongest marks
OF regard. and was treated as the Chief MaglS-
trate of the United States. He went back, and
In September last took the resolution 20 interfere
with the treasury of the country. FoTeseeing
this event from the tone of an official newspaper
published at the scat OF Government, ventured
as an individual Of the community, to utter my
voice beforehand against any such attempt upon
the money Of the people One OF the last acts OF
The House of Representatives had been 10 cX-
press their satisfaction and confidence in the
Bank of the United States-tw o-thlrds OF the
House had voted this; the sentiments Of the
Senate were as well known upon the subject as
they had been similarly expressed, ana YET
ten days after the rising Of Congress, intimauon
was given OF the Presidents intention OF remoV-
ing the deposites. At that time wss so con.
nected with public men and measures that alu
nov deem it uniting for me to express my sent-
ments in relation to this matter. did so. In
September last, however, the act was dome
the deed was eorsummated--the President, by
his own authority, by displacng constitutions
of6eer, who refused 10 do his bidding, and ap
Pointing another and more plant instrument, re
moved the public treasures from place assign
ed them by the law, and placed them IN bank
chosen by himself and completely under his OWL
cohtroi' This is but one out OF series Oh act
which eVInce the disposition Of the Executive I
81 fnerosch upon the legislative department OF tn
Government.
n l. IS now, continued Mr. Webster, two year
4 s'lce spoke TO YOU On pohucal subJects ! la