Weekly national intelligencer. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1841-1869, 1847-10-16
SPEECH OF Mr.. WEBSTER,
Delivered at the TT,hig State Coauenton at Spring
field, September 30, lS47.

States have come here to-day solely the request of the
Wing State Committee. need hardly say sir that gives
great pleasure this il has done former OCCASIONS
to meet SO large and respectable representation the Wings
of Massachusetts,
In the especial duty assigned the Convention Of
selecting candidates for the chief offices Of the State had
original duty assigned may venture however sir,
to express my qualification the great unanmy which has
marked the proceedings of the Convention presenting
the people of Massachusetts, again persons well known for
their principles, well known for their opinions, well
known for the fidelity with which they adhere principle and
opinion
suppose, Mr.. President, that far those of who
belong Congress expected take any part the de-
Ibeatons of this assembly, only looked for that
should express opinions upon the present national
affairs in the crisis think imminent one, at which we
have arrived could have DESIRED sir that some of my COL
iegues, of better health and ability had preceded
submitting any remarks to the meeting but is sir be-
ing apparently called upon, am here ready express my
opinions humble they frankly any subject and
ny subject that is interesting to the people of this Common
wealth. There nothing wish to put forward thank God
there is nothing shrink from.
We in my opinion in most unnecessary, and there
fore most unusifabe hope near the close Of
it, attend carefully and anxiousy every and every
breeze that brings any report that the eson Of blood
caused, in Judgment by rash and unjusfable proceed
ing the part Of the Government may cease. In this
of public affairs, in this of excitement of public feeling
which know upon this subject of war; pervades all
and all ranks have first say sir that any counselng from
me- and that any counseng which this body would
receive from ME- will not entrench upon the loyalty which
to the constitution of the country and the obedience
which we are bound TO pay to the laws.
We bound, sir consider the nature of the Govern
ment under which live There be in every Govern
ment some supreme power, ultimate will from which
there peaceabe appeal In mixed monarchie like that
OF England the sovereign will resides with the King and the
Parliament In despotic Governments reposes solely in the
breast of the monarch, in Russia Austria and elsewhere
But with US, under free republican and representative
government this public WILL which all agree in the
end prevail unless from peace force, consists in
the expressed opinion OF the majority, asceaned according
to the principles of the constitution Within the limits pre-
scribed by the constitution and pronounced ageeaby
FORMS must submit to this will and opinion, give
up all government and surrender ourselves Of
chy The law OF majority, according to established FORMS
majority asceaned IN agreement with the principles of the
constitution, is the law which you and and all Of
bound to obey.
Sir should hardly have adverted to this if did not think
that see aoat in the community signs somewhat of dan
gerous tendency. agree that all powers may be abused
require resistance, whether il be the power auto
crat of king and parliament of majority for all power
In human hands may be far abused may make fragrant
CASE render just the forum of conscience resist
its power. That not the exercise of political right under
the constitution OF the country but the of
right against the constitution Now, sir suppose all
here to-day with design to act here and elsewhere
several capacities the exercise of political rights under
the constitution of country and in the exercise of
natural rights against the constitution Sir there is
of here who has had the honor of bearing Office high
low. in the United States Government any State Govern
ment who has not that he will support the constitution
of the United States and ignorant Of the fact that
the constitution of the United States coners Congress the
power of making And therefore there is ig
noan not to know when that power has been exercised
according the forms of the constitution, that the expressed
will Of Congress is the law of the land, and the rule of
every citizens civil obligations We may oppose, and
often in duty bound to oppose counses which think lead
other disastrous hope that.
one, have not been altogether negligent of this duty but
when the deliberations of Government result in a law
then that law is Of be regarded. have already
said that regard the present posture public affairs imm
nenty critical and dangerous and that calls for the
serious and anxious consideration of all Wings throughout the
country. But let counses be temperate they
firm and decided.
There are those who think that violence is strength That
hold to be great mistake. Violent counses weak
se violent conduct weak conduct violent language is al
ways weak language Our highest purposes may say
bodest resolves then, recommend themselves the
cepance Of the community, when they announced
anly with cearness and force but also with decorum and
dignity with just respect for ourselves and just respect for
others The great dramast insucs those who would excel
in the power of moving mems minds not TO tear passion TO
rags and tattes but, in the and whrwnd Of their
emotions observe just temperance, that sobrey of sen
ment that sobety of language which proves in earnest
Allow to say not the noest waters that the deep
est nor has il always been found that that spirit which is
most inclined to vapor when danger and disaster at dis
lance, the mes 10 breastng them their approach
With these remarks sir upon the and temper which,
in my opinion, belong all constitutional Wings, here and
elsewhere shall proceed to make few remarks upon the
leading and most interesting topic Of the day.
have said, sir, that engaged in war; III my
opinion unnecessary, and therefore unusfabe hold il to
be war unconstitutional in its origin hold it to be
founded upon pretexts. Sir, the law Of nations embodyng
the general OF mankind nstrucs that the motives Of
war are good vicious. Where is founded convc
ton necessity, in sole desire to promote the public good
defend the national interest," it is good motive When
founded in any obque purpose unjust purpose, when
waged only for conquest for GAIN for acquisition for enown
crafty private ambition, for party purposes the motive
is vicious And the law Of nations goes further. II main
ans this distinction, that there may be for which
would Justify the far the opposite nation
cerned and yet not furnish good motive for because
good motives for war; while they require always good
cause require something else. They require that war
should be waged except from necessity and for just and
important rights Of the country
Now, sir the law Of nations nsucs that there
of pretexs The history Of the world proves that there have
been and not without proof that there
waged pretexts that is precnces where the
signed is not the true That believe upon my
science the character Of the waged against
Mexico. believe it TO be Of pretexts in which
the motive is not distinctly avowed but in which pre-
tences aerthoughts, evasons and other methods
poyed put before the community which not the
true case.
think SIR there three petexts, all unfounded upon
which this has been attempted to be justified in various
modes and on various occasions The President Of the Unit
ed States in his war message Of the 18th Of May, 1885, puts
the ground of declaring the fact that the Mexican
Government had invaded the territory OF the United States and