The republic. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1849-1853, 1852-03-30
MIR. webster In Now Jersey.


the Newark Daily .adrcrtiscr we learn that on
Friday, at noon, the committee Of the two
houses, and several other gentlemen, including
Commodore SrocEToN and Hon. r. Nd. Pace,
entered the State House with the Secretary Of
State. A rush was made by the large crowd
without, and in moment the Assembly Hall
was filled. Mr.. GARFIELD. after silence was
obtained, announced Mr. WEBSTER in these
words: "Gentlemen Of the Senate and General
Assembly, DANIEL WEBSTER" Mr.. ZABRis-
gIE, the chairman Of the committee, then ad-
dressed Mr. WEBSTER, and was replied TO as
follows:
MR.. WEBSTER'S REPLY
Senator'S and AssembIymsn Of Ne,c Jersey:
1t becomes me, on this imposing, and may say
overwhelming occasion, to do little more than OK
press in few words, and those significant ia the
highest degree, my Acknowledgements Tor the honor
you have Conferred upon me. $780,
However hunbly may think Of myself-nnd
do think most huinbIy ia not for me to dispar.
age your Judgment; nor should ], nor do feel that
80 far az neutrality-suspicious. motives and steady
purpose to maintain the liberties Of the country
through a life now somewhat protracted are con-
cesned-I do not feel that, 50 far motives arc
concerned, any thing moro than justice has been
awarded. For the rest, owe it to your love Of
your country.
Allow me to say that there 10 no State in the
Union--not even that in which was born, nor
that in which have SO long lived, and which has
honored me by maintaining me in the public coun-
ellis of the country-whose soil l tread with more
exciting recollectons Of revolutionary times, and
the subsequent struggles Of our country, than Of
New Jersey. At an early period Of my life ira
yersed your State from end to end, and through
every spot where the blood Of Americans, and of
the sons of New Jersey, split in the defence Of
their liberty / feel a hallowed regard for thosc
scenes feel the deepest sympathy for the suf-
States who were Obliged in the march of the Amer
lean army to track pathway Of blood. 1t ia i'm
possible should forget how much, at tho most
critical period of the Revolution, is owing to the
indomitable patriotism and sufferings Of New
Jersey.
1t has been my fortune through the last thirty
years to become acquainted in the councils Of the
nation with eminent of New Jersey, and
say, with truth and sincerity. that have
found among them, without distinction of political
feeling, the lolest principles, the purest patriot
ism, and just devotion to the principles Of the Con-
stitution.
Let me add, in respect to tho resolutions of the
Legislature OF New Jersey, that they could have
proceeded from no similar source standing higher
in my regard and political affection.
It would not become mo to say more on this oc-
casion, except that feel it dictate of clear duty,
that In regard to those portions of my public
vice alluded to by Mr. Zabrskie, both on the first
and latter occasion, while seeking to perform the
official duties my station devolved upon me, ] had
the entire appreciation of the Chief Magistrate of
the country. And on recent occasions. 1 feel IL
duty to say there has been entire coincidence Of
sentiment between the distinguished citizen at the
head Of the Government and myself.
Senators and Assemblymeu: Let me say, it has
distinction as never before received. Let me say,
with an humble and grateful heart, that shall carry
the ton of this mark of respect to the end
Of my life.
Commodore STOCKTON being called upon by
the audience after Mr.. WEBSTER and the COM
mittee retired, spoke as follows:
COMMODORE sTOCKTON's SPEECH
SENArons AND GENTLEMEN OF THE Assembly,
AND FELLOW CITIZENS, TOO: presume that you will
imagine that am very fond OF making speeches.
However much might desire to make speech,
this is not the occasion or the place. No power on
earth. had thought. could have dragged out Of me
speech and il the Senate and Assembly had
wanted any farther proof of my desire to serve
them, my affection for them and Willingness to
sacrifice myself for them, they have i in my COM
piance in now addressing them. This veneratcd
hall, distinguished long for the services OF So
many eminent men, and carly associations of the
State, has this day been honored in a why which,
If the spirits OF our fathers lowered DER u.s. would
rejoice them
Friends, if there is any thing that can excite the
mind, 1t is the contemplation of tho affection be-
slowed upon the posscssor of high virtues and lofty
intellectual attachments. And when we feel
can lay down party predictions, when We can
n0me up forgetting party strife, and lay down up
N the sltar OF our country sectional prejudices,
and applaud these without distinction of party. it
is triumph the selfshness Of the human
mind that we may feel proud Of Battles may be
fought, and victories won, and fields deluRed with
the blood of their deluded victims. Victory in all
ages has received honors But those who have won
them have generally been actuated by some irwin
chile necessity -ambition, or the lust Of power.
This Ia proud day for those here assembled,
and New Jersey. feel it ar New Jerseyman,
contemplate Mr.. Webster my heart goes up in
devout aspirations to Heaven, that it has endowed
enc of our species with such virtue and intellect
1t is not simply for his manly form, that noble
hrOv hich r,lo Il h.,s
Almighty; but the virtue Of the man. have
known him for thirty years; have seen him sit
ting among the wise and good in the councils Of
the nation; have sat az boy and heard the words
Of wisdom falling from those lips. which deemed
inspired And say it before this assembly, and
before the world, that if there il patriotic heart
in any man, that heart is in the body Of Daniel
Webster. have heard him at various times dis-
course OF public affairs in private, and have
heard word that might be construed against his
country or her interests, or that should not ema-
nate from great and pure man. have seen
him in the sports Of the Held, with his gun upon
his shoulder, following my own dogs; and when
ever and wherever have seen him be was the same
great and pure man.
You need not be surprised at my hesitation, and
think my concern affected, for the great talents of
our distin guished guest enough to pctrify my
insignificant and measurable abilities 1 could not
let the occasion pnss without raising my feeble
voice in welcome 20 our guest and am proud of
this occasion Of performing duty to exalted worth
And having said that. allow me to say few
words about State aud myself, as myself is
about the most agreeable subject can talk about
MIR. Webster has justly and truly said that when
ever he crossed the borders Of our territory the en-
tbusasm of patriotism ltindcd in his breast was
greater than anywhere eIse Mr.. w. ID one Of the
men who has studied the history Of New Jersey.
recommend it to you, my friends. Her history has
never yet been written II will be written some
day, and undertake to say il will be the brightest
page Of the history Of the country; not only when
il rccounts her military exploits in the Revolution,
but when it cnlghtcns the world with her stcsdy
perseverance in main attaining her institutions in
times Of peace, which were fought for and acquired
in times Of war; their moral effect has made the
heart Of the nation leap with Joy and pride.
New Jersey has never Yet been heard in tho AZ
fairs OF the country. Now she has a voice there.
But the other day, your representative, called
the wsd0n of the metropolis around even me, and
told them what New Jersey had suffered and
done-tbat sbe bad fought more and done more,
and received less reward, than any other State.
There has never been such an exhibition in the
history Of nations. She has gone on steadily, and
never boosted; but, thank God, she has now got n
man that will boest. Depending on Jerseymcn.
you would hardly know that they had ever suffered
or ever fought any battles, and you would suppose
that they bad received all they werccntitled To.
h<t korh