The North-Carolina standard., 1850-06-29
MR.. WEBsTER,s poslT1oN,


Webster's speech on Monday was received will
loud demonstrations Of applause from the galleries
and that it produced fine feeling in connec
tion with the triumphant success (3s to l2) of Mr.
Soule's important amendment, amounting to solemn
compact between the North and South, of which Mr.
Benien said:
l believe that much will be done to harmonise
public feeling if we can have distinct expression
by strong vote, of the Senate of the United States
in afrmance of the proposition contained in the re-
port OF the committee that in all future acquisitions
OF territory Congress is to abstain from legslatne
on the subject of slavery while they retain the terri
torlal form OF government leaving to the people OF
territories the right to decide that question for
themselves after they become State. say that, in
my judgment, the affirmance of that proposition by
strong vote, in the Senate of the United States,
will do more to quiet the public mind thap any pro-
vision which is contained in the bill.'' {
Having proceeded to justify his own consistency,
Mr.. Webster concluded as follows:
Mr.. President, when see gentlemen from nv
own part OF the country. no doubt from motives of
highest character, and for conscientious pur-
Poses not concurrng in any of these great questions
with myself, am aware that l am taking on myself
an uncommon degree of responsibility. The fact
that gentlemen with whom l have been accustomed
to act in the Senate took different view of their own
duties In the same case naturally led reconsid-
er my own course, to re-examine my own opinions,
to re.judge my own judgment. And now, sir, that
have gone through this process, without prejudice,
as hope-and certainly have done so under the
greatest feelingof regret, at being called upon by
sense OF duty to take course which may dissatisfy
some to whom should always be desirous of rem
derlng my public and every event and action
of my public life acceptable-yet cannot part from
my own settled opinions. 1 leave consequences to
cy that this country is placed in. shall endeavor
to preserve proper regard to my own consistency.
And here let me say, that neither here nor elsewhere
has any thing been advanced to show that on this
subject have said or done any thing inconsistent, in
the slightest degree with any speech, sentiment
letter. or declaration that delivered in my life;
and all would be convinced of this, if men would
stop to consider, and look real differences and dis
tinctions. But where all is general denunciation,
where all is clamor where all is idle and empty dec
lamaton where there is no search after exact truth,
no honest disposition to inquire whether opinion
IS different from the other, why, every body, in that
way of proceeding, may be proclaimed to be incon-
sistent
Now. sir, do not take the trouble to answer things
OF this sort that appear in the public PRESS know
y disposition would not publish my explanations or
distinctions, if I were to make them. But, sir if
any gentlemen here has any thing to say on this sub
throw out no challenge-yet if any
gentleman here chooses to undertake the task-and
many there possibly are, who think it an easy task
to show in what respect any thing that said in de-
bate here on the 7h of March, or any thing contain
ed in my letter to the gentlemen of Newburyport or
any where else, is inconsistent with any recorded
opinion Of mine, since the subject of the annexation
OF Texas began in 1887 will certainly answer him
with great respect and courtesy, and shall be content
to stand or fall by the judgment Of the country.
Sir, my object is peace. My object is reconcilia-
ton. My purpose is, not TO make up case for the
Worth, or to make up case for the South. NV OBJ
ject is not to continue useless and irritating contro.
L OIt Norfh md 7
am against local ideas, North and South and against
all narrow and local contests. am an American,
and know no locality in America that is not my coun-
try. My heart, my sentiments, my judgment. de-
promote the good, and the harmony, and the Union
Of the whole country. This shall do, God willing,
Of the end of the chapter"
In letter written to some citizens of Massachu-
setts, bearing date the 18th instant, Mr.. Webster
furthermore says:
"Gentlemen, one of the exciting questions of the
present moment respects the necessity of excluding
slavery, by law, from the Territories lately acquired
rom Mexico. If believed in any such necessity,
10 otherwise, consistently with opinions very many
lines expressed, and which opinions have no in !
:linaton to change, and shall not change. But do
not believe in any such necessity"
In another letter, written the 18th Of June, in re-
ply to an invitation to be present at the celebration
If the 18th anniversary Of the battle of Bunker Hill,
,e says:
In addition to the great interest which the occa-
sion itself must naturally excite, confess should
'e glad to have opportunity of saying words
o so great an assembly Of Massachusetts men as
vii ~ Undoubtedly meet together on that day at the
'ut they would express what think to be the duty
IT every Massachusetts man, and every true Amer- !
'an' in the present crisis of the country; and they
would proceed from heart, full of anxiety for the
nture, not the far distant future, but for the mme-
If all Perils and careless of personal consequences
o make every effort in my power to uphold the Con-
'TrUTIoN, as it is, and the UNloN it is; to defend
hem against all assault, open covert and TO exert
svery faculty possess to persuade all honest and
patriotic men, North and South, to stand between the
assaults of extreme factions and the constitution of
heir country, and stay the plague"
Mr.. Webster sent the following sentiment, to be |
ead on the occasion:
Bunker Hill Monument May it crumble to the |
lust before it shall look down upon country dis
,onored, disgaced, and ruined, by the breaking up
~ sacrilegious hands, of that UNION which has Sc
cured its liberty, fostered its prosperity, and spread
is glory and renown throughout the world.
New YoRK, June "a.
The steamship Crescent City arrived here this !
morning about o'clock. bringing fifteen days later
Intelligence from California.
The Crescent City, in her voyage hence to Cha
yres, arrived there in eight half days. and left Cha
,res on the llth inst. thus making the voyage home
ward in about ten days.
She brings $3.50 900 in gold dust, and one hundred
Ind ffty-six passengers.
The steamer Isthmus arrived at Panama on the
18th. She brought the mail, 100000 in gold dust,
Ind one hundred and thirty passengers.
The steamer Panama was repairing at Panama.
At the sailing of the Crescent City the Chagres