The southern press. [volume] (Washington City [i.e. Washington, D.C.]) 1850-1852, 1852-02-26

] the future and unite their efforts To preserve
the boon bequeathed to the world by those grea
men, their ancestors they must grid up thei
loins to the work. give my confidence, my
countenance, my influence, heart ana hano, 10 al
| those good and wise men, whe are wiling e
stand by the Constitution, and to acquiesce III
the means necessary to maintain It's priceless
provisions without reference to the past, OF
pledge for the future.
| will quarrel with no man about past differ
ences-I will object to the co operation of nc
man. We stand here now upon broad consti.
tutional basis, and let us act in that spirit OF
union which actuated our ancestors when they
framed the institutions we must concentrate
our efforts to preserve. But do not carry my
toloration so far as to Justify in the slightest
degree any detection from the principles of the
Union. The great point al stake is IT'S preser-
PATTON. cannot hesitate moment on this
question, nor act well and tremendously with
those who do Other qlsstions--quesiioa Of
policy--are subordinate, this is paramount.
Every man who is attached to the Union should
come out boldly and say so, without conditions
and hypothesis, and ifs, and ands, and butts.
Gaughter.) What says Cicero: "Denique in
scriptum sit, patres conscripti, in fronte cujus
que civis, quod de hac re sentiat" Let every
man bear iscribed on his forehead, what he is,
and what he means to do in that matter.
There are persons, weak enough, foolish
enough to think, to believe, and to say that if
the Constitution which holds these States to-
gether should be broken up, there would be
found other new and better chains to bind them
This is rash This is rash! | no more believe
looking at the thirty-one States which compose
this Union, covering so vast country-em-
bracing so many climates-so many mountains
so many rvers-l no more believe If this
Union is dissolved-held together as il now is
by the Constitution that it can be ever re
formed on any basis, than believe that if, by
the fat of Almighty poxer, the law of gravita-
ton should be abolished, and the orbs which
compose the universe should rush into illimit.
able space jostling against each other, that
they could be brought back and readjusted into
harmony by new principle Of attraction. Ap-
plause.
Gentlemen, hardly know if it would be an
augravation or an alienation OF fate. We can
die no lingering death we cannot fall victims to
var, pestilenee or famine: an earthquake alone
can throw down the pillars of our State, and
bury us in eternal political ruin and the dark
ness of everlasting night Such may be the fate
Of this country but may never live to see the
lay May not survive to hear any apocalyptic
angel crying through the heavens Epessn, epssen
Anleriks he megate kai egeneto katoiketerion
kai phulaks pantos Pnsu1ndtos dkatit-
7r,ou Gentlemen, most suspicious omen sa-
Iutes and cheers US this day. This day is the
anniversary of the birth Of Washington.
Washington's birthday is celebrated from one
end of this land to the other. The whole at
mosphere of the country Is this day redolent
of his principles-the hills the rocks the groves,
Il. L. pbnuf THAR and
resound with his fame All the good, whether
learned or unlearned, high or low, rich or poor,
feel this day that there is one treasure common
to them all and that is the fame of Washington.
They all recount his deeds, ponder over his prin-
ciples and teachings, and resolve to be more and
more guided by them in the future To the old
and the young, to all born in this land, and to
all whose preferences have led them to make it
the home Of their adoption, Washington is an
exilarating theme. Americans are proud OF his
character; all exiles from foreign shores are
eager to participate in admiration OF him and II
is true that he is this day here, everywhere, all
over the world, more the object OF regard than
on any former day since his birth. (Cheers)
Gentlemen, by his example, aud under tire
guidance Of his precepts, will we and our children
uphold the Constitution. Under his military
leadership our fathers conquered their ancient
enemies. and under the outspread banner of his
political and constitutional principles will We
conquer nou To that standard we shall I'D
hepe, aud uphold it, through evil report and good
sport. We will sustain il, and meet death
itself il il come; We will even encounter and
defeat error, by day and by night, in light or in
darkness-thick darkness-if it come, till
Dangers troubled night is Ger
And the star OF peace return
We give the whole of this peroration-
partly because it is eloquent and partly be-
cause il shows where Mr.. WEBSTER wants to
60. That tits sophistical and false 10 its state
ments, every one can see. The attempt 10 re.
yiye the cry Of treason, and establish his claims
as the champion of the Union and the Constitu
ton, is utterly futile at this late hour Of the
day; and even more so, the idea Of galvanizinl
into motion the corpse Of the Northern Unior
organization.
With the same Inconsistency that characterize
most Of the active agitators on the Compromise
bill, Mr.. WEBSTER proclaims that the Union i
in danger yet, and needs fusion and confusioi
Of parties 10 save il still. Z" The great point Al
stake is its preservation. Other questions
questions Of polcy-are subordinate, this j
paramount" Then follows a general slap a
those who wont commit themselves lie dis
tinctly declares that the only way the govern
ment can be protected aud preserved, isby "h
union of all itsJrieads," without reference I
the past, or pledge for the future" To a
such, Mr.. WEBSTER gives his countena nee,
. confidence" influence" heart and hand
in the hope that they will reciprocatc the CON
pliment.
The whole drift Of this exposition shows thu
Mr. WEBSTER has no idea Of giving up the bus
ness Of saving the Union" He regards ths
as has " thunder" as he oace said Of the Provs
10 WnMoT. And therefore he is compelled
keep both parties alive" by unfolding the diI
designs ofthe 'secessionists and extremists VIII
"hate The Constitution" and @are willing to owe