Burlington free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1827-1865, 1850-03-22
The Washington Union on Mr.. Webstc, ~
speech

speech.
We are indebted to Mr.. MEAcHAM for copy
Of the Washington Union, continuing full re-
port Of Mr.. WEE ,rER's Speech. We refer to
1t for the purpose Of quoting the highly lauda,c-
ry remarks Of the Union upon Mr. WEBSTER
personally, and its brief synopsis of the main
points Of his Speech. We'll may we be aston
ished when The views q DAStEL WEBSTER, on
the Slavery question:, call down upon him the
dishonoring tribute of The foul praise Of the
Washington Union! That paper says
/" We were not presen, for several minutes after he
commenced; but the first positions which he argued
after we entered the Senate and for time after
wards, Were so decidedly opposed TO slavery ard .be
southern aspect OF the question: that We despared o
anything concliatory or anything compromising, or
anything calculated to settle this dangerous and ag-
tating que stion from his lips. We are bound how
ever, to state that we had done Mr.. Webster great
injustice, aud that the last part his speech anply
redeemed what we thought the of the first
Praise from this quarter comes so rarely upon the
Senator from Massachusetts, that we almost hesitate
to utter it upon the present occasion. We presume
that lie will set little value upon anything which may
iall from our pen but we lee bound to state frankly
our impressions OF his speech. We had expected
very little from Mr.. Webster We doubted very
much whether he would dare to come out md lav
his tribute upon the altar of his country. But we
!
the last part OF it marked with great ntrp pdity
! frankness, and liberality. We trust in Heaven that
| he has not spoken in vain. We cannot but enter
| tain the tervent hope that Mr. Webster will essen-
tally contribute to the ad usment of this disracting
controversy. lie contended that Congress was
bound, with the consent OF Texas to establish four
Slaves States south OF the line OF Sc! degrees He de-
clared his conviction that Nature herself had passed
irrepealable laws, which would forbid the settlement
| OF slaves in California and New Mexico and there
fore he would not consent TO do an act which was
derOu1tOrV and insulting the SOuth in
ting the Wilmot Provso with any government which
might be organized for these Territories. He repro
bated with great force the OF the aboonists
OF the North, whose ianacism had counteracted
their own designs to loosen the bonds OF slavery in
the South. He freely admitted that the North ha ID
not carried out her constitutional obligations TO res
tore fugitive slaves, and pledged himself to Dope
rate in the immediate passage OF a new and more
efficient law tor this purpose. He expressed his will
ingness to recognise the right OF Texas up to ser
tain boundary, 1--WE believe 81 degrees, and to make
a mpe compensation to her for the territory north of
tina line which she might relinqush to be annexed to
New Mexico. In a subsequent reply to Mr.. Calhoun,
he did not commit himself db0m Caiitornia, resrrv-
ing himself, when that question up, to take such
about her constitution boundary and admis-
sion INTO the union as his best Judgment might dc
tate.
When Mr. Webster concluded his speech, Mr. Cal,
louh rose, and, with strength OF voice which did
not expect, and in very animated terms, nnimadvert.
ed upon several paints OF Mr.. VS.. speech. He sat
him right about the history and objects OF the acuui
ston OF Louisiana, Florida and Texas; and lie also
corrected some OF Mr. Wrbsters remarks upon the
celebrated ordinance of 81 He complimenied him
upon the liberal propositions he had made for the
adjustment OF the question, and declared his devoted
love to the Union OF our country Mr. Cs. remark 8
were delivered in the best spirit, and with his usual
condensation and cearness OF manner.
In the course of Mr.. WEBsrER's speech, al
ludng to Mr.. CALHnuy, he said -
a very happy he is here. May he long be
here in health, and IN the enjoyment OF strength tc
serve his country ~
There, gentle reader, is a specimen of TRAN
ular gharmony on the subject If II ,rery, worthy
your profoundest admiration and a.onshmcn,
DANIEL WEBSTER, JonS c. CALuouy and Tia,
Washington Union, induging us Mr.. WEB>Tbi
says in his reply to UAYNE in honird word
of COMMUNICATION Of each other Achilles
Hector and Pandarus on the same " platform /.
The Trojan war is comp7pmised,' aud tn
Wooden llar>e "can come in" we wcr
ambitious Of 'many days" we should wish Tia.
We might live long enough to see New Bingham
Join this " Holy Alliance! -
But does Mr.. WEBSTER leave tie Moth IL
the dark as to his views and intentions in rcgar
to the admission Of The Free STATE of Caiifor
MIA ? Reader, judge for yourself The follow
ing is what he said on that subject -
Now, when the subject Of the admission of Cali
ornia on the direct question shall be brought before
the Senate, propose-no before other gentlemen
shal. have addressed the Senate, who have desire
to do sC--to say something upon the boundaries o
California. upon the constitution OF California, and
upon tic cTpcdicHey, undcr all the Circumstances
Of admitting her into the Union under That constl
tutiOH.
A most delightful position of ambiguity, on