Martinsburg gazette. [volume] (Martinsburg, Va. [W. Va.]) 1833-1855, 1845-07-10
SPEECH OF MIR. WEBSTER.


At a meeting of the New York Historical Socie
ty few days since. resolutions were adapted il
reference to Gen. Jackson; whereupon Mr. Web
ster, being present by invitation rose and made the
following remarks on the issolutions:-
1t is proper and natural the, the Histo.
rica Society should take notice of the
death Of one Of is members, who has fill.
ed exalted stations in the country, and
been distinguished by successive elections
to the Presidency ofihe United States.
The death Of citizen who had attained
that elevation by the favor Of bis country,
hes never failed TO produce greater OF
less degree OF public emotion. am old
enough TO remember the deaths Of all the
Presidents who have deceased from Wash
ington downward; and each has made nr
impression Of sobriety and sorrow, more oil
less intense, on the feelings Of the people,
and called forth testimonies OF respect from
the country and from public bodies.
This is just. 1t is proper to notice an
event which takes from among US an en-
inent citizen, distinguished by high mark
of public regard. 1t is now long time
since Gen. Jackson became connected
with public life as a member Of Congress
II believe fifty years. And do not re-
member, al the moment, whether any
person associated with him in tho House
of Representatives at that time, is now
living, except the venerable gentleman
who is now The President OF this society.
There may be others, but recollect no
one except MIR. Gallatin.
The character OF Gen. jackson while
he lived, was presented 10 two relations
to his country. lie was soldier and
had commanded the armies of the Repub.
lie, and he has filled the office of Chief
Magistrate. SO far as regards his mhi-
tary reputation and merits, parlake lul.
y in the general estimate. lie was sol.
der Of dauntless courage, visor and per
severance, an officer OF skill and sagac.-
lty, Of quicknels of perception, and Of
prompt and resolute execution Of his pur.
poses. There is probably no division oI
opinion, at home or abroad, as to his mef-
its in these particulars.
During the whole of his civil adm;ostra-
ton. it happened that | was member o.
the Senate Of the United States; and il
was my misfortune to be obliged TO differ
with him, in regard to most Of his leading
measures. To mo this was painful be.
cause il much better suits my temper and
( feelings to be able 10 support the measures
OF government, than to fad myself called
upon by duty TO oppose them.
! There were occasions, however, in the
course OF his administration, IN which nc
doty Of opposition devolged upon me. -
| Some of these were not unimportant.- --
There were times which appeared to me
10 BE critical. calling for wisdom and en-
ergy on the part OF the gogernmenty and
ia which measures proposed and opinions
expressed by him, seemed to me to be
highly suitable to the exigency. On
these occasions | supported those meas
ures, with the same sincerity and zeal as
! if | had never differed from him before
or never expected to differ from him
again. There is no doubt that he sought
to distinguish himself, by exalting tho char.
acter and honor Of his country. And the
occasion on which il was uttered, rendered
somewhat remarkable bis celebrated senti.
ment in favor CT tho preservation OF the
UNION. believe he felt the sentiment
with the utmost sincerity, and this cannot
be denied TO be one strong proof oil his de-
yotion to the true interests OF his county.
He has now ceased from his earthly la.
bors; and affects the public interests Of the
State only by his example and the nau.
ence of his opinions. We may well sup.
pose that in the last days and hours and
moments OF bis life, and with the full con.
sciousness of the change then before him
and so near, one Of has warmest wishes
would be, that whatever errors he might
have committed should be passing and tran
STORY, in their effect upon the Constitution
and institutions of his his country. And
while we may well ascr;be the prasoworthy
aud benign dying sentiment 10 him, let US
with equal ingen BUSINESS, cherish the feel
ing that whatever he has accomplished for
the real good Of the country, its true char
acter and and real glory, may remain JUS.
inheritance attached to his memory.
eH- ff.rs9.e. 3.