Richmond daily times. [volume] (Richmond [Va.]) 1850-1853, 1851-07-04
From the National Inteigencer
THE WEBSTER DINNER AT CAPON
SPRINGS

| OfhlNGS.
A friend who was present has supplied us with the
following particulars respecting Mr.. Websters visit to
the Capon Springs. He most cordially welcomed
at that place by the proprietors and we understand
has not only enjoyed but been benefited by his soourn
| there.
| On Saturday last he was entertained at a Public
Dinner, given 10 him by two or three hundred of the
yeomanry OF that region of country without respect to
party II was IN every particular a splendid affair,
ana tnefe were persons present who had travelled
nifty miles Zone old revolutionary soldier having oatked
IN the burning sun some fifteen mles) for the purpose
OF paying their respects to the Defender OF the Cons
luton" The speech which Mr. Webster delivered on
the occasion was received with the greatest deinonsra
lions OF pleasure, and we are happy to publish the sub
Joined account OF it in paper OF to-day The en-
thusasm which it excited immense; and we are
| informed that Distinguished members OF the Demo-
cratic party compmened the speaker IN public man
ner tor his bodness i'll giving expression to his liberal
and enlarged views
| Sir Henry l.. BuIwer, the Hon. Lewis c. Levin, and
Hon. John Baraey, happening to be present, were
toasted, and also delivered brief speeches. which were
warmly received, and are complimened in the highest
terms by correspondents.
MR.. WEBsTERs SPEECH.
The gvnt eman who presided a, the Dinner was
WIN. L. CLARKE, E O., of Winchester, and, in intro
Producing the disting shed Guest of the company he
| remarked as follows:
am abou, to announce the next general toast. The
sentiments expressed in in nowise distinguished
| for novelty. Thew are known here in the secluded re-
ce]ses OF North Mountain as they known at the
NdtlOnal metropolis, or at The COuft OF st. James
Vienna. They do not belong TO, nor they be ap
propriatei by, any locality by any State, conf3de-
ration of States; but wherever il Free wherever
ne is the subject of constitutional reiorm is srug-
Cling tor that boom there, in whatever cline latitude
he may be, he claims participate in this general fund
Announced now on this occasion, as they have been
announced heretofore over and over again, they will
be re announced again and again, by the present age
and all future ages, long asbefty and union
and nseparable. Applause.] Our distingui he'd guest
who is the subject Of these sentiments, has been
kind as 10 say that here, in the bosom of VIRGINIA he
is at home. think he said he felt himself at home
Sl we intend you shall be at home. [App ause.l We
| have given you not only our admlratlon-that the
world gives you-but have given you our aft ctons
Long ago you enchanted our understanding; you
| have thrown spell over hearts. You ipperilled
all for us-and Vrg is not the dwelling place of ia
gratitude. Great applause) You have asserted the
vital rights OF the South; tottering power of the
General Government leaned against you for support,
| and you upheld it. You claimed its execution, not
merely by silent vote, formal speech in the Sc
nate but you have travelled into your adopted State,
which bone of your bone, and which, for quar-
ter OF century, has given you all she had give and
is ready TO dol again and there, with the shadows of
that great revolutionary over you, and in
the language OF your great prototype have decar
| ed Y e men OF Athens, ye worship unknown God"
And you have but returned from the great State of
New York, and there in the central paris where these
hydra principles first received serious political organ
Zaton even there rung. with moral subimity all your
own INFO the of every civil officer in that vast
dominion the fearful challenge to look and respect
the United States. Sir, you come among us sudden
ly and can add unexpectedly We have neither
pomp nor circumstance 10 give you, but we have deep
and abiding Of the nestmlble service you have
| rendered our beloved country, and we have sought
and do now most earnestly SEEK to impress your mind
with that co1vction. give you, gentlemen
daniel Webster, our distinguished guest the ur list
and statesman who has illustrated the glory OF our
try. The champion Of the Constitution and the Union
who has sown the seed of constitutional liberty broad
cast over the civilized world"
Mr. Webster rose to respond amid deaenng ap-
plause. He said:
Ladies' and Gentlemen: FelooU- citizens of Tirgin.
1a 1t is my first duty to express, however inadequate
y, my gratitude to you, and all for this unexpec-
ed token OF respect am that many ofyou have
come from great distances, many Of you | know, have
come upon the saddle, under a burning sum- and you
have done this to tender this token of your regard
know also that many OF you have left your estates
and harvest fields at time when every hour whether
proprietor or workman, is SO important. For this,
which you have extended to me has been to YOU cost
y and nconvenient and therefore gentlemen it sinks
more deeply in my heart. thank you. gentlemen.
II has been my fortune, gentlemen, have seen much
OF Eastern Virginia and OF Southern Virginia. in past
times also, gentlemen, have something OF West
ern Virginia those counties bordering on the Ohio river;
have any thing of the beautiful and renowned Valley
where now stand. esteem it my great fortune to
have had law days LEISURE least few days that
could spare from my official duties, oollow the course
OF the Potomac, penetra the Blue Ridges and turning
to the lett ong the valley othe Shenandoah see some
thing OF the country between the Blue Ridge and the AL
eghany. My journey through your country thus far
| has been one OF great pleasure and admiration. am
tree to confess that from the time crossed the Poto-
mac and leaving it, went with the train upwards along
the valley OF the Shenandoah, have seen country
Astounding in fertility and remarkable for its vast rich
ness and beauty [Appausel have the great
grain growing country OF New York, and Of Ohio,
and other Western States; of England, from Hert.
ordshire to the borders of Scotland; but have never
seen anything surprising that which crossed from the
time left Harpers Ferry till l reached Winchester
| have been told that the same rich country extends
beyond and is to be found through Shenandoah Rock
ngham and Augusta counties. hope, gentlemen, soon
to have an opportunity OF witnessing the truth of that
statement: Applause.] | admire, too, Your mountain
scenery; admire it for its sublimty and grandeur;
though, perhaps these mountains are not adapted TO
| that high degree OF cultivation for which the val lev
is so remarkable, still they picturesque and give
rise to thoughts and feelings which tend TO elevate and
| dignity the man who beholds them. assure YOU gen.
| temen, would feel most happy, if my time would
/ permt-and hope before long may have the oppor-
unlty to proceed still further in this region of the State
10 go westward to the banks OF the Soath Branch of
the Potomac and that great growing and eat
te-raising country OF which have heard and of which
| have read so much for nearly half my lille. ZAP
panse) But this, at present, my time will not allow
ms Is my nrs visit to this part of Virginia but hope
gentlemen, it will not lie the last. (Appause)
mere are two elements which constitute country
SOIL ana climate are one, men and women the other
| [Laughter.l Here they are both to be found But
even it there Were men women in this region the
| country would still be valuable and beautiful; and if it
were as barren as yOnuer rock (pOmtlug through
window 10 jutting cliff which overhangs the spring.
but filled with intelligent men, and refined and edu.
Gated women like those who now throng this wide
hall, it would be admirable still So, ifeiher were
here your country would be beautiful and fascinating
and you, gentlemen, know how fascinating it must be
when both are SO happily combined [Great APP
| plause.
But must now turn my attention to the toast which
has been read by trienda friend Of long standingat
the head of the table. attribute its terms to the
partially of friendship, and | am sure that they are
| nnp hat aX | n lain hau
thing in support and Defense and in the maintenance
| OF tn Constitution, except what | have done in CO.
operation with other ADLER men, with off high cha
racter and true 10 their country and Its political nstu-
! tons. tApplause.l | was bred gentlemen-ndeed, |
! might almost say born-in admiration of our
political institutions. have studied long, and in fact
have studied little else Of a political nature. All the
public acts OF my life have been performed in the
vice OF the General Government. have never held
any office under any State Government, and with The
exception Of few DAYS only, have never been mem