The northern galaxy. [volume] (Middlebury, Vt.) 1844-1848, 1844-05-15
WEBSTER'S SPEECH.
THE WING RATIFICATION

The Hon John Nj Clay ton on the plat
form, the President of the Convention
Genilemen-Let me introduce to you al
old and distinguished friend, the able
and the eloquent Daniel Webster of Mass.
achusctis.
Mr. Webster then came forward on the
platform, and bowed before the innumer.
able multitude that filled The vast area be
low. The air rang with cheers. long and
prolonged. Hundreds of banners were
waved. The hats of the whole assembly
were off, and were swung upward and
around with an energy that indicated the
hearty joy ofthe wings in welcoming a
long absent, but truly beloved friend.
When the cheering had subsidized, and ST.
lence was again rcstorcc,
Mr. WEBrTER said,--I enjoy, gcntle>
men. quite an unexpected, but sincere
pleasure in finding myself in the midst Of
this vast assembly Of the Wings of the
United States. Cheers ard profound
sensaiion.) come among YOU for tho
single purpose of adding, one more humble,
but devoted Wing 10 that Assembly, IRE.
ncwed cheers, with cries of "welcome,' y
and to join in swelling these tones of
public sentiment, which springing up
from this multitude, and from tho whole
land. have found voice and an scho
in the proceedings of the Nominating
Convention, renewed and prolonged
che ers, ank shouts for Clay. and hurrahs
for Websler,) The audience from lis
anxiety in regard to the feelings of Mr.
Webster for his supposed rival, Mr. Clay,
broke out in tumultuous plaudits at this
evidence Of concord and union.
Gentlemen. we have assembled here to
perform one Of The NEST responsible duties
that can devolve upon frecmen, or upon
the citizens of great country in time of
peace. We are assembled to state the
principles on which an ensuing election
is TO be decided and TO do acts Of inn
port. IN presence Of future, full of great
events, to make the dcci sion on which
shall rest the pro speriiy Of the country.
Persons from the highest positions, and
those Of the most honored in the commu>
nifty, have met TO make this selection.
They have come TO the results with singu.
lnrunanimity. and have made a nomination
Of two men, who will prove the only true
rallying point for all coed Wings.
How, then, he asked, did they intend
10 carry out the election of the candidates
they had namedl And reverting to the
motto Of our forefathers-"Our cause is
just, and our union is perfect" said,
that although we were not born like them
TO found rev States, and TO erect new
systems on the ruins of old, VIC were born
10 an inheritance of the noble institutions
they had founded. and he prayed tina; we
might adopt their words and sentiments
as ours, and act in the feeling that "our
cause is just and our union perfect"
MIR w. then spoke Of the nomination of
Mr. Clay, characterizing Mr. Clay's past
career as most faithful and patriotic.
speaking ofthe indications that the whole
people had made him their choice, and
frankly and distinctly avowing that ii
was certainly his (Mr WIS., choice. He
did not know that there was any great
question of public policy upon which
there was any difference of opinion be-
tween himself 1.-THE speaker and the great
statesman of the West. 1t might have
been enough (said Mr. W. 10 say that
this great statesman is Wing. tho nom.
inse of the Convention and of the whole |
Wing party. and that I an IVhig, |
Cheers. And that whether we differed |
or not, it would no nv duty to support
him; but there is pleasure in adding,
and | trust | may be permitted to add, |
that my inclination is in this case the |
same as my duty. loud cheering.)
MIR w then passed to the nomination
of Mr. Frelinghuysen as Vice President
speaking of the nominee in the HIGHEST
terms, and expressing a firm belief Of the |
of this nomination of the peonIe
He referred 10 the claims Of New Jersey
upon the Union, tracing her history brief.
Iy from the early days of the revolution
to the present day, in most eloquent
passage. concluding with an expression Of
the qualification il would give every one
to know that the proper time and place had
come to give this high honor to one Of her
sons.