Daily Richmond times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1849-1850, 1850-05-04
From the Boston Daily Advertiser, of April 80

THE RECEPTION OF MR.. WEBSTER.
The simple meeting of Mr.. Webster with part of
his constituents last evening" the greetings between those
who know what to respect and him who is respected
comes as near the 0Udt0n OF the ancens as our laws or
habits permit There was military procession, there
was no call OF priests and haruspces shout OF eralds
to announce the gathering Even the modern,
more modest notice through the newspapers not an
extended one. But the crowds came. The large square
named from the patriotic Bowdon-in front of the Re-
we're House was filled with people
After Mr.. Webster entered the house, many ladies
and gentlemen followed him, and for long time he
tnued to receive in one 1.-THE large drawing rooms such
visitors introduced to him. We are glad TO
him in such good health and entertain the hope that
this the last instance, during his present visit to
Massachusetts, upon which he will address his fellow
citizens and constituents.
A storm of rain which had lasted with much vio-
lence for about twelve hours seemed for the
purpose OF making the reception agreeable one and
the bright and soft south wind the accompani
ments OF the occasion
Soon after five the carriage, in which Mr.. Web
ster accompanied by few friends arrived in the midst
of the vast assemblage. Mr. Webster enthusiast
caly received and after the cheers the multitude had
been blended with and closed with strain from band
OF music, stationed on the front OF the house, Benjamin
r. Curtis, Esq. came forward upon Fostrum prepared
for this purpose Mr.. Webster stood in the carriage,
shading his face from the burning sun with his hand and
looking towards the house and speaker. The windows
of the neighborhood thronged with ladies' and the
square was full OF attentive listeners
Mr.. Curtis spoke substantially as follows:
here to give you welcome home: They desire to ex
press you by their presence their appreciation OF your
great past services in the public councils OF the nation
They are not politicians sir any than myself, nor
deeply skilled in political history; but they know your
political history, and they have here to greet you
your return to Massachusetts, after the arduous la
bors of the Senate, because they know it.
They are aware that for third OF century, during
more than the life tmeeofra generation OF men, you have
been serving their country with unsurpassed ability and
patriotism
These, sir, are northern aborers; for where there
northern OF age to labor, who is respectable and
respected who is not laborer good work. and
they not ignorant how long and jealousy you have
upheld the rights and interests e the labor oil the coun-
try They deeply concerned in the maintenance OF
safe currency and they recognize the great and sound
principles which you have always held and enforced on
this subject.
Living almost at one OF the extemtes OF the country
and dependent for prosperity for the free develop
men of its commercial resources we are not unmlnd
full that the internal improvements of the whole United
States have found in you steady and powerful
friend
We know, also, that when protracted and difficult
controversy with great foreign nation involved the
honor and threatened the peace OF our couy by your
efforts mainly preserved and its honor main
tanned with increased brightness.
Allow say also, sir, that never for one mo-
ment forget that citizens OF the American Union;
that its peace and prosperity and glory are our peace
and prosperity and gloy and that only under the Con-
stuton and in the Union can these exist tor us or our
children And therefore, with our whole hearts we say
here and everywhere that the friends OF the Constitution
are friends and its enemies whether open or secret
successful blind are our enemies also; that there
one party in which all minor differences OF opinion and
feeling merged and obteraed and that is the party
of the union.
AS members of that great party sir and DESTROYS of
expressing to you Astounding gratitude for the ability
and fidelity which have brought to the defence OF the
Constitution and Union OF the United States
Recent events have awakened most painful at
tention to this great subject gu are well aware, sir
that involves some important conflicting interests and
still more conflicting opinions and feelings. Any at
tempt reconcile them must for time at least, be
cause Of offence to many honest men, but even they sir
can hardly withhold their respect from manliness which
dares to speak disagreeable things, and the PATRIOTISM
which seeks in the spirit of Cancellation, remedy for
inamed and disordered state OF the public mind. And
when they shall have waited long enough to allow their
judgments somewhat to COOL they may be expected to
feel as we do that we not now to begin to in
struct one who, before many ofus were born was emil
nently vginant wise and faithful to our country, and
without shadow of turning-has ever continued So
[Applause.l ,.,. ,,;
ty the expounder and defender OF the Constltutlon
and we have no doubt that you will continue to stand
In this northern soil, confidence is indeed plant OF
slow growth-but, believe me- sir, when 1t Is grown It
is not to be uprooted by any gusts OF passion or preu-
dice-nor blasted by the breath OF suspicion. APP
plause.]
your home. Three Cheers.
Upon the close of this address, Mr.. Webster arose
in the carriage and was received with loud cheering
After the noise had in some measure subsidized, he
proceeded to say that with great pleasure that he
met so large assembage OF his friends at time when
his private affairs had called him from the seat of GO
yernment to his own home. AS you have said, sir
said he-he duties OF the W inter in the public councils
of the country have been arduous; l am sorry to say
that those arduous duties not done with. am sor-
nv to say that the public affairs OF the country have not
yet made much progress towards satisfactory ADJUST
ment, to all the anxiety which mas been fet
about the adjustment OF the subjects under dlscusSon
But feel authorized say that there now reason to
hope-reason TO eXpect-that further relecuon, mat
generous comparison OF various wishes where we dlsa-
gree, will bring about that improved state OF public
eeng;-in the reproduction of which all our expecta-
tons of useful discharge OF public duty and all our eX-
pectations of useful legislation must depend.
cannot but feel, sir, that stand in the presence OF
my friends Unjust regard this gathering as the perso
nal tribute of your welcome to me. You do not well
come the politician, and this not an opportunity for
discussing those questions which now agtate the COM
munty and the OBSERVATION-DISCLOSURES which leave
little epose in the mind OF any intelligent man, till he
can see some probability that from their discussion
adjustment may in favour OF the prosperity peace,
happiness, ana continued union OF the COUNTY,
Gentlemen have felt itmy duty, on late occa-
sion to make an effort TO bring about some ameliora-
ton of that excited ieelng on TINS SUBJECT WHICH per
yades the people OF the country IN ana
south-to make effort also TO restore lle sovetilet
to its proper capacity for dschargng the proper business
ohia 70 discharge that business. That it may regain
,bat canacitv there is necessity for effort both in
Conoress and out of Congress Neither you nor
legislation OF the country proceed IN Inc ou
Harmonious way, until the discussions in Congress and
out Of Congress upon the subject to which you have al
luded shall be in some way suppressed lake mat
truth home with you-and take it as thruh Until
something can be done to allay the feeling now sepa-
rating men and different sections there can be no use
full and satisfactory legislation in the two Houses OF
Congress. -, c-.--.-,.. r.
Massachusetts has done the honor to place me as
her representatives. one OF her representatives-n
Congress have believed that she would approve, in
me anv honest cautious and sincere effort to aay the
dissenson which we among the people OF the coun-
ciffy for action | have believed that the Common
wcah of Massachusetts would support her representa-
ives in that course have believed that general SEN