The republic. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1849-1853, 1850-05-02
From the Journal qf Commerce.
Mr.. Wsbsler's Speech at Boston.

Bosros, April 29--p. m.
Mr.. Webster arrived at the depot little before
| O'Clock, and was drawn to the Revere House in an
open barouche, accompanied by the Hon. Rufus
Choate and others. He received by large
crowd and with great enthusiasm. As Mr.. Web
ster approached, d. X. Curtis. esq, addressed him,
| saylng-Ihat his fellow citizens had assembled
| here to welcome him home. These were not poll
ticians, but had known his worth and had gathered
together to greet him. Here some of the north
| ern aborers of whom we had heard 80 much
Where was there northern man who was not a
aborer and they sensible of his efforts to pro-
mote and defend the labor of the country.
They We're aware that the internal improve.
ments had found in him able advocate They
knew, also, when we were in danger Of war with a
powerful nation, his nice and we'll directed efforts
had preserved the peace and harmony Of the coun-
try. He knew, also, that they were all citizens of
one great country. and that the friends of the
| Union their friends; that there great
party in which all were united and that party
the one of the Union; and that they were united in
expressing their high consideration OF his efforts to
preserve the Constitution. They knew that there
were many conflicting influences, any attempt to
reconcile which could not fail to meet with the dig
appreciation of portion of the communicable
they were not about to begin to distrust one who,
before they were born, had secured the confidence
| of the community, and had ever maintained it.
| At the conclusion of MIR. Curtis's remarks
Mr.. WEBSTER in the carriage, and was re-
ceived with loud cheering After the noise had, in
some manner, subsidized he proceeded to say that it
was with great pleasure that he met 30 large
| OF nis Irlenu5 at when MS private
| affairs had called him from the seat of Government
to his home. GAS you have said, sir the labors
of the winter in the public council of the country
have been arduous. am sorry TO say those ardu-
GUS duties are not done with. am sorry to say
that the public affairs Of the country have not yet
made SO much progress towards satisfactory adj
justment to remove all the anxiees which have
been felt about the adjustment of the subjects under
discussions but feel authorized to say there is
reason to hope reason to expect that further reec
ton, that generous comparison of various wishes
where disagree, will bring about that improved
state public feeling, in the reproduction OF which
all our expectations of useful discharge of public
duty, all our expectation OF useful legislation,
| must depend.
81 cannot but feel sir, that stand in the pres
ence OF my friends; i must regard this gathering
as the personal tribute of your welcome to me.
You do not welcome the politicians; and this is
| not opportunity for discussing those questions
which now agitate the community and the Govern
ment; questions which leave little repose in the
mind OF any intelligent man, till he can some
probability that from their discussion and adjust
ment may come the prosperity, peace, happiness,
and continued union Of the country. Gentlemen,
have felt it my duty, late occasion, to make
an effort to bring about some amelioraton Of that
excited feeling this subject, which pervades the
people Of the country everywhere, North and
South to make an effort also to restore the Gov
eminent to its proper capacity for dscharging the
proper business of the country. Let me say it is
unable to discharge that business, and that it may
regain that capacity there s necessity for effort
both in Congress and out of Congress Neither you
shall the legislation of the country proceed
in the old harmonious way, until the discussions in
Congress, and out of Congress, upon the subject to
which you have alluded shall be in some way sup
pressed. Take that truth home with you, and take
it as truth. Until something be done to allay
the feeling now separating men in different sec
tions, there be useful and satisfactory legs-
laton in the Houses of Congress.
"Mr. Curtis and gentlemen The Commonwealth
of Massachusetts, has done me the honor to place
me as her representative, one OF her representa-
frxyao hsua hall hat
approve in me any honest, cautious and sincere eff
fort to alay the discussion which see among the
people OF the country, and TO restore Congress to
its constitutional capacity for action. have be-
lieved that the Commonwealth of Massachusetts,
would support her representative in that Congress-
have believed that general sentiment of the
whole country would favor and encourage their
efforts in it, and have the satisfaction to be-
ieve it, and in that faith shall not be dsappoint-
ed. [Cheers.] However that may be, that effort
shall repeat. Renewed cheering In that course
Of pacificaton shall perseverc, regardless of all
minister to no local prejudices. ] shall support no
agitations having their foundations in real ghostly
abstraction. Laughter and cheers.] shall say
nothing which may foster the unknd passions
separating the North from the South. May my
tongue cleavc to the roof of my mouth before Il
may utter any sentiment which shall increase the
agitation in the public mind on such subject.
lCheers.
"Sir, have said that this is not an occasion for
political discussion. confess that if the time and
circumstances gave an opportunity, should not be
ndisposed to address the people Of Massac husetts
directly upon the duty which the present exigen-
cies OF affairs have devolvcd upon herths great and
glorious commonwealth; upon the duty, at least,
which it devolyes upon US who represent her in the
national Legislature. This will not be such an op-
portunity. ! shall have occasion in my seat in
the Senate, to which shall Immediately return to
give my opinions upon some topics Of an interest
ing character-topics in regard to some of which
there exist both mis- statements and misapprehen-
sionsthe greatest mis- statement the greatest mis-
apprehension. may simply mention one of these
topicsthe delivery of fugitives from service. With
regard TO that question there exists the greatest
prejudices-the greatest MISREPRESENTATION. / do
not wonder at the INTERPRETATIONS. am well
aware that is topic which must excite prejudices
can very well feel what the prejudices are which
1t must very naturally bring up in the minds of the
good people OF this commonwealth. But, Mr.. Cur
tbs, and gentlemen, there are, in regard TO that
topic, duties, absolutely incumbent on the common
wealth; duties, imposed by the Constitution abso-
lutely incumbent on every person who holds Office
in Massachusetts,.
"Under her constitution and laws and those of
the nation, she is bound, and persons are bound in
the discharge of the duty-a disagreeable duty
We call upon her to discharge that duty as an az
fair of high morals and high principles. We show
to her and ask her to resolve upon the perform
ance Of duty, though il be disagreeable duty
Any man can perform agreeable duty, but il is
not every man who can perform dsagrceable du-
ty. Any man can do what is altogether pleasant.
The question now is, whether Observation-Disclosures
two centuries Of civilization, renowned for her in.
tellectual character, mighty in her moral power
conspicuous before the world, leading State in this
country since it a Union: the question
is, whether Massachusetts, will shrink from or
come to fair and moderate performance of her
sworn obligations. think she will. tCheers. Sir,
the question Is, whether she will be just against
temptation; whether she will defend herself against
her own prejudices. She has conquered every thing
elsc in her own time She has conquered this ocean
which was her shore; she has conquered her infex-
IDLE climate she has fought her way TO the univer
sal respect Of the WORLD she has conquered every
body's prcjudiccs but her own; the question IL,
whether she will conquer her prejudices. ]
shall return TO that Senate TO put that question to
her in presence Of that common mother who shall
deal il TO her heart. ICheers.l In the mean time,
let me repeat that tread no step backwards
[Cheers.l am devoted to the restoration of peace
harmony. concord out Of Congress, and such de-
gree Of mutual cooperation in Congress may
enable il 70 carry once more the legitimate busi
ness Of the Government. This Union, for the pre-
servation Of which strive, the union Of the States
I.tx r