Washington telegraph., 1851-07-30
seeOnd Speech of NJ: webster at Capon
Springs.

Springs.
Mr.. J. N. Bruce. of WINCHESTER, being
loudy called for. expressed himself de-
.,0hred to hear the sentiments expressed
nv Mr.. Webster. aud declared that, al
though he had differed from that geutle-
man long, and on neaEly every question
of public policy, he extended to him,
most sincerely, his need of appreciation
After some remarks upon the value of
,bs Union. &c., Mr.. B. concluded with
the following sentiment:
"rhe Fugitive Slave Law-Upon its
faithful execution depends the perpetuity
Of the Union [Applause.l
Mr. Webster said:
am glad to hear these sentiments of
devotion to the Union expressed by Mr..
Bruce, who, as / understand. has differed
from me upon many subjects, as many
o,her respectable and worthy men have
Zone. But, whatever may have been the
differences of opinion which have existed
between us heretofore. on other subjects,
,bev are now forgolten. and the only
question that is now asked of any man
is, are you Union man? Great cheer
;ng.l The question at this time is the
IJnion and how to preserve it's blessings
70. the present, and for all time to- come.
To preserve that Union we must observe
r., oooi faith the Constitution and all its
oarts. If that Constitution be not OBJ
serysd aud lis provisions set aside, the
whole of it ceases 10 be binding It
would lie absurd to suppose that either
,he Moth or the South has the power or
the right 70 violate any par of that Con-
stituion, and then claim from the other
observance of ats provisions. Applause.
# the South were to violate any part Of
the Constitution, would the North be
any longer bound by it! and if the North
were deliberately TO- violate any part Of
it, would the South be bound any longer
10 observe its obligations? How absurd
it would he to suppose. when different
parties enter into a compact for certain
purposes. that either can disregard any
one provision, and expect the other to
observe it. I intend to observe, and
maintain. and carry out, to its fullest ex
tent, The Constitution of the United
States, which have sworn to. support
[Cheers'l 1t is written in the Constisu-
lion that persons bound to labor or SER
wee in one State, escaping into another
shall not be discharged from such labor
or service because of the laws of the
State into which they may escape
That is as much part of the Constitu-
ton as any other, and as equally binding
and obligatory as any other Applause.
Aud who denies this! No one but the
abolionlsts of the North. And prav,
what is it they will not deny? Great ap-
plause. They have but the one idea;
and it would seem that these fanatics at
the North, aud the secessiorists Of the
South, are putting their heads together
10 try and devise some means TO defeat
the good designs of honest and pariotic
men. Applause
After some other remarks Mr. W.,
proceeded; I do not hesitate to say, and
repeat. that if the northern States refuse,
wiIiully aud deliberately. 1q carry into
effect that. or anv other part of the Con-
the South would no longer
be bound by the compact. Immense
Applause A bargain broken OH one
side is broken On all sides. say to you,
gentlemen in Virginia. as / said on the
borders OF Lake Erie and in the city of
Boston. and as | will say again in the
city OF Boston, if | am spared to- have
an opportunity. [applanse. that you Of the
South have as much right to recover your
fugitive slaves as the North has to any
OF its rights aud privileges of navigation
and commerce. desire to be understood
here among you. and throughout the
that in hope, thought and feel
ing, am altogether an American, and
altogether nothing but an American
Repeated cheering ain for the Con-
stitutiou, and the whole Constitution |
am as ready to fight aud to fall for the
Constitutional rights OF Virginia as am
Tor those of Massachusetts. [ pour out
10 You, gentlemen. my whole heart, and
! assure you. these are my feelings
Cheers. | would no more see feather
plucked from the honor of Virginia. than
! would see one plucked from the honor
Of Massachusetts. Great applause. i
|. has been said that 1 have, by the
course | have thought proper to pursue.
aispleased a portion of the people Of
Massachusetts. Well: suppose | did
Suppose dlspieased all the people of
ltat Slate-what of that? [Great ap-
pause aud cheering was in the Sen
ate of the United States. aud had sworn
Iosupporrtt the CONSTITUTION Of the United
States. fhat Constitution made me a
Senator Of the United Ssates-my vote
poaahd that whole country. Applause
What had to Go with the instructions
Erom Massachusetts upon question af-
teciug the whole nation!
My vote bound the interests of the
Whole country. and on matters of general
pOlcy, anc ahectIuS the Interests OF the
Ouiou. l assure you, gentlemen, l cared