The Daily spy. [volume] (Worcester [Mass.]) 1845-1850, 1850-05-01
SPEECH OF MIR. WEBSTER.

proceeded to say that it was with great pleasure that
he met so large an assemblage of his friends at a
time when his private affairs had called him from the
seat OF government to his own home. As YOU have
sald slr,-said he-the duties of the winter in the
public councils of the country have been arduous.-
am sorry to say that those arduous 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 adjustment to remove all the
anxiety which has been felt about the adjustment of
the subjects under discussion. But feel authorized
to say that there is reason to hope,-reason TO
expect-that further reflection that generous COM
parlson of various wishes where we disagree, will
bring about that improved state of public feeling;-
IN the reproduction of which all our expectations of
useful discharge of public duty, all our expectations
of useful legislation, must depend
cannot but feel sir that stand in the presence
OF my friends. must regard this gathering as the
personal tribute Of your welcome to me. You do
not welcome the politician, and this is not an op2or-
tunlty for discussing those questions which now ag-
tate the community and the ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS
which can leave little repose in the mind of any in
tegent man, till he can see some probability that
from their discussion an adjustment may come, in
favor OF the prosperity, peace, happiness and con-
tnued union of the country. [Cheers.
Gentlemen, have felt it my duty, on late occa-
sion, to make effort to bring about some ameliora-
ton OF that excited feeling this subject which per-
vades the people of the country eyerywhere-north
and south to make an effort also to restore the
government to its proper capacity for dischargng the
proper business ofthe country. TCheers For now
let me say, 1t is unable to discharge that business.
That 1t may regain that capacity, there is neces-
sty Tor effort both IN Congress and out of Congress-
Neither you nor shall see the legislation ofthe eoun
try proceed in the old harmonious way until the dis
cusslons in Congress aad out of Congress upon the
subject to which you have alluded shall be in some
way suppressed Take that truth home with YOU
and take it as truth Until something can be done
to alay the feeling separating men and different
sections, there be useful and satisfactory egis
latlon IN the two Houses of Congress.
Mr.. Curtis, and gentlemen; the Commonwealth of
Massachusetts has done the honor to place me as
her Representatives, one of her representatives
Congress. have believed that she would approve
IN me, any honest, cautious, and sincere effort to al
lay the ascension which we among the people of
the country, and to restore Congress to its constu-
tIonal capacity for action | have believed that the
Commonwealth of Massachusetts would support her
representatives In that course have believed that
general sentiment ofthe whole country would favor
and encourage their efforts in it, and have the sat
stactlon now to believe, that, in that belief, shall
otbe disappointed. [Cheers.l However that may
be, that effort shall repeat. [Renewed cheering.
In that course of pacilicatlon shall persevere, re-
gardiess ofalpesonal consequences. [Three cheers
shall minister to no local prejudices. shall sup
port no agtations having their foundations in unreal
ghostly distractions. Laughter and cheers /
shall say nothing which may foster the unkind pas
slons, separating the North from the South May
my tongue ceave to the roof of my mouth before it
| may utter any sentiment which shall increase the
| agitation In the public mind on such a subject
[Cheers]
SIR, have sand that this is not an occasion for no.
Itcal discussion. | confess that if the time and cir
cumstances gave an opportunity, should not be in
disposed to address the people of Massachusetts d.
rectly upon the duty which the present exigency Of
affairs has devoved upon her-this great and giorj
Gus commonwealth Upon the duty at least, which
ltdeyolves upon us who represent her in the Nation
| al Legislature. This will not be such an opportu
NIFTY. shall have an occasion, in my seat in the
Senate to which shall Immediately return, to give
my opinions upon some topics of an interesting char
acter-topcs, In regard to some of which, there ex-
lists both mls-statement and misapprehension; the
greatest mis-statement; the greatest misapprehen-
sion, especially so far as | am concerned. | NAV
simply mention OF these 1t is the question respect
ing the delivery of fugltives from service With re-
gard to that question, there exist the greatest preu
dIces; the greatest misapprehensons. | do not won
| DER at these mlsapprehensions. i am well aware
that this is a topic which must excite prejudice.
can very well feel what the prejudces are, which it
must very naturally bring up in the minds of the good
| people of this commonwealth. But, Mr.. Curtis and
SehteneH, Luere are In regard TO that topic, duties
! absolutely incumbent on the commonwealth: duties
imposed by the Constitution; absolutely incumbent
on every person who holds Office in Massachusetts
under her constitution and laws or under those
OF the nation. She is bound and those persons are
bound to the discharge of duty; of disagreeabIe
duty. We call upon her to discharge that duty as
an affair of high morals and high principles We
show to her-and we mean her, and ask her to re-
solve upon the performance OF duty, though it be
dlsagreeable duty. Any man can perform an agree
able duty; 1t Is not every man who can perform
dlsagreeable duty. Any man can do what is alto
| gether pleasant The question now is whether Mas
sachusetts whether the old State of Massachusetts
| improved by two centuries of civilization.
nowned for her intellectual character, -mighty in
| her moral power,- conspcuous before the world
! a leading State in this country, ever since il was
country leading State in the Union, ever since
| It was Unlon;-the question is, whether Massa
chusetts will shrink from or will come up to n fair
and reasonable and moderate performance (and no
more than fair and reasonable and moderate nor
| formance) of her sworn obligations
| think she will. (Cheers.)
Sir the question is, whether Massachusetts will
stand to the truth, against temptation Whether
she will be just, against temptation Whether she
| will defend herself against her own preiudces She
has conquered every thing else in her time: she has
conquered this ocean which washes her shore she has
conquered her own sterile soil she has conquered
her stern and nhexible climate; she has fought her