Indiana State sentinel. [volume] (Indianapolis) 1841-1853, 1847-10-21
MIR. Websrer,s spcecI,.

Inc last speech WHICH MI. WEBSTER mas aouIer>ed
to his country and the very last which he has
sent forth to his followers, was delivered at Spring.
field the 23ih Of September, when the Massachu.
federasis held their State conventIsn. The ora
tor took the floor at early hour Of the session The
Boston Advertiser speaks of ii as tone Of the most
able addresses which be has ever made" We are
spared the necessity of speaking Of lis ability or lis
has given the following description of the impression
which the orator made on himself 1t is amusing,
aud suspect it is correct.
We shall probably take up this speech, analyze lis
positions, and review Its arguments hereafter FOR
the present, be permitted to remark, that In
our ''bumble opinion, 1T abounds more IN soph'stry
than in argunent-more IN misrepresentation than IN
facts. Mr. Webster begins by laying claim to great
moderation in manner, and sobrety OF sentiment.
But confess DO not see many evidences of them
in the attacks which he has made upon the adminls-
tration. We shall give example only, spe-
clmen of the rest. The orator levels his principal
artillery against the war. He charges upon its au-
thors that It Is "war of pretext; that II was pre-
text because the declaration on which it was based
in the Presidents message, that ''war existed by an
act of Mexico" "cannot be made out correctly. by
any evidence in point Of fact" because ''no sooner
the declared, than other were resorted
to-; and one preeXt was, the refusal ot the MeXl-
can government 10 receive our ministers" another
was, that .AIexco had declined To pay the debts due
to the citizens of the United States = that these were
''put forth the Of in the message OF
the President" and that these "aer-thoughts,'
&c, &c.
If Mr. Webster intends to assert that the President,
in his message Of May IL, 1885, makes alusOn'
to these causes of complaint lie IS strangely guilty OF
gross misrepresentation. They are both introduced
prominently in the message For example, it says;
"The grievous wrongs perPetrated by Mexico upon
citizens throughout long period Of years, remain
unredressed and solemn treaties, pledgng her pub
lie faith for this redress have been dlsregarded" OF
course the prominent place is given in the mes
sage to the invasion of our soil and the murder OF
our countrymen. And thus the President makes good
the declaration of the existence of the war; and over
throws the miserable insinuation about war Of pre-
texts - Union
Extract from the message. -
Our forbearance has gone such extreme as 10 be
mistaken in its character. Had acted with vigor IN
repeng the insults and redressng the injuries inflicted
by Mexico at the commencement we should Doubtless
have escaped all the difficulties in which how n-
volved.
! Instead of this, however, have been exeriing
best efforts to propiIiate her good WILL Upon the pre-
text that Texas a nation AS independent herself,
thought proper its desnies with own, she
has affected believe that have severed her rghtiu
territory and official proclamaons and manIesloes,
has repeatedly threatened make upon tor the
purpose of reconquerrng Texas In the mean tme we
have tried every effort reconciliation. The cup ot
rbearance had been exhausIed before the recent
information from the frontier of the Del Norte butnow,
after reiterated menaces Mexico has passed the bounda-
nv of the United States has invaded territory, and
shed American blood the American soil. She has
proclaimed that hostes have commenced and that the
two nations at war
As war exists, and, notwithstanding all efforts to
avoid IT, exists by the act of Mexico herself, CALI
ed upon by every consideration of duty and patriotism,
to vndicae with decision, the honor, the rights, and the
interests Of country.