The southern press. [volume] (Washington City [i.e. Washington, D.C.]) 1850-1852, 1852-04-06

OF private citizen, whose fortunes are involved
in those of the State Very truly, your friend
]. A. WOODWARD.
SAML. G. BARLEY, esq.
---,-----
Correspondence Of the Philadelphia Inquirer.
THE WEBSTER RECEPTION BY THE NEW JERSEY
LEGISLATURE.
| Senator St0ekt0n's speech.
TRENTON, March 81, 1862.
| yesterday forwarded to you by telegraph an
account of Mr.. Webster's reception by the leg
islature of New Jersey. Commodore Stockton
was one of the lions Of the occasion, and sub
joina copy of his speech 60
Gentlemen of The Senate and General Assembly
of The Stale of New Jersey, and Felio,o Gin
zenS So
You may perhaps imagine that am very fond
of making speeches. II is therefore proper for
me to say that this is not the time or the occa-
sion should have selected for such purpose
| am altogether unprepared-l did not, | could
not have anticipated this event. or that any
power on the face of the earth could have
dragged out of me speech, or an attempt at a
speech on this occasion, so worthily appropriated
to your distinguished visitor.
| If senators and members of the house of as
gard for them, or my desire to serve them, or OF
my willingness to sacrifice myself for them, you
have it in this prompt but hazardous compliance
with your wishes.
This venerable hall, distinguished by so many
proud "reminiscences, and hallowed associations
connected with the early history of New Jersey,
has this day been honored in a way that if the
spirits of our fathers were lowering over us,
| thew will applaud the speetacle
| Friends and fellow-citizens-If there is any
| thing that can raise up the best emotions Of the
| human mind, it is the contemplation of the
spontaneous affections which gratitude some
| times bestows upon the possessor Of high vir-
| tues and great intellectual attainments. When
we can lay down on the altar of patriotism all
our selfish and unworthy feelings-forgetting
party predictions and sectional differences-to
pay just homage TO the great and good, we may
| feel that we have achieved a triumph over hu-
man in6rmity of which we may well be proud.
| This is proud day for New Jersey. | feel
| it as Jerseyman rs a man, as a patriot. This
day, here in Lis hall of the representatives of
the people, the men and women of New Jersey
have assembled to testify their regard for the
talent, the patriotism of Daniel Webster, one of
the wisest and best Of mankind. Whenever
contemplate the character of Daniel Webster
his extraordinary endowments-m heart goes
to heaven in thanks to God that he has made
such a man, that he has thus endowed one of
our species.
1t is not simply that manly form or noble
brow (Which seems to have been placed as
crewn to mark the mani to which our 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 seen him sitting among
the wise and good in the councils Of the nation.
| myself, when boy, have sat beside him, and
drunk 10 every word that fell from his almost
inspired lips. ] say, before this assembly, and
before the world, that If thsre. IN patriotic
heart that warns the bosom Of any man, that
heart is in the body Of Daniel Webster.
have heard him discourse 10 private, at va.
rious times, on the subject of our public affairs,
and never heard him say word that might be
construed inimical to the interests Of his coun-
try or his race, or that might not well have ema-
mated from the heart Of great and pure man.
] have seen him engaged in the sports of the field,
with his gun upon bis shoulder, following my
own dogs; in short, whenever and wherever
have heard or seen him, he has always been the
same great and generous man. You need not,
then, be surprised at my hesitations TO speak on
this occasion, or think my concern affected
The exalted patriotism, and great talents OF
your distinguished visitor, are quite enough 10
disturb my poor abilities.
But still, could not refuse your wish to hear
me speak, or LET the occasion pass without rails
ing my feeble voice in welcome 10 your guest
nay, more, am proud Of the occasion, and re.
oice in the opportunity to pay my fealty to ex.
allied worth.
Now may turn from your noble visitor and
say word or two about our Slats-and my.
SELF miseG" no unpleasant theme.
Mr.. Webster has Justly, and believe, truly
said, that whenever he has crossed our territory,
and looked out on our fields, the enthusiasm Of
patriotism was kindled in his breast TO greater
degree than anywhere else. Mr.. Webster IL one
Of the few who have studied the traditions Of
New Jersey, and | recommend them 10 the study
Of all my fellow. citizens; her history has never
yet been written; when Il is truly written, Il
will make some Of the brightest pages in the
history Of our country, not only where Il re.
counts the military exploits Of the revolution,
but where II nay tell Of her steady perseverance,
in msintaing the institutions Of the country in
time Of peace. A welLwrilten history Of the
State Of New Jersey, viii make the national
heart leap with Joy and pride.
New Jersey has heretofore had too much dig.
nifty 10 boast Of her achievements, and too much
pride 10 complain ofinjustice. New Jersey has
scarcely ever been heard to demand from the
councils Of the country her Just and equal rights
but she has at last protested. The other day,
], as your representative, called on the wisdom
Of the nation then around me in the capitol, 10
witness that New Jersey bad suffered and sacri.
feed much for the country and the Union-that
she had fought as valiantly and performed AZ
important services 10 this nation as any Of her
sister States, and that she had received as few
direct benefits from The general government as
any other State.
In the history Of nations you can hardly find
such an exhibition Of selfdependence and moral
grandeur as may be found in The annals Of our
State. New Jersey has proceeded on steadily
in Che path Of patriotic duty and noble sacrifice,
without complaint or yet remoustrance. To es
innate New Jersey by her own pretentions, you
could scarcely imagine that she had ever made
sacrifice or fought battle in the cause Of
Liberty or the Constitution. When you come
however 10 examine her records you will be
amazed 10 see that she has accomplished 40
much for the public welfare, and astonshed
that ehn has rooaivod r,ofhsnrr ,.yo.fl..