Richmond daily times. [volume] (Richmond [Va.]) 1850-1853, 1852-03-31
MIR WEBSTER AND THE NEW JERSEY

'An w LDoIER AND HE NEW JERSEY
LEGISLATURE
| The Newark Advertiser contains the particu
lars of the reception of Mr.. Webster by the New
Jersey Legislature last Friday:
At twelve O'Clock to day the Committee of the
| two Houses and several other gentlemen ipclu
! ding Conn., Stockton and Hon. R. M. Price an
tered the State House with the Secretary of State.
rush was made by large crowd without, and
| in a moment the Assembly Hall was filled.
MIR. Garfield, after silence was obtained. an
nounced Mr.. Webster in these word: ..Gentle-
men of the Senate and General Assembly, Dan
iel Webster"
Mr. Zabriskie, Chairman of the Committee, adj
dressed him as follows:
MR.. ZABR1sKIE's ADDRESS.
The Senate and General Assembly of New
Jersey through me, welcome you to her Lepisla-
tive Halls
Breathing a national spirit alone, political diff
ferences IN your presence burying themselves in
oblivion; we see and welcome i'll you the Amer
lean Jurist Statesman and Diplomatist, distn-
guished bya rare union of eminence in all. We
regard your fame as the common honor, and the
benefits of your efficient abors as the common pro-
perty of the whole nation.
New Jersey, one of the earliest, as we hone
she may be one of the latest adherents to the
constitution, saw with admiration your unequaI-
ed vigor in the great constitutional contest with
notification, and hailed with satisfaction your com
plete success.
Though she was one of the battle grounds Of
the revolution, and her sons were actively and eo
riousy engaged in the later war with the mother
country, she greeted with applause the result of
that craftsmanship which so honorably averted the
danger OF needless WARMTH England and which
without treaty stipulation, by mastery expo
siton of the law of nations alone has established
the rig hts of our flag more firmly than was done
by war undertaken for that purpose.
The lofty tone and manly language in which
Austrian dictation was rebuked; and the watch
full care with which the interference of our own
too ardent citizens with the rg hts of other nations
has been restrained, have not, among the aterser-
vices of your life been overlooked or unappreci-
ated by the sons of New Jersey
To us, her Senators and representatives it is a
pleasure to have met you here this day, that will
be remembered and preserved among the ereener
recoections of the past in years to come when
your name and the results of your labors, NAV be
all that is left of you to your country.
To this address Mr.. Webster replied as fol-
lows -
MR.. wEBsTER's REPLY.
Senators and Assemblymea Of NeU Jersey:
1t becomes me, on this imposing, and may say
overwhelming occasion, to do little more than ex-
press in few words, and those significant in the
inquest ueSfee my ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS Tor the hon.
or you have conferred upon me.
However humby may think of myself-and [
do think most humbly-it is not for me to dispar-
age your judgment; nor should I, nor do feel
that so far as motives-patriotic motives and
steady purpose to maintain the liberties the coun
try through life now somewhat protracted, are
concerned-I do not feel that so far as motives are
concerned anything more than Justice has been
awarded. For the rest, l owe it to your love of
your country.
Allow me to say that there is 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 public councils
of the country. whose soil | tread with more ex-
citing recollectons of revolutionary times and the
| subsequent struggles of our country, than of New
Jersey. At an earlier period of my life | ira
versed your State from end to end, and through
every spot where the blood of Americans, and of
the sons of New Jersey, was split in the defence
OF liberty. feel a hallowed regard for those
scenes. feel the deepest sympathy for the suffer-
ings of the men of New Jersey, and of other
States, who were obliged in the march of the
American army to track a pathway of blood. 1t
is impossible | should forget how much, at the
most critical period of the revolution, is owing
to the indomitable patriotism and suf1erings of n
Jersey.
1t has been my fortune through the last thirty
yoaio W poeoHiO the cOuilCiS vi Cuo
nation with eminent of New Jersey, and |
say with truth and sincerity, that have found
among them, without distinction of political feel
lug, the loiest principles, the purest patriotism,
and just devotion to the principles of the Constu-
ton.
Let me add, in respect to the resolutions of tie
Legislature of New Jersey, that they could have
proceeded from no similar sources standing higher
in my regard and political affection.
1t would not become me to say more on this oc-
casion except that feel it dictate of clear DUTY
that in regard to those portions ofmy public ser
vice alluded to by MIR. 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, | feel it a
duty to say there has been an entire coincidence
of sentiment between the distinguished citizen ak
the head OF the Government and myself.
Senators and Assemblymen: Let me say it has
been your pleasure to confer on me such a marked
distinction as | never before received. Let me-
say with an humble and grateful heart that shall
carry the recollection of this mark of respect to the
end ofmy life.
Commodore Stockton being called on by the au-
dience alter Mr. Webster, and the Committee re-
tired in the course of his remarks thus referred ia
Mr.. Webster:
This venerated hail. distinguished so long for
the services of many eminent men, and early
associations of the State, has this day been hon
ored in way, which if the spirits of our fathers
lowered DER us, would rejoice them.
Friends, if there is anything that can excite the