Morning herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1837-1840, 1840-09-25

instantly give confidence to all. And because il is
this want of confidence that makes so many hold
back from their accustomed enterprise Is 1t not
so in New York. Is it not in all the Eastern
States! | am well aware that the people of Long
Island have lots cast in pleasast places; that the
great interest Of these three counties of Queens
Kings and Suffolk is agricultural interest and IN
some respects fishing interest. You have a great
market close at hand in New York. And, therefore,
you not subject to the fluctuations ofncome and
the loss OF property, as other communities in other
parts Of the country
But will not do you the Injustice to suppose that
you consider your interest other than general
interest And know that you look to the measures
OF the government and Judge OF them, not merely as
they affect yourselves or small circle but they
affect the whole community And II there is one prin-
cpe grated frmer the heart of every American,
it is the feeling that all have but one common in
tcrest as nation, and that II we go to separate one
interest from another, we destroy all interest cloud
cheers)
We want an honest guardian ofthe public welfare
cloud cheers) This administration has been
frghted for its own safety nd continuance in power
that il has tried to its duration by not
very creditabe to ITSELF nor very beneficial to the
people With the great increase Of executive power,
there is always cause to fear, and danger be APP
pretended. And when portion OF any great party
possess the reins OF government, with a popular
chief at their head and all others subordinate to
them, there is much more to fear than when that ex-
ecutive power is exercised as it was meant to be,
simply as an executive, instead Of being, as now,
the chief source Of all legislative power. lCheers)
more than any other that he has uttered since the
commencement Of the present Presidential campaign,
that he holds it to be great mistake for persons to
lock to the chief magistrate the source Of all the
legislation of the government. (Great cheering)
There many other topics, my friends, that 1t is
necessary should be mentioned but from the state of
my health, | am compelled to forego speaking of
them. So will give you my opinion, which is worth
no more than yours. wish to prescribe opinions to
no man but have been in public situation Of i'm
por'ance for some time, and ought, therefore, to
for fha Of Snla -wy1,
tate the country That opinion. then is, that until
there is radical change in all the measures of fl
nance, revenue and currency, we shall not begin to
hope for restoration of the prosperity Of the
try. loud cheers)
There is other question that has attracted
much attention throughout the country. 1t is the
system of militia, as It is called, Of the present ad-
ranistration. shall not call it standing army, be
they do not. / shall endeavor, in as few
words as possible, to explain what this system is
and if, after have done this, you think that the 60
verRment, who proposed and supports such plan,
deserves confidence, and that such q measure was
wanting by the people, and was absolutely necessa-
ry, then you will do well to give that government
your cordial support.
Here Mr.. Webster repeated the whole plan of
Mr.. Ponsett's new militia scheme, WHICH we pub
lished in his late speech
Now, say maintain, that according to the consti-
tuition, the militia of the country is the militia Of the
state, and is not subject 10 the control Of the general
government. And those who professto be states ghs
| men, and support this plan OF Mr.. Poinset's can
think but very little Of what they are supporting.
II there be an insurrecton, or invasion, or laws
resisted the government at Washington can call
out the militia and it can do no more. The consti-
tuition guarded as to decree uniform system of
service by the militia, but they to be oITcered
by the states and to be trained by the states them
selves.
If you find me wrong let il go for nothng but if
you find me right, then think what possible motive
could have induced the general government to pro-
| pose such scheme. And even II it was constitu-
tional, what do we want with lOO,VO men in time
II ant and f...
their families and their business. And then the ter
rble Inconvenience of the thing This training may
| take place any where between Lake Erie and Gard
| ner's Island. And what fort Where do you cx-
| pectzrfoe to come 'front.' II looks as have said,
ands cant too often repeat, il looks like imitation
Of foreign proceedings, which seems to be the be.
J setting sin OF our government.
| II TIE country IL invaded, let meet it with as
much energy and as much expense as may be neces.
ssry Bat TO go TO the expense of such a standia c
army some call it, in time of peace, is measure
that would be scarcely be thought Of by in his
| senses.
But the scheme is not a law, and you'll all say
that il never will be. That would be rash don Z
know about that. My experience for the last eight
years has been such as to teach me TO consider no
| scheme as too preposterons to pass into law. A
violent proposition is brought forward by violent
| man, and II does succeed. Some hesitate at first,
but by the boldness aud perseverance, Of Others the
| timid carried along with the violent, and the
| measure ultimately succeeds Don't say that any
| thing NAV not become law with such men at the
! head Of affairs.
And depend upon il, my friends, that these viz
lent men, and these violent measures, standing ont
from party as outposts, are tie true erpon'nts Of
| that party, and mark the boundary to which that
| party mean TO come il they can.
| But this measure is before the people, with no
part Of it rcracted and IL the present administra
| tion continues in power what's to prevent IL from
becoming law, when il is pushed through the halls
| Of legislation, as II undoubtedly will BET There
| was old maxim of our revolutionary fathers, my
friends which Should be an old practice with us, to
- h.otp uf thA
To stop the ball before Il begins to roll daughter,
if may be allo we'd the expression Men are often.
tinos wearied into measures, and thus yield their
support TO them against their better judgments, TO
| prevent importantly and annoyance IL was so with
| tie sub-Treasury. 1t looked ugly TO many at fret
may call il but long familiarity reconciled them
TO its hIdeous features and they support
And now, hoping that you will bear with me for
the feeble manner in which only have been able to
address. you, and feeling that am sure you will take
Il in kind part, when l say that am unable TO pro-
ceed further az this time. am troubled with vi
client inf .enza. that Expresses at this moment;
and must leave the subjects 10 be treated Of by
those who are better able, and by their intimacy
with the subjects, better qualified TO explain them,
and to discuss them with you.
But IN leaving you, let say, that II am able 10
form any correct opinion at all, IL is that which
state, that there is about 10 be change in the
measures OF the government. The necessity has
been felt from Maine to Georgia, and the farthest
frsntier that IL is necessary TO the peace and quiet
Of the country, and that II necessary TO the welfare
of the country that there shou d be thorough
change OF men. and thorough change of mea assures
Atthe close Of Mr.. Websters speech the crowd
gave three cheers. The Chairman then offered the
following resolution
Resoired, That in the name Of the wings of Long
Island we tender te the distinguished senator from
Massachusetts, who has kindly favored us with his
presence on this occasion, our warmest congratula-
tons upon the happy prospects that are beginning
20 dawn upon the future II our beloved country.
That the dark and portentous clouds that have OBJ
scurcd her onward march, and yelled for a season
her interests, her true policy, and her real glory,
are disappearing, and dissipating before the ire
s.tible Of reason and Of truth And that these
happy results are under Providence, TO be ascribes
in no ordinary TO distinguis ed enc #