Vermont watchman and State journal. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1836-1883, 1850-07-18
Address of Senator Webster.

Mr. Webster-Mr. Secretary, at a time when
the great mass Of our fellow citizens enjoy re-
variable health and happiness throughout the
whole country, it has pleased Divine Providence
to visit the two Houses OF Congress, and espe-
cialy this House, with repeated occasions for
mourning and lameatalion. Since the COM
mencement Of the Session, we hive followed
two Of our own members to their last home; and
we are now called upon, in conjunction with the
other branch of the Legislature, and in full SYM
paii,y with the deep tone Of affl iction which
am sure is felt throughout all the country. to
take part in the solernnilies Of the funeral of the
late President of the United States. Truly, sir,
was it said in the communication read to us,
that great man has fallen among us. The late
President Of the United States, originally sol.
der by profession, having gone through long
and splendid career of military service, had, at
The close of the late war with Mexico, become
so much endeared 10 the people of the United
States, and had inspired them with so high de-
gree Of regard and confidence, that without so.
hchation or application, without pursuing any
de'ious paths of policy, or turning hairs
breadth to the right or the left from the path of
duty, a grea, and powerful and generous people
saw fit, by popular vote and voice, to confer up
on him the highest avii authorityiin the nation.
We cannot forget that in other instances, as in
|
way in degree, by the eclat of military renown.
So it has been always, and so it alwayswill be,
because high respect tor noble faats in arms has
been and always will be outpoured from the
hearts Of the members of popular government.
But it will be great mistake to suppose that the
late President of the United States owed his ad
vancement to high civil trust or his great accep-
liability with the people, to military talent or a
blity alone. believe, sir, that associated with
the highest admiration for those qualities possess
Sod by him, there was spread throughout the
Icommuniiy high, degree OF confidence and
faith in his integrity, and honor aud uprighiness
| as man. believe he was especially regarded
as both firm and mild man in the exercise of
authority. And have observed more than once
10 this and in other popular governments, that
Il the prevalent motive with the masses Of man.
kind for comforting hi Oh power on individuals, is
= con6dsnce Ia their nildness. Their parental
protection 10 regarded as Of sure and safe
character. The people naturally feel safe where
ftheS feel themselves to be under The control and
| protection Of sober council Of impartial
minds and general psternal supefintendence.
| suppose, sir, that no case ever happened in the
very best days of the Roman Republic, where
any man found himself clothed with the highest
lauthori'y in the State under circumstances more
[repelling all suspicion of personal application,
all suspicion Of pursuing any crooked path in
p6iitics or all suspicion Of having been actoated
BY sinister views and purposes, than in the cass
OF The worthy, and eminent snd distinguished
snd good msn, whose death we nav ideplose.-
He has left to tho people Of his country legacy
lint this. He has left them a. bright example,
which addressing itself With peculiar force to
THE young and rising generation for It tells them
that there Is path 10 the highest degree Of re-
nown, straight onwsrd, without change Or devil
alton Nj. Secretary: my ffiend from louisa
Ina, Mr. Downs. has detailed, shortly, the events
in the military career Of General Taylor. His
services through his life we're mostly on the
Iffontief, and always had hard service, often in
I combat with the tribes Of Indians all along the
frontiers so many thousand Of mics.
i Ithss been justly remarked BY one OF the
m0st eloquent men whose voice vas ever heard
in these Houses, = that it s not 10 Indian wars
that heroes are celebrated, but it is there that
Ithey are formed = the hard service, the stern
discipline deyolvng upon those who have great
4 extent Of frontier 10 defent with irregular troops,
Ibeing called sudden y into contact with savaees,
j to study the habits Of the savage life and saw
thge war, in order to foTesee and overcome their
suatagems; al these things tend to make q
hardy military. chsracter. For very short Pc
/ Rod, sir, had connection Nth the Executive
Government Of this country, and All that time
very peril6us and embarrassing circumstances
existed between the United States and the In
Edidas q eur bofjsrs, and .waF US actually "a
Iemg shetvesa the unifed Staiss and the FLORIDA
|inbsa, and ! VERY veil sensnbsrthssithoss vho
took counsel loGeiheE on that occasion officially.
Il aia Who vers desirous Of placing The military
Icounmi = 10 lhe safest hands, came 70 The CON-
Il elui1ok nat th6sa ~ 10 Md u the 'tsrvies
a1dss fully snisisS - ida!iiieS n tilNsfy ahil-
,|jsy 81 ,psarpes5ooal peoI1d1o6 1n1h 1AcHAnT
.Idkzhoe,,anhts $3.50 cssus aponaetp Dc