Litchfield enquirer., 1837-07-27
From an Ohio paper.

anecdote was drawn up for us by gentle- man of high responsibility, who Vouches for its truth. It goes to prove the correctness of an opinion which we have long entertained, that MT. Webster's dignified and conciliato- 1 ry course has made him greater favorite with the judicious and intelligent portion of the administration party, than any distin- guished man of the opposition.
 At one of the entertainments given to Mir. Webster in Illinois, there was present an old revolutionary soldier, who had always been warm and ardent supporter of Gen. Jack sons administration. He appeared to be much excited by the honors paid to MT. Web ster, and the enthusiasm with which all par ties seemed to receive him-denouncing him 1 in unmeasured terms as an aristocrat, de- claring that no confidence could be placed in his patriotism, and expressing determin- ation to contradict "hiS ies'' on the spot i: saying, also, that he came for that purpose, and resolved to do it. Accordingly he took his seat near MT. w. and waited the com mencement of his speech. The toast to this distinguished orator and statesman touched upon his services in defence of the Consti- tuition, and he commenced his remarks by an allusion to that instrument. After dis claiming any peculiar credit for any efforts of his own, he proceeded to dilate upon the 1 which our liberties had been achieved, and finally secured by the adoption of our great charter. He spoke also of it's vast impor- tance, the consequences which would result, from it's destruction, and the disappointment of all those high hopes which had been en- tertained by those who witnessed its adop- tion. He had been speaking in this strain ] but a few moments, when the old soldier was observed to be in tears. After finishing this subject, touching upon some other topics, MT. w. came to consider the present situa- tion of the country, tracing out, step by step, the causes which had led to it, and delinea- ting with masters hand the successive measures by which this flourishing and hap py country had been brought to the verge of ruin-pointing out, also, the various preten- ces which had been made use of by Gen. Jackson to shield his attacks upon the cur rency, and exposing their utter hollowness and insuf1iciency. After closing most elo- quent and effective speech, what was the surprise of those to whom the old soldier had expressed his determination, and to whom his violent partialities were we'll known, to see him walk up to Mir. w. and offer him his hand. Not only did he do this, but, in the presence of an assembled multitude, he said: "Sir-I came here prepared to deny what ever you might say. Iexpected to hear you make statements with which I could not agree. But, sir, you are right. What you have stated know to be true-for have witnessed and seen it, and am now convin- ced that the administration has been wrong. You are true friend of the country, and cannot go away without telling you so, and shaking you by the hand"
 ! This was the substance 1.-the old veterans remarks, and their effect may we'll be imag- oioxy0 mt TctN Ina surrounding multitude, and continued to ring after he had retired.
 From the W. r. Courier.
 Mr. Wise on Temperance. Wise, one of the Virginia delegation in Congress, was lately invited to attend Temperance Con- vention in Maryland, but declined on ac- count of domestic affiiction. He however, gave his testimony, in strong and character istic terms in favor of the temperance cause After alluding to the charges in certain "par- tisan presses" last winter, that he was " ha- bitually more stimulated by alcohol than by love of country" and after stating, in con- tradction. that for more than eight years past, he had not departed from the strictest temperance pledge" not having tasted a spoonful of ardent spirits during that period, nor drunk half gallon of wine"-he pro- ceeded in answer to the letter of invitation to say:
 Another reason for this particularly as to my own case is to show that the beam is out of my own eye before proceeded to the mote in the eyes of others. It has, fortunate ly or unfortunately know not which, fallen to my lot in public life, to be the instrument of exposing abuses in public affairs, and of ! fences in the men who conduct them, such as | think wnrthv nf eynoc,,ro r Sha11 mot shrink from castigating by speaking of them in my place and out of my place at will, without any regard to personal consequences. state the fact then to the nation, that some ot the higher Erecutire c1fcers ct Washington, ] are, and haue been notorious drunkards-drunk- ards 'n ny sense of the term, hGbitually affected 6oy ardent spirits-drunk ct least once c aDeek 'mlPalred in constitution by the use of strong dr'nk and further state that have often heard the reason assigned, and believe it was valid one, for the House of Representatives ] of the Congress of the United States not sit- ting in the evening, after dinner, when the public business required it, that many of the members were so much in the habit of intox- l lcatlon, that they were not only unfit them- selves for public duty after certain hour in the day, but were likely to prevent others in discharging their duty by interrupting the or der Of proceeding. During the latter part of the session of Congress, when the two Hous- es were compelled to sit late, members too drunk tor the decency of tauern bar-roOm, scere ] not uncommon sights in the Senate Chamber. and in the HaHofthe House of Representatives ot Republic, whose fathers handed down to us the hallowed and irnmutable truth, "that no free government olsthe blessings of liberty, can be preserved to any people, but by firm adherence to justice, moderation, temper