The republic. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1849-1853, 1850-03-08
MIR. Webster.

MIR. Webster.
The coalition Of Locofocos, Abolition
lists, and Disunionists, has received some
severe blows within the last forty EIGHT
hours. The speech of Mr.. STANLY in the
House, on Tuesday; the letter Of Governor
Brown in reply to that of the Florida
delegation, and the speech Of Mr.. WEB
sTER in the Senate yesterday, have dam
aged them to an extent that can be pro-
perly estimated only by those who are in
the midst of the prevailing excitements,
and are thus enabled to judge of the action
and reaction in public sentiment.
The speech of Mr.. WEBSTER was of
course looked for with the deepest solicit
tude. The Senate, at very early hour,
was thronged in both galleries, and at eleven
O'Clock the floor was occupied by ladies
and their attendants, in a manner that
threatened to disturb the convenience of
the Senators.
When the body was called to order at
twelve O'Clock, there was some converse
ton in regard to the propriety of inviting
or permitting the ladies to take seats on
the floor, and for excluding the gentle
men from the ladies' gallery. But the
whole matter was finally settled-as MIR.
BANCROFT advised General KEARNY in
regard to California-on the basis of the
uti possidetis. 1t was thought best not to
disturb the existing arrangements, and la
dies and gentlemen continued in posses
sion of the places which they had been so
fortunate as to secure. When these mat
tiers had been arranged, Mr.. WALKER,
with courtesy and consideration which
deserve favorable mention, suggested
that he would not interfere with the ex-
pectations that had been excited by the
announcement that Mr.. WEBSTER was to
speak, and would waive his claim to the
floor in favor OF the Senator from Massa-
chusetts. The delicacy and self-respect
which induced the Senator to postpone
tue COnCiuoion vi Ilo OWu oPccCh, VII
der these circumstances, were felt and
acknowledged by murmur Of approba-
ton that pervaded the whole audience.
Mr.. WEBSTER then rose, and, with suit
able reference to this act of courtesy, en-
barked at once on the current of the great
subject of the day-and for three hours
unclaimed the audience with one of his
most remarkable efforts. AT no time of
his public career has he ever appeared TO
greater advantage. Never has he dis
played more vigor and manliness Of intel
lect, more force Of argument, more ma
tionality of temper and spirit, than on
this occasion. II was an occasion which
called for the display of boldness and firm
ness-for he had prejudices, and PARTIAL
ties, and antipathies to encounter-but
he met them all, and overcame them all,
with courage which entities him to the
commentator Of all good and patriotic
men, and which cannot fail to strengthen
him in the hearts Of his countrymen.
Mr.. WEBSTER opened with review OF
the slavery question from the commence
ment OF our Government. He showed
that in the days of the Confederation there
was a comparative Indifference on the
subject in the Northern States--while
the most distinguished citizens Of the
South regarded and spoke of it as an evil
in terms as strong as are now used by the
most ardent anti-slavery men of the North
At that time, citizens of all sections re.
garded slavery as an evil, and looked for
ward to its ultimate extinguishment
The culture of cotton first developed the
great importance of slave labor to the
Southern States--and with its increase
change of feeling was created, from the
great pecuniary interests which it involves
These led to the desire Of the extension o
slave soil, and resulted in the acquisition
of Louisiana, Florida, and Texas, by tn
uofes Of the expressing and AGGRESSIVE
North With the acquisition OF Texas
Mr.. WEBSTER considered the question
settled and the account closed. Every
acre of territory that could be cultivated