Staunton spectator, and general advertiser. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 183?-1849, 1842-10-13
MIR. wEBsTER's SPEECH AT BOSTON.

whole OF this speech TO our columns, IL Indeed IL
were worth the space it would occupy. We con-
tent ourselves, therefore, with the following birds
eye view of it, given by the National lntelligen-
Ger :-"Of the transactions connected with the
rupture Of the Harrison Cabinet, it offers no new
disclosures. 1t declares that Mr.. Webster gave
his advice against all tho Ve,oes. 1t denounces
the Compromise act as measure every way bad.
1t expresses the hope that tho Protective policy
will DO the perpetual one Of this country. 1t at
tributes all the disasters Of the present state Of
things 10 the failure of the Wings to make the
best Of Mr. TYLER. Mr.. Webster thinks that
union with the Administration is still tho wsest
and best course FOR tho Wing party, to which he
AYERS that he still most cordially belongs; and
that the capital measure, now incumbent upon
every patriot, is the adoption of his own original
Exchequer scheme, not shorn of the exchange
feature, but in all its first proportions, before they
were curtaied by tho shears of Congressional
committaes.'
Ii is very apparent that Mr.. Webster still har-
bors his unworthy jealousy Of Mr.. Clay; and
this, perhaps, had more to do with his remaining
in the Cabinet-we Will not say than the settle
ment of our difficulties with England-but more
than any other merely personal consideration
His fling at the Massachusetts Whir Conven-
ton, and the Compromise act, arc not the only
evidences of this feeling disclosed by the Speech !;
but it is conspicuous in its whole scope and
bearing.
The notion advanced by Mr.. Webster that the
Wings ought still TO hang on to Capt. Tyler is
rather too ludcrous 10 be treated seriously, after
all his recent acts and the declaration of his off,
cal organ, that the Captain never was Whig.'
But AS Mr.. W. could .'see no sufficient reason
for the dissolution Of the Harrison cabinet, after
the President had put an open insult upon them
by practically disavowing act which he had
urged them TO perform, this notion Of Mr.. Web
ster is in no way surprising. We think, howe
yer, as he claims to exercise exclusive guardian
ship over his own personal honor, he ought TO al
low tho same privilege to others.
Wo make few extracts to show the general
character Of tho Speech. There is an air Of en-
barrassmont about it-a fogginess, and an indirect
ness of purpose-which cannot fail to strike the
readcr.-lt is certainly not in the former bold and
manly tone Of Daniel Webster. But we suppose
we must allow him, now, to be little d.
plomati4ue.
al know mott know not how il is, Mr.. May
or, but there is something in the echo of these
walls, or in the sea of upturned faces which see
around me, or in the genius which always hovers
over this place, tanning into life ardent and pat
riotic feeling with every motion of its wings-I
know not how ii Is, but there is something that
eXcites me strongly. deeply, too deeply to allow
adequate expression for my emotions. twill not
be doubted by you that this salutaiion, that this
greeting, is greeting felt here at the heart. Bos-
ton is my home-my cherished home. 1t is
more than five and twenty years since came
here, with my family, to pursue here in this en-
lightened metropolis those objects, both public
and private, for which my studies and educa-
ton were designed to fit ME. 1t is twenty years
since the intelligent citizens of Boston asked me
to loan myself to the public trust as their repre-
sentative; and it gives infinite pleasure to see
here to day, occupying those seats assigned to
the gentlemen more advanced in life, not few Of
those who were originally instrumental in indi-
eating the of life by which have endea-
vored to serve the people OF this town.
When the duties Of public life have withdrawn
me away from this home-I have felt, neverthe-
less, attracted to the spot TO which all my local
affections tended; and now that the progress Of
time must bring about that period-even if it
should not be fastened by the progress of events
when the duties of public life must yield to
coming advanced years. cherish the hope of
passing among these associations and these
friends what shall Iemain of my life, when these
public services shall have ended which for good
or for evil, all the Inheritance have 10 leave
those who shall come after me.
Gentlemen, ain here 10 day as guest. was
invited by number of highly valued friends 10
partake with them of public dinner, for the pur-
pose of giving them an opportunity to pass the
usual greeting of friends now met after some alb
sence, to pay their respects TO my public services
and to tender their congratulations at the result of
the negotiations just concluded. 1t was at my
instance that this festival, from dinner, took its
present form; and instead of meeting you at the
festive board, chose, for obvious reasons, This
public manner. Still, gentlemen, its general
character is preserved, and l am here as guest.
am here to receive your salutatjons and greetings
on particular subjects. am not here under an
invitation, or an expectation, that should adj
dress the gentlemen who have been pleased to
meet me here on topics not suggested by your
selves. 1T would not befit the occasion, there
fore, in my opinion. that should use the occasion
for any such purpose, because although have a
desire at time not far distant hope, to make
my sentiments known upon the political occurren-
ces of the country generally, and the political
state Of the nation ant of parties at tho present
moment, yet know well that it would be impro-
per for me 10 do so now, because | know well
that the gentlemen who have written TO invite me
here on this occasion, entertain many of them o.
plnions different from myself; and they might
properly say, "we came here TO greet Mr.. Web
eter, and to extend our congratulations, on those
matters In which we agree; and we did not come
with the expectation that he would use the oppor-
tunity TO discuss questions on which we differ"
On that account, and for that reason, shall
forbear, thinking 1t my duty 10 do; and abb
staining from using this occasion for the purpose
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