The Madisonian. [volume] (Washington City [D.C.]) 1837-1845, 1841-05-01

Persevering efforts OF this kind have been
made against Mr.. WEBSTER, many times and by
different hands, but thus far without success.
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:
aBut sir, before attempting that, he [Mr. CAL
HoUN has something else to say He had prepared, it
seems, TO draw comparisons himself He had intend
ed to say something, if time had allowed upon
pectiye opinions and conduct in regard 10 the If
time had allowed! Sir, time does allow-timc must
allow. A general remark of that kind ought not to
be, cannot be, left TO produce its effect when
is obviously intended to be unfavorable. Why did
the gentleman aude to my votes or my opinions, res
Pectlng this war at ALL unless he had something to
that something DONE something said by me- not
now capable of defence justification something
not reconcilabe with tue patriolsm3 He means that
or nothing And now, sir, let him bring the matter
orth let him take the responsibility of the accusation
let him state his facts am here this day, TO
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 accusa-
tom and what is railing but general reproachan i'm
putation without fact time, circumstance Sir,
call for particulars The gentleman knows my whole
conduct we'll indeed, the journals show it all, from
the moment came into Congress till the peace. If
have done, them sir, any thing unparioc, any thing
which, as far love of country goes will not bear
now be stated. Give the fact, the time, the man
ner He speaks of the war; that which is called the
late war, though it is twenty-five years since il
terminated. He would leave an impression that OPP
posed it. How2 / was not in Congress when war
was declared, in public life anywhere Twas pur-
suing my profession and keeping company with judges
shers and jurors, and plaintiffs and defendants If
had been in Congrass, and had enjoyed the benefit of
hearing the honorable genteman's speeches, for all
can say i might have concurred with him. But was
i'm lie 4 hail cir ho.,r
and in situation therefore, to oppose support
the declaration of war. speaking to the fact sir
and if the gentleman has any fact, let US know it,
Well, sir, came into Congress during the war.
here to oppose it2 Look to the journals. Let the
honorable gentleman tax his memory. Bring up any
thing fthere be any thing to bring up-not showing
of opinion, but showing want ofloyaty or de-
ty to the country did agree to all that was pro-
posed, nor did the honorable gentleman. did not APP
prove of every measure nor did he
The war had been preceded by the restrictive sys-
tenn and the embargo. As private individual, Ger
tainly did not think well of these measures It APP
peared to the embargo annoyed as much as our
enemies while it destroyed the business and cramped
| the spirits of the People.
In this opinion may have been right wrong
| but the gentleman was himself of the opinion.
He told the other day, as 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 unalterably opposed to it. 1t fur
nishes, in his judgment, therefore, no imputation
either on my patriotism or the soundness ofmy polt
ical opinions that was opposed TO- it also. mean
opposed in opinion for i was not in Congress, and
had nothing to do with the act creating the embargo
And to opposition to measures for carrying on the
war, after came into Congress- again say, let the
! gentleman specify-lst him lay his finger on any
thing, calling for answer and he shall have an
answer r a.. ~'.-'a ~.
Mr. President, you were yourself in the House
during considerable part of this time. The honor
| able gentleman may make witness OF you. he may
make witness OF any body else He may be his
own witness. Give us but some fact, some charge,
something capable in itself either of being proved
disproyed Prove any thing not consistent with hon
orable and patriotic conduct, and am ready to an
swerit. Sir am glad this subject has been alluded
to in manner which justifes me in taking public
notice of it because am well aware that, for ten
years past infinite pains have been taken to find some
thing, in the range of these topics, which might
ate prejudice against me in the country. The jour
nails have been pored and the reports ransapked
and scraps of paragraphs and half sentences have
been collected, put together in the falsest manner,
and then made to fare out as if there had been
discovery. But all this failed The next resort
to supposed correspondence My letters were sought
for to learn if in the confidence Of private friendship
l had never said anything which an enemy could
make use of. With this view the vicinity of my
fermer residence has been searched, with lighted
candle. New Hampshire has been explored from
the mouth of the Merrimack to the White Hills. In
one instance gentleman had left the State gone five
hundred miles off, and died. His papers were ex-
amined a letter was found, and, Ihave understood,
it was brought TO Washington; conclave was held
to consider it, and the result was that if there was
nothing else against Mr.. Webster, the matter had
better be left alone. SIR hope to make every body
of that opinion who brings against me charge of
want of patriotism. Errors of opinion be found,
doubtless many subjects; but such conduct
flows from the feelings which animate the heart, l
know that no act of my life has had it origin in the
want of ardent love ofcountry.
Sir, when came to Congress, found the honor
able gentleman leading member of the House of
representative Well SIT, IN what did we differ
One of the first of magnitude, after came
here, was Mr.. Dallas's proposition for bank. 1t
was war measure. It urged as being absolutely
necessary to enable Government to carry the war.
| Government wanted revenue; such bank, it was
hoped would furnish it. and on that account it was
warmly pressed and urged on Congress. You remem-
Der all this, Mr.. President You remember how
much some persons supposed the of the war
and salvation of the country depended on carrying
that measure. Vel the honorable member from South
Carolina opposed that bill. He now takes to himself
good deal Of mert-none too much, but still good
deal Of merit--for having defeated it. Well, sir,
agreed with him. 1t mere paper bank--a mere
machine for fabricating irredeemabe paper II a
new form for paper money and instead Of benefling
the country thought it would plunge deeper and
deeper in difficulty. made speech 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; the other hand, am not
ashamed of it for the spirit which it maniiests But
sir, say again, the gentleman himself took the lead
against this measure-this darling measure of the
| Administration. l followed him if was seduced
into error, or into unjusfable opposition there sits
my seducer. @
What sir, were other leading sentiments, or lead
ing measures Of that day. On what other subjects
did differl The gentleman has adverted to one,
and that most important one--I mean the Navy
He says and says truly that at the commencement of
the war the Navy was unpopular 1t 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 party
connection, and was the friend and advocate of the
j Navy. Sir, commend him for it, He showed his
wisdom. That gallant little Navy fought itself
into favor, and showed that who had placed re-
lance on it had not been disappointed.
i Well, sir, in all this, ! was exactly of the same
i opinions as the honorable gentleman. g t@