American telegraph. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1851-1851, 1851-03-27
THE WEBSTER DINNER AT ANNAPOLIS.

THE WEBSTEh DlNNEh Al ANNAfOLio.
On Tuesday evening the dinner rendered to
Mr. W. by the delegates of the State Conyen-
ton took place at the City Hotel, kept by Col
Walton. 1t was a sumptuous feast, and was
attended by all the distinguished men in the
city. The best feeling prevailed, and the vari-
Gus toasts were received with enthusiasm.
Ex-Gov. Sprigg presided, assisted by ex-Goy.
Grason and Gen. B. C. Howard, as yice-presi-
dents. Mr.. Webster was seated to the right of
the president, with Chancellor Johnson, and
other guests. On the left were Gov. Lowe and
ex-Gov Pratt, u. s. Senator from Maryland.
The following regular toast called forth the
loudest and most prolonged applause:
"Daqiel Webster; Maryland shows her attach
ment to the Union by honoring its ablest de-
fender A
After the cheering had subsidized, Mr. Web
ster rose and said that he appreciated from his
heart the honor which had been conferred upon
him by the representatives of the people of
Maryland, one of the glorious constellation of
States which had stood up together in !" the
times that tried mems souls to achieve the
independence of which we are now the recip-
tents, and which, he trusted, we should long
continue to enjoy
Mr.. Webster referred to the early history of
the country, and said that we could not too
fully appreciate the blessings handed down to
us from our forefathers. Washington, with all
his sagacity and all his wisdom, did not con-
ceive that the destiny of the United States had
been reached; nor did he, when he retired
from the Presidential chair, cease to fix his
eyes upon the interests Of his country.
Washington, in his farewell address, said he
retired from the chair, having performed the
work which he had been called upon to per-
form But said Mr. w. emphatically, he has
never yet performed the work assigned him,
nor will he until the end Of time. He will talk
ever, in that sacred work, until the end of time,
unless his name is obliterated from the records
of time.
After dwelling at some length upon the char
acter and services Of Washington, Mr.. w. said
he hoped he would be pardoned for interrupt
ing the thread of his discourse at this time, by
proposing from the fullness Of his heart the fol-
lowing toast:
The Glorious and Immortal Memory Of George
Washington. f
This was drunk in silence, and standing.
Mr.. w. resumed In the lapse of years it
may very possibly happen that the exact prin-
ciple Of Union may not be always understood
alike, and it would not therefore be amiss to
refer to the objects for which the colonies were
united, the limitations assigned them, and the
principles which should govern for their per-
petuation.
Mr. w. then entered at considerable length
into review of the general principles which
had induced the Colonies to throw off the yoke
Of allegiance to Great Britain, and dwelt upon
the various causes which led them to confeder-
ate together. He said they were governed by
a spirit of iberality and justice which actuated
both North and South, and the good faith with
which both parties entered into the compact of
confederation was the great cause which led
to the recovery of that independence which we
now enjoy At that period the North and the
South were, as now, governed by different sys-
TENS, but each section was willing that the
other should not have their peculiar rights and
privileges interfered with; but that they should
be governed in such o manner as would best
enhance and protect the interests of all. The
North, at that time, was perfectly aware Of the
existence Of slavery at the South; and although
there might be some who deprecated that state
of things, yet they were perfectly satisfied to
accept the South as a sister and to take her to
their embrace. The obligation to keep that
cumpaUv is as great nov ,irvn, anu IL snouu,
and he had no doubt it would, be strictly adj
hered to.
Mr.. Webster then spoke Of the adoption of
the Compromise measures, and said he looked
upon them as the great saving point, as the
great check upon the agitators who would wish
to dissolve this glorious Union. Any State,
said he, emphatically, North or South, which
departs in the least iota from the spirit of
these measures, is disloyal.--( Loud and long
cheering) We have had at the North some ex-
element on the great agitating question of the
day. We have seen also at the South some
thing of the same excitement, and secession from
the Union was threatened by some as a remedy
from, s,,of v,,, ,1o hat oa,1 n.
W., will they secede from? Where will they
secede to? He thought that they who talked
of secession were greatly deceived, and in the
language of the holy writ, "they know not
what they do."-( Much applause) While, said
he, we maintain inviolate the adjustment mea-
sures of the last Congress-while we hold no
parley with those who seek to break down the
bulwark with which they are surrounded, and
while we faithfully carry out the principles OF
those measures, there is no fear of the glorious
Union.--( Great cheering)
He held the strict carrying out Of those
measures to be of the highest Importance, and
every energy of every true citizen should be
bent in order to secure their full accomplish
ment.--( Loud applause)
Mr.. President, may not have been born to
fulfil any particular destiny; / may not have
any particular mission to fill on earth, but this
| l will say, am bound to uphold, with every
energy of mind and body, the Constitution OF
this country.-I Immense cheering.)
1 Mr.. w. referred, in eloquent terms, to the
celebration which was held in the city of An
napolis, on the occasion when Washington re.
signed, and delivered up his sword and commits
sion to the American Congress, and said thai
that occasion was one that would live long in
the memory of all Americans, for the patriotic
sentiments which it brought forth
The second toast drank on that occasion, anc
which was received with so much feeling anc
| qualification, was in the following words:
" The United States-May their Confederacy
endure forever"
He would in conclusion, give o sentiment
thnuoh with Some siubf III ffarapea of Ian oo