Glasgow weekly times. (Glasgow, Mo.) 1848-1861, 1852-03-11
Daniel Webster's Address.
New YoRK. Fehrliarv

New YoRX, February "a.
| Niblo's was last evening filed to over
flowing with brilliant and fashionable au-
dience Of ladies and gentlemen, 10 listen to
the discourse of Mr. Webster before the
State Historical Society. The Speaker dila-
ted at considerable length upon the ancient
history of Greece and Rome, and aludes to
the difficulty Of distinguishing the fabulous
from the actual. After reviewing the pro-
gress Of literature, poetry and historical
compositions amongst the ancients, the
speaker next touched the history OF our own
country. He said it was divided into three
epochs, the first extending from the settle
ment Of the Colonies to IVA; The second
from hat period to 1889, when the present
Constitution of our Government was estab-
lished; and the third embraces from that
date up TO the present time. The speaker
m2inly considered that IoTton of the lhird
period, embraced within the administration
of Washington.
The assembling OF the first Continental
Congress, at Philadelphia, was q prominent
event, and may be regarded as an era at
which the Union of the States commenced.
Let this day be ever remembered. It saw
assembled from several Colonies great men
whose names have come down TO us, and
will descend TO posterlty. At that day there
could have been convened, on no part orthis
globe, an equal number Of men possessing
greater talents. or. animated by higher or
more patriotic motives. They made no
speeches for ostentaton; they sat with closed
doors, and their great maxim was, "fue
sans dei/e." Aier giving a rapid sketch Of
events that checkered thc proceedings of that
assembly, the speaker made = beautiful allu-
sion to the scene and day on which Wash
ington first took on himself the adminisira-
ton of the government in the city Of New
York. The first Congress also makes an
illustrious passage in our history, and with
it may be olassed the convention that framed
the constitution, the organization of The first
Congress by eroy-hgired men Of the revolu-
lion, and Washington himself in tie princi-
pal chai! Of stale, surrounded by the heads
OF the Dep&rtments.
The importance Of this Congress did not
strike The minds Of ordinary men as these
of Burke, Fox and the sar,cioa~ men Of
Europe beheld i, and had their advice been
followed, how would the destiny Of Eng
land have been altered: instead Of subject
colonies, England how beholis mighty ri
val-rich, intelligent and powerful like
herself and may they forever be friendly
riyals-may their power and greatness
sustaining themselves be always di.cc.ed 10
the promotion Of prosperity, enlightenment
and liberty Of mankind, and if il be the uni
led destiny, n the course Of human events
! that they shgll he called on in the cause of
humanity and freedom 10 stand against a
world in arms, they are Of a race and blood
to meet the crisis without shrinking from
danger and without quaihng in the presence
of any earthly power.
The close OF the address was q most clo-
quent allsion 10 the present state Of our
country, and the prospects before it. If
we and our postcrity be true to Christian
religion and maintain just moral sentiments,
and such constant conviction of duty as
should control heart and life, we may have
The highest hopes FOR The future fortune Of
our country; It will have no decline but i.
will 60 on prospecting. But if we and pos
terity reject religious instruction, and vio-
late the rules Of eternal justice, trihe with
the rules Of morality, and recklessly destroy
the political constitution which binds us TO-
gether, no man can tell how suddenly ca
tastrorhe may ovcrwhelmu us that shall bury
all glory in profound ohscurity. If that ca
tastrophe shall happen, let it never have an
history-let no narrative ever be written
let lis fate be like the lost book of Levy,
which no man can ever know.