Herald of the times. [volume] (Newport, R.I.) 1830-1846, 1838-08-02

| THE WEBSTER DINNER IN BOsTON.-The
Festival on Tuesday OF last week, as we learn,
not only from the papers Of that city, hut also
from private sources, was truly an occasion
of surprising interest and splcndor. The
annexed account from the Atlas, is perhaps
he most general and comprehensive
H II is agreed on all hands tllut this festival
was the greatest thing Of the sort ever be'
fore attempted in Boston. The company
reached the llnll about half past two o'clock,
hnt it was near.y half past three before they
were all seated ut table. Owing, however,
to the excellent arrangements which had
been made each person was put into ms
place without the slightest difficulty or con
fusion. The Hall crowded in every part,
presented most picturesque appearance. -
1t would hardly have been possible to have
seated a single additional person in it.
So soon as the sacred rage of hunger"
was nppcased, and the company lad prepar'
ed itself for the intellectual banquet, Cover.
nor Everett in his usual teicitous style, alu-
ded 10 the occasion Of the dinner, and the
fact that it had originated with the Mcchah-
lcs, but was participated IN by all classes ol
citizens. lie spoke Of the important sullccts
involved in the political questions now under
discussion, and in which the Guest Of the day
had taken so conspicuous part. lie then
gave toast-Ihe Country. This toast was
followed blythe Union, and The ConslHu-
ton. These toasts Governor Everett remark
ed led by very natural association TO him
who had 50 conSpcnonly distinguished hlm-
self as the champion OF them all and turn.
/ Ing to Mr.. Webster, who rose, as did all the
guests, he addressed to him many eloquen,
compliments upon his political services.
Il Mr.. Webster said, that among the many
miseries and snifrrings to which public men
were subjected there were still some green
spots OF consolation, among which was to be
principally rcckoncd the appreciation and ap-
plansc of those whom they abored to serve
This appreciation and applause ought indeed
TO form the principal expectation OF reward
lie returned his heartfelt thanks TO the com.
pany for the high compliment paid to him on
the present occasion, and for the warmth of
APPRECIATION with which these illusions made
TO his political services by the president oi
he day, had been received by the company.
In those services however he claimed moth
ing exclusive. lie had acted in conjunction
with his colleague in the Senate aud with the
Wing Representative of Massachusetts,, and
the Wing members from other states who
had all combined together to render what aid
To the country was in their power. They
claimed merit, however, not so much tor
whut they had done as for what they had pre-
vented.
Mr.. Webster went into general cxposi
ton of the principles of the present admins
tration in regard To the currency OF the nation.
Their distinguishing principle was,--a prln-
ci IN fLnu had lit}nrpd tropl nil nj In.
crs who had ever attempted to administer The
government, that beyond the regulation of
the coinage, they had nothing whatever 10
do with the currency. Such was their new
reading Of the constitution, in which they
were unable 10 find any power to authorize
them to take care OF the people, but only n
power to provide for themselves.
Nj. Webster dwelt at length on the false
and dangerous nature Of this principle, nnd
he expressed the opinion that until this doc
trine was abandoned, and some action was
had by Congress, either by chartcring Ma
tlonal llank or in some olhcr way, for the
regulation OF the currency, things would not
settle down to any permanent aud steady
basis.
II lie concluded with some historical rcmin
iscenccs, highly honorable to the Mechanics
/ of Boston, and with complimentary senti.
mcnts to the mercantile and professional
Classes who were so fully represented OH the
/ present occasion.
II NJ. Armstrong rcad a letter from John q
/ Adams, expressing his hearty concurrence IN
the object Of the festival, and his disposition
to attend II, did not the increasing infrml-
ties ofagc compel him TO abstain from all
public festivities.
lie sent toast, which alluded TO the ne
ccsSiiy of preserving our boundaries unvar-
ed, both on the northeast and southwest.
"John Quincy Adams, the champion of the
ladies', who to the experience Of age, nnltes
the nrdor and spirit oi youth, was then drank
with great applause.
Mr. Darracot read letter from John Da-
Wis, expressing his fears That lie would DC
unay oidably prevented from attending upon
an occ@ sion, IN the festivities of which he
should so heartily have participated. The
health of Mr.. Davis was drank with great
applause.
The health Of Mr.. Fletcher, our Represen-
tativc in Congress, being proposed. agd the
toast containing an cxprossinn OF. the undi'
minshed confidence Of his fellow citizens IN
his talents and integrity, II wns received with
great cheering, and Mr.. Fletcher expressed
his thanks in neat and appropriate speech.
John Reed aud Governor Lincoln respond
ed in short speeches to n toast compliments
ry TO the Massachusetts, delegation IN Con-
II gress. The wittiest toast of the evening was
decidedly that of Mr.. Reed. "Thc pockets
of the pcoplc-thc best Sub-Trensunes-
4 Hands OF, let us alone"
II A toast having been given in honor oi
Connecticut, Governor Ellsworth responded,
expressing his obligation aud that OF his State
Il To Mr.. Webster and those other distinguished
II Wings, who had done that service for Con.
II neclcut, which she was unable to obtain at
the hands of her own instructed representa-.
ltivcs, who contemptnonsly trod under foot
| the wishes OF their constituents.
II Mr.. Prentiss Of Mississippi then delighted
the audience for upwards Of halt an hour
II with a speech rich with the eloquencc fol
which he is so remarkably distlnguI-hcd.-
II No abstract can give any idea OF the fiowlng
richness Of his oratory, IN which imagination
and reasoning are SO Justly and agreeably
II mingled. The company seemed extremcl!
unwilling 10 allow him TO finish, and the CT,
H Of "go on, go on" which arose from every
part of the ball when he gnve any intin,atior
Of stopping, II they seemed TO press some
VIA, beyond the llmrs of good breeding
were yet highly complimentary to the ora
tor.
H. Mr.. Menefee followed, in answer ~ q
toast complimentary to Kentucky, and in 0
N spirited aud Impressive speech, expressed the