The republic. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1849-1853, 1851-05-29
HE r PUBL G..
MIR. webster. speech at Buffalo.
DuFFALo, May %. 1851


MIR. WEBsrER delivered his speech, which
he was invited to make, this afternoon, in the
Park. in the midst of rain storm which
drenched every person who was in attendance,
ladies' and all, of whom there were at least one
hundred on the platform. He spoke as fol-
lows:
FELLOW CITIZENS OF THE City BUFFALO: j
am very glad TO you'll meet you with pleasure.
II is not the first time, fellow citizens, that have
been in Buffalo; and have always come to it with
pleasure. IL is a great distance from my own
home. | thankful that circumstances have
enabled me to be here again, and regret that un.
toward events deprived Of the pleasure CT being
here when your distinguished fellow citizen, the
President Of the United States, came among you,
and received from you, as he deserved, not only a
respectful, but a cordial welcome The Presi-
dent Of the United States has been resident among
YOU for more than half his life. He has represented
YOU in your State and National councils. You
know him and all his relations, both public and
private; and it would be bad taste for me to say
any thing of him, except that wish 10 say, with
some degree of emphasis, that snce my connexion
with him in the administration of the Government
of the United States, have fully concurred with
him in all his great and leading measures. This
might be inferred from the fact that have been
one of his council. But do not wish to let it
on that presumption. wish to declare that the
principles of the President declared in his an
nual message, his letters, and all documents and
opinions which have proceeded from him, or been
issued by his authority, in regard to the great ques
ton of the times; that all these principles my
principles; and if he is wrong in them, am, Zap
plause,l and always will be. [Appause.l
Gentlemen, it has been suggested that it would
be pleasant and agreeable to the citizens Of Buffalo
and their neighbors in the county OF Erie that
should state to you my opinions, such as they are,
on the present condition of the country, its pros
pects its hopes. and its dangers; and, fellow citi-
zcns, hope to do that this day and this hour as far
my strength will permit.
Gentlemen believe me, know where am.
know to whom am speaking. know that am
here in this singuarly prosperous and powerful
part of the United States-Weasern New York
and know the character Of the men who consti-
tute Western New York. ! know that they are
sons of liberty, one and all; that they sucked in
liberty with their mothers milk; inherited il with
their blood that il is the subject of their daily
temptation and watchful thought. They are Of
singularly fortunate condition for a half million
of people. There are men around us, and here
before u.s. who till their soil with their
own hands; and others who earn their own
livelihood by their own labor, with no means be-
yond their own industry, and their own indepen-
dence, and their own Willingness to labor These
people of Western New York. But the school
houses, i know. are among them. Education is
among them. They read, and write, and think.
And here are the fair dedicated, rehned, and
intelligent; and here the men who know the
history Of their country, and the laws OF their
country, and the institutions Of their coun-
try and men, in my opinion, lovers OF liber-
fy, and they yet lovers of liberty, under
the Constitution of the country, and who mean to
maintain that Constitution with all their strength,
SO help them God. LGrsat applause l hope these
observations will satisfy you that ! know where
am, under what responsibility speak, and before
whom appear; and have no desire that any
word shalt say this day shall be withholden from
you or your children, your neghbors, or the
whole world. ! speak before you and before my
country, and it ia not too solemn to say SO before
God himself, the great author OF justice.
Gentlemen, there 10 but one question in this coun-
try now or, if there be others, the others are but
secondary or 30 subordinate that they all ABB
sorbed in that great and leading question; and
that is neither more nor less than this pre-
serve the Union of the States, not by coercion not
by military power. not by angry controversies; but
can of this generation, you and ], your friends
and my frieRds, can we 30 preserve the Union of
the United States by the ADMINISTRATION OF the pow
Of the Constitution, az shsH give content and
satisfaction TO all who live under IT, and draw US
together. not by military power, but by the silken
cords Of mutual, fraternal, patriotic affection
That il the question, and no other. Gentlemen,
believe in party distinctions. am party man.
There opinions belonging to one party which
support and there opinions entertained by other
parties which repudiate; but what OF that! II a
house be divided against itself it will fall and crush
everybody IN t. We must see that we maintain the
Government over We must see that we uphold
the Constitution; and we mnst do without re-
gard 10 party. Now. how did this question arise!
The question is forever misstated. ] dare say,
uyou know much Of me, or of my course of public
conduct for the last fourteen months, you have
heard of my attending Union meetings. and OF my
fervent demonstrations at Union meetings. Well,
what was the object of that What was the Pur.
pose Of that The object and purpose were de.
signedIy or tboughtlessly misrepresented. had
an invitation to 60 to Union meeting in the coun :
ty of Westchester; could not 60, but wrote let
ter. But some wise man Of the East said he did
not think il was very necessary to bold Union meet
ings there. He did not think there were many dis
unionists about Tarrytown. And 90 here, and in
every part Of New York, there is total msappre-
hension Of the purpose and object Of these Union
meetings. Every one knows there ia not a coun-
~, or city. or hamlet, in the State of New
York, that il ready to go out OF the Union. There
10 no man so insane in the whole State, outside a
iunatic asylum, as to wish it. But this is not it.
We all know that every man and every neighbor-
hood, and all corporations, in the State of New
York, are attached to the Union, and have no idea
OF Withdrawing from it. But that il not the point
that is not the point.
The question, fellow citzens-and put il TO you
now as the real questionable question is, whether
you and the est of the people of the great State OF
New York, and Of all the States, will 30 admins
Ter to the Consttution--will enact and main
not only remain in the Union yourselves, but per-
init your brethren to remain in it and carry it on
That is the question. Will you concur IN mea-
sures necessary to maintain the Union, or will you
oppose such measures! That is the whole point OF
the case You have thirty or forty members OF
Congress from New York--you have your proper
ton in the United States Senate. We have many
members of Congress from New England. Viii
they maintain the laws that passed for the adj
sninistration of the Constitution, and respect tn.
rights of the South, so that tho Union may be held
together; and not only that we may not go out of il
ourselves, which not inclined to do, but that
by Ascertainpg and maintaining the rights O
others, they may also remain In the Union. Now
gentlemen, permit me to say that speak of con
cessions. If the South wish any concession from
me they WON'T get il; not a hairs breadth oft. Il
they come TO my house for it, they will not find il
II they do concede nothing. But say that
will maintain for them, as will maintain for You
to the utmost OF my power, and in the face OF ali
DANGER their rights under the Constitution, and
your rights under the Constitution [Cries 81
"Goed' good, &c And God forsake me and my
children II ever be found to falter in one or the
her Trn Vus .t..... 49,