Martinsburg gazette. [volume] (Martinsburg, Va. [W. Va.]) 1833-1855, 1836-02-18
ANDREW JACKSON,
Forsyth, Secretary.
ft,t N 49, A. -
From the Baltimore Patriot.

oEGLCh Ot 4slhs w BDo
though we have heretofoM published
the admirable speech characterized
as well by eloquence as argument
delivered by Mr.. Webster, on the 18th
ult in the u. S. Senate, on the lost
bill", and the "three million amend
ment," we cannot torbear again lay
ing before our readers the subjoined
extracts from this address, as we find
them presented in late number of the
Philadelphia Inquirer. 1t is given in
that paper us u "choice passage from
a great speech" And such indeed
the reader will find it. We have here
tofore expressed the opinion that the
speech of Mr.. Webster on this occa-
sion, was one of the most mastery and
powerful efforts oratory a. argument
ever produced even by that master spirit
ofthc age. And we may say, after all
that has come and gone in either house
Of Congress, or elsewhere" our OPT.
Mon i'll this respect remains unchanged
His exposition of the causes OF the loss
ofthe iortification bill, we believe TO
be ncontrovertiblo.
But to the extract--alter rccounting
the incidents and circumstances con-
nected with this unprecedented amend
ment OF the three millions, Mr.. Web
ster thus proceeds:
"The people Of this country have
an interest, aproperty, an inheritance,
in this instrument, against the value Of
which forty capitals do not weigh the
twentieth of one poor scruple. There
can never be any necessity for such
proceedings but feigned and false ne
cessity, mere idle and hollow pre-
tence OF necessity, least ofall can it be
said that any such necessity actually
existed on the third of March. There
was no enemy on our shores there
were no guns pointed against the CAPT
toll; we were in no war, nor was
there a reasonable probability that we
should have war, unless we made it
ourselves.
But whatever was the state Of our
foreign relations, is it not preposterous
to say, that il was necessary for Con-
gress to adopt this measure, and yet
not necessary for the president to rec
ommend il! Why should we thus run
in advance Of all our own duties, and
leave tho President shielded from the
just responsibility? Why should there
be nothing but grant, and trust, and
confidence ON our side, andnothing but
discretion and power OH his 7?
Sir, if there be any philosophy in
history, ii human blood still runs in hu-
man veins. il man still conforms to
the identity Of his nature, the institu-
tons which secure constitutional liber-
ty can never stand long against this
excessive personal confidence, against
this devotion to men--in utter disre.
gard 10th OF principle md experience,
which seems to me to be strongly char
actcristic OF our times. This vote
came to US, sir, from the popular branch
ofthe legislature, and that such vote
should come from such a branch Of the
legislature was among the circumstan.
ces that excited in me the greatest sur.
prise and the deepest concern. Ger
tainly, sir, certainly was not on that
account the more inclined to concur.
1t was no argument with me that 9TH
ers seemed to be rushing, with such
needless headlong trust, such impetu-
osity Of confidence, into the arms Of ex-
ecutive power. held back the stron-
ger, and would hold back the longer.
/ see, or think see, it is eithera true
vision Of the future revealed by the his
tory Of the past, or, i, be an illusion
it appears to me in all the bright
ness and sunlight Of broad noon that