Burlington free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1827-1865, 1837-06-02
SPEECH OF Mr.. WEBSTER,
WHEELING, (vA.)

sn
| cannot be Indifferent to the manifesto
lions Of regard with which ! have been
greeted by you, nor can suffer any show
of delcacy TO proven, me from expressing
my thanks for your kindness.
I travel, gentlemen, for the purpose OF
seeing The country and of seeing what con-
s,itu,es the impor,an, part OF every c"un-
try--,he People | find every where much
to excite, and much to crafty admiration
and the pleasure experience is only d..
mnisbed by remembering the unparalleled
state of distress which have left behind
me, ard the apprchcnsions, a'hcr Than the
feeling, Of sever evils, which find TO eS-
isl wherever 90.
I cannot enable those who have not wit
messed it, TO comprehend the full extent OF
the suffering in the Eastern cities. 1t
was nninrnl, indeed 10 behold it. so many
bankrupci cs among great aud small deal
ers. so much property sacrificed. so many
industrious men altogether broken up in
their business, so many families reduced
from competence TO want. So many hopes
crushed, so many happy prospects forever
clouded, and such fearful looking for still
greater calam,ies, all form such mass
of evil as had never expected to sec. OK
some other external calamity.
| have no wish, in the present state of
things, nor should have, indeed, if the
state ofthings was different, to oblrude
the expression Of polilca sentiments on
such Of my fellow citizens as ! may hap
rem to meet, nor on the other hand, have
I any motive for conccalIng them, or sup
pressing their oppression, whenever others
desire tina, should make them known.
Indeed, on the great topics that now ems
gage public attention, hope may ilatter
myself that my opinions are already known,
Recent evils nave not at all surprised me,
except that they have come sooner and
faster than had anticipated. But, though
not surprised, am afflicted | feel any
thing but pleasure IN this carly fuIiimenl
of my own predictions. Much injury isdoae
which the wisest future counses can new
er repair, and much more that can never
be rcmedicd but by such counsels and by
the lapse oc,ime. From 1882 to the pre-
sent moment have forescen this result.
may safely say have lorcscen it because
have presented and proclaimed lis ap-
proach in every important discussion and
debate in the public body Of which ! am a
member. IN 1882 | happened to meet,
Wun u CtlIen Oh w U'cIIuB, UuW p''Sth'
who has his day reminded me of what !
hen anticipated, as the result of the meas
urcs which the Administration appeared
to be forming in regard to the currency.
In the summer Of the next year (l333) !
was here, and suggested to friends what
! knew to be resolved upon BY the Exec
ulivc, viz. the removal Of the deposlics
which was announced two morths after,
Il 81
clared commencement of the "EXperl'
ment." You know, gentlemen, the ohio
guy then and since cast upon those o.
us who opposed this " experiment." Yot
know that we have been called bank a
gents, bank advocates, bank hrcngs
You know that it has been thousant
times said that the experiment worked ad
mirably, that nothing could do better, tina
it was the highest possible evidence OF The
political wisdom and sogaci'y Of lis con
trvers and none opposed 1t or doubted
it's efficiency but the wicked or he stupid
Well, gentlemen, here is the end, If tins II
the end, this notable "eXperiment." IT.
singular wisdom has come to this-its flint
workings have wrought out an almost gen
era Bankruptcy.
lis lofty promises, its grandeur, its flash
es, that throw other mems sense and un
Outstanding back into the shade, wher
are they now, Here is The fine Of fine
and the recovery of recoveres." Its pan
les, its SCOTS, lis jcers, lis jests its g'bc
at all former experience It's cry OF "a nev
policy" which was so much to delight an
nslonish mankind. TO this conclusion ha
it come at ast
"But yesterdoy,it stood against the woht
"Now lies it there, and mono so poor to d
il reverence"
1t is with no feelings of Boosting or tri
umph, it is with no disposition to arrogat
superior wisdom or dscernment but it
modification, with humiliation, with uu
affected grief and affection, that con,em
plate the condition of difficulty aud dis
tress to which this country, so vigorous
so great, so enterprIsing, and so rich II
internal wealth, has been brought by tn
policy Of her Government.
AWE learn to-day that most ofthe East
ern banks have stopped payment deposit
banks as well as others. The eXperlmen
has exploded. That bubble, which so ma
nv of us have all along regarded as tn
offspring of conceit. presumption, and pot
ical quackery, has burst. general sus
pension OF payment must be the result
result which has come. even sooner thar
was predicted. Where is now that bette
currency that was promised? Where i
that specie circulation Where are thos
rupees of gold and silver, which were It
I'll the Treasury of the Government q
well as the pockets Of the People, IIa
the Government single hard dollar
Has the Treasury any thing IN the worl
but credit and depostes in banks hat hav
already suspended payment How ar
public creditors now to be paid in specie