Washington telegraph., 1850-04-03
MIR. WEBSTER.

MR. WEBSTER.
On the morning of the day upon which Mr..
Webster spoke, stranger might have noticed
upon every countenance the mark of anxiety and
expectation The streets were dotted with groups
knotted together and talking with an air of augury;
and long before tho meeting of the Senate, tide
Of human beings set toward the capitol, which
without precedent in numbers and kinds
Old men and young, grandmothers and laughing
girls, with bright faces sobered for the moment
nto we had almost said sternDess; boys, waddling
children; strangers, laborers; all avocat'ons, con-
ditons, and ages, were represented IN that stream
OF life. The places set apart for spectators were
hled ere yet the throng had reached the public
grounds The Senate doors were literally forced
by the multitude Before the members of that
body met together, every nook and corner which
could contain living creature had found its oc-
cupant. The bar of the Senate chamber was
hed, and the seats of august law-givers were
usurped by the mothers and daughters Of the Re-
public. There was respect paid to privileged
occupants of the floor. The people poured in like
waters overlapping their banks. The officers Of
the Senate were stripped of their authority, and
Senators themselves forced to be content
with such accommodation as they could find with
the rest.
1t was in the midst of such an assemblage as
we have described, that Mr. Webster rose to speak
for the Union. Perhaps no public man ever stood
up in such an He was canopied and girt
about by waving mass of fellow beings. The
windows in the very dome of the Senate chamber
had their listeners. The scene was radiant with
light and life. There not in all that crowd
pulse that did not beat for him; if we except
here and there dsloyal agitator, who glowered
upon the spectacle as treason might upon the COM
ing avenger. There was not, to waste words
upon these exceptions, heart that did not accom-
pany the speaker with a prayer. He was encom-
passed with an atmosphere laden with aspirations
for his cause. When he first took the floor, there
was movement though every bosom swelled
with hope. 1t was sometime before he could
proceed with his speech. After the first few
WORDS silence prevailed as intense as the inter-
est every one feft in his subject 1t was only
when the spectators leaned forward to catch
some wore lost or idea mdistinctly heard-as
though it were substance to be clutched by
reaching after--that the equilibrium ofthe masses
was lost and confusion followed 1t was grand
spectacle and sublime theme
How Mr.. Webster requited the patience and
the expectation, the encouragement and anxiety
of his hearers, We may well despair of telling
The first words he uttered rang in the heart like
the clarion of one who brings glad tidngs to dis
mayed people. ''l wish to speak to-day, not as
a Massachusetts man. nor northern man, but
American and member OF the Senate of
the United States. If not the text, it was the
spirit which he brought TO its consideration. We
shall not attempt 10 give analysis OF what FOL
lowed The speech is before the world Power
full the argument and superb the structure are,
admire more the spirit of this speech. 1t was
national in it's design and execution. To applaud
its compact and solid reasoning seems like taking
something from the admiration due to the courage
and devotion to country which prompted It, lie
braved the prejudices of the North; he rebuked
the ntemperance of the South He barred his
breast to the assaults of fanaticism, and exposed
his mama to the malice of faction. Bot he may
well be content TO foregO the paudits of madmeii
and plotters Of treason, to receive the homage vi
a continent of freemen.
AS he proceeded with his speech the fears of
those who had them for the Union melted into
nothing, and with them dwinded the consequence
and significance of those who disturbed the repose
of society by brandlshng rebrands near the altar
of tho temple. Without seeming to seek for VIC
tins, the pedars in damaged humbugs were trod-
den down without impeding his Course. There
was music in their ''passing knell." So slight
they in this regard, one could scarcely know
that in uphodng the Union in speaking for his
country, her banners, her glory, her History, the
happiness of her people, and the safety OF her
generations, he strewed the wayside with the
bones of small dabblers, and big ones too, in agita-
ton, and little fomenters Of village treason.
The triumph of a statesman was never more
complete or more conspicuous. 1t could be seen
with gloom and shadows, gladdened up like OPEN
ing spring. II was acknowledged, and more felt
than acknowledged that blow had been struck
for the Union. 1t regarded though the
crisis had been passed; that the tempest-tossed
and biIlow- beaten bark had come safe to harbor
TIE slate-pencil politicians, who cypher out the
problem of disunion like in tare and tret,
bid to hang their satches by night time
upon the black hemlock. II was not feared that
the delegates to the Nashville convention would
disturb the ashes Of the first srangler of rife
bellion; another cry was heard in the land.
If the legislation of the country conducted
in the catholic spirit of Mr.. Webster's speech,
there would be a closer union of States and people
than has yet been; closer for conflicts escaped and
difficulties overcome. Whatever may be the first
impression produced by it in the North, the truths
which have been spoken will sink into the minds
of pure men, and the result will be good. But if
Mr.. Webster should forfeit the support of his own
constituents by his manly and patriotic course
thing impossible TO be beeved-s sacrifice
never made in nobler cause, or risk encountered
mor- glorious field -.,epublic.
The HEALTH OF EUROPE DURING THE
LAST WEEK--Francei is excessively weak,