The northern galaxy. [volume] (Middlebury, Vt.) 1844-1848, 1844-08-28
Speech of Hon. Daniel Webster

Speech of Hon. Daniel Webster
MIR. Webster said he rose, not as a partisan,
but as an American, proud of The name, and
desiring only the peace, happiness, perma-
nerce and prosperity of the country. He
came before the people of Western Massa-
chusetIs, from an impulse of duty, as their
fellow citizen, intent upon honorable and pat
riotic purposes. With them, he owed TO his
country, his primary Obligations debt which
could never be repayed; and TO them, in be-
half of his country, he wished 10 express his
opinion of the importance of the present Pres
idential contest, upon its own happiness and
permanent welfare. His views on all the
great questions of the day, had often been ex-
pressed, and were well understood. He would
not repeat them here.
With his fellow Wings of Western Mass
achusetts, he stood arrayed against a party,
which was now acting as if the past expert
ence of the country had provided and settled
nothing-a party which was for revolution
izing and overturning what had already been
demonstrated to be satisfactory and prudent
and proper. The country had prospered un-
der judicious measures-the commerce of the
country was 1ourishing, manufactures were
prosperous, and agriculture, if not deriving
Just now a corresponding implse, was GER
tainly and surely acquiring satisfactory sta
bility and prosperity. These measures, or
rather The measure to which these results
were clearly attributable, was threatened by
Locofocoism, with subversion and overthrow.
a change in the whole salutary system of the
protection Of Labor was meditated. A change
in the Territory of the country, and another
attempt on the constitution, was meditated !;
and not only so, but general change in the
whole system of public policy as it now stands.
On all these points, on all these subjects and
contemplated changes, said Mr.. W. | speak
my convictions without concealment, not for
the North or the South, but Tor the Union, as
an American citizen.
As TO its proposition of enlargement of ter
ritory, l would ask, for what interest of our
country is it designed! What good is it to
effect to the people at Target In regard to the
measure | have no hesitation in saying my OPP
position is neither temporary in measure or
character. 1t would be the same in the con-
tngency of the assent of Mexico or without.
Strip the question of all DISCUSSES, and the
great and fundamental and only object, is APP
patent. Ii is the extension of Slavery in these
United States-and the enlargement OF the
Slave power. Now | submit it TO the South
as we'll as the North if any good is to be gain
ed TO the Union by this result? If any Just or
weighty reasons has yet been adduced for
endeavoring TO effect it l submit it to the
North if any such extension, especially on
this ground. is desiredl Fit has been de-
manded by the convictions, the reason or ex-
pressed will of the People! Is there anything
desirable in the creation of new Slave States,
and the extension of Slave power!
The only motive and the only object has
been, and now is, the extension of slave ter
ritory. | assert this distinctly. upon the
strength of what knOe. I, Is a fact not 10
be denied-the stern and solemn truth, sus-
tanned by indisputable evidence. The docu-
ments called forth by the proposition, prove
1.-THE language Of the Secretary Of the State,
points TO it in as many words. 1t is urged, in
deed, that danger threatened the institution OF
slavery and not without reason.
The sfear," TO borrow the term, of the
abolition of slavery in Texas, is not altogether
unfounded. We are led to expect such a re-
suit from variety of circumstances, and for
this reason has the project been urged with
so much vehemence. Emigration from Ger
many into the northern portions of Texas,
bringing with it white labor, against which
seryile labor can hear no competitiCu,) and
white votes and liberal views What viii be
the result! Who can think Of it, This ar
gument, | knew TO be vehemently urged
To guard against the tendency offree princi-
pies il that country, and TO secure the insti-
tuition of Slavery al home, is the grand object
of annexation
With The intelligent mind of the South, |
know this argument, if it may be called such,
weighs nothing. A great mass however, en-
terrain extravagant notions on this subject OF
slavery, notions fostered by movements of a
certain character here at the North. The So
Der and rejecting mind of the South is rather
inclined, If slavery must exist, to keepit where
it is, the Union as it is, the Constitution safe.
My opinion has often been expressed. The
Constitution found and recognized slavery in
the States, and it guaranteed to them cxclu-
sive control over it. Some have improved
that guaranty and abolished the institution.
In other States it still exists-and to the i'm
proving spirit of humanity and sound senti-
ment, we must look for its subverslon. Talk
not of dssoIving that Constitution 10 1t we
must all cling. 1t is our safeguard and our
hope. Let us support neither
TO its Infringement for the extension orfor the
limitation of Slavery. To that institution,
we can only say, "Thus far and no farther
shalt thou GOMEZ" Fifteen years ago, | wit
ucSScu WIN pressure TIE progress Vi uUcIdi
views in Kentucky and Maryland, and Hook
ed with confidence to see them soon enrol
themselves in the list of free States. That
happy day seems farther distant now than
then. Had the constitution been observed in
spirit, we might anticipate that the case would
have been far different. Extravaganza of
every kind is to be deprecated.
That the nomination of Mr.. Polk turned
upon this Texas annexation point. cannot be
doubted. five had not heard of Texas, we
should never have heard ofPolk. The words
80 together, just as Castor and Polux. 1t is
not necessary to argue this point, for the Pur-
pose Of of proving the connection. 1t isPlaln
enough as it is, and it is an insult TO the peo-
pie to assert otherwise. Mr.. Polk was nom
mated because he was theunequivocal,co commit
ted friend Of immediate and unconditional an
nexation-and for no other reason. The Lo-
coloco Convention went to Baltimore pledged
TO support Mr.. Van Buren,. He was against
annexation, and they out-witted or out-man-
HuFTeQ both him and IA and