The southern press. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1850-1852, 1852-04-05


LEGISLATURE.
Senator Stoekton's Speech.
TRENTON, March 81, 1852.
| 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
join copy of his speech -
Gentlemen Of The Senate and General Assembly
Of The STATE of NeU Jersey and Fello0 Citi-
zsns -
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 even, or that any
power on the face Of the earth could have
dragged out of me a speech. or an attempt at n
speech on this occasion, so worthily appropriated
to your distinguished visitor
If senators and members Of the house of AZ
sembly require any additional proof of my re-
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 hail. distinguished by 50 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,
they will applaud the spectacle.
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 bcstows upon the possessor of high vir-
Tues and great intellectual attanments. When
we can lay down on the altar of patriotism all
our selfish and worthy feelings-forgetting
party predictions and sectional differences--to
pay Just homage to the great and good, we may
feel that we have achieved triumph over hui
man nfrmity of which we may well be proud
This is proud day for New Jersey. feel
il as Il Jerseyman, rs a man, AZ 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 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 my heart goes
to heaven in thanks to God that he has made
such Il 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 a
crown to mark the man) 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 a boy have sat beside him, and
drunk in every word that fell from his almost
inspired lips. say, before this assembly, and
before the world, that if there is patriotic
heart that warns the bosom of any man, that
heart is in the body Of Daniel Webster.
7 L.,,,o knor II
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 his 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 hestations to speak on
this occasion, or think my concern affected
The exalted patriotism, and great talents of
your distinguished visitor, are quite enough TO
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 to your guest
nay more, am proud Of the occasion, and re-
joice 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 State, and " | my.
SELF m,.eLf," 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 knded in his breast to a greater
degree than anywhere else. Mr. Webster is one
of the few who have studied the traditions of
New Jersey, and recommend them to the study
of all my fellow citizens; her history has never
yet been written; when it is truly written it
will make some of the brightest pages in the
history of our country, not only where it re-
counts the military exploits of the revolution,
but where it may tell of her steady perseverance
in maintaing the institutions of the country in
time of peace. A well-writen history of the
State of New Jersey, will make the national
heart leap with JOY and pride
New Jersey has heretofore had too much dig.
nifty to boast of her achievements, and too much
pride to complain ofinjus.ce. 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,
l. as your representative, called on the wisdom
of the nation then around me in the capitol, to
witness that New Jersey had suffered and sacri-
she had fought as valiantly and performed as
important services to 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 self dependence and moral
grandeur AS may be found in the annals of our
State. New Jersey has proceeded on steadily
in the path of patriotic duty and noble sacrifice
without complaint or yet remonstrance. To es
innate New Jersey by her own pretentons, 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 to examine her records, you will be
amazed to see that she has accomplished so
much for the public welfare, and astonished
that she has received nothing worthy name
from the general government Her mineral re.
sources appear to be inexhaustbe, but they are
buried in her mountains; her bills are filled with
iron and copper, all useless, inactive, dead, in
consequence ola continually fuctuating revenue
system.