The North-Carolina standard., 1848-09-20
spEECH OF MIR. WEBSTER.


1.rlved at U1vsfeH, Massachusetts,, Sept 1st, Is4e.
| GrsrLEMEN,-Although it had not been my pur-
ose, during the of Congress, to address any
rbic assembly on political subjects, have felt it
NJ duty to comply with your request as neighbors
md fellow townsmen, and to meet you here to-day.
And am not unwilling to avail myself of this occa-
Gn to signify to the people of the United States,
nv opinions upon the present state of public af
shall perform that duty certainly with great frank
nss and, hope, with candor. 1t is not my pur-
,e to-day, to carry any point-to act as any man s
svocate-to put up or to put down anybody. 1t is
nv wish and purpose to address you in the language
and spirit of conference and consultation. In the pres
mt extraordinary crisis of our public concerns,
esire to hold no mans conscience but my own-to
ale no mans political conduct but my own. NY
,wn opinions shall communicate freely and fear
Aessly altogether with disregard to consequences
Shether with respect to myself or with respect to
others.
Gentlemen, we are on the eve of highly impor-
ant Presidential election. In two three months
he people will be called upon to elect President of
The United States, and all see, and all feel that
great interests of the country to be affected,
r good or for evil, by the results of the election.
Of the Interesting subjects over which the person
rho shall be so elected must necessarily, from his
ositon, exercise less personal CONTROL there
Re three of great and paramount importance.
In the first place, the honor and happiness of the
Ountry mperatyely require that the chief magistrate
Iect shall not plunge into any further wars of
mbition and conquest.
In the next place. the interests of the country, and
he feelings of vast jority of the people of the
puntry, require that the President of the United
Aates, be elected, shall his official po wer
promote, shall not entertain feeling in his heart
promote the extension of slavery, any further
influence of the institutions of slavery in public
0unsels.
And in the third place, it is my settled conviction
-ifany judgment of mine, any experience of mine
n public affairs, an experience not short, can
nabe to know any thing about the matter-it is,
say my deliberate opinion that the of the
y requires essential reform in the existing sys-
em of revenue and finance, with view to the pro-
con of the industry, and the fostering of the labor
1.-the people.
These are the three great and essential topics now
before the country. There are others, but these three
Ie the principal.
Now gentlemen, there are three candidates pre-
ented for the choice of the American people: Gen.
Taylor, the candidate of the Wing party standing
Upon the nomination of the Whig Convention held
ID Philadelphia; General Cass, the candidate of the
gposing and now dominant party; and third, Mr..
an Buren,, standing upon the nomination of the late
Convention at Buffalo, whose object or whose main
bec as it appears to me, is centered in one only
these considerations have mentioned,- pre-
enaion namely, of any further increase of slavery
rOf the influence of slave power. An object, gen.
lemen in which l need hardly say, you and en-
Gey concur.
Most of us here to-day are whigs-National wings
II
Iield whgs.z And if the whig nomination at Phila-
we're entirely satisfactory to the wings of Massachu-
et and US, the path of our duty in regard to 1t
would be perfectly plain. But the nomination was
lot thus satisfactory the wings of Massachusetts.
That is plain and it would be idle to attempt to
ea the fact 1t is more just and patriotic to take
lets and things as they are, and deduce our conV1c-
tons of duty from what actually exists before US.
M We know, gentlemen, that however respectable
md distinguished in the line of his profession,
Ghowever estmable as citizen, General Taylor is
military man merely. He has had no training In
lTl aars-he has had no participation IN the coun-
dis of the Republic-he is known only by his brill
Ant achievements at the head of an American army.
Now the wings of Massachusetts, and among them,
lie of the opinion that it not wise, not discreet,
90 the army for our candinate for the Presiden-
NE. This is the first instance in the history OF the
oVernment of the United States that any mere mill
ay man has been proposed for that Office. Wash
hgton was an eminent military man, but far greater
4 his civil characterize was employed In the ser
+ Hee of the country from the earliest dawn OF the
n American Revolution-he was member of the Con-
mental Congress, and, IN that body, establisneo Ior
lmsefa great reputation for civil judgment, Wis
f ION and ability. After the war, as you know, he
vas one of the Convention which formed the Con-
huton Of the United States, and It is one OF the
should have been selected by the wise who
Snposed that Convention to preside over their de-
Srations. And his stands first and foremost
Ppended to the Constitution under which we 1--we.
'4eSOent Harrison was DreQ SOI0lel, anu
Nhs country important military services. hut Cen
aal Harrison, nevertheless, was for much greater
Ft of his life in civil that in military service. He
s for twenty years either the Governor OF terri
sy, member of Congress, or Minister abroad.
and performed his duties in all these stations to
e enatsaction of the people.
Ibis case, therefore, stands by itself, without
eedent in our previous history. And it's on this
,count imagine, principally, that the wings OF
Sassachusetts feel dissatisfied at the nomination
here are other reasons of less Importance, and more
SIm2y to be answered. '-e
but, gentlemen, if may be allowed to use mer-
mule expression, there is another side TO this ac-
- H and impartiality and duty require US to con-
Nder that 20 = Is '1''s
IN The first place, General Taylor was nominated
a Whg Convention, in conformity with the usages
me whig party for years past. He was fairly NOM
Sed, so far as 1 know, and is now to be consider
Is IS the only whig fairly before the country as
aoate for the Presidency, and no citizen claim
X % be whig can give his vote for any other, let
peIsonal preference be what they may. sif
& ~ The next place, it is proper to consider the per-
% Character and political opinions Of General Tay-
~ - 20 far as known. Now wish every body to
sSs.1ta sSsfstand that have personal acquaintance
noa ~eSer with General Taylor. only saw hlm
S, IT, and then but for few moments in the Senate
LGut LuOer' The sources of information from which
my acquaintance, with his political opinions,
Ypen to you and all, as we'll as to me. But l
'enoeayored to obtain access TO those sources as'