The republic. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1849-1853, 1851-05-24

lBy Telegraph 70 The Journal Of Commerce. /.

[By Telegraph 10 the Journal Of Con.meres.l
BUFFALO. May 81, 1851.
The dinner TO which the Hon. DANIEL
WEBSTER was invited, by the people of the city
of Buffalo, took place at the Mansion House
this evening, and was one of the grandest af-
fairs of the kind which the Queen city of the
Lakes has witnessed in many year.
At about O'Clock the company took their
places, after which Mr.. Webster was escorted
to the seat of honor by his honor James Wads-
worth, Mayor. On the right of the chair were
Mr.. Webster, Hon. Mr. Tracy, and Hon. Mr..
Merely; and on the left, Postmaster General
Hall, Major General Riley, who figured in the
battles Of Contreras and Cerro Gordo. Ex-
Collector Rogers, Dr. Foote, and Judge Null
let presided at the other end of the table.
After the company had partaken of splendid
dinner, which would reflect credit on any hotel
In the country, the Mayor of Buffalo called the
assemblage to order, and spoke as follows:
SPEECH OF THE MAYOR OF BUFFALO.
Mn. WxRsrEH: My fellow. citizens of the city of
Buffalo desire me to tender to you their cordial ac-
acknowledgements for the distinguished honor you
have conferred upon them by visiting their city,
and by your acceptance Of their invitation to pub
lie dinner. Such is our distance from the capital
ofthe nation, that we rarely have an opportunity
OF seeing our distinguished statesmen among US,
and we feel the more eager of this opportunity
the hrst which has occurred in many years-to
tender you the tribute of appreciation and con-
hdence which is 80 eminently due to your public
services and historic In all the dark hours
through which the country has passed, since you
first took position in the affairs of government,
your countrymen have always assigned to you the
wa ha oI.bI A
standing with your hand on the Constitution, in all
seasons, maintained the Union of these States
[Great applause.l History says Of Cato. that if he
could not save he at least prolonged the liberties
of Rome, and we, sir, feel that the American Con
sttution the Magma Charta of the liberties of the
world, is safe while you live. [Applause.] might
sir, speak OF our peculiar local position might
speak of the rude beginning of that petty village
which you now behold, after many years of alb
sence, proud commercial city. might speak TO
you of our commerce, which il our lifes blood of
the importance Of our internal improvements to us
as city, and to New York as State; but know
that it is not necessary to call the attention of
discriminate statesman like you to such subjects;
and knowing as l do the impatence there is to
hear the sound of that voice which has held in
thraldom the citizens of this vast Republic, con-
clude. sir, by introducing you to my fellow-cit
zens of Buffalo. Tremendous applause
AS soon as the applause subsidized, Mr.. WEE
srER rose and spoke as follows:
Ma. MAYOR AND FELLOW cITIzENs OF TIL. CITY
OF BUFFALO: know that in regard to the present
condition of the country you think as think, that
there ia but one alabsorbing question, and that is
the preservation Of this Union. [Cheersl
Mr.. Mayor and gentlemen, if God gives me
strength, propose to say something to you and
your fellow -citizens that subject to- morrow.
(Outbursts Of applause for some time In this So
cial interview and intercourse gentlemen would
not willingly aspire to such lofty, all important
theme. desire rather on this occasion to an
swer you as citizens of Buffalo, many of whom
have had the pleasure Of seeing in former times
many OF whom belong to the generation which
has grown up since l was here; but with all of
whom feel sympathy for the great prosperity
which has distinguished their city, and the fair pros
pect which Providence holds out before them. Zap.
planse Gentlemen, have had the pleasure of being
in the good city Of Buffalo three times before this
visit. ! came here in 1886 with my family, accom-
panied by Justice Story and his family. We came
mainly to that all attractive neighbor of yours,
the Falls of Niagara; for, gentlemen, you and
your posterity will never be without a distin-
guisbcd neighbor in your vicinity. We came to
Buffalo ! remember--it was said at that time
there were $500 people in It. ILaughter.] Even
that startled because it was fresh in my recollec
ton when it was only waste, and when, az a
member OF Congress, was called upon to ascertain
the value Of certain houses which were DESTROYED
by the assaults of the British. came here after.
wards, gentlemen, in 1888. Your city then had
enlarged, manufactures had commenced, prosperi
ty had begun. had the pleasure of addressing you
or your fathers, or both, in the Park, and remcm
Der was told, among other things, that might
say with safety that there fifteen or eighteen
steamboats, on Lake Erie. Laughter and ap-
plause.l And remember another thing, gentle
men, and hope some parties to that transaction
are here. The mechanics of Buffalo did me
the great honor of rendering to me present of an
article of furniture made from a great, glorious,
black walnut tree, which grew to the south of u.s.
They signihed their desire to make a table out of
that walnut tree, and send it to me. Applause
The table was made, and accepted it, of course,
with great pleasure. When left here, in July,
the tree was standing; and in about five weeks
there was an elegant table of beautiful workman
ship sent to my house, which was then in Boston
When went to Marshtield it followed me to the
sea- side and there it stands now in the best room
in my house, and there il will stand as long as |
live. and hope as long the house will stand.
iterate my thanks for that beautiful present. ZAP
plause.] ! am proud to show i'll am proud to pos
esst-Iam proud in all the recollcctons that sug
gests. [Applause. Twas again in Buffalo fourteen
years ago, on my return from the West. That
think was in July also. left the seacoast in May
1t soon after the termination of General Jack
"a administration and the commencement Of Mr..
Van Buren's. recollect / arrived by the way Of
the Pennsylvania canals and railroad, and SO on
to the Ohio; and was the Ohio river, think, at
Wheeling, on the asth of May, when we heard Of
the failures of all the banks, the breaking up of all
the credit Of the country, and Mr.. Van Buren's
proclamation for extra session of Congress.
That rather fastened our progress. l went by the
way Of Kentucky. Missouri, Illinois, and had tho
pleasure of seeing my felowcitizens of Buffalo on
my return. Now, gentlemen, it is great pleasure
for to say that between that time and the present
tho population of your city has augmented at least
LII / IT.