Herald of the times. [volume] (Newport, R.I.) 1830-1846, 1840-10-22
From the Richmond Wing.
MIR. wEBsTER's SPEECH TO TIE
LADIES AT THE LOG CABIN
IN RICHMOND, VA.

Mr.. Webster having signifed willingness,
SINCE he was unable, from the shortness off
bis stay, to pay his respects TO the ladies' of
Kichnopd individually, to meet and address
them IN body, the Log Cabin erected by
the Wings OF the city was chosen as a place
of meeting, and accor dinghy fair Assem-
blage was there collected on Wednesday
mcrning. when our distinguished vsitant was
introduced TO them with few appropriate
remarks by Mr.. Lyons
Mr.. Webster thereupon addressed the in
tcresiing auditory collected before him, near
ly IN the following terms:
Ladies-l am very sure owe the pleasure
] now enjoy to your kind dis position, which
has given me the opportunity to present my
thinks and respects to you thus collectively.
since the shortness of my stay to the city does
not allow me the happiness of calling upon
you scverally and individually. And, in the
first place, wish to express 10 you my deep
and hearty thanks, as have endeavored to
do 10 your fathers, your husbands and your
brothers, for the unbounded hospitality have
received ever since | came among you. III
Is registered, ! assure you, on a grateful
heart IN characters Of on enduring nature.
The rough contests Of the political world are
not suited TO The dignity and TO the dellcacy
at your sex but you possess the intelligence
TO know how much OF that happiness which
you are entitled TO hope for, both for your
selves and for your children. depends on the
right administration OF good government. and
proper tone Of public morals. That is
subject on which the moral perce p,ions of
woman are quicker and juster than ,hoseof
the other sex. | do not now speak Of that
administration Of government whose object
is merely protection Of industry, and the Sc
curing 10 enterprise its due rewnrd | speak
Of government in a some what higher point
Of view. We live in an age distinguished
for great benevolent exertion, in which the
nffiueDt are consecrating the means they
possess by cndowipg colleges and acade.
mies, by uniting to build churches and sup.
port The cause Of religion, and by establish.
Iqg Athenenns, Lyceums, and all the other
modes Of popular instruction.. This is all
well; it is admirable il augurs well for the
prospect Of ensuing generations. But have
sometimes Thought there is point Of view
IN which government is to be considered-I
] mean in its power and it's duty 10 augment
the morals of the community and To inspire il
with ust sentiments Of religion. which is too
often overlooked. A popular government is
more powerful than any other influence land
have sometimes feared than all other ntlu-
enccs put togctber) in its action on the morals
Of the community for good or for evil. Its
example, its tone, whether of respect or Of
dlsrespcct to moral obligation, is most impor-
tamt 10 human happiness because it is among
thosc things which most affect the political
morals Of mankind, and hence their general
,porals. advert to this because there has
been put forth in modern times The false
maxim that there is one morality for politics
aud another mora ity for other things that
in their political conduct TO their oppone nts.
men may say and do that which they would
ncvcrthink of saying or doing in the person.
al relations Of private life. There has been
openly announced a maxim which consider
as tho concrete Of false morality, which de.
clmrcs that "all is fair in politics" If a man
speaks falsely or calumniously of his neigh
bor. and IL feproached for the offence, the
ready excuse is this, IL was in relation To
public and political matters = I cherished no
personal ili.will whatever sgsinst that individ-
nal, h,a quite the contrary ! spoke Of my
adversary m"rely os n political man. In my
opinion, the dav u coming when fsisehood
will stand im falsehood, aud calaa,ny will be-
treated as n breach ~ the CONAN ndmen nj,
whether u be- committed polric ally, or ~ the
eonccrns ri private life. Itis by the pro.
mulgaiion oi suund nnrals IN the comnlnni-
Nv. md more espccislly by the trimming and
instruction of the young, that woman performs
her part towards the pr,s.rva,inn OF a free
Q"vsrrmepf u u nov generally admitted
bst publir liberty. The pcfpetni,v ~ free
eousfitDiirp, reefs on the virtue aud in,ell
cspce Of ths community shIch enjoys II