Weekly national intelligencer. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1841-1869, 1850-05-04
Mr.. WEBsrER'S SPEECH.

Mr.. WEBSTER commenced by observing that he sorry
to say that in the attempts to settle the great and exciting
questions which agitang the country from one ex
TO the other sufficient progress had not been made TO
perfect reconciliation of conflicting interests but still
there ground indulge the hope that adjustment,
actory to every section of wide and diversified Union,
would yet be made
He fully appreciated the kind congratulations Of his fellow
czens-fuy appreciated the declaration that they did
come here parsans This not the place the time
to discuss party questions.
Ito calm that excited state Of feeling which agated the pub
lie mind Of the North and of the Southland restore to the
Federal Government the ability to conduct its aas hereto
fore, with effective unity 1t could be concealed for the
fact evident to ALL that it out of the power Of Con-
gress legate for the general interests of the whole
try, until such should first be adopted would
have direct tendency to alay the excitement which all patr
OTIS must deprecate. ....... .u"
In this condition of hngs-n this peculiar situation of af
fars-he had thought that the of Massachu
would have approved of all honest endeavors to aay
existing dissenson and that public sentiment every where
irrespective of locality, would approve efforts such he
had alluded He trusted that in these expectations he
should not be disappointed but however that might be,
bis intention to persevere in the of pacfcaon
which he had commenced regardless of consequences
| as related to him personally
Under circumstances would he give the slightest
enance to local agi,atons which threatened in his opinion,
the Union. "May my tongue ceave the roof Of
my mouth, continued Mr. Webster, in tone of exceeding
animation, "beore give countenance to any agatons Of
this kind When he returned to his in the Senate, he
should take the earliest occasion express his opinions fully
on this and kindred subjects. .-..4
There was he regretted to say the greatest degree of pre-
JUDGE and misrepresentation existing in the public mind, in
reference to many questions before Congress. He would
mention, for example, that concerning the surrender of ug
tive slaves. There obligations imposed upon every
officer of the Federal imposed by
the sancity of oah-which could be dsregarded
sghtngy performed Agreeable duties required effort to
perform but when duties had to be discharged
opposition to strong personal feelings then that the
faith and virtue Of the public officer were tried.
The question was, whether old Massachusetts-in
telecual in characer-o the highest moral sentiments
rigid in her Of usce-a State that has swerved
from the path of rectude and honor-whehe she would,
this her day of trial. stand to the truth existed against
merely tempaton but against her prejudices She
had conquered sterile soil aud unfiendly climate She
had conquered every preudces and the question
to determine was, whether she would conquer her own
\ This was the question which he had now to ask.
He had not stepped backwards he had abandoned no old
positions He had undertaken restore peace where dis
traction egned to pour oil upon the troubled waters to
make the people realize the peril Of the situation, and BY
cul ang true spirit of compromise and concession, avert
all threatening dangers He did not wish this great
confederacy Of States bound together by legal ties but
those sympahies which bound kindred hearts to-
geher What he most desired to pervading
love of glorious Unon which should be felt warmly in
the North in the Southn the cold granite bills OF New
England, in far-of possessions the Pacific.
When Mr. w. commenced speaking bouquets were show
cred upon him by the fair inmates Of the Revere House. who
occupied every window and whose gay and lovely appear
lent peculiar charm and to the whole scene lie
concluded by thanking his eowczens for the kind and
dial welcome extended towards him. and took his seat amidst
loud and enthusiastic cheering.