Herald of the times. [volume] (Newport, R.I.) 1849-1856, 1851-12-25
IrThe noisy and ridiculous parade

in behalf of Kossuth show 10 what great
extent excitement will lead even sensi-
bic men, and how much off their guard
il will throw those who are generally
prudent and quite conservative. II will
not be one year from this time, before
men who are now perfectly mad with
the Kossuth fever, will almost deny that
they ever made themselves ridiculous by
their servlc man worship Of the Hunga-
rian leader.
One of the most disgusting, yet char
acteris,ic, features Of all these demon
stralions, was the treatment Of Col.
James Watson Webb, editor OF the
Courier & Enquirer, at the Corporation
dinner. Col. Webb was an invited
guest; he, therefore, had an indisputa.
bic right to be there. His sentiments in
regard to the mission of Kossuth were
well known, for he had maniully promul.
gated them Tor some time preYlous.--
Col Webb, being public and promi-
ncnt man, it would naturally be suppos-
ed that he would speak on the occasion.
This dinner was a gathering Of the pre-
tended friends Of Freedom, and given to
Linn who is claimed as the great cham
piOn of Freedom, therefore, it would
be natural to presume that the elements
Of freedom and lhc liberty OF speech
would characterize the festival. If the
cause Of Hungary was so just, and if
those who composed this dinncr-party
were SO devoted in their sincere attach
mem to the cause ono would very
confidently suppose that they would not
have had any objection to listening to
any reasonable and sensible remarks,
although not AS culogistic as those made
by other gentlemen.
Du, how are the facts, and what was
the demonstration on the part OF these
pretended devoted champions Of Free
dom. Why, as = oon as COl. Webb arose,
aud before he had II tered n single SEN
tencc III which any distinct sentiment
WAS announced, they made the Hall
ring with their wild and boistorous de-
nunciationS of Webb, and the scene was
iar. more worthy Of II house Of i.l.lame
than Of the social and intellectual ban
quet oi Freedom, which it is pretended
tuis was. There are but two views
winch can be taken Of the conduct Of
these men,-they were ether greatly
intoxicated, and consequently hardly
responsible Tor their cOnduct,--or else .
they were so iniuriatcd by deIusiye e.
element that they had no control over
their reason. The remarks which Col. b
Webb intended 10 make, and which he .
published, were very scns-
bic and very true, - and they contained
more true argument and more sound
reasoning than any speech which was
made on that occasion; and they reflect
great credit both upon his head and lis
heart That fpcech did very much 20
eEalt Col Webb in the opinion Of all
honcst prudent and rational men. and 1
ne viii never have occasion to iJo!; back \
upon it with regret or modification.
The sentiments expressed were those Of
IN American patriot, and IT would be
we'll il. many Of the noisy and rrothy ad-
Ierents and culogiers OF Kossu,h, would /
olow the counsel and initiate the ex-
ample Of Col. Webb, in this respect
The lnudatcns which have been show.
red upon Kossuh have been of the \
most iulsomc and disgusting character,
and we presume that he would long F..
go have been weary and sick Of them i
vas It not that his devotion to his cause
bsorbs all other feelings, and blinds cv-
n that innate modesty which ordinarily
'uards mans sellrcspeci with an ev-
r-v,gilant watchiulness and caution.