The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1843-11-12
THE GREAT WING MEETING
At Andover (nIassachusetts) on the 9th inst
MR.. WEBSTER'S SPEECH.
HIS POSITION DEFINED.


The great gathering of the Wings Of Essex
County took place on Thursday last. The meet
ing was held i'll the open air on a portion
OF the property Of Samuel Abbott, Esq, of
Charlestown, Mass The ground was most
judicously chosen. 1t was situated a few rods
from the Wilmington post road, and about half
a mile distant from the village OF Andover The
ground formed a natural amphitheatre somewhat
more than an acre in extent sheltered on the north
by hill covered with thick grove OF fir trees, and
on the summit OF which flag staff, with the " star
spangled banner" waving proudly on its top, was
erected. Immediately at the base of this hill was
the platform, covered by an awning, and fronting
the sur, whose beams shed a most agreeable
warmth on the scene. The ground had been CO.
vered with brushwood and straw, and every posi-
BILE arrangement made to promote the comfort of
the multitudes assembled.
The firsttran OF cars which left at half past seven
o'clock from Boston, brought great number of ci-
tlzens, and large body Of the New England
Guards" dressed in their new and remarkably ee-
CANT uniform. BY the nine o'clock train the dele
gates from the various wards and associations in
the city OF Boston who participated with their fellow
wings in Essex county, arrived and proceeded to the
ground in the order previously arranged Midway
between the village and the place of meeting, in
meadow, was an immense pavilion erected, under
the direction of John Wright, E'q, the well known
host OF the " Tontine," Boston. We visited it as
passed, and found plates for 5000 persons, and
preparations going on, on the most magnificent
SCALE for the grand collation. after the meeting The
fact of Mr.. Wright a staunch and efficient demo-
Ln.- 81. L. r.
host, furnished occasion for numerous wtticisms,
and few remarks not of the most complimentary
tone, from some of the more jealous of the Essex
county men. Curious enough, loco.oco constable
from Boston was the doorkeeper at the Pavilion,
and this gave birth to more witticism However,
neither wing nor locofoco could have found fault
with the " arrangements made or the viands pro-
vided by Mr.. Wright.
The scene that presented itself from the road adj.
joining the place of meeting was extremely pictur-
esque and imposing. The amphitheatre we have
described, occupied by dense mass of people-the
platform-the deep wood of frs IN the back ground
the plumes and gay uniform of the military con-
trasng with the plain garments Of the citiz ensthe
gaudy dresses of the numerous groupcs Of country
girls who hOnored the occasion with their presence
the painted banners of the delegatons-the bright
clear November sky-all made up a very interest
ing picture. The arrangements for the gentlemen
of the press admirable, and reflected great Gre
dit on the members of the committee by whose po-
likeness and good judgment they were suggested and
executed. Although there was fresh breeze, yet it
did not at all interfere with the speakers but crept
noselessly the heads OF the multitude, to whom
every word was distinctly audible.
~ ~,
an array of vehicles Of all descriptions, from the
common family wagon TO the handsome cabriolet.
Several root beer vendors and itinerant publish.
er of the "Harry Clay Methodist" had established
themselves here, adding not little to the picturesque
character Of the scene.
Altogether there were about FIVE thousand per.
sons on the ground, and a more respectable popular
assemblage we never saw collected in any coun-
try. The general appearance of the people-the
dignhed order, we had almost said soemnity,
which marked the whole tout ensemble, forciSy re-
minded us OF Scottish ield-preaching"
The meeting was called to order about quarter
to twelve O'Clock, by the Hon. S. G. Phillips, who
nominated as president, VIM. Stevens, Esq, of
Andover.
Mr.. STEVENS then took the chair, and proceeded
to make a few remarks. He alluded TO the extent
and character of the assemblage, and explained the
object OF the meeting. Massachusetts had, he said,
ever stood erect and mnmpeachabie in her fair fame
and integrity; so she had been received by them
so they were bound to transmit her to posterlty.-
(Cheers) Was it not their duty to see that those
who directed her destinies were pure and uncor-
ruptible ?-(Cheers.) They welcomed that bright
star of the east which so often had been, in times
of darkness and dependency, pillar OF light; they
welcomed all their brethren from other counties
there that day.
The Rev. Professor STUART of Andover, then de-
livered prayer, asking the divine blessing on the
proceedings.
Tie Hon. S. C. PHILLIPS then stepped forward,
and was received with loud acclamations. The
meeting, he remarked, was the result OF effort to
collect an Essex Wing Delegation, and it at least
encouraged the hope that a future day they
would be able to assemble in respectable numbers
daughter and cheers) A number of friends had
tion-the New York Maitland il he might take
the liberty of asking the news OF then, he would
call on the chairman OF the Suffolk Wings, if he
had any hing to communicate. (Cheers)
1Hos. b. CURTIS, ESQ.,, OF Boston, then briefly ad.
dressed The meeting He bad good news to tell
He came from the good city OF Boston-,he hall
way house to New York, and he was able TO say
that the city of New York was carried by the
WINGS tremendous cheering.) As went the city
80 would go one day soon the State. (Reneweo
cheers)
Mr.. PHILIPS again addressed the meeting, and
concluded by moving series OF resolutions, OF the
mously.
Mr. WEBSTER then advanced in front of the plat.
form and was greeted by loud and prolonged cheer
ing. He spoke as follo~s:-
snotwthout consi ierabe reluctance fellow zens
that present my self before this meeting to-day. had
my purpose absaia 10 time to from all pub
tic addresses such vast assembages An invitation,
however to be present and address you proceeded from
which so much respect, and appeared TO be
ged with so much earnestness, that it was not in my
yielding nature to withhold my assent, (cheeDg) an
thIt consent, gentlemen, cannot regret when look
around and before me, and such collection noe
only othe citizens of Andover but from othr parts CT
the country, and other adjsce counties; gentlemen,
most zaaousiy in the hope and ready pei
aly duty to accomplish what desired 10 the fu
ment that hope ofthe election of Mr. Briggs aud Mr.
Reed TO the Offices of Governor and Lieutenant
OF the commonwealth, (cheers). do not propose gen.
tlemen, this occasion TO 90 into any extended dscu,
sion topics OF State policy But say generally that
wish restore Massach uses to what have kno her
Ia the proceed Dgs OF the last year have much that
appear TO belong to her character her his
tory her principles (cheers) much that had flavor
hofO 10 Gtaf in n dol,aa