The Madisonian. [volume] (Washington City [i.e. Washington, D.C.]) 1837-1845, 1840-10-20
IcoMMusIcArlos.l

DANIEL WEBSTER'S WELCOME
The stunning, universal and heart-spoken welcome
which convulsed the atmosphere of Richmond, when
Mr.. Webster presented himself for the first time to
Virginia assembly, must have sounded to the ears Of
Mr. Richie like the knell Of his political death
And the tears which rolled down the cheeks of the
orator. and the gush of emotion which interrupted his
uterance proved that he felt to his hearts the
affection and confidence with which the high souled
hospitabe sons of the ancient Dominion rebuked the
rash and hearess invocation of the editor of the En-
quirer Never did Mr.. Webster exert himself more
bravey, with greater success, to justify public ad
miration; and never did public opinion pronounce
fattering, decided judgment in his favor
If any erroneous impressions Of his character any
preudices against his political course any doubts of
the purity of his patriotism any sceptcism the
soundness Of his views, had previously existed, the
candor manlness, and eloqnence with which he has
calculated himself has dissipated them now, and we
trust for Mr.. Richie and his editorial coadu-
tors, may cothe their columns in mourning, for their
political idol lies MORALLY stricken This last blow
| from Webster has terminated the hopes of Mr.. Van
Buren, in Virginia Ii has done more il has diffused
through the ancient Dominion and through the whole
South flood of light which all the cunning and in
dustry of Mr.. Richie can never rain darken The
intelligence of that hgh-minded people will no longer
come TO his school for instruction 1t will hereafter
examine, decide, and without reference to his po-
ltca dcta In every view, the visit Of the distin-
gushed orator may be regarded epoch--the com
mencement of an era Of feeling and action which will
bind the North and South in closer brotherhood For
these reasons we congratulate ourselves and the
try that he has presented himself on Shockoe Hill
and by the force oruh alone scattered the breezes
of Heaven the atmosphere of mist and delusion with
which his political sanderers had involved his princi-
Piles and his fame
Mr.. Webster has well weighed the importance Of
hepresent crisis and he has brought the whole weight
of his magnificent mind into the field His battle
shivers like straws the feeble weapons of his enemies
and is hewing out path for victory. If he has suf
ered from misrepresentation, by his own vigor, he
can right HIMSELF and if the process be labcrious his
recent exerons attest willingness to give the toll
for the triumph.
We happen to know that early in the spring he
pressed an opinion that the Opposition members of
Congress ought all to go among the people and address
public meetings as frequently possible This he
regarded the best if not the only effective mode of
breaking the hold which the presses in the pay and
interest Of the Government had obtained over the
minds Of its adherents. "What you write for Wing
newspaper" said he " few Administration will
read, but if public meetings frequently holden,
some Of them, and occasionally many will at least at
tend" This indeed was the general conviction and
hence in the northern and middle States entirely
new condition Of things has been exhibited during
the summer and fall.
OF Mr. WEBsTERs speeches in Vermont, New
Hampshire, and Massachusetts,, during the months of
July and August, report that know Of has been
made Five productions of his however are in print
namely, the speech at Saratoga the Declaration on
Bunker Hill the speech at Patchogue the address to
the merchants at New York. and the speech or rather
speeches, delivered at Richmond last week we had
the satisfaction to hear These printed speeches. we
believe, have been very hastily revised some Of them
not corrected at all from the of the reporters
The ransccndant intellectual power displayed in each
and it is due to the fame of their author that they
should be collected and forthwith put into n form
more suitable for preservation
In connection with what we have said of the recent
practice of our public men in the North addressing
large gatherings of the people, would call the at
tenton Of readers, also particularly the speeches
of Mr.. Tallmadge, Gen. Wilson, Mr.. Rivcs, Mr.. Lee
gare and Others who have been laboring actively
and efficiently in the great common cause They
should be carefully laid by admirable memorabilia
Of these times, and commentaries on the policy and
doctrines of the Administration