The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1842-10-02

pass the usual greeting among friends, pay tribute
OF respect Tor INV public services heretofore and ten
der their congratulations at the result OF this last
gotiation lCheers Ii was at my REQUEST that this
festival OF dinner took the form II did, and that in
stead OF meeting them at the festive board, should
meet them together with those that might choose
TO meet me on this more public occasion. ICheers
Still, gentlemen, the general character of the occa-
sion seems not to be changed | am here as guest.
am here to receive greetings and situations upon
proper subjects. am not here under any invitation
or expectation that should address the gentlemen
who invited me, or others, upon subjects not sugges
ted by themselves. 1t would not be beftng the oc-
cas;on, therefore, In my opinion, that should use II
abuse II tor any other purpose; because, gentle
men, altho have desire at some time, not far DIS
tant, perhaps TO make my sentiments kNo,cn upon
political occurrences, and the country generally, and
the political state Of me country and Us parties at the
present moment, yet know very well that ! should
be trespasslng beyond the bounds of politeness
and propriety-because | know very well that
of the. gentlemen. who united to invite me
to be here this occasion, MANY of them
maintain opinions different from mine, and they
would very properly say that they here to meet
MIR. Webster-to exchange congratulations mat
tiers onwhich they agreed-and that II was not IN
very correct taste for him to use that occasion to
Introduce sentiments in which they did not con-
cur Appause) 1t is on that account, gentlemen,
and tor that reason, that shall forbear-thnkng ii
my duty so to do, altogether from using this occa-
sion for the purpose OF expressing my opinions;
stating how Tar i agree with friends with whom
have acted Tor years, and stating how far am most
reluctantly constrained to differ from them. and
leaving It 70 some future occasion, such as is meet
tor the fulllment OF that purpose. (Pause) will
say one thing, however gentlemen, because it has
been alluded to. The Mayor was kid enough to
say that in his judgment, having performed the du-
ties of my own department with satisfaction to the
country, 1t might be LETT TO me to take care of my
own honor and reputation. Applause and loud
laughter.) | suppose he meant TO say, that IN the
PRESENT DISTRACTED STATE OF THE Wing PARTY,
and in the contrarety of opinions that prevail, If
there be n % n ne
proper for to pursue, the decision of that Ques-
lion might safely be left to myself. pause, and
a comcal look from Mr.. Webster) am exactly
of his epinon (Roars OF laughter and tremendous
applause.) am quite of opinion, gentlemen, that
in aquestion touching my own honor, and the con-
sstency OF my own characer-as am TO bear the
consequences of the decision had great deal bet
ter be trusted to make 1t. tremendous cheers y
And, although, gentlemen, no man values more
highly than do the advice of friends, yet upon
question delicate and important that, like to
choose the friends that to give me that advice.
tremendous and continued applause, and shouts OF
laughter even from the venerable gentlemen on the
plaform.) On this question, gentlemen. shall
leave you as enlightened as | found you. (Roars
of laughter and cheers.) give no pledges-l make
no intimation one way or the other, CHEERS y
And will be as absolutely free when this day closes
to act hereafter, as think duty calls, as was when
the dawnng OF this day burst upon me: (Here the
cheering was truly and literally terrific. Three
cheers were given irst-then moments pause, and
before Mr. Webster had time to speak, there were
| three more cheers given then three more.] There
is delicacy in the case-because there Is always
delicacy and regret when one feels himself obll-
ged to differ from his friends. But no
embarrassment !! There is no embarrassment
if see the path Of duty clear before me, because
there is that ywithin me that tells me am able TO
purste it, and to trOD all embarrassment to the WiHs!
Loud Cheers A public man has no occasion to
be embarrassed if he's honest (Cheers) He IS
nobody or nothing The country and public duty
are every thing (Great cheerng), And ne must
sink what is personal to himself In those high con-
sideratons which are to mark him as great, or to
| mark him as little man intime to come. lCheers
| There were many persons, gentlemen, In sep lSil
who found great fault with my remaining In the Ere
| sident's Cabinet. You all know, gentlemen, tina
| twenty years OF honest servlce-l will no say ell
cient-Du twenty years OF honest, and not altoget
her undistinguished service in the Wing cause, di
| not exempt me from an outpourng that seldom pro
ceeds from wing pens and wing tongues against an.
body tCheers] am little hard TO coax, and
good deal harder to be driven, (Great cheerlng)
| follow my own judgment, and thinking was In
post where could render service, to the country,
| stayed there. Loud cheers And leave it to you
this day, and leave it TO my country to say, whet-
her that country would now have been better
office. have tasted of its sweets. have
| tasted also of its btters. | am content with
what have achieved; ! am more anxious an Io
acquisitions in public life: (Cheers2 suppose
ought to pause here. (Cries of "no," !" no." from
all parts OF the house l suppose ought not to al
| ude TO any thing further, and will not, except in
what may be thought to concern myself and the Of
| flee which fill. very respectable convention-a
most respectable convention of wing delegates as
| sembled here some ten days ago, and passed very
important resolutions There Is no other set OF gen.
tlemen in this Commonwealth, SO far as am aware,
| for whom have more respect and regard-they are
whigs but they are no better wings than am
| [Grea cheering They have served the country In
the wing ranks, and 50 have quite as long-per-
haps with less ability and success. [Cheers. They
were sent hither, as l supposed, to agree upon the
| candidates for Governor and Lieutenant Governor,
to be supported by the wings OF Massachusetts, and
| there their commission ended. Laughter and
| theers'l II they had any commission beyond that
| it has not been published. lCheers.1 They had an
authority to speak in the name of the wings OF Mas
| sachusets on the subjects | have named il
clothed with any other authority, we have moi
| been made acquainted with 1T. Loud cheers. J.
feel very little disturbed by any of these proceed
ings; but some of them appear to me little incon
made on the part OF all the wings of this common
wealth, of full and final separation from the Presi
dent of the United States. (Pause) II these gen
tlemen saw fit to express their own purpose TO that
extent, nobody was to blame; they had all the right
to speak their own sentiments; but 1t Is quite an
| other question when they assume repre- sentative
character and speak for others. especially as hey do
not authorize them. (Cheers,) | am MmgLai-
ways have been-always will be tremendous
cheers.) And if any body undertakes TO turn me
out OF the pale of tina; communion, let hun see
who II get out first (Roars OF laughter and cheers)
Pm Massachusetts wing. (Applause) Pm a
Fanueil Hall wing, Tremendous cheers.) hav,
ing breathed the pure air for twenty-five years. ano
meaning to breathe it as long God spares my lite
| (Here the cheering was tremendously Now, as a
Massachusetts wing, am accustomed to submit tt
the decisions of wing conventions, in regard to the
| purposes tor which they are appointed. know tina
great party good, and great public good, can only
be so obtained. But it's quite another question:
quite another question-whether set OF gentle
|
pulse of the moment, can undertake to made de
clarations which are to bind me in matters which
have never agreed to submit to their arbitration
(Great cheering) A full and linal separation is de
clared between all the wings of Massachusetts ant
the President OF the United States. daughter.
Well, this is text that requires commentary
CHEERS What does II meant The President ha
three years OF his office yet uncxpred. Does IN
declaration then mean that during those three year
all the measures of his administration are to be OF
| nnsed hy the wings Of Massachnsetts whether the