The republic. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1849-1853, 1851-11-27
THE WEBSTER CONVENTION AT Bos-
TON.
Tnv TELEGRAPH ]

Hall were densely crowded with delegates TO
the Webster Convention, and when the doors
were opened at the designated hour the floor
was almost filled in few moments. The |
throng continued TO increase until II O'Clock, |
when more delegates were in attendance than |
could be comfortably accommodated. The re- |
presentation from the country came In strong, |
particularly those from the larger manufactur- |
ing towns. The galleries were well filled with |
spectators.
AT II O'Clock the convention was called to
order by the Hon. A. II. Nelson, of Woburn;
and on the melton of A. H. Bullock, of Wor-
cester, Mr. Nelson was made president pro tenn.
Henry Vose, esq, of Springfield, was appointed
secretary pro teDI A committee of five was
raised TO report list of officers, and in accord
ance with their report
The convention was organized by the APP
pointment of the Hon. George Ashmun, of
Springfield, as president, with twenty eight
vice presidents, and seven secretaries.
There are now about two thousand delegates
in the hall, and as many spectators in the gal
leries.
On taking the chair, Mr. Ashmun expressed his
willingness to readily and cheerfully obey the will
of the people; and although he might well distrust
his right to the eminence to which he had been
called. still, entering into the with his whole
heart and soul, he would not shrink from any re-
sponsibility imposed upon him. The people OF
Massachusetts, had just passed through contest of
great interest and severity; but they now
summoned to another and different contest-a field
wider than Massachusetts, and having no limits,
Save those OF the whsle country. Questions relat-
ing to the great scheme of national policy affect
ing our relations both at home and abroad, were
to be considered; and this assembly was gath.
cred In order to take counsel regarding them. The
return OF that day, which to fix for four years
the destiny Of our Republic had called the delegates
together, in order, so far in them lay, to con-
troll that destiny for good; and they had not been
summoned too soon. Already numerous assem-
blages In other States had expressed their prefer
ences, and to such expressions we gave,
ought the most respectful consideration. But we
were here to-day to express sentiments
and our own determination, and to do SO in way
which would carry the greatest weight in the
opinion of the whole people This was no sectional
party movement; it was not a mere Massa-
chusetts movement. The platform on which we
planted ourselves excluded like sectional consde-
rations. Massachusetts had never surrendered her.
self to the influence Of sectional ealousies local
preferences; and he might point in illustration of
this fact to the hearty support che had given to the
venerable and renowned statesman of kentucky,
to him of Ohio TO him of Louisiana, the untmely
death of both OF whom had wrapped a whole nation
in mourning. All these things showed that she
never allowed herself TO be swayed by any misera.
BILE local We've; but to- day it was her turn; it was
now for her present to those other States and to
the whole Union her own son, and to call on them
to show the same generous spirit to render the
measure OF hearty and patriotic support to Daniel
Webster that she had given TO Clay and Harrison.
He concluded by saying that he was not ashamed
no son OF Massachusetts could be ashamed-ur
afraid to entertain and proclaim that enthusiastic
admiration which due to the foremost man
not OF Massac husetts only, or America only but of
the whole world
MIR. AsHMUN was frequently interrupted by
the greatest applause.
THOMAS STEVENSON, of Boston, also made
forclble speech, and concluded by moving the
appointment OF a committee to prepare an adj
dress to the people of the United States, which
was adopted, and the Hon. EDWARD EVERETT
appointed chairman Of the committee.
The convention then adjourned till three
O'Clock in the afternoon.
AFTERNOON SESSION.
The convention reassembled at three o'clock |
when committee of correspondence was re-
ported, consisting of twenty-five members, of
which Franklin Haven is chairman at large,
and Albert Fearing, of Boston, chairman for
Suffolk county.
The committee appointed to prepare an adj
dress 10 the people of the United States, then
reported the following, which was unanimously
adopted:
FELLOW CITIZENS OF THE UNITED STATES: AT a
from oil parts of the Common wealth of Massachu.
sets, assembled this day at Faneui Hail. it was re.
solved unanimously, and with great enthusiasm,
TO submit TO your consideration the name of our
fellow citizen, DANIEL W EBsrER as a candidate for
the Presidency of the United States at the next
election.
We think it must be generally felt that the APP
preaching election will be one of unusual interest;
and that it may be of deciaive importance TO the
country. Since the election Of lS4S state of pub
lie feeling has arisen different from any which has
heretofore prevailed to any considerable extent 1t
ID certainly feeling of an alarming character and
tendency. There has been as yet no opportunity
to estimate its strength, and to ascertain whether it
is compatible with the continued existence of our
constitutional system These important points
must to all appearance, be settled at the Pres
idental election
Belonging to the party of the Union, by what
ever other name we may be called, we believe that
the preservation of the Union is the greatest polti-
cal object to be pursued; in fact, far as human
affairs are concerned, regard it as the para
mount object 10 be sought before all others by every
patriotic citizen, for in it is involved the continu-
ance Of the prosperity, peace, and honor of the
country. II the Union is preserved, we have every
reasonable prospect of future of boundless growth
improvement, and glory. tits beyond the power o.
INC Inauguration 10 renZe the blessings which will
flow for ourselves and the whole world out of this
fountain Of good; subject only to the
vicissitudes incident to all human things. If the
Union is dissolved, have reason to anticipate not
merely all the evils resulting from the weakness
and decline of its now prosperous members and
from the COLLISIONS sure TO arise under any circum
stances, in Humorous family of small States,
brought into close contact with each other, with
out any principle of common umpirage and con-
troll; but also OF being involved in con
troverses Of unusual bitterness growing out of the
peculiar relations between the great divisions
Of the country.
Entertaining this view of the certain effects of |
dissolution OF the Union, II ia very alarming con
sderaton that the ordinary associations Of party,
extending over the country, and by which it's re
Inotest members have been able to act in concert
in carrying political system, are seriously
impaired and in come of the States wholly broken
up Whether there is left any feeling or principle
take the place Of these party associations to pre-
vent division purely geographical from spring
ing up and TO enable citizens, in parts Of the
try remote from each other, to unite in the ds-
charge OF those primary duties by which the Gov