Weekly national intelligencer. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1841-1869, 1852-05-29
SPEECH OF Mr.. WEBSTER,
AT FANEUIL HALL, BOSTON
rnox THE Bosros COURIER OF MONDAY.

FROM THE BOSTON COURIER OF MONDAY.
On Saturday afternoon the citizens OF Boston as
sembled in Faneui Hall to meet DANIEL w EBsTEa,
in pursuance Of an invitation which they had extend
ed to him through the City Government, Inc ga
thernng on the occasion was such as all had ex-
pected. thronging and mulhtudincus in numbers,
and enthusiastic to the highest degree in spirit and
manifestation. The hall was oyerhowed, the lower
Aoor being almost instantaneously covered on the
openino of the doors A splendid company Of ladies
occupied the northern and eastern galleries while
the southern gallery was appropriated to the mem
hers Of the Methodist Conference, who present
IN body with their female friends
Atfonr o clock Mr.. WEBSTER, accompanied by
Mayor SEAvER and the City Council, entered Fa-
neuil Hall Nothing could exceed the cordially of
his reception. seP!i as 4t
MayoE sEAyER presided; and among the distin-
ouished men seated on the rostrum were his Excel
lency Governor Boutwell,; Hon. Amasa Walker, Sc
cretary Of State Hon. Henry Wilson, President Of
the Senate Hon. N. P. Banks, Jr., Speaker of the
House Of Representatives; Hon. G.. b. Weston, Of
the Executive Council; Hon. Thomas I'll. Perkins,
Hon. Isaac p Davis Chief Justice Shaw; Judge
Thomas of Worcester Chevalier Marcolette, Charge
dAffaires from Nicaragua; Hon. William Appleton,
Hon. s. H. Valley, DR.. Il. Morse, and Mr.. Post
master Gordon
Mayor SEAvER, in introducing Mr.. WEBSTER,
spoke as follows:
Frrrow- CIrzExs shall not presume to occupy any
more Of the time Of this meeting than is necessary for
proper introduction to its proceedings. ga aa ee
We4haye assembled in this Cradle Of american liberty
to meet an honored felow-czen, one whom we always
delight and to hear This the appropriate place
to meet him. these walls have often resounded with his
patriotic eloquence the echoes Of his voice still linger
upon our ear but we wish them to be walked once more
that our veneration for Washington and love for the
Union may be strengthened by his words Of wisdom and
warming Aa y
am happy, fellow-citizens, to say that the circum
stancss under which we meet honored and distin-
guished friend are fortunate and peculiar; he comes
hher by theManmous invitation Of the members of both
branches of the city government without distinction Of
party to exchange with the kind congratulations and
sympathes of the heart Party considerations may
well give place to the higher and better feelings which be-
long to this occasion. -
Sir no more agreeable duty can ever devolve upon
than that of now welcoming you in behalf Of the city
government and the citizens of Boston, within these hal
lowed walls We welcome you-to borrow your own
words-we welcome you friend and member OF that
community in the midst of which you have lived for the
greater part of e which you regard as your home
and which home has been rendered happy to by all
the endearments of domestic affections the warmth Of
social relations, and that mutual respect and kindness
which constitutes the unbought grace Of lfe You have
said that you should not this occasion enter upon
the discussion of any political questions subjects what
ever. This, authorized to say, is in accordance
with the feelings Of your eow-ctzens We receive you
here sir, upon platform much broader than any which
politicians political parties could frame We welcome
you as friend whom we value, felow-ctzen whom
we honor and who has done honor to consistent
champion and supporter of constitutional liberty and the
rights of man.
We reciprocate all the kind and fraerna sentiments
fully and beautifully expressed in your letter accepting
our invitation and ardeny wish that life and health
may long be spared SO that our city and our common
In fboh Ifnfu vClor
patriotism, and eloquence.
Fellow-Citzens We also honored this occasion
with the presence of many distinguished strangers from
distant parts Of the Union representing of the most
respectable and influential religious denominations of
country, now assembled in Convention for the promo
ton OF their common interests We welcome them to
city and to this hail. and assure them that there is
community which holds firmly to the conviction that
religious fifth is the only foundation for civil liberty And
now duty is performed not as could
WISH but as have been abe and it only remains to me
70 announce to the meeting esteemed friend and otcns
man, Ae Hos. DANIEL WEBSTER.
Mr.. WEBSTER responded to the address of the
Mayor as follows:
DR., Mayor and Gentlemen Of the City Council Of Boston
tendefyou my hearty thanks, my deep-et gratitude
for this unexpected expression of your regard towards me-
as one OF YOU fellow citizens; and thank you, Mr.
Mayor an old ana constant friend Of mine for the kind
manner in which have been pleased to express your
sentiments toward Oh this occasion.
Andnow, felow-ctzens Of Boston, by the good prov-
dence Of God am here. am glad 70 see every face
that ilumes and is ilumined in this assembly This occa
sion altogether agreeable left the place my appro
pirate public duties Mt the approach of summer to visit
my home, and to see to some personal affairs which de-
manded attention. came with purpose or expecta
on of addressing any popular assembly, of meeting
any of my feow-citizens have been arrested by
the vote Of the City Council of Boston, inviting with
unanmity which Affects my feelings deeply to my
fellowcitizens here not as public man. but as private
not who exercises any share of the public
authority, but Of themselves who has passed
the greater part Of his life in the midst Of them enjoy
ing their association and acquaintance, and cuvatng
their regard sar eltt tf,g vff
Gentlemen, have already said that should here
to-day 70 discuss no political question: to enter upon the
discussion of controverted points Of policy, any
thing growing out of the present state of opinion in the
community about which men differ. In the first place,
felorsens abstain from all such discussion because
this is not t occasion. This take it. is friendly So
cia personal neghbory meeting and not one assembled
for political purposes At the time you will allow me
tossy in the next place. that IL this occasion for
me to express Political opinions have no new opinions
to express political character to assume loud
cheering What think upon important pending topics
has been often spoken and written BY me- with full
heart and honest purpose within the last two years that
nothing remains to be said And what also are my opin
ions upon the general policy Of the country foreign and
domestic, need not repeat. / say TO you to-day
that have nothing to add and nothing react Ihaye
neither explanation qualification to offer propose
to you and to my feowctizens throughout the country
no platform but the platform of my life and character
lCheersJ have no new promises to make, and have