The republic. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1849-1853, 1852-07-12

general good, and letting the Government Cypress
her commerce, which was more than the COM
merce of every other Staten the Union three times
over-yielding the whole to the best interests Of
the new Government. And she has from that day
TO this experienced rich reward for all she sac
rifced by the protection which that Government
has afforded her by unfolding her flag all over the
world, and instead OF holding up her venerable
Indian with the bow and arrow, maintaining the
stars and stripes from ocean 20 ocean and river to
river. ["Good," and cheers
There were great men in that day Of constitu
tional authority, many Of whom have heard.
There was Cabot, and Sedgwick and Sewall, and
Goodhue, and Ames, and other persons connected
with the administration of Washington. There
was Eustis and Samuel Dexter, all eminent and
distinguished in their day and generation. Now,
by this time the people OF this Commonwealth had
been formed into parties, and different sentiments
divided them in relation to the public concerns Of
the General Government and different sentiments
prevailed in respect TO the administration Of affairs
at home. Rival candidates were put forth for Of
fees, and sometimes one succeeded and sometimes
another. Various successes attended various party
movements down to the period of 1923, when 1t
was my fortune, for the good or evil of the coun-
try, to be placed amid its councils. [Cres OF
"Good"l Mr.. Webster, bowling, 81 thank YOU"
Now, let me say that down to that period, that is
fifty years from the period of independence, there
was not in all the parties in Massachusetts,, from
Berkshire to Cape Cod. to be found man with the
slightest tincture Of disunion sentiment about him.
willing To thank God daily that we had been SO
successful in establishing such Government, and
which had secured to US such an eminent degree
of prosperity. And when went to Congress from
the city of Boston, there was not man in Con-
gress who entertained dsunion feelings, and if it
had been SO he could not have held his place
hour after the people had had the opportunity to
act upon it. -.
Now, gentlemen, that was Massac husetts when
came into her councils in 1929. That the
Massachusetts which embraced, and which did
me the honor to embrace me. That was the Mas.
sachusetts which honorcd historically from the
Revolution downwards.
The character of nations and of cities, gentle
men, ia made out of facts 1t is not the portraiture
Of the pencil much it ia the narrative of the
pen. History tells what she was when she did
did me the honor to call me into her service and in
that character honored her, and still honor her,
it not the first, among the first OF al the true pa
triotic Union States. will not say she was primtls
intr pares, but l will say che was not sscundus
inter parss If she did not go before others, aver
no others went before her.
This being the character of Massachusetts, this
her attachment to the Constitution and the Union,
with some differences of sentiment as to State and
National politics, but, after all, the ruling senti
ment being attachment to the Constitution. attach
ment to the cause of American liberty, attachment
to that great principle of Government that fret
made America what she s; this being the charac
teristc of the State, entered into her service with
all the devotion of my heart, and gave to it what.
ever ability had. e..
Now, gentlemen, from that time-from the
time l entered into the Congress Of the United
States at the wish of the people Of Boston my
manner of political life is known to you all. do
not stand here to- night to apologize for it, [Cries,
"Yon don't need it'll Less do stand here to de-
mnnd any appreciation. leave it all to my coun
try. to posterty, and the world, to cay whether it
will or will not stand the test of time and truth.
[Cries, at will, it will" and loud cheers
Now, gentlemen, have only to say to you that
at my present time of life am not likely to adopt
any sudden change. What have been propose
to be, No man foresee the occurrences of
future life. ! profess to foresee nothing. The
future is distant, the present is own; and for
the present am content with expressing my ut
most gratitude to you and assurance of my perpe-
tual regard.
But ought to thank you a little more particu-
larry for this generous, spontaneous outpouring Of
such q multitude to greet me. thank you for
your civic procession-for all the kindness of ndi
vdual citizens, many Of whom are known, and
many of whom, especially the young, I'M
known to me. ought also to express particular
panied US escort. You all know, gentlemen, it
10 not my fortune to be- or to have been, a
full military chieltain. Laughter and applause.
am nothing but pains taking. hard working,
drudging civilian-[Voice: "You are Daniel
Webster, and that's enough"l-giving my life,
and my health, and my strength to the mainte-
nance of tho Constitution, and the UNFOLDING,
cording to the best of my ability, under the provi
dence of God, the liberties Of my country. [Great
applause and cheers.l
After reviewing the troops, and shaking
hands with many persons, (says the Boston
C0urier, ) MIR. WEBSTER returned to his carriage,
and, under the escort of the Lancers, proceeded
to the Revere House. His reception here was
most enthusiastic, and he was called out by the
multitude that had assembled to greet him.
He returned thanks in few remarks