Jeffersonian Republican. [volume] (Stroudsburg, Pa.) 1840-1853, 1851-04-24
letter from Mr. Webster Hebmk e
of the Boston Authorities.

BosroN, April 18--The following letter has
been received from Hon. Daniel Webster, in re-
ply to the invitation of the citizens of Boston, to
address them in Faneuil Hall, which place 1t Will
be remembered, was refused by the Common Coun-
Gil of the city 1t will be that the honorable
gentleman declines speaking:
MARsHFIELD, April 15-Gontlemen-I duly re-
ceived your letter of the 18th of this month, and
had fully made up my mind to comply with your
invitation, for although have entertained no pur-
pose of discussing farther at present the political
questions which have agitated the country, yet |
could not deny myself the pleasure of meeting you
and your felow-citizens for mutual congratulation
upon an escape so far, from dangers which one
year ago so seriously threatened the very existence
of our national institutions, and upon the prospect
of early return. in all parts OF the country, of
feelings of good will and reciprocal regard But
the newspapers Of this afternoon inform me that
the Board of Alderman have refused your request
for the use of Fanueil Hall.
care nothing for this personally, except that it
deprives me of the qualification of seeing you, al
though if supposed that the general voice of the
people of Boston approved this proceeding, it would
| confess, cause me the deepest regret.
The resolution denying you the hall, has been
adopted, if mistake not by the same Board which
has practically refused to Join with the other branch
of the city government in offering the hospltalltes
of the city to President Fillmore.
Gentlemen, for nearly thirty years have been
in the service of the country by tbe choice of the
people of Boston, and the appointment ofthe Legis
gislature of Massachusetts My public conduct
through the whole of that long period is not un-
known, and cheerfully leave it to the judgment
of the country now and hereafter
Since the commencement of March last year
have done something and haZarded much to uphold
the Constitution of the United States and to main
tain the interests of the most vital Importance to
the citizens of Boston, and | shall do and hazard
more whenever, in my Judgment it becomes ne
cessary that more be done or more be hazalded
shall perform with unfinching perseverance to the
end my duty to the whole country; nor do | in the
slightest degree fear the result
Folly and fanaticism may have their hour. They
may not only effect the minds of individuals, but
they may also seize upon the public bodies of great
er or less dignity, but their reign is destined to be
short, even WHERE for the moment, it seems most
triumphant.
We of Massachusetts, are not doomed to course
of political conduct such as would reproach our
ancestors, destroy our own prosperity, and expose
to the derision of the civilized world. No such
future is before us. Far otherwise.
Patriotism, the union Of good men-fdelity to the
Constitution In all its provisions and that intell
gence which has hitherto enabled the people of this
state to deserve and to appreciate their own polit
cal blessings, as well as what is due to their own
history and character, will bring them back to their
accustomed feelings of love of country and respect
and veneration of it's institutions.
am yours, &C.,
DAN. WEBSTER.