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

the boon bequeathed 10 the world ny those srea
men, their ancestors; they must grid up thei
loins to the work. give my confidence, m,
countenance, my influence, heart and hand 10 al
those good and wise men, who are Wiling e
stand by the Constitution, and to acquiesce II
the means necessary to MAINTAIN itS Pf'ceieS
provisions, without reference to the past, OF
pledge for the future. ,.r
I will quarrel with no man about past differ
ences-I will object to the co'opera'ioh OF ne
man. We stand here now upon broad consul
tntional basis, and let US act in that spirit o
nnion which actunted our ancestors when they
framed the institutions we must concentrate
our efforts to preserve. But do not carry my
toloratiop so far as to Justify in the slightes
degree any detection from the principles OF the
Lrion. The great point al stake IS ITS preser
ration. | cannot hesitate a moment on this
question, nor act well and tremendously with
those who do. Other neutrality-suspicious. q
pol,cy--are subordinate, this IS paramount
Every man who is attached to the Union should
come out~boldly and say so, without conditions
and hypotheses, and ifs, and ands, and butts
(Laughter.) 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 il
the Constitution which holds these States to-
pether 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 thiriy-one States which compose
| this Union covering so vast country-em'
bracing so many climates-so many mountains
80 many rivers-l no more believe II this
| Union is dissolved-held together as 1t now is
| by the Constitution that it can be ever re
formed on any basis, than believe that II, by
the fat of Almighty power, the law OF gravlta-
| ton should be abolished, and the orbs which
compose the universe should rush into iilinlt-
| able space, jostng against each Other that
| they could be brought back and readJusted INTO
harmony by new principle OF attraction lap
| plause
aggravation or an alienation OF fate. we can
die no lingering death we cannot fall victims TO
war. pestiIence or famine: IN 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 soc the
day. Nav not survive to hear any apocayptlc
angel crying through the heavens Epesen, epesen
| Amerike he msgaLe kdi egeneto katoiketerio'
dainonion, kai phulaks panlos PneuD'atos akafh-
ar,ou. Gentlemen, most suspicious omen sa'
lutes and cheers us this day. This day is the
anniversary of the birth of Washington.
Washingtons 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 princpes--the hills the rocks, the groves,
the Wales, and the rivers, shout their praises 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 prn
ciples and teachings, and resolve to be more anc
more guided by them in the future. 10 the ole
and tho Young, to all born in this land, and tt
| all whose preferences have led them to make il
the home of their adoption, Washington is al
celebrating theme. Americans are proud OF hi
characters all exiles from foreign shores arr
eauer to participate in admiration OF him and
is true that he is this day here, every where, al
over the world, more the object OF regard thai
on any former day since his BIRTH (Cheers)
Gentlemen, by his example, and under tn
guidance of his precepts, will we and our chlldre
uphold the Constitution. Under his militar
leadership our fathers conquered their ancen
enemies, and under the outspread banner OF hi
political and constitutional principles will W
4 conquer now. To that standard we shall ad
d here, and uphold it, through evil report and goo
feport. We will sustain it, and meet deaf
itself if it come we will even encounter an
defeat error, by day and by night, in light or j
Il "Danger's troubled night is DER
Aud the star Of peace return
We give the whole of this peroraton-
partly because it is eloquent, and partly be
cause it shows where Mr.. WEBSTER wants Il
90. That it is sophistical and false in its state
ments, every one can see. The attempt to re
viye the cry of treason, and establish his claim
! az the champion of the Union and the Constitu
ton, is utterly futile at this late hour of thu
day; and even moro so, the idea of galvanizin
into motion the corpse of the Northern Unio
organization.
With the same Inconsistency that characterize
most of the active agitators on the Compromis
bill, Mr.. WEBSTER proclaims that the Union
in danger yet, and needs fusion and confusio
of parties to save it still. "The great point n
stake is its preservation. Other questions
questions of policy-are subordinate, this
paramount" Then follows general slap a
those who wont commit themselves He dis
tinctly declares that the only way the govern
ment can be protected and preserved, is by "h
union Of all its friends" without reference t
the past, or pledge for the future" To a
such, Mr.. WEBSTER gives his " countenance,
confidence" influence" heart and hand
in the hope that they will reciprocate the com
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 tina
as his i" thunder" as he once said of the Provia
to WILMoT. And therefore he is compelled
" keep both parties alive by unfolding the d
designs of the 'secessionists and extremists wi
"hate the Constitution" and "are willing to owe
throw it to accomp ish their ends" For it
selfevident that if the Union is in no DANCE
b there is no necessity of organizations to " ga
il" over again; and il the COMPROMISE is re |