The Hillsborough recorder. [volume] (Hillsborough, N.C.) 1820-1879, 1850-07-31
Speech Of MIR. Webster,

amendment OF the senator from NILSSON.
lri, (Mr. Benton.l
Ma. wrpsrrR. Mr.. President, il
was my purpose, on Tuesday Of last
week, to have followed the honorable
member from South Carolina. [Mr.
Butler.) who was addressing the Sc
nate on the morning Of that day, with
what l then had and now have to say
on the subject Of this bill. But before
the honorable member had concluded
his own remarks. il was announced
here that the late Chief Magistrate Of
the United States was so dangerously
i'll that the Senate moved to adjourn.
The Senate adjourned, and the solemn
event Of the decease Of the late Chief
Magistrate was announced the next
morning.
Sir, there are various reflections
which cannot but present themselves to
the minds Of men growing out of that
occurrence. The Chief Magistrate Of
a great republic died suddenly. Re-
Gently elected to the Office by the spon-
taneous voice Of the people. possessing
in high degree their confidence and
regard, ere yet he had a fair opportuni-
ty to develop the principles Of his civil
administration, he fell by the stroke Of
death. And yet, sir, mixed with the
sad thoughts that this event sugguested,
and the melancholy feelings which
spread over the whole country, the real
lovers and admirers of our constitution
and Government, in the midst Of their
grief and affection for this loss, found
something gratifying to their reilec-
tions. The executive head Of great
nation had fallen suddenly. No dis
turbance arose; no shock was felt in a
great and free republic. Credit. pub
lie and private, was in no way disturb
ed. Danger to the community or to in
dividuals was nowhere felt. The Ma
tional Legislature was not prorogued !;
nor was there any further delay in the
exercise Of the ordinary functions of
every branch of the Government than
such as was necessary for the indul-
gence-the proper indulgence-of the
grief which afflicted Government and
People.
Sir, for his country General Taylor
did not live long enough. But there
were circumstances attending his death
that were so fortunate, that, for his
own fame and character, and for the
qualification Of all to whom he was most
dear, he may be said to have died for
tunately.
!. That life is good which answers life's great
| end
Bred soldier, accomplished in his
profession, he had achieved all that was
to be expected from him in that charac-
ter. Placed at the head Of the Govern
ment, as l have said, by the free voice
of the people, he died in the midst of
domestic affection and domestic peace.
He died in the full possession of the
gratitude of his country. He died in
the consciousness Of duty performed.
He died in the midst Of the counsels Of
his country. His country, through us,
its organs, have bestowed on him those
marks of affection, grand and imposing.
such as the republic pours on the most
distinguished of her sons. He has run
the race destined for him by Providence.
He sleeps with the blessings of his coun-
trymen.,
|" Such honors Illium TO her hero paid,
And peaceful slept the mighty Hector's shaded"
Mr.. President, | proceed to say now,
on the subject Of this bill, what it was
my purpose to have said on last Tues
day. And | begin by remarking that
the longer we stay in the midst of this
agitation-the longer final disposition
is put off or postponed-the greater is
the intensity of that anxiety which pos
sesses my breast. / wish, sir, to har-
monize opinions as far as | can. wish
to consummate some proposition or 9TH
er that will bring opinions together and
give the country repose.
1t is not my purpose to-day to COM
pare or contrast measures which have
been proposed. A measure was sug-
gested by President Polk, in his mes
sage of I848. 1t was substantially re-
peated in the message Of the late Pre-
sident in 1849. And then there is be-
fore us this proposition Of the commit
tee Of thirteen. l do not regard these
as opposite, opposing, or Ito use the
language Of the day as antagonistical
propositions at all. To "a certain ex-
tent, they all agree. Beyond what was
proposed, either by Mr.. Polk or the
late resident Of the United States,
this report Of the committee and the
bill now before us proposes to go step
further. These suggestions, and espe-
cially that Of the late President Of the
United States, were to admit Callfor-
MIA, and for the present stop there.
The bill before the Senate proposes
to admit California. and also to make
proper provisions provision proper
or not, as the Senate may judge-for
THE Territories Of New Mexico and