The Madisonian. [volume] (Washington City [i.e. Washington, D.C.]) 1837-1845, 1841-04-27


The way in which Mr.. WEBSTER has himself
met them may be learned by the following ex-
tracts from his speech in reply to Mr.. CALHOUN.
on the 22d of March, 1888:
But, sir, before attempting that, he lMr c.-
HouS has something else to say. He had prepared il
seems to draw comparisons himself He had intend
ed TO say something II time had allowed upon our res
pectve opinions and conduct in regard 10 the war III
time had allowed Sir, time does allow--timc mus,
allow. A general remark Of that kind ought not 10
be- cannot be, Left to produce its effect when that effect
Is obviously Intended to be unfavorabe. Why did
the gentleman aude TO my. votes or my opinions res
pecting this at all, unless he had something to
sayf Does he wish 10 leave an underlined impression
that something done, something said by me not
now capable of defence justification 1-something
not reconcilabe with tue patriotism He means that
or nothing. And now, sir, let him bring the matter
forth let him take the responsibility of the accusation
let him state his facts am here this day. TO answer
| Now Is the time, and now is the hour think we
read sir that of the good spirits would not bring
against the arch-encmy Of mankind railing accuse
tom and what Is railing but general reproachan i'm
putaton without fact time, or circumstance Sir,
call for particulars The gentleman knows my whole
conduct well indeed, the journals show il ALL fiom
the moment came into Congress till the peace Ii
have DONE then, sir, any thing unpatrotic any thing
which, far love Of country goes, will not bear
comparison with his any other mans conduct let it
now be stated. Give me the fact, the time the man.
He speaks of the war that which is called the
late war, though il Is now twenty-five years since il
terminated. He would leave an impression that OBJ
posed it. How? was not in Congress when war
was declared, nor in public life, anywhere. Twas pur-
suing my profession and keeping company with Judges
sherihs and jurors, and plaintiffs and defendants Ill
had been in Congrass, and had enjoyed the benefit Of
hearing the honorable gentlemans speeches, for all
can say, might have concurred with him. But was
not in public life never had been for single hour
and was in situation therefore, to oppose support
the declaration of war. speaking to the fact, sir
and Il the gentleman has any fact, let us know it,
Well, sir, came into Congress during the war
found it waged and raging. And what did do
here to oppose it, Look to the journals. Let the
honorable gentleman tax his memory. Bring up any
thing, ifthere be any thing to bring up-not showing
ty to the country did not agree all that pro-
posed nor did the honorable gentleman. did not ap-
prove of every measure, nor did he.
/ The war had been preceded by the restrictive sys-
tainly did not think well of these measures. Il APP
peared to me the embargo annoyed much as our
enemies, while it destroyed the business and cramped
the spirits of the People.
In this opinion | may have been right or wrong,
but the gentleman was himself Of the opinion.
He told US the other day, proof of his indepen-
dence Of party, great questions that he differed
with his friends on the subject Of the embargo. He
was decidedly and unaltersbly opposed to it, It fur
nishes, in his judgment, therefore, mpuiation
either on my patriotism the soundness of my pOlit
ical opinions that was opposed TO it also. mean
opposed in opinion; for was not in Congress- and
/
And as to opposition to for carrying the
war, after came into Congress- l again say, let the
i gentleman specify-st him lay his finger any
| thing, calling for an answer, and he shall have
| answer.
Mr.. President, you were yourself in the House
during considerable part of this time. The honor
able gentleman may make a witness of you. He may
make witness OF any body else. He may be his
own witness Give us but some fact, charge,
something capable in itself either Of being proved OF
dsproyed. Prove any thing not consistent with hon.
orablc and patriotic conduct, and am ready to
swer it. Sir, am glad this subject has been alluded
to in manner which .justi6es me in taking public
notice Of it because nm well aware that, for ten
years past infinite pains have been taken to find
thing in the range of these TOPICS which might
ate prejudice against me in the country. The jour
have been pored over and the reports ransacked
and scraps of paragraphs and half sentences have
been collected, put together in the fasest manner,
and then mndeto flare out if there had been some
discovery But all this failed. The next resort was
to supposed correspondence My letters were sought
for, TO learn it, in the confidence of private friendship
had never said anything which enemy could
make use Of With this view the vicinity UafheS
candle. New Hampshire has been explored from
the mouth Of the Merrmack to the White Hills. In
one instance gentleman had left the State gone five
hundred miles off, and died. His papers were ex-
arnined, letter found, and, Ihave understood
it was brought 10 Washington conclave was held
TO consider it, and the result was, that if there
nothing else against Mr.. Webster, the matter had
of that opinion who brings against me charge of
want of patriotism Errors of opinion can be found
doubtless on many subjects; but such conduct
flows from the feelings which animate the heart
know that act of my life has had il origin in the
want of ardent love of country.
Sir, when | came to Congress, found the honor
f able gentleman leading member of the House of
Representatives Well, sir, in what did we differ
One of the first measures of magnitude, after came
here, was MIR. Dallass proposition for bank 1t
was war measure. 1t was urged as being absolutely
necessary to enable Government TO carry the
Government wanted revenue; such a bank it was
hoped, would furnish it, and that account it
warmly pressed aud urged on Congress. You remcm
Der all this, MIR. President You remember how
much some persons supposed the success of the
and salvation of the country depended on carrying
that measure. Yet the honorable member from South
Carolina opposed that bill He now takes to himself
good deal of merit-nonc too much, but still good
f deal of mert-for having defeated it. Well sir,
agreed with him. 1t was paper bank-a mere
machine for fabrcating irredeemabe paper 1t
new form for paper money; and, instead of benefng
the country, thought it would plunge it deeper and
deeper in difficulty. made speech on the subject
it has often been quoted. There il is let whoever
pleases read and examine it. am not proud of it for
any ability it exhibits on the other hand, am not
ashamed of it for the spirit which it manitess. But
sir, say again, the gentleman himself took the lead
against this measure-ths darling measure of the
Administration. | followed him if seduced
into error or into unustabe opposition, there sits
my seducer
What, sir were other leading sentiments, or lead
! ing of that day. On what other subjects
did men differ? The gentleman has adverted to one
and that most important one--l mean the Navy
He says, and says truly, that at the commencement of
the war the Navy was unpopular II was unpopular
with his friends, who then controlled the politics of
the country. But he says he differed with his friends
in this respect he resisted party influence and patty
connexion and was the friend and advocate OF the
} Navy Sir, commend him for il. He showed his
, wisdom. That gallant little Navy fought itself
into favor, and showed that man who had placed re-
/. lance il had not been disannoinfed