Weekly national intelligencer., 1851-11-29

full energies in reply to the great Csronan done with
vgor and effect inferior hose displayed in the former
debate OF the power Of this effort, and i potent effect on
the public Judgment and public ens the history Of that day
has well The people Of the United States
claimed their estimate Of his exeFons by hang him the
Defender of the Constitution.
But these Senatorial services however important form bat
one Of the titles Of Mr. Webster to the public confidence and
gratitude. No have forgotten the extraordinary
ability with which, l841 and l842 he filled the chief place
in the Executive Government Secretary Of State. We
were al that time involved in controversy with England,
relative boundary, which dated from 1883, and which with
every year scented difficult Of adjustment. II had
bsfed the skill of the abest Secretaries Of Sate, and the
strength Of the popular Presden In addition to the
endorsements arising from this question: the sar Of the
" Caroline and the arrest OF Mcleod, and the detention o
American vessels the coast Of Acs, and between shores
and the Bahama Islands, all accumulated IN s42 upon
The hands of the Department Of State. So imminent the
danger Of just before the accession Of Gen. Harrison in
March, 1S4l that the American Minister 10 London had
deemed his duty make communication to the Command
er Of the United States squadron in the Mediterranean that
he might govern himself accordingly British troops had
been poured into the Cinadas New Brunswick. and Nova
Scotia the number of seventeen regiments Mr. Webster
filled the Office of Secretary of State but little than
years. and all this time under circumstances Of peculiar
banassmsnt In that short time, however, the boundary
question was settled hoBorby and advanageousy for both
parties the affairs Of the Caroline and Mcleod satisfactorily
disposed aud arrangement entered nso for suppreng
the sde without endangerng the Independence our
fsg which has put stop all complaints the cost Of
Africa and has been adopted model for treaties On the
same subject by the leading Powers Of Europe.
The Oregon question still in reserve and was rpldy
becoming urgent Mr.. Webster had retired from ts De
pament before it could be adjusted Thecounty and Con-
gess had become impatient The President had decaed our
title to the whole territory TO be clear and unquesnmed
and strong disposition manested IN Ccngs term
the convention Of joint occupation sP which could
hardly nave Jailed TO produce appeal the night Of the
strongest 1t was moment when war was by many per-
Ts vsnfOf
ary and naval defences Of the country were moved in the
Senate by leading friend Of the Administration. At this
critical period Mr.. Webster addressed letter gentleman
Mr. McGrego) not belonging to the British ministry, but
possessing their confidence in which tie real merits Of the
controversy treated with equal lenyth and csndor
While the of the English Envoy pointed out in
ecne the offer of the 49th degree 1consequence Of which
that offer was Withdrawn by our Gornment was firmly
stated that American Administration would agree to
boundary favorable to England than that parallel OF
latitude. The influence Of this statement from Mr. Web
ser though not in Office decisive, and the two Govern
ents agreed that boundary Such is the account gven
and truly given Of this aa by the gentleman referred to,
a member of Parliament for Glasgow.
Ia this way, -czens within the space Of four years.
the country twice saved with honor and credit from the
evils of war, by the talent prudence, and influence Of Mr.
Webster
But the eminent services connected with the foeign
relations Of sink nsgnfcance, comParewh
Mr. Websters recent agency in avertng CONFUSION
at home We allude, of colrse to his memorable speech of
stay the progress Of dangerous opinions TO expose the ev
table tendency Of the spirit Of disunon; to rouse natial
feeling and PROSTATE the hopes of those who, acting pm
opposite principles in different parts Of the country harmonfd
only in the endeavor to destroy the Constitution
Few persons, not at Washington at the time, are awa9 OF
the height which sectional excitement and animositeshad
risen. To those who welniormed to the real Fate
of things it is known that condition Of affairs OF the nos
formidable nature existed The disruption Of the Union as
which stared in the face Had that sessRn
passed with nothing done calculated to aay the Disco
tent Of the Southern Sates and to check The progress OF
treme opinions in other parts of the country It may
doubted whether another Of Congress could have
held.
In word, moment of imminent peril had arrived, and
needed for the crisis. It was necessary that
should be Of the highest standing and character Of
commanding eoquence and influence fearless at ONE
and prudent and ready risk favor and fame in the dschage
of conscientious duty the country Such was ohd
in Mr.. Webster and, cordially acknowledge the mf
and services Of many other distinguished individuals we PIX
with confidence whether another could have been fohd
uniting the qualities in the degree, and so circ
stanced perform with equal the arduous duty
quired by the critical condition Of the country Does
one now see any one now point out another mem
Of Congress fitted by local poson by character talent I'D
political association to discharge the duty which peo
ed by Mr.. Webster the 7th Of March, ls5Oi 4
His speech Of that day is to be regarded not more par
lamenary effort than event IN the history N Tie
try Every where the South welcomed ~ih enAu
siasm and gratitude and produced instantaneous I'D pw
erful effect on public sentiments Rejecting menNT the
Nortb who had been not only doubul but feaulB
in regard to the preservation Of the Unon found it the
exposition Of those principles which this greatest bless
ings might be hoped for It cannot be denied hs resent
cd views repugnant to the peconceved opinions large
number of weldsposed and patriotic citizens the north
but it is believed that lime and the opportunity Of furler
lection have convinced many Of them th the Doctrines
of the speech those of the constitution andhe laws Ind
that if these departed from the septaonof the Sate
inevitable.
The influence Of this speech throughout the country
manifest. Letters and addresses by hundreds
and thousands Of persons of the highest spectaby poured
upon Mr. Webster from every pledgng the support
Of their sgnes and cheering him onwa in his
impossible that be should not havbeen Of he
hazards he about rum that the uy he had UNDER
taken pasme But he has been by sustained, and
often from Quarters the most unexpech Meantime bis
strength have increased with IN abors and exer-
tons demanded by the condition of aa His various ad-
dresses public meetings and his answe letters received
by him throughout the remainder of the $780, have dis
played energy of thought power Of and OF speak
ng and general vgor and activity of md such as be had
evnced in his earlier years. The OCCASION has seemed
call forth every faculty Of his mind ando warm every pa
trioic feeling Of his heart In the mido the excitement
incident TO the state Of AFFAIRS while called upon to address
the people on public occasions of every descriptions with an
overwhelming correspondence and under the burden OF the
current duties Of the Department of Saehe found time TO
write the letter to the Chevsier Hulseman for which Legs-
laures have returned him of thanks which has gra
he'd every American heart, and which has been printed
translated and read home and abroad more extensively
we presume, than any other American production.
Nor did bis labo with the immediate occasion which
the continuance Of his exerons and who has not witnessed
with astonshment his speeches and letters during the present
year. especially those speeches which delivered by him
IN New York from Lake Erie to the ses following each other