The Port Gibson herald, and correspondent. (Port Gibson, Claiborne Co., Miss.) 1848-18??, 1851-01-17
A Speech from TIr. Webster.

Mr. Webster having gone to New York TO at
tend the festival of the New England Society,
was received the next day at the Governor s
Room, in the City Hall, by the Union Safety
Committee. On that occasion he made the fol-
lowing speech
am infinitely obliged to you, fellow citizens,
for thus inviting me to meet so large a number
of the citizens OF New York, belonging to no
particular section or party espousing no partieu-
lar association, but assembling, and acting, and
receiving me as Americans, in the largest and
most comprehensive sense of that glorious appel
lation. 1t has been truly said by Mr. Brady,
that there are subordinate questions, on which
different parties entertain different opinions.
Those questions ought ever to be and ought ever
to remain subordinate, because, when We rise to
the magnitude of that great question, on the de-
csion Of which our country and our national
character-l might say our political existence
depend, there should be no two opinions among
men Of any party whatever. Applause. I'm
doubtedly. gentlemen, | have been attached to
party--l have espoused the sentiments of party.
and maintained the doctrines of party; but /
should be unworthy OF the regard have receiv-
ed in other instances, and especially unworthy
of this proof of your regard, il did not hold all
party dogmas and all party principles subordinate
and inferior to the great question Of the constr
tuition and the government under which weiive.
And did not, and have not felt, that there was
any hazard in coming out boldly. and as firmly
as could, in favor of the measures necessary to
the upholding of The country, whatever party
might receive or reject them. There is no dam
ger in giving utterance any where on this con-
tinent 10 the true and patriotic American heart.
No party can put down such sentiments. No
party can repress those that utter them, because,
throughout the length and breadth of the land
the great predominant feeling, after all, is, and
especially when the public mind is aroused-the
great and predominant feeling of all is, that we
are one peope-that we are Americans-that
we live under a constitution the achievement ol
which cost so much blood, so much treasure. and
SO much effort-and that we are determined to
maintain it to the last.
Gontlemcn, il is frne, as Mr.. Brady has sng-
gested, that there arc those who pretend to think
there has been no danger to The institutions Of
The country-that those cries for Union meetings,
and the rasiug of the Uninn flag, and the repea-
ted utteranee Of Union sentiments were super
fIuous-that ii was work Of supererogation.
think quite differently, and see Dow, much
more clearly than did on the 7th Of March last
that the feeling of alienation Of one part OF the
country from another-this feeling of hostility
this disposition to war in the hallsof Congress
sort Of belgerent legislation Of one part OF the
country against another--was far more wide
spread and far more deeply seated than then
apprehended. Intense silence. And youwill
find it so in the experience of you all. Owing
circumstance, not necessary 10 allude to, there
had come to be a spirit of disafection entertained
by one portion Of the country towards another,
and alienation Of broiherly love and kindness and
of disposition TO cultivate that feeling. Along
the sea coast. gentlemens and in the large cities,
where The sympathies Of men are easily commu-
nicated, trust this feeling is fast subsiding.
know that the meeting in this city in Octo5e1
last--the great Union meeting--had prodigous
effect throughout every part OF the country with
which | am acquainted. II was the voice ol
men OF business, men Of patriotism. men engaged
in the ordinary pursuits OF life, without potica
aspirations, without desiring to agitate the com
muhity FOR their own ends. The voice Of thai
meeting. therefore, was voice calculated tc
calm the troubled waters, nay, it was a voice
calculated to call men back to their duty--te
summon mems consciences to a right considera-
ton of the great question prevailing In society
and to a certain extent. have no doubt, the pro
ceednga OF that and other meetings had large
influence ia the interior. But am afraid, sc
long has this spirit been in1alged, 30 acrimoni'