Litchfield enquirer., 1837-08-17
SPEECH OF MIR. WEBSTER,
DELIVERED AT ROCHESTER, July 2U, LoO1.

Felloao Citizens-If might entertain the hone of being heard, by this vast assem- blage9I would gladly express my thanks for the nHpect and kindness which has caused you to come together upon this occasion, and forthe flattering sentiments which have been Expressed by my friend Mir. Childs, in your behalf.
 Gentlemen-Ih have been taking long, pleasant, and agreeable journey through parts of our common country, which It has not been my good fortune heretofore to have visited. return full of pleasure and pride for what have seen in that portion ot our common country which we denomlnate the |" far aoeSt." And although l must hasten home to prepare for my public duties' whlcn must so soon commence, yet the request oi my friends in Rochester, made so early, ana so kindly, has prevailed on me to have the pleasure of passing this day in your midst, and in this thriving city, which l visited twelve years ago, and which has since sprung up into such beauty as to leave no indication bv which might know that this was the town then visited. But, not to waste words, let me say, in the language which one plain Republican may employ to another, that for all your kindness, and for the expressions of your friendship, I thank you.
 The address made to me by my friend MT. Childs, alludes to the political state ot the country at present. This is the all-absorbing topic wherever have been. The currency of the country seems to occupy the minds ot all If upon this topic have any thoughts which are worthy your consideration they arc at your service. But have no desire to obtrude my political sentiments upon any man or any set of men. One mans opinions are entitled to as much respect as another's, and all are accountable for them. God for h +I,o% Ttol,@ ! %< oVNV NTNIn ions or sentiments of mine. There is noth- ing in the opinions which hold, that wish for moment to keep back from my fellow citizens. l wish to make no evasions.- There is nothing hid within my bosom which I am not willing should be laid naked before God and man.
 Fellow citizens-I have endeavored to un- derstand the questions which are at this mo- ment agitating the country, and, from the po- sition which l have occupied for so many years, and the subjects which have been called upon to discuss, it would be strange had l no opinions of my own. have opin- ions. But wish not to dictate their accep- tance, but merely to express them. And ex- press them l will, let the consequences be hatthey may.
 Then, fellow citizens, what is the great difficulty at present existing in the country We. are not threatened with bad crops There is neither war, nor famine, nor pesti- lence. What, then, is the difficulty! It is what we may call a social evil, resulting | from the exercise of the powers of the social 1 government. What is that evil? There may 1 have been some over-trading and over pro- ducing; but all such ideas are indefnite.- No man can say what he means by overtrad- ing; and before thereis just ground for mak- ing this charge, he must prove that there has been more produce in market than could command a price. What evidence have we that there has been over- producing? In all my journey, have heard of no wheat or corn which could not command high price. Before the unfortunate suspension of specie 1 payments, merchandise sold we'll and stocks l sold well.f But over-trading and over-pro- ducing nGy exist, but to me the terms are too indefinite for comprehension.
 But there is cause for our present diffi- culties. What is it! In answering this question, do not wish to, and shall not trifle with the subject. Iknow there are men here who differ from me in sentiment. I respect their opinions and will cast no reproaches or imputations against them. reproach no man. attribute no oblique motives to any man :; but speak to you as the arbiters of political sentiments. l say to you what would say to generations coming after me and will express such sentiments as would wish to, and am willing should go down of posterity, If any thing of me does go down to- posterity.
 Let 1t not be supposed that am speaking the sentiments of partiZan-that am say ing to-day what l shall take back tomorrow For, if, after my country's good, there is one thing that have sought more than another, since the commencement of my public life, it has been character for consistent patriot ism-for an attachment to the whole country; and, to mar the happiness of what little of life remains to me, will not sacrifice what ofsuch character have acquired.
 Now, then, fellow citizens, the difficulty, in the opinion of us all, under which the country is now suffering, is the derangement Of its currency. We have no legal money. We are commercial people-full of enter- prize and zeal But what will these avail, or how can they be successfully exerted, without lawful standard of money. So completely deranged is the currency, that no man can now pay lawful debt lawfully Every man knows this, and every man feels 1t. No matter how many splendid houses you may own, or how many working mills or rich fields. With all these you are poor, so far as the legal transaction of business is concerned. The question is, can any of you pay lawful debt lawfully? When that S1nnoe UC uonos A iS HI Vdn tO say that d peO- pie is prosperous, happy or wealthy, or that they are in the enjoyment of rights and bles- sings which government ought to confer up- on them. It is expected that every govern- ment will take care of the currency-regu- latethe exchanges. and keep healthy all the avenues of trade. This is doctrine which has existed in all ages. Government has al- ways had the guard and supervision of the , currency. A we'll regulated currency nev- CT mas and never can exist without the exer-