Daily Richmond Whig. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1840-1842, 1842-10-04
Prom M. New Nofk Tdbuss.
MR.. wEBSTER,S SPEECH

ton u was written out from our notes and put 10
type on board the Rhode island on her passage
last nigh, from SIonington TO this city. We are
thus eaabed TO issue II Ia advance OF every paper
South Of Boston.
To Capt. Thayer and tho other officers OF the
splendid steamer under their command, we offer
our warmesi thanks for their kind and valuable
attentions.
Ala very early hour the room, was crowded to
.uaasation, aud before the time appointed for the
meeting, thousands had gone away, unable to pro-
admission. AT precisely II o'clock, A NJ, M T
Webster came in, attended by a committee Of gen
tlencn. consisting Of the Hon. Jeremiah Mason,
benjamin. Russell, President Quincy, Gov. ARM
strong, II. q. Otis, Benjamin Rich. Abbott Law
renee, and many Others. He was introduced to the
audience by the Mayor, in very neat and tasteful
Address, to which he replied nearly as follows:
know not-I know not how il is. MIR Mayor,
but there is something in the echo OF these walls,
in the sen Of upturned faces ~heh see oround
me- or in the genius which always hovers over this
place. tanning into life ardent and patriotic feeling
with every motion Of its wings-l know not how II
IT, but there is something that exctes me strongly,
deeply, too deeply to allow adequate expression
for my emotions. IL will not be doubted oy you
that this salutation that this greeting, is greeting
ielt here OF the heart. Boston is my home-rny
cherished home IL is now more than hse and
twenty years since came here. with my family,
to pursue here in this enlightened metropolis those
objects, both public and private, Tor which my stu
dies aud education designed TO nj me. IL IS
twenty years since the intelligent citizens of Boston
asked me to loan myself to the public trust as their
representative; and gives me INFINITE pleasure 10
zee here TO day, occupying those seats assigned TO
the gentlemen moro advanced in life, not few of
those Who we're originally instrumental IN indicating
the course of life 10y which have endeavored TO
serve the people Of this town.
when the duties OF public life have withdrawn
me from this way home-I have felt, nevertheless
attracted to the spot 10 which oil my local affections
tended; and now that the progress OF time must
bring about that perod-even II 1t should not be
hastened by the progress OF cven,s-when the du-
ties of public life must yield 10 coming advanced
years-I cherish the hope of passing among these
associations nd these friends hat shall remain OF
my life when these public services shall have ended
which for good for evil, are all the inheritance
have to leave to those WHO shall come after me.
The Mayor has spoken kindly OF my public ser
vice; and especially OF the results Of the negocia
ton which has recently been brought to close,
and in which | wss engaged. L hope, fellow cit-
zsns that some hing thus done permanently
useful to the country. Ipresent no personal claims
of particular merit | endeavoIed TO do my duty.
had hard summers workout am not wholly
unused to hard work had many anxious days,
and some sleepless nights. But If the results OF my
labors merit the appreciation of the country, shall
be richly rewarded, and my other days will be hap
pier, rs my other nights will give still sweeter
pose. sought TO disperse the clouds which threat
encd a storm between England and America. For
several years past there has existed class OF ques
ti)ns, which did not always threaten war; but which
never assumed the aspect OF permanent peace.
The highly lamented person-to whom so just
tribute was paid by the Mayor-at his inauguration
of Prcsiden, in ls4l, called me to the place now
occupy; and though know in bad taste to speak
much of ones sell, yet among my friends and neigh
bors here will say u word or two If you please
| had the pleasure ct seeing hun on several occs .
sons at his house and elsewhere. l have never
made any boast Of the confidence the President re-
posed in me, but circumstances, hardly worthy Of
serious notice. have rendered il proper that should
say that soon as Gen. Harrison was elected Presi
dent OF the United States, without a word from me
upon the subject ho wrote to me inviting me to take
place in his Cabinet, leaving me for 10 choose, and
asking my advice 10 the persons / would wish
associated with me. lie expressed rather wish
that should take the department OF the Treasury;
because, he was pleased to say he knew had paid
some considerable attention to currency and finance;
and he felt that the wants Of the counry-ihe ne
ceSsi'y OF the country the subjects OF currency
and finance were among the causes which had pro-
ducel the revolution-lhat revolution which has
resulted in placing him in the Presidential chair.
II so happened that preferred another place
that which now occupy. felt all its response
biIity; but can say truly and correctly that what
ever attention had paid TO currency and finance,
| felt more competent TO carry Oh other concerns
derlake the daily drudsery Of trade. | was no.
disappointed in the exigency that existed in our
foreign relations. The Whole danger was Ct no
time publicly developed; but the cause OF the DIFF
ficuIy knew-hnd | knew too that an outbreak
seemed TO he at hand. alluded 10 that occurrence
to which the Chairman alluded-whIch ok place
during tic year 1871 with which was connected
the name Ct Alexander Mcleod. a year or two
before The British Government had authorized
military incurson into the territory OF the Uuiied
States destroy a steamJOat allsQ0el TO he
poyed by power hostile TO the peace Of Her
iustesty' territory IN Canada. The act was avow
Ell by the British Government as q public act.
Alexander Mcleod, person who Individually
receives and deserves no regard or sympathy, hap
pened 20 be one Of the agents who in a military
character performed that Gci; and coming into The
U.iied States some time afterwards he wis arrest
cd by the authorities Of New YOIk 4 charge
Of homicide and held 10 trial as for private felony.
Now, gentlemen, according to my appTehen.ions,
proceeding oil that kind was directly adverse to
we'll seued and well received principles Of public
Inv; and OF all others likely to arouse the ndlgna-
iion not only OF the Government, but also of the
People Of the country aggrieved. So would have
been with us. Ii citizen Of the United States,
under the orders Of his Government, and as a mill
tary man, obeys order which he either must obey
be hanged should find himself in the territory Of
the power against which the supposed crime was
committed, and should be seized and tried as an 10
divdual for that crime, there IS not a man among
us who would not cry for redress and vengeance.
ANY elevated Government, IN case WheTc ore Cf
ils citizens, in the performance Of his duty, should
be seized and sought to he made answerabe, every
elevated Government, ! maintain, would say, 81
am responsible for this ac; as in the story Of Nsui
and Euryalus, she would oKclaiu-
''Aisum qui fesi-in me eonyerie ferrum"
Now, gentlemen, when the dispatches Of the
British government first reached this country
though do not think il useful imporan. TO sal
much Of them-yet If you oil knew their contents
you would that the commercial interests Of the
country, the shipping interests Of this eiIy mast n
have been crushed OF once. That crisis thought
could be aVeried; in the first place by unfolding the
acknowledged principles Of public law, and, 10 the
neKt place, Ivy demanding apology for whalevtr
against these principles OF law had been done by the
British government. Let US pu, ourselves right H.
the first place, and insist that they shall DO righ, 10
the next place.
while in England in 1889. happened to be call
ed on 20 address large assembly o. English ptr
sons and in abiding 10 the relation of things between
the two countries, stated there what thought and
what no" thick, Of any points 10 controversy
which might terminate IN war between tho United
States and England, oud to the results Of such a
contest, declaring that the only advantage which
either would enjoy would be in possessing the
right Of the cause. With the right on our eide We
nre Il match for England. With the right on her
side she ls a match FOR us-nnd for any body. H.
NIL the differences between nations and in tie fna
judgement upon them, a great new element has
come into the constitution Of the tribunals moan the
tribunal OF the puO ic o; ioOn Of the world; nation
will not 20 20 war nov, either with the consent Of
her subjects or people unless the grounds and rca.
tonaare sufficient to justify herin the general Judge.