The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1842-10-02
THE GREAT
WEBSTER SPEECH,
FANEUIL HALL, BOSTON.

L ANEOlL HALL, bOISlON.
The Hon Daniel Webster delivered his great
speech at Fanuei Hall, Friday noon, to about
5000 spectators
Accustomed as we have been to witness scenes
IF great excitement, in this city aud elsewhere,
lvering great speech, we never saw anything
,qua TO the intense anxiety displayed on this occa
sion; and yet everything was conducted with the
utmost order and decorum. Fanueil Hall was filled
literally to Overlooking an hour before The appointed
time thousands wen, away unable TO obtain ad-
mittance. On the platform we noticed Major Ben.
Hazard College, the British Consul, Mr.. Gratian.
jeremiah Mason, Harrison Gray OILS, Benjamin
Rich, Lieut.. Gov. Armstrong, Hon. Mr.. Salton
stall, Josiah Bradley, Abbott Lawrence C. p. Cur
It's, Esq Hon. Stephen Fairbanks, Edward Curtis,
Esq, Collector of New York, Rev. Messrs Watson,
Young, Goldman, rockingham, Parkn,an; DR.. J. E.
ralirey, Theol Prof The body of The Hall was
filed with the people.
Precisely at eleven o'clock, A. M, the Mayor,
Mr.. Chapman, stepped upon the rostrum and said
Feow-Ctizens, Committee chosen among your
selves has invited Mr.. Webster to NEE you at this
place 10 receive your salutations aud congra,ula-
lions. That Committee will presently attend him
to this Hail. l have been requested to preside, and
it there be no objections will do So" (Cheers) At
this moment there went up shout, :" here he
comes;" and amidst deafening applause that shook
The walls of the old Cradle of Liberty, Mr. Webster
was seen advancing towards the platform, attended
ty a large number of most venerable persons The
dense crowd gave way, and in moment Mr.. Web
the portrait of old John Hancock. As usual, MIR.
Webster was well dressed, and We never saw him
more erect, look better, or tread with irmer step
We never shall forget the expression of Mr.. Web.
ster's face as he assembled the step that placed him
il full view Of the vast assemblage Calm dignity
and intellect beamed from his eye, and yet his
powerfully Illuminated countenance did not altoge-
her conceal deep cast of sadness that rested upon
it, Standing in front of Mr.. Webster, the Mayor,
il good voice and manner. addressed him 1t was
good and felicitous.
After he got through, Mr. Webster rose.
| Mr.. WEBSTER, under considerable excitement
| then said, 81 know not how it is Mr. Mayor hui
there is something in the echoes of these walls, OF
in this sea of upturned faces which see before me,
| orln the genius that always hOvers over this place
and in the ardent and patriotic feeling SO apparent
| know not how it is, but there is something thai
excites me deeply before even begin to speak. 1
cannot be doubted, that this salutation and th.
greeting from my fellow citizens of Boston, is tri-
| butte dear to my heart Boston is indeed my home
my cherished home IL is now more than five
| and-twenty years since CAME here with my fami
ects of private and professional life for which my
| studies and my education were designed 10 fit me
1t is twenty years since was invited by the citi
of Boston to accept of public trust OF their
lerrlng. And II gives me infinite pleasure to see
here to day. amongst those seats assignedto gentle
men now more advanced in life, not few Of those
| who originally were instrumental in inducing
me to enter on course of life wholly unexpected
and to devote myself TO the service OF the people
| (cheers). Whenever, gentlemen, the pressure OF
| public duties has drawn me from home, | have ne
vertheiess always felt ii the attractive spot TO which
| all LEGAL affections turned. And now that the pro
gress of time must shortly bring about the period
| even if il shall not be fastened by the progress o.
events when the duties of public life shall yield tC
those of more retired station, Ichersh hope be
fore heaven but that my past deeds may be remem
bered without prejudice, by those friends whom
| see around ME, whether they be good or evil, anC
that shall leave in the midst of you some bearing
| my name who will not be unworthy your regard
| (Great cheers.) The Mayor has been pleased tC
mention my name in connection with the treaty re-
| Gently concluded with England, and hope, fellow
citizens, that something useful has been done blu
| would presume to claim no particle OF credit.
| have simply endeavored to DO my duty. l have
| had hard "A w h.,l
| ly unused TO hard work, (cheers) and | have haC
many anxious days and some. sleepless nights
| [cheerl. But if the result of my labor NEE
| the appreciation of the country, | am rich
| w compensated. Loud and long cheering.
My other days will be the happier, and my other
night given to still sweeter repose. tremendous
| cheers.) IL Is indeed an object OF the highest i'm
| portance to have dispeled cloud that threatened
a storm between England and America. Cheers,
| For several years past, there las been class o.
questions existing, which have not always threat
ened war, but have never yet assured the people o
| permanent peace. (Here Mr.. Webster spoke Sc
| low that one sentences was entirely lost) At the
Inauguration of the President in 1871, called tC
the place lnow occupy; and although know it is ii
very bad taste to speak OF ones SELF yet here among
my friends and neighbors l wish TO say few
words in which am concerned altogether With
the late President Harrison l contracted an &C.
quaintance-..l had the pleasure afterwards of see
| ing him in his own house, have made no exhibit
ton or boast of the confidence which it was hi.
pleasure to repose in me but circumstances, hardly
worthy of serious notice, have rendered it not inn
proper that ] should say, on this occasion, that
| soon as General Harrison was elected President Of
the United States, without, of course, hearing one
word from me on the subject, he wrote to me, in
viting me TO take place in his cabinet leaving &c
me the choice of that place, and asking mig adj
Uice as TO the persons that should fn ercry otte,
place in it. Loud and continued applause.] lie
| expressed rather wish that | should take the de
| partment of the Treasury, because he was pleased
10 say that he knew had paid considerable attention
TO the subjects of currency and finance ;and he iel
that the wants of the countrythe necessities OF the
country relative to the general subjects Of currency
and finance were the moving causes that produced
the revoution-that revolution that which placed
HIM IN the chair of state. II so happened, gentle
men, that my preference for that other place
which now hold. | felt all its responsibilities, bu
can say truly and frankly that with whatever at
tentlons l had considered the general subjects o
currency and finance, felt more competen
| ment and more willina 10 ,,adax..La .Lar,