The North-Carolina standard., 1850-03-13
mn. wEBsTER,s spEEcH.

~ Mr.. WEBSTER'S SPEECH.
Y Mr.. Webster spoke on Thursday last. in the Sen.
ate. on the absofbing question on Slavery. II had
been rumored that he would offer some plan Of adjust
ment but he failed to do so, and contented himself
with speaking generally on the question. isimpos.
sble for u.s. in our crowded condition to-day, to pre-
sent any thing like synopsis of his remarks but
may state that they conciliatory and states
man-like in high degree. Ofcourse there posi-
.ions and doctrines in the Speech to which m South
does assent but it is not necessary to aude 10
them, they not properly in issue. Welook upon
the Speech as a whole; and we hesitate not to say
that Mr.. Webster, considering the pecuarty of his
position and the fact that he is New England Sem
ator, has gone very far in this great effort of his to
do justice to the South and to satisfy Southern ex-
pectation/ He gives briefly the history of Slavery from
the earliest periods-shows that Rome and Greece
held slaves and that the Saw iour, finding Slavery in
existence when he upon the earth, delivered no
injunction against it. He then states fairly the views
held in the two sections of the Union in relation to
Slavery, declares that the slaves here treated with
care and kindness, and that the Southern people
honest and conscientious in their opinions in relation
to the institution He gives the Abolition
lists in round and goes in the
of his remarks, that though he was opposed to the
annexation of Texas he will vote to admit slave States
they may be formed of her Territory. in COM
pliance with the act admitting her. He says Nature
herself has ordained that there shall be Slavery in
California and New Mexico, and that he sciN cote
for WiLmot Proviso for these Territories. He says
nothing about The Mexican law abolishing Slavery
tharo uh &c NJ
BILE. He declares that the South has been wfonged
by Northern Legislatures passing laws to prevent
the recovery of fugitive slaves and he calls upon
the people of the free States to do justice in this pare
ticuar. He adds that he regards the injunction in
the Constitution this point as binding on the free
States, and that they bound to " deliver up,' in
stead of offering distractions TO the reclamation of
slave property. He says nothing about the admis-
sion of California, but the inference may be drawn
that he is not disposed press her admission with
out adjustment of the question generally. These
are some of the heads of this remarkable Speech,
which we shall lay before readers next week, if
possible. The Washington Union says: ~
"This powerful and manly speech is the lion OF
the day. 1t was the theme of universal conversa-
ton yesterday in the Capitol and in private circles
1t was the object not only of general APPRECIATION but
Webster, in all the pride of place. and in the height
of his renown, deserve more respect fof any of his
efforts than he has obtained by the speech before
The trial is over, and he has passed the fiery
deal. 1t gives pleasure to say that MIR. Webster
has even exceeded the "pubic expectation" He
has pursued bold yet conciliatoy course, which is
suitable to the times; and the very peculiarly of his
position enhances the merits Of his course.
Mr.. Webster has had the moral courage to risk
himself for his country He has profted by the
opportunity which presented ITSELF and proved him
self worthy of the occasion. And who will now
operate with him in the glorious cause which he has
boldly pursued Who will unite with him in the
effort extinguish The torch Of civil discord and to
save the Union in spirit of conciliation, by liber
al system of compromise and concession. The con-
sttution framed in the spirit Of compromise and
equality; and by the same spirit it must be main
taned. In this spirit all present differences
be adjusted, and the ship be saved from the per-
lis which surround it,
We honor the grea, New -Englander for this effort;
and we can have no doubt that when he comes to
vote, he will do so in accordance with the general
principles he has boldly and eloqueny advanced.
The sun begins to show its face, and brighter day,
trust, is opening upon US. Southern union and
Southern aci:on have been potent in this crisis,
as we believed they would be. The Northern peo-
pie beginning to realize that in earnest,
and they coming forward to save the Union, and
to restore concord and faternal feeling, by doing
justice this great question Justice is all we ask.