Weekly national intelligencer., 1851-07-05

wide hail. it would be most admirable STILL 3d. either were
here, your country would be beautiful and fascinating, and
you gentlemen know how fascinating II must be when both
happily combined. [Great applause.
But must my attention to the toast which mas
been read by my rienda friend of long sanding-at the
head Of the table. must attribute h terms to the paray
Of friendship, and am that they somewhat exava-
gan discam having done any thing in support and de-
fence and In the maintenance of the Constitution, except
what have done in cooperation with other ADLER men with
men Of high character and true devotion their country and
its political institutions Applause was bred, gentle
men-indeed might almost say was bom-in admiration
of our political institutions. have studied long, and IN
fact have studied little else of political nature All the
public Of my life have been performed in the service Oh
the General Government have held any ofce un-
der any State Government and, with the exception OF lew
days only, have been member Of State Lessla-
am, asyou may know aawyer and from necessity
Iaborious one know how the bread Of dsness tastes
fyr have never had bit Of it in my mouth reat aP
pause This perhaps Of self commsndation but
hope il may be pardoned If in the discharge Of my public
duties and in the performance Of my public ssrvces my P
vate interests have suffered and been neglected. am amply
by the hope that If leave broad estate no
rich accumuaons shall leave at least an inheritance not
entirely dsrepuable to those who shall come after me- EN-
thusiasic applause
profess gentlemen to have acted throughout my life
upon those principles which governed your ancestors and my
New England ancestors in the time that uied mems
souls that say in the revolutionary struggle and IN that
other important period which witnessed the establish
mont Of General Government All know that in shs last
high and important proceeding Virginia took eminent
lead She that the disgrace Of the country, the debt Of
the Revolution remained unpaid and that gallant officers and
brave soldiers, who had brought wounds and scars and
broken limbs from the bate6eds liberty, were reduced to
poverty and want and Of them almost literally begging
their bread The great and good Of other States felt
the evil and their hearts wung by similar anguish
An English poet has said that there time when for
an Englishman it was fame enough
ssThat CHATHAM's language his native tongue,
F." And WoLFE's great name c0mpatriot with ms own.
Now gentlemen, it is fame enough for me, if it may be
thought that in my political conduct have maintained de-
fnded and acted upon the principles Of Virginia and Massa
chusetts, these principles proclaimed and sustained
in the great epochs in the history countyhe Re-
vouon and the adoption of the present constitutional Gov
ernment II have worked steadily to this end,
that whether much has been done little has been done
has been directed towards good purpose Loud applause
All that say to-day, and all that may say similar
casons wish be in the spirit Of Washington and Mad
son. Wyhe and Pendeon and the prescribed patriots Of
Massachusetts,, Hancock and Samuel Adams. Applause
If these and other great founders Of liberty and fathers
Of Constitution erred then have erred then have been
the most ncorrgble Of political sinners Laughter But
they right then venture to hope that am right
also; and neither pincpaies powers things present
things come shall eradicate that hope from my breast
Loud and enthusiastic cheerng.l
The leading sentiment 10 the toast from the chair is the
Union of the States. The UNIoH OF THE STATEs What
mind comprehend the consequences Of that Unon past
present. and come The Union of these States the all
absorbing topic Of the day all write, speak, think
and date from the rising of the sun to the going down there
Of [Applause And yet, gentlemen, fear its importance
has been but insufcienty appreciated. Like all common
blessings however great has been Of late years too little the
subject of reflection The unthnkng and careless hardly
take heed of that atmosphere which supports their lives from
day to day and from hour to hour As the rises in the
morning, follows its track through the heavens and goes down
at night notice its course, enjoy its light and heat and
when it sink beneath the western horizon, have
doubt, do not think of the possibility that it may not
appear for another day. We in fear Of perpetual
darkness, the return of chaos So II with political
system under United Government and National Constitution
To these most Of were born have lived under their
daily blessings If those blessings not only matters Of
course, but mpeshable also But alas gentlemen, human
structures however strong do not stand upon the everlasting
laws Of nature. They may crumbe they may fall, and
publican institutions Of government will assuredy
later crumbe and f if there shall continue to be among
the people intelligent regard for such institutions great
appreciation Of their benefits and spirited purpose to uphold
and maintain them. And when they shall crumble and fall
the political catastrophe will resemble that which would hap
pen in the natural world were the to be struck Of
heaven. If this Union be broken up by nul6ca
ton, sepaaton secession, whatsoever event Of equally
repusve and character, chaos would again, and
where all light and joy and sadnes there would be
spread darkness like that Of Erebus. Yet gentle
men, have little patience with those who talk fppanty of
secession and disunion they do not appear to to under
stand Of what they speak, to have the least idea Of its
sequences they have any meaning, do not comprehend
that meaning Suppose this Union dissolved to- day,
where would be tomorrow think state Of things
would arise in which should feel disposed take shelter in
the Of the mountains seek other place Of OBJ
scuty in which should not witness the degradation and
ruin Of the country Every such anticipation presents
gloomy and horrible picture; it s vast serbonan bog
happy in it. unless he thought be about
getting out How could be happy in it, hopeessly up
to his middle in mud Great laughter Those who love
the Union ardenty and who defend gaanty are
happy cheerful with bright and hopes for the future
and full Of manly rmness and resolution But secession and
disunion region of gloom and morass and swamp no
cheerful breezes fan it. spirit Of health visits it; all
malaria 1t all fever and ague. Laughter and great ap
plause Nothing beautiful useful grows in it the travel
Ter through breahes masma, and eads among every thing
unwholesome and oathsome II is like the region Of your
great Dismal Swamp il Is all