The daily union. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1845-1857, 1851-05-29

New YoRK, May 20, 1881

Mr. Webslers speech at Buffalo is perhaps as strong
document as rs likely acceptable to the wing pop
uiahon 81 what Is generally denominated " the infected
aise and, IN some respects, il is very creditable
nun as statesman and He reteraes his often
expressed determination TO stand by the constitution,
pleads strongly for the preservation OF the Union by the
extension OF what he considers justice the South and
defends The compromise Of the last Congress-
not only on the ground of their propney and expedency
but on that OF their actual and pressing necessity He
defines his own position with much exactude. and main.
ians il with his usual ability; he rebukes the aga,ors
Of the North with well deserved severity and their
assaults upon bis name and fame with whitening con-
tempt His Grafton throughout abounds in well timed
and lorcble appeals to the patriotic feelings OF his hear
which, though they fall like the seed sown on stony
ground--upon rather unpromisng soi--may, we trust
be more productive than that spoken of in the parable
Upon the whole, his effort intended and is calcu-
lated 10 do good, though much--very much-less good
than might have done, but for the obruson OF
feature which, while tgreatIy deraced from lis use
uness, was certainly neither attractive nor ornamental
II would, perhaps, be more than we have right to
expect from Mr. Webster considering his origin his 20
hcal faith and connexions, and the somewhat ultra
he has heretofore times expressed in regard TO
southern slavery that he should that subject with
an that fairness and magnanimty which its importance
demands, and which, under other circumstances we
should look for in OF his enlarged views and pho-
sophlcal turn OF mind 1t might considering the charac
country where he was have been mpotic had he been
SO minded 10 have entered into any defence before them
OF that much abused and more misunderstood branch of
the domestic relations OF the South But he certainly
might have avoided. with great credit himself and
greater advantage his audience the egregous error of
falling into that train Of anti-aavery cant which is SO
rife at the North and East and which is doing so much
mischief everywhere.
What we mean by can't is the fashion or habit which
obtains largely in these ATTITUDES Of expsating upon
the sin, the eUu, and the OF slavery by people
who take up these epithets from their manufacturers
and apply them directed, without stopping to examine
or inquirng whether they fitting or proper whether
they are called Tor by any existing state of things, or
applicable under any circumstances We well recoect
that in tender yearslong. long ago, in old federal
mes-we used to believe from hearing the facts con-
stantly stated, that Bonapae sort of ogre, who
was devouring the natioas of Europe bodily, and at
whose advent (soon to be expected) on these shores
those who could not outrun him might expect to be run
down and eaten alive We were firmly impressed with
the notion that Mr. Jefferson red breeches and red
slippers because il was the livery OF Old Nick, to whom
he was bound by some strong tie OF affinity, and whose
especial representative in this part of the world he was
Another article of faith with was that all democrats
their hats in the presence of the ladies' delighted in
dirty linen, and never washed their hands and faces
Similarly well informed are ninetenths of the grown
children of the North and East who profess to be free
soilers and aboonists, upon the subject of slavery
With personal practical knowledge of the matter
instead of searching the Scriptures ascertain whether
slavery is sin prohibited by the Word OF God-instead OF
viewing il with their own eyes, or, when that i'm.
practicable, examining it through the medium of i'm
partial description, well authenticated statistical re-
trns determine whether it is an evil or curse TO
either the white the black, they bndy choose to
pin their faith upon the unfounded and exavagant as
serons OF set OF interested agators, whose very bread
depends upon successful agitation. They believe that
the Shareholder is sort OF ogre-a n-seaer. il not
man eater that the institution instead of being founded
by God himself for his peculiar people. and sanctioned
by all Scripture emanaton of the evil one and that
the sunny South, the land of cheerfulness and song
hell upon earth, where the tormenios and the torment
ed dwell together in darkness and cruelty with no bet
ter music than the whisng Of the lash and the clankng
OF the chain
Now, with growing years and increase OF information
enabled to overcome our early prejudces
We became ardent admire of the Emperor Napoleon
and though not blind 10 his faults to consider him
by far the mos, enlightened sovereign Of the day. and
deeply TO lament his fall We got the sage OF
Monticello, Notwithstanding the solecsm he com
ml,teJ in the wording OF his opening clause OF the Dec
larahon OF ndependence.) and to look upon him
among the first OF patriots and statesmen and we
have long since arrived the conclusion not only thai;
the democratic party the best best
and genlemany party in the Union, but that its
principles equal 10 its department. and tina, upon the
aeendency OF those principles the welfare and prosperity
of the country very much depended Perchance similar
increase OF gh, and knowledge might an equal extent
effect change in the views and opinions Of those whom
the aboltonsis have, by their peculiar method enlisted
in the crusade against the domestic institutions OF the
South Perhaps il they would discard the "psio prrn-
cipu system-"the begging OF the question"-so much
resored to by their teachers and require them prove
the facts which they assume, instead OF assuring the
facts they wish prove, and default Of this examining
the for Themselves they would arrive conclu
sion very different from that which has been sprung upon
them They might see in the slavery OF the African
race at the South stupendous exhibition Of the beneh
cence Of kind Providence, which, while il furnishes
for the development Of the Of large portion OF
one country the only species Of labor which !. suited
to that purpose, at the time provides for the
fort, happiness, and Characterization of millions OF i'm
pfovident and benghed creatures whom the annals Of
all times, from the deIuge 10 the present day. prove to be
capable OF sefgovernmen or self support.
j They might, we say. come TO more correct concn-
sion than they have done if they would permit them
selves TO be guided by rather than by passion By
argument than by defamation but they will not do
az long Of mighty mind like Daniel Webster pur-
sue course directly opposite. And here, we say, was
the great OF which he guilty in the speech
which we have noticed What need had he TO parade
his decstalon OF slavery, his love OF free soil, and his
eternal opposition to the admission OF slave territory
before people already too much excited TO think calm
~ or wisely upon such subjects What was il in eff
feet but saying 10 them This is all wrong it a sin,
evil which must be endured for expedience sake And
how many Of the class OF persons whom he addressed in
their hearts REPLIED Expediency never make wrong