The daily union. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1845-1857, 1852-03-31

TREEToH. March 81, 1852.
YESTERDAY forwarded to you by telegraph account
OF Mr.. Webser's reception by the legislature OF New
Jersey. Commodore Stockton OF the lions OF the
occasion, aud subjoin copy OF his speech
Gentlemen Of tie Senate and General assembly of the
State of Nsw Jersey, and Fetlop- Citizens:
! You may perhaps imagine that very fond OF
making speeches IL is therefore proper for me TO say
lecled for snch purpose. altogether unprepared.
did no- could not have anticipated this event, or that
any power the face Of the earth could have dragged
out oil speech, or an attempt al speech, on this
OCCASION so worhiy appropriated to your distinguished
yisiler
II senators and the members OF the house of assembly
require any additional proof OF my regard for them, my
desire 10 them, or OF my Willingness TO sacrifice my
sell Tor them you have in this prompt but hazardous
compliance with your wishes
| This venerable hall, distinguished by many proud
"reminiscences and haowed associations connected with
the early history OF New Jersey has this day been hon
ored in way that il tue spirits OF our fathers were how
ering over us, they will applaud the spectacle.
Friends and fellow citizens, il there is anything that
up the best emotions OF the human mind is
the contemplation of the spontaneous affections which
gratitude sometimes bestows upon the possessor OF high
virtues and great intellectual attachments. When we
lay down the altar OF patriotism all our selfish and
unworthy feengs-forgetting party predictions and
sectional differences TO pay just homage TO the great and
goodwe may feel that we have achieved triumph over
human nfrmity of which we may well be proud
This is proud day for New Jersey feel IT as Jer-
seyman. as man, us patriot This day, here IN this
hall OF the representatives OF the people, the men and
women OF New Jersey have assembled TO testify their
gard for the TALENT the patriotism OF Daniel Webster one
Of the wses and best Of mankind Wheneyerl con.em,
endowments-my heart goes to Heaven in thanks to God
that He has made such man, that He has thus endowed
| one OF our species.
II is not simply that manly form or noble brow (Which
to have been placed as crown TO mark the man)
to which homage is paid but to one OF the strongest
hearts and most gigantic minds OF the age have known
him for thirty years. and have him sitting among
the wise and good in the councils Of the nation. my
self, when boy, have sat beside him, and drank in
pp fell mO imam
before this assembly, and before the world that ii there
is patriotic heart that warns the bosom Of any man,
! that heart is in the body OF Daniel Webster
have heard him discourse in private at various times,
on the subject OF our public affairs, and never heard
him say word that might be construed inmical to the
interests OF his country his race, or that might not
well have emanaed from the heart OF great and pure
man have him engaged in the sports OF the field
with his gun upon his shoulder, following my own dogs
In short, whenever and wherever have heard
him, he has always been the great aud generous
man. You need not, then, be surprised at my hesa-
tons TO speak this occasion, or think my concern al
feced The exalted patriotism and great talents OF your
distinguished vster are quite enough TO disturb my poor
4 abilities.
But still could not refuse your wish hear me speak
or let the occasion pass without raising my feeble voice
in welcome of your gues-nay, more, proud of the
OCCASION and rejoice IN the opportunity TO pay my feay
| 10 exalted worth.
Now, tmay turn from your noble visitor, and say
word or two about our State, and myself" myself"
no unpleasant theme.
Mr. Webster has Justly and | believe truly, said that
whenever he has crossed territory and looked out
our fields, the enthusiasm OF patriotism was knded in
his breast TO greater degree than anywhere else. Mr.
Webster is OF the few who have studied the radi-
tons Of New Jersey, and recommend them 10 the study
of all my fellow citizens Her history never yet been
written When il is truly written, il will make OF
the brightest pages the history OF country, only
where 1t recounts the military exploits of The revolution,
but where may tell of her steady in main
tanning the institutions OF the country IN time OF peace
well written history OF the State OF New Jersey will
make the national heart leap with Joy and pride,
New Jersey has heretofore had too much dignity to
boast OF her achievements. and too much pride 10 com
plain OF injustice: New Jersey has scarcely been
heard demand from the councils of the country her lust
and equal rights. but she has last protested The other
day, your representative, called the wisdom OF the
naon then around me in the CAPITOL TO witness that New
Jersey had suffered and sacrificed much for the country
and the Unonhat she had fought as valianiy and per-
formed important services 10 this nation any OF her
SISTER States and that she had received as few direct bene
hts from the general government as any other State.
In the history OF nations you can hardly find such an
exhibition of sef-dependence and moral grandeur may
! be found in the annals OF our State New Jersey has
proceeded steadily in the path OF patriotic duy and
noble sacrifice, without complaint or yet remonstfance
To estimate New Jersey by her own preensions, you
could scarcely imagine that she had made sacrifice
fought battle in the OF liberty the consttu
ton. When you come, however 10 examine her records
you will be amazed to that she has accomplished so
much for the public welfare and asonshed that she has
received nothing worthy name IRON the general gov
ernment Her mineral resources appear TO be nexhaust
BILE. but they buried in her mountains; her hills are
filled with iron and copper-a useless inactive dead in
consequence OF a continually huctuating system
will never be beggar at their doors, but shall not
\
what, in my judgment, justice demands shall insist
because il is good democratic doctrine-l shall insist
upon dragging the iron out OF mountains down TO the
seacoast want it for national defences. | am
aware that tread upon delicate ground; hope no one
will see cause TO be offended; ! mean no offence. Why
should not the operations OF the general government
tribute TO the development OF IL has done
TO that OF other States hope to get this matter OF ron
well as Of glass, included in the tarid bill
The tariff heretofore democratic measure in the
State OF New Jersey The first resolutions on this sub
ject, well Tecollect, introduced into the
legislature OF this Stale by Mr. James Wilson, gen
tleman OF eminence and worth. No will doubt or
dispute his democracya leader OF the democratic party
He looked up and much respected throughout the
State. Not many years alter this however, the party
rent asunder: side took with them the tariff
thunder-it all the thunder they had they would
not allow the be settled, and thus il became
party question. How much necessary tariff is al
this time let experience and facts show. With an
nual expenditure OF fifty millions OF dollars staring us
in the face anything be more ridiculous than to
quarrel about the vagaries OF free trade This amount
OF expenditure will require average duty OF thirty
three per cent on all our mportations We have no
other for OF any consequence but the
duties on Imports What folly, them repeat to be con-
tinualy wranglng about the doctrines OF free trade
Fellow citizens, my party robes do not hang heavy
my shoulders when the welfare, the honor the in
| teress OF my country are at stake.
have passed my grand clmacieric and can have al
best but few years live in and for my chill.
dren. II TO consult my interest alone my am
hilton, would concern myself little about the oonstu-
ton or the laws. | would no, be much concerned at
what might happen speak not for myself but for my
childens children, and II il not too much 10 say, for