Burlington free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1827-1865, 1850-05-10
Mr.. Webster in Boston


WEBSTER, in Boston. on Monday, and the
Speech OF that distinguished gentlemen on the
occasion. We give the speech, below, as we
find it in the Daily Advertiser. After the np-
plause which followed the welcoming speech
OF Mr.. CURTIS, Mr. WEBSTER said -
cannot but feel, sir that stand in the pre-
scnce OF my friends. | must regard this gath
erlng as the personal tribute Of your welcome
tn me. You do not welcome the politician, and
this is not an opportunity for discussing these
questions which now agitate the community
and the ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS which can leave
nile repose in the mind OF any intelligent man,
nv he can see some probability that from their
discussion an adjustment may come, in favor Of
the prosperity, peace, happiness and continued
union oi the country. (Cheers
Gentlemen, have felt in nv dntv. on late
occasion, to make an effort TO bring about some
amellnra'ion of that excited feeling on this sui
Iect which pervades the people of the country
verywhere-North and South TO make an
EFFORT also to restore the government TO its pro-
per capacity for discharging the proper business
of The country. (Cheers.) For now, let me saw.
IL Is unable to perform that business. That il
may regain that capacity, there is a necessity
Tor effort, both in Congress and out of Congress
Neither you nor shall see the legislation of the
country proceed in the old harmonious way.
until the discussions in Congress and out o.
Congress, upon the subjects TO which YOU have
alluded, shall be in some way suppressed
Fake that truth home with vou-aud take it ~
truth! Until something can be done 10 ALA,
the feeling now separating men aud dlfleren
sections, there can be no useful and satisacto
ry legislation in the two Houses OF Congress
Mr.. Curtis, and gentlemen the Common
wealth OF Massachusetts have done me tho
honor TO place me as her representatve-as
one of her rcpresenatives-in Congress. ]
have believed that she would approve, in me
any honest, cautions, and sincere eff ,rt to aay
the dissension which we SEQ among the peopl.
Of the country, and to restore Congress to it,
constitutional capacity for action. ] have be-
lleved that the Commonwealth Of Massac hl.
selts would support her representatives in that
course. have believed that the general sent.
ment OF the whole country would favor and en-
courage their efforts to this end and have
the satisfaction now to believe, that in thai
hope, shall not be disappointed. (Cheers
However that may be, that effort shall rcp'at
(Kenewed cheering In that course Of pacii
cation shall persevere, regardless Of all prr.o-
nal consequences. Three cheers | shu
minister to no local prrjndices snal suppnr,
no agitaions having their foundations in unreal
ghoslly distractions. daughter and CHEEKY
7haIl say nothing which may foster the unklnt
passions, separating the North from the South
May my tongue Ceave to the roof Of nv mouth
before 1t may utter any sentiment which shall
increase the agitation in the public mind OF
such subject. (Cncers.)
Sir, have sad that this is not an occasion
for political discussion. | confess that if tn,
tlIne and circumstances gave an opportunity,
should not be indlsposed to address the I. opl,
of Massachusetts directly upon the duty which
the present exigences of affairs has devovet
upon her-upon this great and glorious Com
monwealth Upon the duty, at least, which i;
d'volves upon Us, who represent her in the Ma
tional Legislature. | shall have occasion, N
my seat in the Senate, to which | shall imme.
diatey return, to give my opinions upon some
topics OF an interesting cnaracter-topcs, in
regard to some Of which there exists both mis-
statement and apprehension-the greatest
nls-statement-the greatest misrepresentation.
especially so far as am conceru'd. ! may
simply mention one of these. 1t is the question
respecting the delivery of ngitives from service.
with regard to that question there exist the
greatest prci u1ices-the greate-t mlsapprehen-
Slons do not wonder a ihcse misapprehen
sions am well aware that this is topic
winch must excite prejudices. | can very well
frel what The prendces are, which must natu-
rally start up in the minds of the good people o
this Commonwealth. But, Mr.. Curtis and gen.
tlemen, there are in regard to that topic duties
absolutely incumbent on the Communicable
doties imposed by the Observation-Disclosures
incumbent on every person who holds office in
Massachusetts under her own constitution and
laws, or under those of the nation. She is
hDnnI an /,
charge OF duty-ofa j sagreeabIe duty. We
call upon her to discharge that duty as an affair
of high morals and hugh principles. We ask
her to resolve upon the performance of duty.
thought it be dsagreeable duty. Any man
can perform an agreeable duv-It is not every
mn who can perform disagrecablc duty. ANY
man can do what is altogether pleasant The |
question is whether Observation-Disclosures
Inc old state of Observation-Disclosures bv |
two centuries of clvilization-renowed for her
intellectual character-mighy in her mora
,oe er-cOnspcuons before the world--a lead !
NJ ate in this country, ever since it was
untry- "A leading state in the Union, ever
nee it was Union the question is, whether
NJ ,ssachuselts will shrink from or will come
up to a fair and reasonable and moderate per-
land no more than a fair aad reason
be and moderate pcrformance) Of her sworn
obligations.
think she will. CHEERS
Sir the question Is, whether Massa chusetts
will stand 10 the truth, against temptation =
Whether she will he just, against temptation!
Whether she will defend herself against her
wn PREF udices She has conquered every.
hing else in her time: she has conquered This
cean which washes her shore; ahe has conquer
d her own sterile soil i; she has conquered her
tern an 'nfiexlble climate she has fought her
'ay to the universal respect ct II e world she
as comp ed everybody's prejndceS but her
wn. Inc question now is, wi ether size will
onquer her own prejudIces ! shall return TO
ne senate, to put that question TO her, in the
resen e of that common mother VINO snail deal
to her heart. Cheers.
In the meantime, let NE repeat that tread
o step backwards. Cheers. | am devoted {
, the restoration Of peace, harmony and con. ,
ord ont OF Congress and such a degree of mu. ,
ial cooperation in Congress as may enable it
} carry on once more the legitimate business of
he government. I
The Union for the preservation of which y
rive; is not merely union OF law, of Const,. p
itlon, of compact--bnt while it is that. il is '
Mon OF brothery regard, of fralerna feeling
The whole country. | do not wish 4