Richmond enquirer. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1815-1867, 1846-12-08
THE ENQUIRER.
RICH MOND, VA.
Monday Morning, december I. Is46.
MR.. WEBSTER IN PHILADELPHIA.

On Wednesday last, al the Chinese Museum in
Philadelphia, 'came off" The grand "ieed" in ho-
nor of Daniel Webster, which had been so long
and so loudly heralded BY the Wing press
About 400 citizens participated, and some 500
ladies occupied the galleries. (rhese ladies must
be sinsulary patriotic, 10 listen TO political
speech which was not concluded al The termina-
lion Of ionr homsD Among the distinguished
guests we're Hiram Kelchnm and Horace Gree
ley, Qhe great Abolition, FoureIism and Anti
Rent champion,) OF New York, MIR. Kennedy OF
Baltimore, &c. The Hon. Samuel Brock pres'-
ded, and the "Godlike" was received, OF course
with The "most enthusiastic applause" The third
toast was
"Daniel Webster-The faithful Teprepresenia-
tive, The able negoiiator, the fearless statesman,
the eloquent defender of The Constitution. His
patriotic services demand our gralilnde-hs IN
furnished honor is The nations properly.
This called up MIR. Webster, who delivered
what the Wing press will proclaim 10 the world
as Ac greet speech of the age, aud which will
doubtless be regarded by the faithful" as The
true record OF Wing policy, as The grand Shib-
boIelh of their faith In The givinss foth OF This
mighty Federal oracle may be seen forcshadowed
the future plans and movements OF The Wing par.
ly, which, intoxicated by The accidental yic!o-
ries in Pennsylvania and New York, ale prepared
to ride rough shod over The Democratic party and
lis able and manly defenders and champions at
Washington, and 10 strike sill more boldly in its
usurpalions upon The rights OF The SaIes and in
lis in(raclions Of the institution. Daniel Web
sler has been pu! forward by The Wings as their
great leader in Ibis new campaign against The
Democratic party. From his long and thorough
opposition 10 the conservative doctrines Of The
Republican, party, and mis- advocacy OF the loose
and wild construction Of the Federal schonl, he
may bc regarded as the true inpersonalion of The
present Wing party. As SUCH his views and
pretensons ale fair subjects oil scrutiny, and will
receive a searching dissection on The part Of The
Democratic press.
In his Philadelphia speech, Mr.. w. discussed
al large The great questions Of The day, viz: the
manner in which The present war with Mexico
was brough, about and prosecuted; The repeal Q!
The Tariff OF 1912; The Oregon policy The esla
blishmenl OF the Sub Treasury and The duplica
ton CT The veloes. We shall reserve tor another
occasion line four last points OF his ailack-meTe
y referring 10 The hypocrisy OF The orator in pas
sing an eulogium upon the character and no
lives of Andrew Jackson.
"EIe (Grn. J.) said be had the welfare Of his
county constantly in view, bul in promoting tina
welfare he went little further. and exercised
more power, than he, The speaker, thought he con
sliluioDally had right 10 do"
The whole country will rdcue this stage
trick OF Daniel Webster eulogizing Gen. Jack
son, for the purpose Of aiming blow al Mr
Polk II MIR. w. holds so highly The characle
Of Gen. Jackson, why did he not exhibit liIlit
charity and respect for his virtues and abilities
when the old man OIL The Hermitage was ALIVE
and was 50 fiercely asaled BY his political foes
Daniel Webster among the FOREMOST Tho
memory OF Andrew Jackson needs no eulosy q
The hands OF such especially when iht
object is 10 degrade in ilr public mind James X
Polk; who has been one oil he most deyoiee
friends OF Jackson anu " no has Sc faithfully car
rird out the true principles Of The Republican,
party. Such trict on he part OF Mr.. Webster
must have disguised his Federal audience, who
always opposed with bitterness the great reform.
introduced BY Cen Jackson.
We confne our examination to-day 10 MIR
Websers views upon the Mexican War. We
extract from The Philadelphia Ledger all that We
End on this subject, though the sketch is probably
imperfect. II is sufficient, however, 10 show The
spirit Of The speaker:
"Mr. Webster next adyened 10 The Mexican
War, which, he said, would not have been had
General Jackson or Martin Van Buren, been the
President. And, indeed, Mir. Van Buren was de.
tealed on this question Of Texas, out Of which
this war sprung. The gentleman said il was vain
10 talk o. olher and local questions influencing
the late elections They must be attributed 10
dissatisfaction al these and The other measures oil
The Administration.
ale then proceeded 10 review The annexation
of Texas 10 this Union, and The measures gene
rally leading 10 the present war with Mexico
tle was opposed TO the annexation Of Texas, be-
cause, among other things, il was adding coun.
try which did not acknowledge slavery only BY
iurce OF such annexation. lie did not have a
coed opinion Of The Mexican Government, but
he proceeded tc contend that the PRESIDENT HAD
pREcIPiTATED THE WAR by taking armed posses.
sion Of The left bank I'll The Rio Grande-Of a
territory disputed between The TWO Governments,
and BY other hostile measures with the feet, so far
in advance OF actual hostililies onthe part o The
Mexicans, as The January preceding The actions
OF the 7;h, 9Th and 9th oil Nav.
"These measures, taken without the sanction
Of Congress, how are they explained How they
,c,N DC explained hreaficT, remains 10 be Seen.
This remark was received with applause, and
was understood as looking TO AN IMPEACHMENT CT
THE PRESIDENT. Mr.. Webster read euers and
instructions, showing that The President was, as
early as January 1876, making military move.
,ncnl, waging war against country with
which we were al peace, without The sanction Of
Congress. He said il was grave matter, look.
ing 10 Executive usuTpa!ion. The war power
was with Congress, as was all power looking 10
or leading 10 war IL was something more
Than gross misrake-a blunder. thus 10 push an
army forward into disputed territory, SO As TO
pRoDccE WAR; and that, loo, when both Houses
Of Congress were in full session.
"Mr Webster limited al the actions Of The S!h
and 9Th OF May, and The acts OF Congress in rela-
lion thereto, and he commended il was never inlen-
ded 10 give the President any more porer Than far
defence Hedid not believe he had power 10 make
conquest, but merely In defend the possession Of
lha, territory which was claimed by This country
His remarks were mol made 10 defend The con-
duct of Mexico, in refusing 10 negotiate with US,
nor, God knows, with desire 10 place our
country in The wrong bu, 10 defend he c"astlin-
tim nj HE land, which he deemed 10 have been
violated.
HE then passed in review The conduct Of ous
soldiers inlhe war; passed meri'ed compliment
upon Gen. Taylor, which was loudly applauded
and concluded this branch Of his speech with
highly wrought and eloquent euloeium upon The
intrepid conduct of The volunteers oil our country,
both in The present war, and al BunkeIs Hill, in
the war of The revolution"
This is but a reileralion OF the slang in his Bos-
Ion Speech, in which he declared that the war
was presidential war" that Ill was not voted
for by any body; the President made it without any
vote al aIP-and that The war came from The act
Of the President, when no body expected il, and
that il was an "impeachabie offence" On The paIs
OF The President But 10 the Boston speech Mr..
Webster was guilty oi most suicidal conlradic-
lion Of himself, when he also declared that The
war grew out OF the determination OF Mexico not
TO acqniesce in the annexation OF Texas. Ifthi.
be true, how can he maintain the position that the
war was unexpected and that il was owing en-