Richmond enquirer. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1815-1867, 1850-06-21
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ALP MINISTER'S POSITION.


We learn, through gentleman who was present III the
Senate that Mr. Wcbsiers speech Monday was received
with loud demonstrations Of applause from the galleries. ana
that produced fine eeing-takcn in connection with the
triumphant success (3S 10 2) OF Mr.. Soue's important
amendment, amounting 10 solemn compact between the
North and South, of which Mr.. Bcrren said
believe that much will be done o harmonisc public feed
ing ii have distinct expression by u strong No.
oi The Senate of the T. States III afiTinancc 4" III" rpN
lion contained in the report oi The committee ha III all III
;ure ACQUISITIONS uf territory, Congress l. 10 abstain from
lrrisllnr on the subject o slavery while they retain Inc
territorial form of government, leaving 10 ihr people oil
those territories the right 10 decide that question oT them
selves after they become State. say haf IN nv J!s-
nient the uimance OF that proposition, bya sron" vote
in the Senate of the United States, will do more 10 quiet
the public mind than any provision which j. contained in
the bill.
Having proceeded 10 Justify his consistency. Mr.
Webster concluded ~ follows:
Mr. President, when STE gentlemen from my IaI
Of the country no doubt from motives of the highest cha
ractcr and for conscientious purposes not c"ncir@
in any OF these great questions with myself ai aware
that nm taking myself uncommon degree al rcsion-
shiy The fact that gentlemen with whom have been
accustomed To in the Senate took different view {"
their duties in the same ease naturally td me " i
consider y course, I" rccNainnc my own opinions
Ia r.iulec my Judgment. And nov, sir, thai have
gone through this process without pre,'' n Il ~ ,
cciiaIy i I-- ..n"rr th" Ele'H' i'''n2 ~ ''''
Il being called upon by sense oi duty 10 take c"h!'r
which may diss1tisiy some Ia whom should always ~ de
srous of rendering my public course anu every es,' ar & @
my own settled opinions. leave consequences to them
selves II is great emergency great cAsency that this
country is placed in. shall endcavor 10 preserve proper
REGARD 10 nv consistency. And here let ne say tha
neither here elsewhere has thing been advanced L"
show that on this subject have said done any thing IN
consistent in the slightest degree with speech
,iment or letter declaration that delivered in INV
life, and all would bc convinced o this IL men would stop
10 consider and look rci differences and distinctions
But where all is general dcnnncaton, where all Is can"r
where all is idle and empty dcclanaon where there u II"
search after exact truth, honest disposition 10 inquire
whether one opinion is different from the other why
body in way of proceeding, may be proclaimed /" be-
inconsistent. .
Now sir do not take the trouble things oi This
sort that appear in the public press know it would be
useless Those who o an unirlendy disposition would
noI publish my explanations or distinctions, II were 10
make thc But sir il gentleman here has any thing 10
say this suhJectthough throw ont 10 Challenge get II
any enan here chooses u undertake the many
hcrc ossbly are, who think il easy a9kto show III
what respect any thing that said in debate here the 1th
of March, thing contained in letter 10 the gentle
men of Ncwburyport, any where else is inconsistent
with any recorded opinion of mine, since the subject o the
annexation Of Texas began in 1881 will certainly answer
him with great respect and courtesy and shall c content o
stand fall by the judgment ol the country.
Sir nv object is peace My object is reconciliation. NV
nlrpuse is make up for the North, Ia make
up case for the South My object is continue
less and irritating controversies against agiator@,
North ani South against local ideas North and
South and against all and local contests am
American, and know no locality in America that Is my
country My heart my sentiments, Judgment demand ri
that shall pursue such course as shall promote The
GOOD the harmony aud the Union n the whole country.
This shall do God willing of tho end o the chapter