The Port Gibson herald, and correspondent. (Port Gibson, Claiborne Co., Miss.) 1848-18??, 1851-01-17


thies and feelings, and common sentiments do
not spread themselves rapidly, | am afraid that
throughout vast portion Of the country the
work remains, in a great measure, unaccom-
plished. lido not know of any imminent danger
to the constitution or the Uninn; but speak Of
the still lingering feeling which believe YET ex-
ists Of dislike, not Of the constitution, but Of one
portion of the country to the other--a want of
good feeling and brotherly affection. think.
therefore, that so far from discountenancing Un-
Ion meetings, wish to see them abound wish
to hear Of them in the interior, in the large VIII
lagos, and in all the villages, and wherever men
assemble together; because a change has to be
wrought IN mems minds on this subject.
They must take this subject and make IT
matter of conscience aud duty--not as to how far
they may permit themselves to be drilted away
from national duty. Gentlemen, the object Of
the meeting at Castle Garden; and of the Union
Safety Committee, is precisely the object which
| the good Of the country reqnires should be pnr-
sued and prosecuted. That object is stated to
be, ito revive and foster among the whole pe0.
pie of the United States the spirit in which the
Union was formed and constitution framed
What was that spirit2 II was spirit Of mutual
, concession--a spirit Of compromise. The con.
stitution was great political partnership, into
which our fathers entered on certain conditions,
and the faith Of all was pledged to maintain those
| conditions inviolate; and do not know that any
contract in private life can be more sacred or
mere binding than an engagement which men
enter into with one another. Scattered over
| continent, wherein they pledged tomaintain such
form of Government AS all agreed upon ap-
plausel-I know of no obligation of conscience
resting on men 10 fulfil private engagements
which do not rest on them to fulfil all the stipu-
| atons Of the constitution OF the United States,
without exception, in full, fair and lust spirit
| No man--no man OF honor and character-will
insist on the faithful performance of that part Of
| the contract, The observance OF which may be
| useful to him, and endeavor to escape from ano-
ther part, which holds him to the performance OF
| certain duties. Gentlemen, believe we have
got over the crisis, so far as public demonstra-
| tions go-so far as requisite laws are necessary
to carry the provisions Of the constitution into Ell.
feet; but let US take care that we are not deceiv-
ed, and the public are not deceived; BY cries such
as | have mentioned. 1t is sometimes said that
| the compromise measures passed at the last ses-
sion Of Congress, and especially the Fugitive
Slave bill. were adopted as an armis.iee-as a
truce; that parties have only laid down their
arms to commence the war again.
| He is no patriot who sends abroad among the
people such ideas as these. If he is an intelli-
gent man, he is not an honest man. because he
| knows-for every intelligent man knows--tIiat
| those who took upon themselves the risk Of any
position which they may have held, of fsupporting
| and advocating those measures. intended them
| as final settlement of that question. Great
applause and cheering. You know, gentlemen;
| the precise, and clear, and emphatic words ut-
tered by the President of the United States, in
his message on this subject, declaring that he
considered this settlement as final; and the Pre-
sident OF the United States, when he has any
thing to say, knows how to say it so that the
people can understand it. And know no df.
ference between his opinions in this respect and
the opinions of all who, in either branch Of the
Legislature, or in his councils, have concurred
iu those measures, and have acted with him and
mean to act with him in carrying them all Gem
phatically) into full effect. Applause and
| cheers, This is subject. gentlemen on which
the moral sense of the country ought to receive
tone and tension. There ought to be stern re
buke, by public opinion-of all who would re-
open this agitating qneston-who would break
this truce. as they call il; who would arm again
and renew the war No, gentlemen, have no
beliefthat at present, in either house of Congress;
any such movement would refe eive any respecta-
bic support. believe that if any person should
move il, in either house of Congress, he would
find himselsin poor, lean and miserable minor
| ity. lApplause.l
Gentlemen came here to exchange concra-
tulations with you-to assure you that my own
opinions and purposes are as fixed as yours can
be, and that, in the prosecution Of duty, and in
npholding the constitution and the Union, feel
for nothing, care for nothing, and shall shrink
from nothing, to the last day Of my life. Tre-
mendons applause.
After Mr. Webster concluded, he was warmly
cheere2. and afterwards shock hands with each
of the company present.