Indiana State sentinel. [volume] (Indianapolis) 1841-1853, 1850-07-04
Daniel Wehsfer.

ure OF relief, because believe 1t to De Just.
Daniel Webster.
We have never spent much time in commenting |
the political course of Daniel Webster. But we
have always thought, that the objections urged 10
Saviour by the proud arrogant and naughty Jews
to the place of his nativity-'that nothing good
could come out of Nazareth"-a low, mean and con-
temptble one. We entertain no sucn sentiments
in religion, morals politics. We should be asham-
ed of ourselves, when should to do justice
to political opponent We have spent life Of OPP
position to Henry Clay, have voted against him,
wrote against him, and spoke against him. But
notwithstanding all this, the huppest moments of
our life have been during the present session of Con-
gress, when the Old Man eloquent would rise, with
patriotism and love of country blazing from every
muscle of his brilliant face-whspering soft pray
er to Heaven for the peace. happiness and prosperl-
ty of that glorious country he to cl"se his
eyes upon Understanding up undismayed, against
the closing columns of fanaiirism both North and
South; shaking off the Liliputan hurled at
him by this puny Administration. The secret Of
his popularity told. The American people love
| bold and fearless That the people should
not like MIR. Clay's politics is very natural. But
that they should love the is just natural. Mr..
Webster has never equaled Mr. Clay in the elements
of popularity. As orator he is not command
ing. But, as distinguished lawyer.-as profound
statesman, he is his superior. Bat we do not in
tend TO pass any eulogies On these geniemen; let
their and their speeches be impar,ially judged
Of, according to their merits Read the annexed
remarks Of Mr.. Websler-they to the point.
"He treads step backwards" Would to Heaven
that the petty whig politicians could see things
he them. Quiet would be restored to the
country. This, the boldes of his life may ter
inmate his political existence; but his fame is writ
ten the history ofshis country-some good, so,ne
bad-but still it is there, and there it will remain,
| when such men as Seward aud Jack Hale, who now
revile him, will be lost in the current of time and
the future bographer will have to look among the
back leaves of some old almanac to find when
they died, and perhaps, for what they died
| The following is the speech above referred to-
MIR. WEBSTER. Mr.. President, on the 7tIl Of
March, | declared my opinion to be that there was
not square rod of territory belonging TO the United
States The character of which for slavery snye-
ry was not already fixed by sume rrepeaable law.
I remain of that opinion. The opinion has been
good deal canvasseG in the country; and there have
been complaints sometimes respectful aud decorous-
clainor. But have heard argument upon any
| principle of law embraced in that opinion which
shakes the frmness with which hold il. Nor have
heard any discussion upon any matter Of fact 10
that part of the opinion, which rests fact, which
leads to doubt tie accuracy Of my c4nclusion
With respect 10 that part of the opinion which re-
l:arded the true consruciion or might with more
proprley say, the literal meaning of the resolution
by which Texas admitted into the Union iin, e
heard Suggestion calculated in the slightest degree
!: TO alter that opinion. The COMMITTEES, | believe.
with one accord cOncurred great deal of surprise,
real or affected. has been expressed the country
at the announcement Of that opinion upon the true
construction of the resolutions of annexatiou; yet
there need be surprise, for there nothing
IN the case. Other gentlemen have expressed the
same opinion more than once; and | myself, in a
speech here upon the 23d day of Murch, 1S4S, ex-
pressed the opinion almost in the same words;
with which nobody has found any fault, and which
nobody here, and nobody in the country, cavilied
questioned. With respect to the other ground upon
which my judgment founded-that is. the prob
ability, point of fact, that African slavery could
be introduced and established in any Of the Terrific
res acquired by in pursuance Of the treaty with
Mexco-1 have learned nothing, heard nothing, from
that day this, that has confirmed that opinion
: entirely. That being tae state Of my judgment
v upon this matter, voted very readily aud cheerfuy
' To exclude what IL called the Wllmet Proviso from
3 these territorial bIlls-or TO keep il oui rather when
: a motion made to introduce it. did upon a
very ul aud deep conviction that act of Cngress
provision of law, was necessary for that purpose
L that there natural and sufficient reasons and
causes, excluding forever African slavery from those
e regions. That was my judgment, aud acted upon
n H. Those who think differently will of por-
s sue different line of conduct That is my opinion
e 1t my opinion then; il has been strengthened by
: everything have learned since; aud have more
apprehension this day of the introduction exist
of African slavery in these Territories than
. have ct lis introduction and establishment in Massa
: chusetts.
Well, sir. having voted not place in those terri
e torial bills what is called the Wilmot Provso
by that vute having sgnfed disposition to exclude
}. the prohibition thing unnecessary, | ain now
!, called upon To vote upon this amendment moved BY
> the honorable member from Louisians, Mr.. SoULE,
which provides that States formed out of New Mex.
e leo and Utah shall have the right aud privilege o
o making their own constitutions, and may present
hose constitutions to Congress. in conformity with
Q the constitution of the United Stu,es. with with
" out prohibition against slavery, the people OF
il those Territories, then having become States, may
; fit To declare. have not very much prac.
d teal utility in this amendment. Nevertheless, 1T 4
should vote, that il is presented TO me- against
$ IL, it might leave open to the suspicion Of intend
e. ing OF wishing 10 that accomplished in another