The daily union. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1845-1857, 1850-01-25


70 day in every part Of the country and in both halls Of
Congresswho is there that would not find reeshment
and delight behind the Farewell Address OF Washington
TO the people OF this country Who is there that would
not trace with pleasure the parental and patriotic advice
written by his hand !that hand which, after having
grasped the sword that achieved liberties seized the
instrument OF peace-the penand gave that advice
necessary to preserve and transmit to postery the
treasure which he had bestowed upon Who is there
who, in tracing that advice to beware OF sectional dl-
visions-to beware OF demagogism-to beware OF the
consequences OF the indulgence Of a spirit OF disunon-
who is there who in reading those lines Of truly paren
tai advice, will not in imagination, transport himself
per by Washington, and conjecture the emotionsthe
patriotic and parental emoons-that at that precious
moment must have animated his breasts
Sir, have said more-much more am sure-than is
necessary TO the accomplishment OF the object II is 70
give to the joint committee OF the two houses on the
library authority and Instructions to purchase the docu
ment to which have referred have specified price.
II would have been improper TO have done So Advan-
tage might have been taken OF it. have left that to
the discretion OF the committee; and all will admit that
that is confidence which may Justly repose. hope,
sir, the resolution will meet with universal concurrence
Mr. FOOTE. ! do not rise for the purpose OF saying
anything opposition to the resolution introduced by the
honorable senator from Kentucky, mr. CLAYl 1t would
be certainly presumpuous In to suppose that could
add anything to what has fallen from the honorable
single word this OCCASION but for what has been so
happily said by the honorable senator from Kentucky in
regard TO sectional agitation, in denuncation Of faction.
Of dsunion Sir holds the Union OF these States
in higher regard than do No one places higher value
than do upon that compact of confederation which was
established by the wisdom and patriotism OF our foreath
ers; Union between equals; Union for all the pur
poses of Justice kind intercourse, and cordial good U
THIS Union, 50 dear to Washington and his compeers.
has been dear to ALSO and to my constituents
To this Union, in the southern States OF the conederacy
no enemies have ever yet appeared No such monsters
10 ada a souSs
has attempted to the machinery OF
the republic for purposes OF injustice and OPPRESSION and
for the permanent degradation of other sections of the
Union.
If sectional agitation such as has been alluded to by
the honorable senator from Kentucky, and strongly
sured and depored, has taken place. it did not originate
among southern men. II originated in spirit of Unfair
ness, berality and rank usurpation, amongst facous
demagogues unprncped fanatics, and trading politicians
north OF Mason and Dxons line II geographical parties
have sprung up, they have been brought into being ex
cusvey by northern ncendiares and their raitorous
allies dew in number, should hope) in two of the
southern States Yes sir, the especial countrymen OF
Washington men of the Souh-the descendants OF
that noble body Of men-the Jefersons the Madisons,
o e s aSss w aas tue
establishing national independence have demean-
ed themselves this confederacy lmes proudly TO
the sacred objects for which was established Let then
guilty alone feel the language OF rebuke so
poieny administered by the honorable senator from Ken
lucky cordially unite with the senator from Kentucky
in denouncng the real and only enemies of the Union
ichom Ino1 aGds Let these vile incendares patiently
submit to the just castsaton which understand to have
senator from Kentucky. They deserve fercer
demnaton than has been bestowed upon them Iconess
though that do not expect sudden and complete
form in these unprinciped Zealots from the
ordinary eloquence of the honorable senator from Ken
tucky and greatly fear that the purchase OF Washing
toms Fsreye Address proposed by the honorable SEN
pest which is now raging fear that the factionsts Of
the North will be less active. after shall have pu-
poca will sy
'eheming until their mischievous end shall be accom-
plshed
II thought otherwise, | should be willing to give
many millions for this precious document once. instead
OF referring subject OF committees for their
action. AS it is, shall vote for the resolution as
reasonable and moderate sum to the owners Of this man
uscrpt, in order to crafty those generous sensbiles
which have been appealed to by the honorable senator
M Mr. WEBSTER Mr. President, I rise to express. my
concurrence in the object intended by the resolution be-
fore the Senate hope it will pass believe it TO be
resolution which will be grateful 10 the whole country.
believe il will be thing agreeable TO all who may visit
the capital TO the Farewell Address of Washington in
his own handwriting in the national library: agree en-
rey with all the honorable senator from Kentucky has
said OF the natural disposition Of men, and Of reasonable,
intelligent everywhere, and In all countries 10
what may perhaps be called the relics Of the great and
good personages who have gone before hemthe distn
gushed beneactors OF their country, whose memory s
cherished in the hearts OF men.
The honorable senator from Kentucky says that the
goblet OF Washington, in his possession at his
house, object OF yeneration not only TO himself
and family, but TO those who visit him. My principal
purpose in rising, sir, was 10 mention occurrence cor
roboratiye OF that sentiment Ii happened, sir,
about fve-andtwenty years ago. that there was
offered for sale 10 Congress little casket oil medals from
General Washingtons cabinet You know sir, that the
old Congress voted some eight medas-I think
not many more-to officers OF the revolutionary amy-the
first and principal and largest being TO Gen Washington.
They struck in Paris and for the subject OF the re-
verse OF his medal Washington chose the American troops
just entering Bosoa, after s evacuation by the British
troops Il beautifully executed, and fine spe
cmen of the art There also OF Gates, and one
OF Green, OF Morgan, and other revolutionary Off
Gen. Washington, al some after period OF his life,
collected these medals. They were ALL believe, made
in Paris There were some other Medals also, of
DR.. franklin and other eminent persons in civil life
Cen Washington collected these medals in little casket-
little flat mahogany box. He placed his own likeness
in the CENTRE and surrounded IL by twelve medals Of
oluonary persoRages, making in all thirteen. II re.
NAMED in his possession until his death, when passed
to his executors About as long ago nave mentioned
live and twenty years ago-circumslances rendered II
expedent for those who then had this relic pos
session sell the casket OF medals They desired to
sell il Congress for the use OF the public II was
brought here by an honorable member from Massachu
setts, Mr. Everett, who introduced resolution into the
other house OF Congress- authorizing the Committee on
the Library 10 purchase IT, At first, the proposition
seemed TO receive favor The price great thing,
But constitutional question arose, whether Congress
could without violation OF their duty and their obga
tons, buy that little casket [Laughterl twas debated
there two three days, and finally by the vote OF
those who were opposed 10 thc Constitutional power the