Weekly national intelligencer. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1841-1869, 1851-06-21
SPEECH OF Mr.. WEBSTER,


eow-citizens that have been in Buffalo; and have all
ways come it with qualification. II great distance
from my home am thankful that circumstances have en-
abed be here again, and regret that unowad events
deprived of the pleasure Of being with you when your dis
tngushed fellow citizen, the President Of the United States
visited you and received from you he deserved not only
respectful, but a cordial and enthusiastic welcome. The
President United States has resident
for than half his fe He has represented you in the
State and National Councils You know him and all bis re-
aons, both public and private, and would be bad TASTE 10
say any thing of him, except that wish to say with
emphasis that since my connexon with him IN the admins
taon Of the Government of the United Sa'es, have fully
concurred with him in all bis great and leading measures
This might be inferred from the fact that have been one Of
his ordinary advisers But do wish to let it rest on
that presumption wish declare that the principles OF the
President as set forth in his annual message his letters and
all documents and opinions which have proceeded from him.
or been issued by his authority regard to the great ques
ton of the times all these principles my principles and
ifhe wrong in them am, applause and always shall be-
Applause.
Gentlemen has been suggested that it would be pleasant
and agreeable citizens of Buffalo, and their neghborsn
the county of Erie that should you my opinions such
as they are on the present condition Of the country its
pec its hopes and its dangers and, fellowcitzenr, in
tend to do that this day. and this hour far strength
will permit.
Gentlemen, believe me, I know where | am. know to
whom am speaking know for whom am speaking |
know here in this sngulary prosperous and powerful
section of the United States Western New York and know
the character Of the who constitute Western New fo
know ihey liberty one and all they sucked
in liberty with their mothers milk inherited with their
blood that it is the subject Of their daily contemplation and
watchul thought They Of very singular equality
.nI fnf hara
thousands of men around u.s. and here before who'll, their
own soils with their own hands, and others who earn their
own livelihood by their labor in the workshops and other
places of industry and they independent, in principle
and in condition. having neither slaves masters and not
intending to have either These the who constitute,
to great extent the people Of Western New York But
the school-houses know among them Education is
among them They read, and wre and think. And here
are women educated refined, and intelligent and here are
men who know the history of their country and the laws of
their country and the institutions of their country and men,
lovers of liberty always and yet lovers Of liberty under the
Constitution of the country and who to maintain that
Constitution with their strength help them God Great
applause hope these observations will satisfy you that
know where am under what responsibility speak, and be-
fore whom appear and have desire that any word
shall say this day shall be withhoden from you, your chill
dren your neighbors, the whole world for speak be-
fore and before country, and be not too solemn
Gentlemen, there is but question in this country
be Others the others but secondary, sub
ordinate that they all absorbed in that great and leading
question and that is neither less than this Can
preserve the of the States not by coercion, not by
military power, by angry controversies but OF
this generations you and your friends and my friends can
the union of these States, by such admnsta
ton of the powers of the Constitution, shall give content
and sati faction all who live under and draw together
by military power but by the sken cords of mutual fra
terna patriotic affection That is the question, and no
other Gentlemen, believe in party distinctions. ! am
party There questions belonging to party, in which
concerned and there opinions entertained by other
parties which repudiate but what of all that If house
be divided against itself it will a, and crush every body 10
it. We that maintain the Government which is
We must that we uphold the Constitution, and
we must do so without regard party Now how did this
question arise The question is forever missaed dare
say you know much Of of course OF public con-
duct for the last fourteen months have heard OF my at
tending Union meetings. and of ervent admoniions at
Union meetings. Well what the object OF those meet
ngs' What their purpose The object and purpose
have been desgnedy gessy misrepresented had
an invitation attend Union meeting in the county OF
Westche ter could go, but wrote letter. Well,
wise OF the east said he did not think was very
necessary hold Union ngs in Wescheser He did not
think there many disunonss about Tarrytown And
SO in many parts of New York there is total misappehen-
sion of the purpose and object of these Union meetings
Every knows there is not county, or city, or ham,
let the State of New York. that is ready go out OF the
Union except small bodies of fanatics There is no
a. to wish it. But that is the point We all know that
every and every neghborhood, and all corporations in
State Of New York, attached to the Unon and have
idea of Withdrawing from it, except those have men,
toned But that is repeat the point that Is not the
point The question, feowcitizens, (and put it to you
the real question: the question is Whether you, and
the of the people the great State Of New York. and Of
all the States will adhere the Constitution, will so en-
act and maintain laws preserve that instrument that
will only remain in the Union yourselves but permit you
brethren remain in il, and help to perpsuae it That il
the question. Will you in measures necessary
maintain the Union or will you oppose such measures
That is the whole point Of the case.
You have thirty forty members OF Congress from New
York you have your proportion 10 the United States Senate
We have many members of Congress from New England
Will they maintain the laws that passed for the admins
raion the Constitutions and respect the rights the South
so that the Union be held together and not only tha
we may not 90 of ourselves which are not inclined
to do but that by asserting and maintaining the rights
others, they may also remain in the Union NOW, genle
men, permit me to say, that speak of no concessions
the South wish any concession from me- they will not get
not hairs breadth of it. they come to my house for y,
they will find it, and the door will be shut concede
nothing But say that will maintain for them, as vii
maintain for you the utmost Of power and IN the lace
danger their rights under the Constitution, and your
rights under the Constitution. Cries of Good, good DC
And shall never be found fate in or the other
Tremendous applause obvious to every one, and we
all know that the origin Of the great disturbance which
agaes the country the existence Of slavery in some OF The
States; but that subject must consider 1T
we must deal with it earnestly honestly, and justly From
the mouth Of the ST. Johns the confines OF Florda there
existed the year grace seventeen hundred and seventy
five, thirteen colonies Of English origin, planted at different
times, and coming from different parts Of England bringing
with them various habits and establishing each for ITSELF