The Whig standard. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1843-1844, 1844-05-07


taneous roar of "ayes " from thousands of voices,
Mr. Webster was loudly called for, and thus re-
sponded to the call:
! ENJOY, gentlemen, quite unexpected, but
sincere pleasure in finding myself in the midst OF
this vast assemblage of the Wings Of the United
States, (cheers,) and come among you for the
single purpose of adding one more humble, but
decided, Wing voice-(cheers and loud applause
to those tones of sentiment which, springing from
this multitude, shall bear over this land the deci-
slve approval and confirmation of the proceedings
OF the nominating convention of yesterday
(Cheers.)
We are assembled on this occasion, brethren TO
perform one of the most responsible duties which
can devolve on freemen,-the citizens of great
country, in time of peace. We are assembled to
take measures and express opinions, preparatory
to an ensuing election of President and Vice
President of the United States. In time mark
ed with uncommon interest, in the presence of a
future that seems to be full of great events, we
are assembled here TO take counsel together upon
the election of these high officers. who, for four
years to come, can exert great influence on the
prosperity and happiness and honor of this
country
Gentlemen, an assembly composed of persons,
of distinguished persons, from every part of
the land, and from every walk of life:--
persons who have honored themselves and their
country in the highest councils of the public SER
vice, those who are distinguished in the halls of
Congress, on the benches of high judiciary, those
who are the ornaments of every profession, those
who represent all interests, who have been enga-
ged in the agricultural, commercial and mechani-
cal pursuits of the country, having assembled
by wise and considerate appointment and deliber-
alton, have submitted to this meeting and this
Al A Il
have come to that RESULT has been attained
with unanimity almost unparalleled. They
have presented for our consideration, and for the
consideration of this country, candidates for the
Offices of President ard Vice President entirely
likely in my judgment, to form one, the one, the
single, the ONLY rallying point of all good Wings
Tremendous applase.)
WHIGs OF THE UNITED STATES address you
who are present in your own persons; and would
address all whom you represent here, and would
say to you, and to ALL Wings of the United States!
How isit, and by what means, under what auspices
would you accomplish the contamination of these
nominations, which this wise and consderate
assembly has made! Let me remind you, (bu,
why should remind you y that when our fathers
resolved that they would achieve the independence
of their country, they announced to the world, as
their own reliance, and as presage of their uti-
mate success, that important declaration, Our
CAUSE is JUST AND OUR UNION PERFECT!"
We have duty to perform less dangerous and
less glorious than fell to the lot of our fathers
1t is not part to create independent States; it
is not ours to erect constitutions for free govern
ments, to shed the light Of civil liberty on the
earth. But upon us is conferred the inheritance
of this constitution and Of these institutions of
civil liberty; and WE are charged the highest re-
naming duty which can be performed and that
is their preservation. And therefore, gentlemen,
in discharging this duty, let it become not
only the language but the sentiment of every
thinking, patriotic, devoted man, and let the de-
claration 90 forth from this eminence to the Gulf
of Mexico to the falls of the Missouri to the very
extremes of the North and East, and let it give
both tone and vigor to every Wing heart, and
strengthen every Wing hand, "OuR CAUSE TOO,
is JUST, AND OUR UNION, TOO, IS PERFEcT''
The convention has proposed as candidate for
President of the United States, HENRY Clay, of
Kentucky. prolonged applause.)
For thirty years, and more, Mr. Clay has been
eminent and prominent in the public service He
has served his country faithfully and usefuy
both at home and abroad.-(Cheers) His long
career of service, the position in which he stands
before the country, and all the indications of pub
lie sentiment in all quarters, have proclaimed
that he, of all the rest, was the man on whom,
upon this occasion, public sentiment had concen-
trated. And under the clear indications OF the
public judgment and the public will, | for one do
rejoice and trust with sincerity, that there was
not found dissenting voice, nor doubtful voice,
to break the unanimity Of that result.--( Deafen-
ing appause.)
1t is true, gentlemen, that in the course of
life now not short, one passed in the public coun-
ellis with Mr.. Clay, there have been questions of
practical administration, and some of them, am
free to say, which | deem not unimportant, on
which we have not been agreed. And there have
been occasions on which we have taken different
views of what was best calculated to ensure the
permanence of Wing principles, and the predom-
nance of Wing measures in the public councils.
On these occasions, on these questions, we have
differed and have acted with equal conscientious.
ness, and with an equal degree, trust, of mutual
-(Cheers) Yet | know of no great
constitutional question: know no great leading
internal interest of the country-slill less do
know any question touching our public relations,
on which there is any difference between that
distinguished leader Of the Wing party and my
SELF Redoubed applause.)
But, if it were not So and even under present
circumstances it might be more becoming in me