The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1844-05-05

enC ucCOIuln u the OCcdSlO0-1 am sure
sIstent with the most perfect good nature-if say
that In my opinion, that distinguished Individual
might save himself considerable trouble in writing,
H-aughter,) and his readers great deal of reading
(Renewed laughter0 IT he would adopt some sim
pie formula OF answering questions (Roars oflaugh-
ter) Two men meeting each other of a morning, one
will say to the other, "Well, good morning, how
are you to dayP' And the other will reply,
Thank you, pretty much as usual: '-U daughter
Or II ne was native OF my part of the country, he
would say, "Oh, don't know thank you pretty
much as usual!" (Mr. Webster delivered this
with nasal twang that elected roars of laughter
Now, tins Yankee mode Of answering questions
would be OF very great assistance in the political
correspondence of Mr.. Van Buren-(Shouts OF
laughter) For instance, when any new question,
Of great and absorbing public interest arises, on
which 1t Is vitality essential that the views of the
known and clearly expressed-when Mr.. Van Blu
rem should be asked for his views thereon, he
could reply, "Oh, don't know thank We pretty
much as usual" (Here the crowd literally scream
ed out with laughter) never agree with that
plausible maxim OF the poet, with regard to the
principles of government-that "whatever is best
administered is best" | know-we all know
that there are certain forms of government that
are more likely to be administered well than other
torms-there are certain forms of government
into the elements Of which enters higher
and deeper regard for the public interest than enter
other forms OF government, but nevertheless 1t is
highly important truth, TOO often overlooked in
public and in national affairs-that no form of gov
ernment, NO matter how constructea--no matter
how perfect in hts machinery can work out
the safety, the prosperity, the general good OF the
people, without an honest and skilful admnstra-
ton! (Cheers) Government is net machine
working out its results like the spinning jenny or
the nail making MACHINE. II is moral calling for
good intention (Cheers.) Constitutions of gov
eminent and elementary laws are essential-abso-
lutely essenta! to guide and direct public
vants-as much so, as the stars, the sun and the
a essential n oui1e the frr
the deep-or as the light houses scattered along
thousand miles OF coast are essential 10 the safety
OF those who navigate the sea. But nOtwithstand
ing all these lights are seen at every point unless
there is skill at the helm the vessel will go ashore,
or be wrecked in the breakers. So it is with po-
litical aftairs-we require resraints-we require
constitution and elementary lawsuit if our ru-
lers whom we invest with power disregard them,
if they will not reg rd the lights placed for their
guidance, the vessel of State will be shipwrecked
by those who ought to have saved her. (Cheers.)
IT Is, therefore, high duty on every genera
tIon-on all men-on the matter Of Free
lance-lel me add with jealousy. 1t IS ne
cessary for us TO see that all the guards against
the. encroachment of power--all the checks
against goyernme nta abusesall the support of our
Liberties, are efiicenycarried into ct-(cheers
This duty OF guardianship-of protecting what we
received unsullied from our ancestors, as a sacred
legacy, devolves upon us And, according to the
name and character which we bear, we should
Ee.icuS'y, wisely, anu cllClcHtly pcIIoIuI ~
= (cheers) We call ourselves Whigs-( cheers
Who are our ancestors? Some are around us here
-Qooks round on the platform where sat some
revolutionary as they have been
OF revolutionary honors-(cheers.) They are wings
-(cheers) Washington, and his band of heroes
who achieved by their blood the independence of
our country, were whigs-.( cheersl those who franz
ed the constitution Were whigs-(cheers) those who
effect, were whigs-(oud cheers) We bear the
name Of whgs-(cheers) A name distinguished
by wounds and scars-by sufferings and blood-a
name rendered lofty, noble, by achievements and
deeds OF the highest character. 1t belongs to us.
therefore, If we would be true to the name we bear
i belongs to us, and all generations, to recollect
from whom we received the political, the social
blessings we enjoy. We are bound to this preser-
walton. We are tied to it, 1t is our destiny. We
cannot separate ourselves from it, And while moth
ing shall trlghten us from the use of the name
nothing OF seductiOn-nothing of terror-nothpg,
nothing shall lead us for single moment to yield,
TO abandon our principles, or any one OF the prin
cipes which belong to our party. II is our duty to
preserve the constitution which our fathers obtained
tor, and lett to us-tO see from time TO time that It's
is confided TO able and honest hands
Ito take care that SO long we have an interest
in it, that we do not disgrace the farest the bright
(cheers.) Vlrtuousy, honestly, periodically acting,
we can support il for time; and with the blessing
OF providence, we can leave II, with our solemn
injunction, to our children, our children's children
NS"1e'S'f i-e' us utch, wy tilSnuSs ~ cOhuuct
ourselves-so teach those who shall come after us,
that IT, " the viclssitudes, the uncertainties OF hui
man affairs, that great, that sublime constitutional
noble achievement of our fathers
that great work of world (cheers) shall be de-
stroyed-that there shall be no record which shall
justly ascrbe that catastrophe to wing vioence-lo
whIg misrule, or to wing ambitlon-(the cheers
that followed this was Tremendously
Mr. Webster, unknown to the reporters, then
went to the other side OF the platform and made a
similar speech.
Mr.. Websters speech mt the Exchange HO-
tel, Baltimore, on Thursday Night.
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