Southport telegraph. [volume] (Southport, W.T. [i.e. Kenosha, Wis.]) 1840-1850, 1848-09-22
Mar. WssBsser,s SDeech.

Al opeuieHce 10 the urgent solicitations of the
Taylor Wings and very likely from a conviction
that ii was incumbent upon him to say something.
MIR. Webster made speech at Marshiield, his
home, on the LIST inst Ii this speech was intended
as Taylor speech old Rough and Ready" may
we'll eXclaim, Save me from my frlends!' Such
quantity OF left handed compliments are seldom
received by a candidate from any one protesting to
he his friend. The journal of Commerce Tav
lor paper says, we have no doubt with entire SIM
cerIly, that Silence would have been a kindness
in comparison" The following is specimen OF
his advocacy of Gen. Taylor:
The nomination ola candidate for the Presiden
cy made by the Wing Con,cn at Phadclphia
Is not satisfactory 10 the Wings OF Massachusetts
that is certain: and il will be idle to attempt to
conceal the fact. 1t is now more Just and more
patriotic to take facts as they are, and things as
they are, and declare our conviction of duty from
what exists before us. However respectable and
distinguished in the line OF his OWN profession or
however estlmabe as private citizen, Gen. lay
lor is military man, and military man merely
lie has had no training in civil affairs. He has
performed no functions of a civil nature uLder the
Constitution Of his country. lie has been known
and is known only by his brilliant achievement at
the head of an army. Now the Wings OF Mass
achu>etts and | among them, are OF opinion that
it was not wise nor discreet to 90 to the army for
the selection OF candidate Tor the Presidency of
the United States. 1t is the first instance in our
history IN which any man OF mere military charac-
ter has been proposed for this high office General
Washington was great military character, but by
far greater civil character lie had been EN-
poyed in the councils OF the country from the ear
lest dawn OF the Reyolution-he had been in the
continental Congress-he had established great
character for civil wisdom and judgement. After
: nn l., ,
that convention which formed the Constitution OF
the United States; and it is one OF the most honor
able tributes paid to him, that by that assembly of
good and wise men he was selected to preside over
their deliberations And he put his name first and
foremost TO the Constitution under which We live
President Harrison was bred soldier and at diff
ieIent periods OF his life rendered important militia
~ services But President II arrlson was never
thecss for much greater period OF his life EN-
ployed in civil than IN military life. For twenty
years he was either Governor of the Territory.
member Of one the other Houses OF Congress, or
Minister abroad and discharged all these duties
to the satisfaction OF his country
This case, therefore, stands by itself; without
precedent or justification from any thing in our
previous history. 1t is on this acc cunt as | mag
ine that the Wings OF Massachusetts feel dissatis.
tied with the nomination. There may be others
there are others-they are, perhaps, OF less import
ance and more easily to be answered"
After thus showing concIusively that TAYLOR i.
wholly unfit to be elected President he proceeds &c
speak OF his good qualities. In the first place he
is sklllul, brave aud gallant soldier" But the
"God-llke could not get over this admission with
out throwing in the remark, with me all thai
goes but very little way 10 make out the proper
qualifications for President of the United States.
! He then speaks of him as modest, well behaved
man-an honest, upright man, clear headed, indie
pendent and manly-and many other things, all o
which might be sad OF any ordinary, honest mar
/ IN ans calling. although no one may have consid
cred htm capable of filling the Office of constable
or road master,
MF y" ebster then apologies for the motives o
thc wing convention nominating Taylor. II,
does not think their motives bad, but evident
~ he considers them very foolish They all be
gan and ended in the idea of availability" Nov
gentlemen he continues, in my opinion thi
was wholly unwIse policy; It Was short sighte,
and temporlzng on questions Of great principles
And finally he gives his hearers the comfortable
assurance that he shall not oppose Gen Taylor H.
seems to take special care not TO say he will sup
port him.
Having thus damned with faint praise tn
military candidate, he makes an attack upon NJ
Van Buren,, which is both false and Malicious
ne reason IoT TINS SUCKS out III the following re
mark:
never pr opposed anything in my life Of a ger
eral and public nature, that Mr.. Van Buren, did nc
oppose. Nor has it happened to me to supper
any important measure that he did propose
Aye! there's the rub Mr.. Van Buren, and Nh
Webster have been political opponents and tn
judgement Of the country has been given in fayo
OF Mr.. Van Buren, and against Mr., Webster am
this it seems the latter forget or forgive
He repeats the stale and iorty times Iefutcd false
hood, that Mr. Van Barren gave his casting vote II
favor OF a law TO stop iucendary publications il
the mails. He also endeaNofs to raise an mpres
sion that Mr. Van Buren, favored the annexation o
Texas, when it is univ ersaIly known that he los
his nomination IN consequence Of his opposition Il
that measure Such pettiogging exhibits de
gree Of meanness utterly disgracefu! to a man 0
Mr.. Webslers rrclensions and standing. 1t is no
thing more OF less than ali ebuiltlon oil long pen
up malice.
Finally lie dispatches Cass by declaring him Il
be the worst and most dangerous man OF the three
And 30 ends speech which has 10 apparent Oh
lect except to show that there IS no man in th'
country fiji to be President but Dan.el Webster. |
Is a copious shower of milk and water. the eficc
| oil which il rot injurious to Taylor. will be JUS
nothing at all. la short it is, as Taylor speech
about equal to Col Benton speech IN the Park, If
favor o! Cas- Campaign o. freedom.