The republic. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1849-1853, 1851-03-27
GREAT UNION CELEBRATION AT AN
NAPOLl6, MARYLAND.
ANNApoLIs. March Is. 1851,

ANNAPOLIS, March rs, 1851.
DANIEL WEBSTER, in acceptance of the in
vitation rendered him by the members of the
State Convention, now in session in this city
arrived here on Monday evening. He was &C
companied by his lady. He to-day visited the
public buildings, and for short time was an
attentive listener to the debate in the con-
vention.
The dinner took place at the City hotel
| The company sat down at six o'clock.
| Ex-Governor SAMUEL SpRIGG presided, as
| sisted by Ex-Governor GRAsoN and Hon. B. c.
| Howard as vice presidents. On the presi-
| dents right were Mr.. WEBSTER and Hon.
DANIEL JENIFER; on the left sat Governor
Lowe, Of Maryland, and Hon. EDWARD Cur
tbs, of New York.
After the removal of the cloth, the presi-
dent announced the following toasts:
l. The President Of the United Stasss--[ Cheer.
| and applause.l
2. The Governor Of Maryland.
His excellency Governor Lowe responded.
The president called attention to the next
toast, and expected members to drink it with
hearty goodwill:
3. Daniel Webster-M Maryland demonstrates her
attachment to the Union by honoring its ablest de-
fender.
Ma. PaEsrDENr AND GENTLEMEN: / leg leave to
assure you that ! esteem most highly this testi-
mony of respect. find myselfin the political cap
ital of the loyal, Union State of Maryland. find
myself at table at which many Of tho most distin-
gushed men of the State, of all parties and descrip
ions of politics are assembled; and it 10 on that
account that regard this as particular and
striking memorial of respect and honor to myself.
But, gentlemen, am nothing. Il il the cause
that il every thing. You are pleased to honor me
only because support, 10 far my ability will
allow, that cause which il dear to also dear
10 all good men in the country. II 10 the cause of
Union. It is the cause of the preservation Of the
States. 1t is the cause of maintaining all those
political associations and principles which have
made the United States what they are.
1t is not for me to argue the value of the Union
in this company. l came here rather to be re-
freshed and edited by what have heard of the
proceedings of this convention already.
Ito resolutions, Of the 10th Of December, are to
me an expression so powerful, 90 emphatic, and 30
conclusive upon the judgment of Maryland, that
read them at first, and read them since, and read
them now, with undiminished delight. Why, gen.
tlemen, should NO more think Of arguing the
question of the importance of the Union in this as
sembly, than should Of going back to argue the
propriety Of the Declaration Of Independence or to
argue the cxpediency and the glory of having
adopted the Constitution under which we live, or
of arguing the general utility, and honor, and re-
nown, of Washington's administration. Who
doubts all these things here? am sure not one.
l come, then, gentlemen, az learner, not AZ
teacher; come to partake of the sentiments that
fill all your hearts; come to be edited and in
structcd by the noble and patriotic expositions
which have been made in this convention, formed,
as have just said, Of distinguished men of all
parties, coming together with a unanimous
sentiment, and affirming their opinions in favor of
the Union and Whatsoever tends to strengthen that
Union, by majority that cannot fail to be regard
ed. Allow mo to say, gentlemen, that your rcso-
buttons of the 10th Of December will reach to the
extreme North, the extreme South, and the ex.
treme West, and everybody will say that. amidst
all the vagaries which may prevail elsewhere, the
respectable, and eminent, and distinguished State,
tho central State of Maryland, Is Union to the
backbone, and thoroughly. [AppIause.1
There are associations. there are recollections
which naturally influence the mind of man.
have passed around, to-day, among scenes which
were visited in old times by Washington. ]
have been in tn room where he performed that
browning act of his military life, the rcsigna-
ton Of his commission. I remainder that no
said, on that occasion: &c Having performed the
work assigned me, now ask the indulgence
of my country to retire from public Scr
vice." Gentlemen. Washington, with all his sa-
gacity, did not comprehend his own destiny He
did not see the long track of influences which was
to follow his revolutionary character. Nay, nor
when, many years afterwards, he retired from the
civil administration of the country, did no then
cease to exercise an influence in the public con.
Germs and sentiments of his country, and he never
will cease He said: Having performed the work
\
never yet performed the work assigned him, and
never will until the end of time; because, gentle
men, that great and glorious work still remaining
will ever uphold his preccpts. his exhortations, and
his example-the Importance and the value Of this
Union Of the States. rApplause.l In that respect
he works now, and will work ever. 20 long ~ his
memory shall not DO cffaccd from the records of
mankind. think hear him say o-day. in the Ian
guago which he expressed when he sent the present
Constitution of the United States to Congress-
"Our great concern has been to arrange all
our deliberations, and to come to such result rs
shall strengthen that Union which makes us one
people," hear him say that TO- day, and hear him
say TO- day, in the words OF his Farewell Address, Be
cautious Of all thoee who, under any pretencc what
ever, admonish you that you can be happy under a
dissolution of the Union" Every exhortation,
every admonition, every sentiment that proceeded
from him rings in these times continually in my
oars. Nay, think hear him say now, in tho
abodes Of the pleased, that if II permitted 70
him, he would revisit the earth and would be re-
clothed with the bones and tho flesh which arc
mouldcring at Mount Vernon, and he would APP
pear to hiscountry at the head Of their armies or
a. he appeared TO his country In the course of his
most glorious administration of the Government,
and conjure and adjure them. by every considera-
ton that ought to have weight with mon. hold on
fast by that Constitution which IL the only security
for the liberty which cost me and my associates a
seven yssrs war Of are and blood, lApplause ]