The southern press. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1850-1852, 1851-03-28
Dinner to MI. Webster.

Dinner to MI. Webster.
GREAT UNION CELEBRATION AT ANNAPOLIS.
ANNAPOLIS, Nd, March %, 1851
The Hon. Daniel Webster having accepted
the invitation extended to him by large portion
of the members of the Maryland State Constitu.
tional Convention, now in session at Annapolis
left Washington on Monday evening, and ar
rived here the same evening. He was accom-
panied by his lady, and took lodgings at Mrs
Green's, opposite the State House. This morn
ing he visited the various public buildings il
this city, and during the day attended the con
vention, and was an attentive listener to the de-
bates.
At six o'clock the members of the conven.
ton, with numerous guests, sat down to dinner
at Walton's City Hotel.
Ex-Governor Samuel Sprigg presided, as
sisted by Ex-Governor Grason and Hon. b. G..
Howard as Vice-Presidents. On the Presidents
right were Mr.. Webster and Hon. Daniel Jeni-
fer; on the left sat Gov. Lowe of MARYLAND. and
Hon. Edw. Curtis of New York.
The cloth being removed, the President an
nounced the follow sentiments
]. The President of The United States.-
[Cheers and applause
2. The Governor Of Maryland.
His Exceency Governor Lowe briefly re-
sponded: After returning thanks for the honor
Of the sentiment, he adverted to the distin.
guished guest, and said that he felt this no or
binary occasion. He stood in the presence OF
the great embodiment Of Northern patriotism
lApplause.l In the presence of one who hac
stood by the Union. AS the executive of Mary
land, he declared that Maryland is Union State
and will be one forever. He had heard of :
higher law. He admired, revered and gloriet
in that higher law of patriotism, by which mer
rose above party ties, and stood together for the
Union. 1t was this higher law that made Web
ster shake hands with Cass in the cause of the
Union. [Great applause. After some very
eloquent remarks he closed with the sentiment
OF the higher law Of patriotism which makes pa
triots forget in the cause Of the Union, all party
ties and affinities.
The President called attention to the next
toast, and expected members TO drink it with
hearty goodwill:
8. Daniel Webster-Maryland demonstrates
her attachment to the Union by honorng its
ablest defender. Great and enthusiastic cheer
ing.]
Mr. Webster then rose and so soon as the
applause had subs died. addressed the company
as follows:
Dir. President and Gentlemen: beg leave to
assure you that esteem most highly this testi-
mony Of respect. | find myself in the political
capital OF the loyal, Union State of Maryland
4 find myself at table at which many of the
most distinguished men of the State, of all par
ties and descriptions of politics, are assembled
and it is on that account that regard this as n
particular and striking memorial of respect and
honor to myself But, gentlemen, ] am nothing
1t is the cause that is everything. You are
pleased to honor me only because | support, so
far as my ability will allow, the cause which is
30 dear to us also dear to all good men in the
country. 1t is the cause Of Union it is the
cause Of the preservation of the States it is
the cause of maintaining all those political asso-
Citations and principles which have made the
United States what they are.
1t is not for me to argue the value of the
Union in this company. | came here rather to
be refreshed and edited by what have heard o.
the proceedings of this convention already Its
resolutions of the 10th of December are to me
an expression so powerful, so authentic, and SC
conclusive upon the judgment of Maryland
that read them at first, and read them since
and read them now, with undiminished delight
Why, gentlemen, / should no more think OF
arguing the question of the importance of the
Ubion in this assembly than should think OF
going back to argue the propriety of the Decla-
ration of Independence, or to argue the expe.
dency aud the glory of having adopted the
Constitution under which we live, or of arguing
the general utility and honor and renown OF
Washingtons administration. Who doubts ali
these things here? am sure not me. came
then, gentlemen, as a learner not as n teacher
] came to partake of the sentiments that I'll nj
your hearts. Icamc to be edited and instructed
by those noble and patriotic expositons which
have been made in this Convention, formed, n,
have said, of distinguished men Of all parties
coming together with a unanimous sentiment
and affirming their opinions in favor of the
Union and whatsoever tends to strengthen thai
Union, by unanimity which cannot fail to be
regarded. Allow me to say gentlemen, that
your resolutions of the 10th Of December will
reach to the extreme North the extreme South
and the extreme West, and every body will say
that amidst all the vagaries which may prevail
elsewhere, the respectable and eminent and dis
tngulshed State--the central State Of Mary
ltnd-is Union TO the back bone. and Thorough.
ly.-[Applause.l
There are associations, there are reco|Iections
which naturally influence the mind of man. /
have passed around to-day among scenes which
were visited in old times by Washington /
have been II. the room where he performed tho,
browning act o. his military life, the resignation
Of his commission remember that he said on
that occasion, Having performed the work as
signed me, now ask the Indulgence of my
country to retire from public service" General
Washington, with all his sagacity, did not com.
prehend his own destiny. lie did not see The
long track of influences which was to follow
his revolutionary character. Nay, nor when
many years afterwards, he retired from the civil
administration of the country, did he then cease
TO exercise an influence in the public concerns