Vermont watchman and State journal. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1836-1883, 1851-04-10
Mr.. Webster and the Legislature
of Pennsylvania.
HArRrsnuRG, April ], 7P. N

HARRISBURG, Apul j, I, VI.
The whole Hall of the House of Repre-
seutatlyes is crowded with a large and IN
telhgent audlence-al the seats ia the in
terror occupied by members and by ladies'
At half-past Mr.. Webster entered the
Hall amidst bursts Of the most enthusiastic
applause.
lie was supported by the committee Of
reception, and accompanied by Gov. john
son and other State officers Mr. Webster
was introduced to the audience by the Gov
ernor in few brief and appropriate re-
marks.
At the conclusion of these remarks, Mr..
Webster arose aud addressed the assembly
as follows:
MIR. WEBSTER'S SPEECH.
Gentemen@-Senators, aud siembers Of
the House of Representatives., and fellow
citizens here assembled-I should be insen-
sible indeed to the highest rewards of pub
lie service if did not appreciate the terms
of commentator, in which 1t has pleased
the Governor to distinguish me, aud the
warm aud cordial manner in which ia your
kindness YOU have received me on my pas
sing
While have it not in my power to repay
you, let me say that nothing could have
been more natural and Just, than what his
Excellency has just said about Pennsylya-
ma. She has been called under strong
claims to be the Key Stone State in the
arch of the Union. She is large in extent,
aud vast in resources, and distinguished for
the industry Of her citizens. Her rivers
flow on the east into the Atlantic aud on
the west into the Gulf Of Mexico She oc-
cuples position at once honorable in the
eyes of the nation and will fulfil her part in
the Coniederacy of the States. She has
not been governed by local preludices aud
attachments. She is central in posltlon.-
She is on the line which divides the two
portions of the country, aud separated by
local interest one from another, aud she is
disposed always to do her duty to both.
admire Pennsylvania for the moderation and
hrmness, the good sense aud patriotism,
which have animated her IN the discharge
of her obligations in view of the question
SO we'll calculated 10 disturb the general po-
lItca harmony.
Your Governor has done me more than
justice in what he has said Of my public
services 1t is long time since | entered
public life, quite too long for myself, and
perhaps for my family, but assert for my
self one merit only, and of that ! may be
proud, as it attaches me TO the great State
of Pennsy lyania, and it is the merit OF EN-
bracing the country and the whole country
in what have said or done in one public
station or another IN my general poiuca
career in the disposition of Providence
Pennsy lvanla indeed could not have been al
insignificant State under any circumstances
If she had remained great IN her resources
I IN her soil aud m her people, eyerybod
would have looked upon her with respect
What would have been the State of Penn
, sylvania If detached and isolated from tn
other States of the Union, compared wit
, your Pennsy wanna, as you now behold her
(Applause) What would she have bee
with her mineral treasures2 No power /
e deyelope them without any protection iror
/ the National Flag that carries them in prld
aud triumph to the ends of the earth. Gar
n plause.) 1t was that comprehensive cours
of politics which rejects local ideas, and
If narrow view of political principles whIc
has enabled this whole people to speak {
h the country as their country, and has mad
the State of Pennsylvania what she now i
aud what hope she may long continue t
v be, as before said, the key stone OF ia
arch of the Union.
= If it had happened to me to have bee
before this assemblage IN this place one yea
= ago today, on the first of last April, shoul
+ have met you with far less gladsome hea
than / now do, for IL is not to be denle
y that occurrences ofgreat import have take
D. place within that last year, that measur,
we're adopted by the general concurrence
!, men Of all parties calculated to adjust di
r, ferences and settle the agltating question
Or of the country. /, is true that we shout
a. feel kindly one towards another-ieel tn
ID we are one people, have one interest, OF
character, one liberty aud one destiny.
l. bore humble but honest part in the pr
caremen. of that adjustment established