The Middlebury people's press. [volume] (Middlebury, Vt.) 1841-1843, 1843-10-11
MR.. WEBSTER'S GREAT SPEECH,
AT THE AGRICULTURAL SUPPER.
From the ". Y. Tribune.


AT THE AGRICULTURAL SUPPER.
From the ". Y. Tribune.
1t was announced and expected that Mr..
Webster would address the immense mul
litude assembled in the exhibition field at
Rochester on Thursday afternoon but he
was prevented by illness, which confined
HIM to his bed. The officers of the Soci
ETY., therefore, gave a supper, attended BY
invited guests, on Thursday evening. al
Smiths Dining Saloon, opposite the Eagle
Tavern at Rochester. The guests came
in at about S o'clock. James S. Wads-
worth. Esq. President of the Society. pre-
sided, assisted by several Vice Presidents.
There were present besides Mr. Webster.
Ex-Governor Seward, Hon. Christopher
Morgan, Jr. Col. Alston. of South Carroll
ma, and many other distinguished persons.
ExPresIdent Van Buren, and Gov. Bouck
had left the city in the afternoon. Mr.
Webster's speech was one Of great inter-
est and importance, both for its intrinsic
worth and its political bearings: we present
below full and accurate report. which is
laid before our readers in advance of every
other paper in the United States. We are
greatly indebted to the kindness of the Of
ficers of the several central rail roads thro'
the State, to the gentlemanly captain Of
the splendid steamboat Empire. to the pro-
prietor of the Eagle Hotel ill Albany. and
above all TO the Committee of Arrange
mems at the Supper, at Rochester, with
DIR. Kelsey at its head. for their assistance
in this enterprise. We acknowledge their
courtesy with pleasure, as we shall always
re member it with gratitude. To Mr. Cole
man, of the Astor House, who attended
the Fair, we are also under great obiga>
tons.
The President, James S. Wadsworth,
Esq. after The cloth was removed at few
minutes before 0. arose and said that many
who knew him and who would not be very
likely to suppose him possessed of any
very profound knowledge Of constitutional
law, might be surprised TO learn that he
was at one time a pupil of their distinguish
ed guest. But such, he said was the fact.
He pursued his studies in the office and
under the direction of DanielW ebster; and
all would agree, that if he had profted but
lltlt Nv HIS SluNlbS, II was w uO lui
want of an able teacher. 1t was during
the period, he said,when to use Farmers
expression, he was ''sowIng his wild oats"
"a time not very favorable for severe stu
dy or very extensive requirements in any
branch of learning; and TO this fact might
be attributed. perhaps, something of his
failure TO profit by his teachings. In rising
fr, 1,frOAuca THAR hnnOrad IN, Tho
tIemen present, Mr. Wadsu orlh SAID he
should pass over all the great acts of his
eminently useful life, all that he had done
in The service of his country, and all the
greet deeds and eloquent words which had
made his name distinguished and honored
throughout the world. The history of his
life was the history of his country; and 10
history he would leave the appropriate task
of describing and commemorating them.
For the present, he wished only TO propose
"THE HEALTH OF THE FARMER OF
MARSHFiELD."
This sentiment was received with tu-
mutuous applause followed by three hearty
cheers. After the noise had subsidized, Mr..
Webster rose and replied in substance as
follows -
Mr.. PRESIDENT AND GENTLEMEN: | am
greatly obliged for the kind manner in " hIch
the President of this Society has referred to
the circumstances of our early acquaintance
and intercourse. | am proud gentlemen,
of such pupil; and if he learned any thing
under my instruction relative to the prOfes
sion to which belong, am sure he is fully
competent, now, to pay back the principal
with accumulated interest from knowledge
connected with the present pursuit to which
he, and you. gentlemen, are so greatly at
tached.
Gentlemen--Owing, perhaps, in some
measure, to this early and friendly consider
alton of the President of your Society, and
to the general kindness of all the persons
connected with it, had the honor 10 be in
vited to appear on this occasion, and TO make
the annual address usual upon the celebra-
ton of your anniversary. 1t happened not
to he in nv power to accept the tender of
this great honor. But in declining il sug-
gested TO my friend that, us sometimes had
occasion to visit Western New York partly
to visit some family connections. and other
friends and as always embraced such an
with the greatest pleasure,
might be in this region, in the course of the
and that if so, would endeavor TO :
Anniversary of the Agricultural Society. .
come, gentlemen, in the fulfilment of that
lntimation leone with great pleasure, mot .
the heat of the weather and
the length of the journey. to be present at
this great meeting of the Representatives of
the A. ricultural interests of this greatSfate
Tcheer land | would most gladly. gentle
men, so far a. may he in my power,do some
thing, or say something. by way of compen-
saton for the kindness which you have man
Tested towards me. and as expressing the
grateful feelings th which | acknowledge
he honor you have done me in extending to
ne this invitation.
Gentlemen, the occasion is an agricultural
occasion. The topics which have assem-
,led us here together are agricultural topics.
They carry us to the consideration of tina.
treat interest of society, the guilty alton of
he Earth, from which we ourselves were
AIKEN. And, gentlemen, have been struck
n examining the exhibition which has been
made to day of animals, and of the products
nd I'pprovemt hts of the mechanical arts,
.