Weekly national intelligencer., 1848-10-21
Nm. wEBsTERs SPEECH AT ABINGToN. (MAss.
PROM THE BOSTON COURIER OF TUESDAY.

Mn. WEBSTERS SPEECH Al ADiNulON, lAiAss.J
FROM BOSTON COURIER OF TUESDAY.
The Whig Convention of Plymouth county met
by adjournment at Arlington Centre yesterday fore
noon al ten o'clock. A great number of citizens
from Boston, as well as from the several towns OF
Plymouth, assembled on the occasion, for the pur-
pose of listening to the address of Mr. WEBSTER.
The members of the Convention met first at the
Town Hall, from which they adjourned to a beau
tful pine grove, about quarter of a mile distant,
where staging and canopy had been erected for
the occasion. The number OF persons assembled
is estimated at above three thousand. Among these
we remarked many ladies.
The resolutions which had been reported at the
previous meeting were read to the Convention by
Mr.. DAVIS, Of Plymouth; after which Mr.. WEBSTER
was introduced to the audience by the Hon. BEN
yAMIN HOBART, the President. Mr.. WEBSTER was
greeted with prolonged and enthusiastic cheers, and
proceeded to address the multitude TO the following
purport:
congratulate you, gentlemen this bright and beautiful
October morning hope and trust may prove auspicious
of good results the day Of that great national election re-
specting which we assembled to confer together It
is not my purpose the present OCCASION to go into any
minute discussion Of the great political topics connected with
the peparat for the approaching crisis have heretofore
on many occasions expressed my opinions these matters,
and 1t would be unnecessary for to repeat them.
which now engages the attention of the people, presents
question Sides and Of sides only that s whether
Gen TAILOR Gen. Cass is to be the President Of the
United States If there be any third side to the question,
am unable discover it. You well aware of the fact that
when the name Of Gen. Taylor first brought forward for
nomination the Wing candidate opposed made this
opposition general principles and not from any want Of
respect for Gen. Taylor, either military cti
zen But would be both idle and improper go back
to these and explain all the opinions with their
varieties ard degrees which that judgment formed.
The time is past Gen. Taylor has been nominated by
the Whig Convention, and he is the only Wing candidate
Now ask, whether the Wings have any other course in
these circumstances than to acquesce in the nomination
All, think, will with in the opinion that, if
propose support Gen. Taylor, bound to give him
full generous manly and efficient support. ukcwarm,
hesitating paltry support will do harm than good
Now opposed was his nomination. in the first instance,
the desrous do justice to Gen. Taylor for the
sterling good qualities and abilities which mark his character.
believe him be. as have already stated, of strong
mind of great integrity soidy and sobriey of character
and Of upright conduct and honest intentions believe him
also to be Wing and think he has male himself as
good and sound platform Of political principles stand upon
as other people have made for themselves.
There have been objections stated by certain Wings against
giving their support General Taylor which think alto
gether unreasonable. is affirmed that he has received the
nomination Of portions of the Democratic party and that
therefore he ought 10 receive Wing votes. Now this
surely absurd II any portion Of the Democratic party
choose support the Wing candidate, why should such
port refused Would have General Taylor say those
who offer him their surages in such circumstance:
Gentlemen cannot take your votes a which you
Democrats 70 vote for somebody else I"
Again, there individuals who feel dissatisfaction the
ayowal Of General Taylor that in of his election he
determined the President Of the United Stees and
not the President Of party Now, unless believed he
would prefer country to party in this manner would not
give my for him. His Office is high oice-the duties
are the duties of President of the United States and
the performance of these duties that he lake his oath
The President ]. is true is elected by party all the Pesi
dents Of the United States since the Of Washington
from office have been elected by the votes Of party. But
what chief mags Of the United States proessed him
se to be the President of party and not Of the country
As to the prospects Of the approaching election believe
there many who entertain the belief that General Taylor
by his great popularity may obtain the votes OF many States
not reckoned belonging to the Wings hope he may;
but let say that it will do for rely upon any but
Wing votes for the election Of There Wings
enough in the couDtry elect General Taylor they act with
union ZEAL and energy Some persons entertain doubts Of
this when they party formed in the midst of
No man, however, doubt what Massachusetts will do in
the coming struggle There other great States Of the
middle and western regions New York. Pennsylvania, and
Ohoimportant and trustworthy Whig States But here,
elsewhere find lingering regrets for other candidates who
passed in the Philadelphia Convention. In the
central States know many good and true men, all sound
Wings, to whom, could draw them around and speak to
them do TO you should address the language OF long
acquaintance. and afsctonate friendship should say
them 'Oyerceme your dissatisfaction forget your dsap
ntmens summon the strength Of your minds and the
OF hearts and strike resoute and determined
blow for the good Of the country"
We have been for twenty years engaged in great contro
yersy OF principles These principles have not changed the
principles Of opponents have changed not
changed. The point in which differ from them is the
construction Of constitutional powers. We hold these
strucons from the foundation of the Federal Government
hold them to be based the judgment by the
Congress Of the United States by the Judiciary Of the United
States, and by Washington himself Our opponents on the
other hand, maintain that every may make version of
the constitution for himself We take George Washington
for constitutional interpreter they take Andrew Jackson
Their abuse of the privilege Of constitutional Interpretation
may be in the dangerous extension they have given TO
the powers Of The Executive, in the practice Of arbitrary
mova from office and the wanton Of the veto power And
what their move what their for these arbitrary
stretches Of power Why, removals from Office necessary
70 furnish division Of party spoi and keep up party
hopes and party courage. The veto Is saluary measure
because II puts check upon the action Of Congress when
MIGHT Interfere with party purposes.
But gentlemen there Is another great and important topic
which is now close upon and which meet face to
face long. II is the protection Of domestic labor and
manufactures the business Of providing market home for
the fruits Of American industry, and adequate and staple
compensation for the daily industry Of citizens This
matter is n my opinion, Of paramount, and vital mpor-
tance at the present seriously and firmly fixed
IN the belief that without prompt and eecua revision Of
of discriminating and specific duties on mporis-,he national
prosperity OF this country be restored. Now
hardly need say that such thing will be done under
the administration of General Cass should the election result
an DIS favor and as have already ad the only choice
mes between him and General Taylor-beween the Wing
party ana tne democratic Locofoco party The voices Of
all other aptrants tor the office all other pse