Vermont watchman and State journal. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1836-1883, 1842-10-07
sPEssCH OF MIR. WEBSTER TO THE
---CITIZENS OF BOSTON.

plnentary nuuresS from The mayor oil the city,
spoke at great length. This speech has long been
waited for by the politicians, and with great INK
iey by not few. Some have supposed he
would announce his withdrawal from the cabinet,
followed by n remuneration and denuncialon of
the President; others, (locos, of course,) have
| hoped he might separate from the Wings, at once
and forever but neither Of these classes have been
gratifed. Mr. Webster caims to be Wing as
firmly and thoroughly Wing, now as ever but
as 10 his future connection with the President, he
makcsn no pledges. lie no,O susta ms John Tyler
How long he thinks lie can honorabIy and conss-
Ienty be Tyler Wing y we know not; zoe think
not long. We should DO glad to crafty the
wishes ofthe politicians by giving Mr.. Webster's
speech in full its great length will not permit us
10 do so this week, and The pressure of legislative
matter, which will commence with our next,
seems to forbid us any opportunity to publish it
entire. We therefore give the gist OF it, lie
opens eoquenlly, expressing his attachment to
Boston, aud his determination when his public
life ceases, there to spend the remainder of his
days. and there to leave his children. lie then
adverts to his public course since 1910 General
Harrison, as soon as elected, rendered him carte
blanche for any post in the cabinet, expressing n
wish, however, that he would take tho Treasury,
as he deemed the great subjects of currency and
finance most important to the country. Mr.. w.
felt more competent and willing to take the post
of Sec. Of State and chose that 1t was time of
imminent pes-an outbreak with Great Britain
seemed ut hand; and Mr.. Webster says that were
tho facts known to the country, growing out OF
the Mcleod case,) which were known to the cabi-
net, "lhe shipping interest of Boston, and every
other interest connected with the commerce Of the
country, would have been depressed one half in
six hours"
81 thought that the conclusion might be avert
ed, by holding up TO view tho principle of public
law by which this question ought to he settled,
and by demanding an apology for whatever had
been done ngninst the principles OF public law by
the British government or its officers (Cheers.)
thought we ought to put ourselves right in the first
place, and then could insist that they should
do right in the next place. Laughter aud cheer
ing) When in England in the yenr 1889, had oc-
casion to address large assemblage of English
personages, and allusion having been made to the
relations of things between the two countries, |
stated then what thought and now think, that in
uuy controversy which should terminate in war
between the United States and England, the only
eminent advantage that either would possess
would be found in the recude fits cause. With
the right on our side we a match for England,
and with the right on her side she is a match for
us. daughter and cheers.)
"We live in an age, fellow citizens, when there
| has come in exercise, and come into Judgment, a
| more elevated tribunal-l mean the tribunal ofthe
| public opinion of the world. Nations cannot 20
! to war nOw either with the consent of their own
subjects Or people, or without the Reproduction OF
other states, unless for grounds and reasons JUS
| tifying them in The general Judgment of mankind.
! The influence of civilization, OF commerce and Of
| that heavenly light that beams over Chrisendom,
restrans men, congresses, princes and people,
| from gratifying the lnordnate love OF ambition
| through The bloody scenes OF war iCheers.j 1t
has been wisely said and it is true, that every set
Element Of national differences between christian
States, on fair negotiation, without resort to arms
is new tribute and n new proof Of the benign in
| fuencc Of the Christian faith.
w lh regard to the terms of this treaty, and
| III regard 10 the other subjects connected with it,
it is somewhat awkward for me TO speak, because
the documents connected with them have not
| been made public by authority. But persuade
myself, that when the whole shall he calmly con-
siered, it will be seen that there was throughout
fsrvent disposition TO maintain the interest and
| honor OF the country, united with proper regard
for the preservation OF peace between us and the
greatest commercial nation OF the world"
Mr. Webster next highly compliments others,
connected with the negoiation-the President,
for his intelligent attention and the franknes5 and
generosity with which he committed the whole
negotiation to Mr.. W.; to the commissioners of
Maine und Massachusetts for their faithful adher-
ence 10 the rights of their own sJaes mingled
with cordial cooperation in what was required
by the general interests of the United Suites; and
to Lord Ashhuron, who always, on oil occasions,
as far AS his allie lance and duty permitted, was
favorable to this country.
There yet remain several other questions to bs
seued,-some of them with England: the colo
NAL trade with this continent and the w est Indies
the North Western boundary, and the claims OF
citizens Of this country upon Mexico and other
South American States.
Mr. Webster next says that he was there as a
guest, to receive greetings for particular services
and it would not become MIN TO use that occasion
"to express how far he agreed with his friends
ana how far he was most reluctantly pursuaded
to differ fron them; ) this he proposes TO do
hereafter.
81 will say one thing, however, because it has
been alluded to. The Mayor was kind enous IN 10
say that, having in his Judgment, performed the
duties OF my own department to the satisfaction OF
my country, it might be left to to take care OF
my own honor and reputation (Choers) sup
pose that he meaLt TO say, that in tho present dis
Iracled state Of the Wing party, and among tho
contrarety of opinions that prevail, (if there be a
con'rarieiy of opimion,) as TO the course proper
Tor me TO pursue, The decision Of that question
might be lett 10 myself am exactly ofhis opin-
ion. Loud and continued applause, concluded
by three regular cheors) am quite OF opinion
that on question touching my own honor and
character, that MS | am to bear the consequences
OF the decision, had great deal better be trusted
to make it. tCheers No man feels more highly
the Advantage OF the advise o friends than do,
but on question delicate and important like this
| like to choose myself the friends who are 10
give me advice; and upon the questions gentle
men, to which | have REFERRED shall leave you
as enlightened as found you.
." | give no pledges, make no limitations one
1 L. L