The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1851-05-30
Mr.. Webster's New York Tour-His Posi-
tion-ConstitutionaI Reaction Ia tn

Mr.. Webster's New York Tour.TIis POSI-
tion-ConstitutionaI Reaction Ia the
North.
We were agreesbly surprised with the splendid
speech which Mr.. Webster delivered at Albany,
the day before yesterday, full report Of which
publish in columns to day. We had almost
thought that this great statesman had said all he
could say on the great topics Of the day; but his
fertile mind grasped them in other lights and in
other shades and to the great pleasure of the pub
iic We find that his Albany speech is equally inte-
resting and equally important as the one which he
delivered in Buffalo, in tae midst Of a fall of rain
which deluged that city and soaked equally the
orator, his auditory, and the reporters. We CON-
mend this speech-both speeches-to the attentive
perusai Of our readers, and express the hope that
none Of them will omit to read, reflect upon, and
inwardly digest the great aud mighty truths which
they contain.
The position which Mr. Webster now holds at
the North is one Of the highest and noblest that
any man ever occupied. The passage Of the com
promise measures in the last Congress, after de-
bate which characterized by terrible fierce
ness and extreme duration, In both houses, was
merely the first great blow Of constitutional re-
action which the necessities Of the times and the
fanaticism Of the day rendered necessary for the
preservation Of the Union. That reaction in Con-
gress was commenced by the great genius and
mighty talents Of MIR. Clay, aided and assisted by
several other distinguished men and patriots-such
rs Cas-, Dickinson, Foote-kut IL was steadied
rivettod, and made solid, by the adhesion Of Mr.
Webster to the new constitutional PLATFORM and his
abandonment Of all local fanaticism, and Of all
fanatics for the safety Of the Union and the preser
walton Of the constitution we received il from our
fathers.
Yet the battle Of the constitution. which was
fought during the compromise campaign in Con-
gress, was, only the commencement Of the great
intellectual campaign that must be continued
and conducted to glorious issue before this
country will be free from danger--before the con-
stiution Is secured FROM the assaults Of its enemies
before ianaticism il laid in the dust-before the
institutions transmitted to Us by our ancestors can
BE- made permanent, at least for another genera
ton, or another half century.
Let US look back, for moment, at the state Of
the times between the termination Of the last Con-
sress and the period when Mr.. Webster summoned
courage to take the field and become the leader Of
the great constitutional reaction which We now
witness.
The passage Of the compromise measures in Con
kforrs 70 he.e-thTy lot inc pIeStFNAtlon
Of the Union, tended at the time only to increase
the virulence Of the anti-slavery factions Of New
York and New England, and to give occasion for
all those violent contests and anti slavery riumphs
In the Senatorial elections Of Ohio, Massachusetts,
and New York. which have since witnessed.
Antislayery fanatcism appeared to be rising higher
and higher; the assaults the contribution, the
PRONUNCIATION Of treason, and ofdisunion sentiments,
increased At the North and ut the South In consc-
quence; and Il was not until Mr. Webster exhibited
the courage q lofty statesman and great patriot,
took the field in person, and led the forces Of the
constitution, that We have had any reason to hope
or expect any safe sound reaction N the public
mind, on those important questions on which the
preservation Of the Union so much depends. Who,
among the great statesmen o. the North, has exhi-
bited the moral ard political courage to take the
high constitutional ground which we have seen Mr.
Webster take at Buffalo. at Rochester, and else
where in Western New York, and more recently nj
Anary and other places in this stated Not one
There i moral sublmity ~ such spectacle
which gtos hope for the q the cause q the
constitutions. None Of those men who participated
~ the bala ~ the constitution, and il the compro
mise debates Ia ongress, appeared, during the lat
sy months. capable n stcmming the torrent of anti
slavery fdnatictsm which nave seen in the great
Senatorial elections; and ;he aerlorabIe results Of