The Hawk-eye and Iowa patriot. (Burlington, Iowa) 1839-1843, 1840-09-24


And they placed their thumbs upon their nose,
And their fingers twirlcd twiddle de de-de,
And their fingers twirlcd twiddlc dc de.
EXTRACTS
From the Speech of Daniel Webster, at
the Great Mass Meeting at Saratoga,
On 18th august 1910.
We are here, my friends, in the midst
Of grea. movement Of the people. That
a revolution in public sentiment on some
important questions of public policy has
begun, and is in progress, it is vain to
attempt to conceal, and folly to deny
What will be the extent of this revolu-
ton, what its immediate effects upon po-
litical men and political measures-what
Ultimate influence it may have on the in
tcgrity of the Constitutions, and the per-
manent prosperity of the country, re-
mains to be seen. Meantime, 10 one
can deny that an extraordinary excite
ment exists in the country, such as has
not been witnessed for half a century
not local, not confined TO any two, or
three, or ten States, but pervadlng the
whole, from North to South, and from
East to West, with equal force and in
tensity. For an effect so general, a cause
of equal extent must exist. No cause,
local or partial can produce consequences
SO general and universal. In some parts
of the country, indeed, local causes may
in some degree add to the flame; but no
| local canse, nor any number OF local
causes, can account for the general ex-
cited state of the public mind.
In portions of the country devoted to
agriculture and manufactures, we hear
complaints of want of market and low
prices. Yet there are other portions of
the country which are consumers, and
not producers of food and manufactures,
and as purchasers, they should, it would
seem, be satisfied with the low prices of
which the sellers complain; but in these
portions too of the country, there is dis
satisfaction and dicontent. Every where
there is complaining and desire for
change.
There are those who think this ex-
element among the people transitory and
evanescent. | am not of that opinion.
So far as l can Judge, attention to public
affairs among the people of the United
States has increased, is increasing, and
/ is not likely to be diminished, and this
not in one part of the country, but all
over. This certainly is the fact, II we
may Judge from recent information: The
breeze of popular excitement is blowing
!, every where. 1t fans the air in Alabama
and the Carolinas, and am of opinion
when it shall cross the Potomac and
range all along the northern Alleghanles'
it will grow stronger and stronger, I'M
4 til, mingling with the gales Of the En-
), pire State, and the mountain blasts OF
! New England, it will blow a perfect hur-
/ cane.
There are those again who think these
vast popular meetings are got up by effort,
but say that no effort can get them up
and no effort can keep them down.
There must then be some general cause
that animates the whole country. What
/ is that cause /? 1t is upon this point |
propose to give my opinion to day. l
/ have no design to offend any feeling, but
in perfec, plainness to express my views
4 to the vast multitude assembled here.
J know there are among them many who
from first to last supported General jack
! son. l know there are many who, il
y conscience and patriotism had permitted,
would support his successor, and ! should
i'll repay the attention with which they
may honor me by any reviling or de-
4 nunciation. Again, ! come to play no
1 part of oratory before you. If there have
been times and occasions in my life when
might be supposed anxious to exhibit
4 myself in such light, that period mas
passed, and this is not one Of the occa-
/ sions. come to dictate and prescribe
10 no man. If my experience, not now
short in the affairs of government. en-
:. title my opinions to any respect those
opinions are at the service Of my fellow:
B citizens. What shall state as facts, ]
. shall hold myself and my character res
ponsible for; what / shall state as opln
Z ions, all are alike at liberty to REJECT o.
to receive; asking only such far inter
9 probation Of them as this fairness and SIN SIN
Y cerity with which they are uttered may
+ claim. ga
Excitement of the Country, and thu
Cause Of it.
al What then has excited the whole. LAM
III al Ab.t sniyo