The Ottawa free trader. [volume] (Ottawa, Ill.) 1843-1916, 1852-07-24
Reception of Wr. Webster.

The reception of Daniel Webster took place in
Boston on Friday, and all c.asscs seem To have
participated in IT. II WAS very imposing dem
onsiratIon, fully equaling 1t i said, the great
reception given to kossuth hls late Yist to ha:
city. The houses and the stores Of the streets,
along which the procession passed, were deCora
ted from early hour with flags and banners,
and the stores were closed The public schools
were also closed and tie city wore the appear
snce Of national holiday. The military and ci.
villains, not only of Boston but from the surroun.
ding villages Of Cambridge, Brigton Dorchester,
DC. joined in the procession, thirty five compa'
MES being present. All along the line Of march
the streets were lined with human beings, and
be windows filed with ladies who waived their
handkerchiefs in the warmes, manner, many show
erirg boquets into Nr Websters carriage, so
that it was nearly filled by the time he reached
the Common. The most curious aud striking fea'
ture in the procession was the immense cavalcade,
such an one as was never seen IN Boston before.
1t marched mile four deep, and after everypo
dy thought it was at an end, the cry was still
they come" After passing through the streets
Indicated IN the programme, the head OF the plat
form erected at the west end Of the Common, at
half past six o'cocF. When the multitude were
all collected, there could not be less than 80 00O
persons on the Common. The slopng hill side
opposite the platform presented beautiful spec
tace, being covered with ladies, hO thus com.
manded a view of the scene beneath.
On reaching the platform, Mr. Webster was
greeted with the most deafening cheers he loo.
ked sad and detected however, and u deep
shade Of melancholy sat on his counienance.-l In
deed, he appeared very much care.worn and tx
haustcd anc ~ fact he never looked 80 III before
He was welcomed by Mr Stevenson, a mer
chant Of Boston, in an eloquent address, during
the delivery of which, Mr. Webster, at one pa,
sage, burst into tears. At the conclusion Oi his
address, Mr. Webster arose amidst the most trr
mentous cheers, waving Of hats and rxtraordn
ary excitement which lasted for some minutes
| He acknow ledged the honor conferred upon him
| by the reception and then alluded to the Circum
stances under which he came to b, s'on thirty
years ago and which induced him to enter pub
| lie life. He eulogiEed the commonwealth Of Mas
| sat husetts, and said that tie political history o
that State had been his beau ideoi I. om his EARL
est days
During his whole speech, however, he mad,
scarcely any allusion to the Presidency and il
conclusion, be thus sarcastically gives Gen. Scot
dig;
"AnI now. gentlemen, have only 10 cay tc
you that at my time Of life am not likely to a
dopt any sudden change. (Reuewed applau.e
No man eau foresee the future prefer to fore
see nothing; the future is not ours--the pres,n
is all we can claim. now thank you tor til,
great kndcess and rcg"rl you have always -howi
me. thank YOU more especially fur the CIV,
proce sion Of tlis day. Many If you are know
to me. and some of the young are unknown
ought to express my particular thanks to the nj
litary, who made fine display You al
!nop, gentlemen, that it not my fortune 10 be {
successful miht1ry man, Great laughter) Ian
nothing, (renewcd laughte' y nothing but hard
working, pain,-,nking, drudgng civilian, givln!
my life and health aud strength to the maiute
nance OF the constitution and the uphoding, t,
! Iha he,. g ",,.. ohluv uul tho rr0vidence O
| God, the liberties OF my country.