Burlington free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1827-1865, 1837-05-05

MIR. WEnSTER'S SPEECH.
GONE COUNTRY oNE CONSTITUTION on
DESTINY"

1, would be lido IN me 10 affect to be in
different to The circumstances under which
have now the honor OF addressing you
i find myself in the commercial melropo.
lis of the continent, in The midst OF vast
assembly OF intelligent men, drawn from all
the classes, professions, aud pursuits 81 ne.
And you have been pleased, gentlemen,
to meet, ne. in this imposing manner, and
TO offer me a warm and cordial welcome to
your city. | thank you. ] feel the full
force aud importance Of this manifestation
of your regard. In tho highly ha,tcrng
resolutions which invited me here, in the
respectfully oklhs vast multitude Ct my
fellow cllz ms. aud in the appreciation and
hearty good will, which you have here
manifested. feel cause for profound and
grateful acknowledgment.
TO every individual Of this meeting.
therefore, would now, most respectfully,
make that acknow lcdgment; and with ev-
cry orc, as if with hands Joined IN mutual
greeting, reciprocate friendly salutation,
respect and good wishes.
Dot, Eon,lonon, nlihourh J nm well rs
surcd Of your personal regard, | cannot
fail to know that the times, the political
end commercial condition Of things which
exist among US, and an intelligent spirit,
awakened TO new activity and n new de-
gree Of anxiety, have mainly contributed to
fill these avenues and crowd these balls. -
AT n moment of difficulty, and of much
alarm, you come here, as Wings of New
York, TO meet one whom you suppose to be
bound to you by common principles, and
common sentiments, and pursuing with you
a common object. Gentlemen, am proud
~ nj, IF oif,lo
and this indemnity of our object. You are
for the constitution Of the country, so am |.
You are for equal laws, for the equal rights
Of all men, for constitutional and just re-
struins on power for the substance and not
the shadow, only Of popular institn-
tions, for government which has liberty
for its spirit and soul, as well as in is forms;
and so am !. You feel, that il in warm
party times, the executive power is in
hands distinguished for boldness, tor great
success, tor perseverance,, and her quail
ties which strike mems minds lorclbly,
there is danger Of arrangement Of the pow.
ers Of government, danger Of a new divs.
ION Of those powers, in which the executive
is likely to obtain the lions part; and dan.
ger OF a state OF things in which the more
popular branches of the government. in>
stead Of being guards and sen,inels against
any entertainments from the executive,
seek, rather, support from its patronage,
safety against the complaints of the people
in its ample aud all protecting favor, and
refuge in its power; and so feel, ard so
have felt for eight long and anxious
years.
You believe that very efficient and
powerful cause. in the production Of the
evils which now tall on the industrious and
commercial classes OF community, Is the
arrangement OF tue currency, the dcstruc-
ton OF exchanges, and The unnatural and
unnecessary mlspIaccmcnt OF the specie o
The country, by unauthorized and l!lcga
treasury orders. So do ! believe. ] pre-,
dicted all this from the beginning, and iron
before the beginning. ! predicted it all
last spring. when that was attempted to be
done by law which was aferward done by
executive authority; aud from he moment
Of the exercise Of that executive authority
TO the present time, have both forcseer
and seen, the regular progress of thing:
under it, from Inconvenience and embar-
rassment, to pressure, loss of confidence
disorder and bankruptcies.
X i Il
"Sh''NW,h, ~ Spto"inH bcic WI 'nt su U
jecls which now so much interest the com
munilv, ! wish, in the outset, to disclain
all personal dIsrespect towards individuals
He whose character and fortune have cxer
clsed such n decisive influence on our poll
tics for eight years, has now retired lron
public station. ] pursue him with no per
sonal reflections, no reproachcs. Between
him and myself there has always existed
respectful personal intercourse. Moment
have existed, indeed critical, and decisive
upon the general success Of his adminlstra
ton. IN which he has been pleased to re
gard my aid, as no, altogether unimportant
now speak Of bim, respectfully, as a dis
'tingulshed soldier, as one, who in hat char
meter, has Gone The state much service n
q man, too, Of strong and decided characte or
OF unsubducd resolution and perseverance,
IN whatever he undertakes. In speaking
OF his civil administrations, speak withou
censorlousness, or harsh mpuialion of mo
lives; | wish him health aud happiness il
his retirement; but ] must still speak as
think, OF his public measures, ami of thei
general bearing ard tendency, not only OF
the present interests Of the country, but al
80 on the well being and security OF TIT
government itself.
There are however, some topics of a les
urgent present application and Importance
upon which wish to say few words, be
fore advert 10 those, which are more i'm
medlalely connected wiki the present dis
tressed state of things.
4
Looking, gentlemen, over on
whole country, comprehend!ng in our sur
vey the Atlantic coast, with its thick popu
laiion, advanced agriculture, its cxtende,
commerce, its manufactures and mechan
arts, its varieties of communication, il
wealth and It's general improvements; am