Burlington free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1827-1865, 1844-08-23
MR. WEBSTER'S SPEECH
at the Wig Mass Convention at Spring
.GcM, Ms, dug. 9, 1871.

Mr.. WEBSTER came forward amid long and
tumultuous cheers, the waving OF hats, and all
other demonstrations OF approval and delight
lie said
&C 1t is not the imposing aspect Of this great
asscnb age, nor the pagcantry of brilliant and
heightened professions, nor yet any desire, on
my part, to address political meeting, that has
brought me among you to-day. My opinions on
the political questions which are now before the
country, are, believe sufficiently known they
have been long entertained, f en- expressed
aud are not likely TO be changed. But | am
here to day from pure impulse of duty; as a
citizen OF Mass ,chusetts, owing to her people
obligations which certainly shall never be able
10 repay, have come to meet tins grcat assem-
bly, OF the citizens Of her Western counties, 10
express my opinions ON the great Importance of
the contest in which they are engaged, and the
bearing which the results Of thft contest will
haro on the happiness and characi err Of the culln
try, not "ny IA oar day. bat IN the days oil our
children for countless generations to come.
Gentlemen, 1t is one oi the peculiar cIrcum-
stances which seems to attend our political IN
sIltulons, that, though the country may be pros
porous in all its relations, we are yet called
upon, from day TO day, to enter into contests, ar
gumen's and djsqusltOnS, as though neither
/ =, '7''~'"l' ''"' iO'''', 'i'' 0'' ""E ''"-'
Commerce ana agricu'lnrc' ana the mechanic
arts, are now ilourl>hmg, two of them in an es-
peclal degree. And the agriculture of the
North, and the plantation interest OF the South.
though perhaps not IN SO bright and palmy IA
stale as they might be. are yet IN a highly re-
spectacle condition. And yet, at this very time,
when our prosperity as a nation far transcends
/ 'hc prosperity oI a'! o''er NATION 10 Whch we
| can De compared we are threatened WIN a
chahge' tota! change III all The poicy winch
mas contributed 10 produce suc'N pAsparIty.-
! (CnecrIhg)
IeIIoW citizenS, 1t is proposed
Irst-tc change our tcrrIiory' to cH'cnd lis
minus BY the annexation OF a foreign country.
oecohu-'o chah@e our constitution 10 en-
Grall Upon 'Aat instrument what had almost
tno"sHl '"c rePuuiated doitf'he o! state inter-
'er1uee;
n'I-'o cHan-e the WH'Ie poHcy Of P'otec'
""I To domestic industry
| Up II '"ose PHn,s | desire to express my
pP"''H'' ana S1''I 40 so III very lew words
pe- 70 DC uAa"fS'ood mat speak with ne
r'c,t"Vc 10 Ia .uuc OF ioI-"uue' WIN no rear
VI cruz '''"Fn me" nor S"u'heth men
~" WV" .''''' 'I'Pe'' ~ ""''--o"' DIS w.
''"-'"7 ~ '"' w "o'r counu!' on qHes''ohs
~, q; W." o'',' "ii-'t ''c "noc country.
Au"' ~ aS ~ t'c c"nFEe"'eh, u our 'erF''
/ tory ny tlP annexation ol Texas. For whose IN
t,Iest Is 1t! On what ground ought that to be
eHectcu! MY opposition TO that measure Is
re'thcr temporary IN lis nature nor Character
IT. would be the same Il Mexico were agreed to
me ahheNattnh' AS 1t Is noW--it would be the
same were J eAas to cost us no'hng, as though
/ !, cost us much. It Is founded principally, on
the sent men' winch has been illustrated and
enlarged upon, here' to-day. The great, iunda-
mental everlasting Objection to tie annexation
. o. IeN'F' Is That 1t Is a scheme tor the extern
sioA OF the slavery ct the African race, ! sub.
mn 10 geh'e' zen from the sout' here present
ana see many, whether any sensible, judlclous
ana WISE men there, has wished, or now wishes
Tor the agitation aud discussion OF this question
at the same time that submit TO the people o.
the north, as lovers OF liberty everywhere
Whe'her they desire Or approve OF It,
ANNEXATION brings with II the creation Of
states with slave population, Disguise it as
You may, the object, the motive of lis advocates
has been. and Is, the extension of the slave in
tcrcst the slave market, and slave control. We
may just as well come to the ruth at once. The
public documents before the people, CARRIED a.
they have been, show this taCt--that the annex.