Grand River times. [volume] (Grand Haven, Mich.) 1851-18??, 1851-07-23
DANIEL WEBSTER's GREAT GRAFTON.

The Grafton delivered by Daniel Webster on
the laying of the corner stone OF the extension
of the Capitol, is considered the most magnifi-
cent of all his oratorical efforts The subject
gave him full scope for his genius, and he has
used every accessory with the happiest effect.
We have time to-day only to touch it here and
there to show its unnumbered gems. He thus
describes the feelings of the true American on
the great Anniversary Of our Republic:
"FelLo,o Citizens On the Fourth of July,
l776, the Representatives of the United States
of America, in Congress assembled, declared
that these United Colonies are, and OF right
ought to be, free and independent States. This
declaration, made by most patriotic and resolute
men, trusting in the justice of their cause, and
the protection of Providence-and yet not with
out deep solicitude and anxiety--has now stood
for seventy-five years, and still stands. 1t was
sealed in blood 1t has met dangers and over
come them it has had enemies, and it has con-
auered them; it has had detractors, and it has
abashed them ALL it has had doubling friends,
and it has cleared all doubts away; and now,
to-day, raising its august front higher than the
clouds, twenty millions of people contemplate
it with hallowed love, and the world beholds it,
and the consequences which have followed, with
profound admiration. This anniversary anini-
ates, and gaddens and unites, all American
hearts. On other days Of the year we may be
party men, indulging in controversies more or
less important to the public good; we may have
likes and dislikes, and we may maintain our po-
litical differences often with warm, and some
times with angry feelings. But to-day we are
Americans, all and all, nothing but Americans.
AS the great luminary over our heads dissipa-
ting mists and fogs, cheers the whole hemis-
phere, so do the associations connected with
this day dispense all sulen and cloudy weather,
and all noxious exahaations in the minds and
feelings of true Americans. Every mans heart
swells within him--every mans port and bear
ing becomes somewhat more proud and lofty,
as he remembers that seventy-five years have
rolled away, and that the great Inheritance of
liberty is still his his, undiminished and un-
impaired; his, in all its original glory; his to
enjoy, his to protect, and his to transmit to fu-
ture generations"
The following is the manuscript which Mr..
Webster deposited in the corner stone. HUI
man language could not have been used with
more beauty and effect. This record will be
more enduring even than the marble which en-
closes it:
"On the morning of the first day of the sew
enty-sixth year of the independence of the Uni
ted States of America, in the city of Washing
ton, being the Fourth day of July, 1851, this
stone, designed as the corner stone of the extern
sion of the Capitol, according to plan approx
ed by the President, in pursuance of an act of
Congress, was laid by Willard Fillmore, Presi-
dent of the u. States assisted by the Grand Mas
ter of the Masonic Lodges, in the presence of
many members of Congress; of officers of the
executive and judiciary department, national,
State, and district; of officers of the army and
navy; the corporate authorities of this and neigh
boring cities; many associations, civil, and mil
itary, and masonic; officers of tho Smithsonian
Institution and National Institute; professors
of colleges, and teachers of schools Of the dis
of people from near and remote, including a few |
surviving gentlemen who witnessed the laying
of the corner stone of the Capitol by President
Washington, on the 9Th day of September, 1893
If, therefore, it shall hereafter be the will of God
that this structure shall fall from its base, and
that its foundations be upturned, and the depos-
it beneath this stone brought to the eyes of men,
be it then known that, on this day, the Union of
the United States of America stands frm-that
their constitution still exists unimpaired, and
with all its original useful glory,growing strong
er and stronger in the affections Of the great
body of the American people, and attracting
more and more the admiration of the world
And all here assembled, whether belonging to
public or private life, with hearts devoutly thank
full to Almighty God for the preservation of the
liberty and happiness of the country, unite in
sincere and fervent prayers that this deposit, and
the walls and arches, the domes and towers, the
columns and entablatures, now to be erected
over it, may endure forever.
God save the United States of America.
DANIEL WEBSTER, Secy of State"
"Fellow Citizens Fifty EIGHT years ago,
WASHINGTON stood on this spot,to execute sim
liar duty to that which has now been performed.
He then laid the corner stone of the original cap
tol. He was at the head of the Government,
At that time weak in resources, burdened with
debt, just struggling into political existence, and
lgitated by the heaving waves which were over
turning European thrones. But even then, in
many important respects, the Government was
strong. 1t was strong in Washington's own
great character-it was strong in the wisdom
md patriotism of other eminent public men, his
political associates and Acknowledgements was
strong in the affections of the People. Since
hat time, astonishing changes have been wro't
n the condition and prospects of the American
lation; and degree of progress witnessed, to
which the world can show no parallel"
Daily Wisconsin.
EARTHQUAKE AT ST. LoUIs.--An earthquake I
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