The southern press. [volume] (Washington City [i.e. Washington, D.C.]) 1850-1852, 1852-02-26
mr. Webster,s Platform.


Historical Society on the 2lst inst. appears in
the papers Of that city.
II is a very elaborate and learned effort, and
viewed as literary production, does justice ta
his reputation as a scholar and critic But in
its political bearing it has deeper significance
than anything that has yet emanated from the
same source. It is the most adroit as well as
the most effective move yet made by Mr.. WEB.
sTER and his friends, with view to his promo
ton to the Presidency.
The whole affair was admirably managed by
the orator and his friends. He went to New
York, not on political mission, but by invita-
ton Of literary society, TO deliver their annu
al address. That address, carefully prepared
and which he read from printed copy, was in
strict keeping with the occasion. 1t was an his.
torical address emphatically, and for two hours
he enchained the attention Of the audience with
it. He concluded the address, and doubtless
many of that audience marveled at the ssf-ab-
negation of the orator on that occasion, and his
abstinence from the topics out of which polit-
cal capital could be made. But they reckoned
without their host The occasion was TO be
improved most skilfully, and the unprepared
peroration, yet in embryo,to give point and mean
ing to the movement, and platform on which
he could stand. That platform is the Union
platform, which Mr. WEBSTER seems still to be-
lieve may be built up for his benefit, though
failure has hitherto followed every attempt OF
that kind, even when the pretext carried more
probability with it,
We do not believe that the annals of popular
oratory, ancient or modern, afford more strik-
ing illustration of oratorical effect, than the
mode in which Mr. WEBSTER produced and de-
liyered this peroration, every word of which had
evidently been weighed and considered before.
hand-every expression of which has its mean
ing.
Mr.. WEBsTER's address was apparently con-
cluded. His printed copy contained nothing
further. He ceased: and then we leave the
Commercial Advertiser TO describe the manner
in which the orator fulfilled the object of his
mission. r.
When the last page of this learned, eloquent
and felieitous address fell from his hand, Mr..
Webster stood silent for a moment, as If hesitat-
ing whether he should say more. There were
evident expressions Of desire and expectation
that he would 90 on, and he continued
But, gentlemen, will not take my leave OF
you In a tone of despondency. We may trusi
that heaven will not forsake rs so long as We dc
not forsake ourselves. We must strengthen
nd lnins NTH
luton; we must counsel each other, and vow
ing to sustain each other in the support of the
Consultation, prepare 10 meet manfuly and
unitedly whatever fate may have in store for us
Are we Of this generation 50 derelictl Have we
SO little of the blood Of our revolutionary faith
ers coursing through our veins, that we cannot
preserve what our ancestors achieved? The
world will cry out SHANE" upon us il we show
ourselves unworthy 10 be the descendants OF
those great and illustrious men who fought for
thcir liberty, and secured il TO their posterity by
the Constitution.
Now, gentlemen, exigencies will arise 10 the
history of nations, when competition and rival!
~, disputes and contentious are powerful. xxi.
gencies arise in which great men and good men
Of all parties, and all shades Of political senti-
ment are called upon 10 reconsider their opinions
to re-adjust their positions. and 10 bring them
selves together, they can, in the spirit Of har.
mony. Such state Of things, in my opinion
las happened in our day. An exigency ha.
arisen. We have great and wise Constitution
We have grown, fourished, and prospered unde
il with degree Of rapidity unequaled in thu
history Of the world. Founded on the bash
Of equal civil rights, its provisions secure perfec
equality and freedom 10 all all who live unde
il are equal,-all enjoying the same privileges
In case like ours, il Is 10 be presumed, that al
the wise and good men Of the nation have tn
same end in view-though they may wish 4
take different mean TO obtain that end-th
preservation and pr 0ection Of the Constitution
and government
II, then, they have the same object in view
they must pursue conciliating course, and eac
will be willing 10 surrender somewhat 10 esc
other, 10 secure the harmony Of the whole
This general object then, being the preservation
OF the Constitution, the only efficient means /
accomplish this end, is the union Of all Il
friends. lApplause The Constitution ha
enemies, secret and professed; but they canno
disguise the fact, that it secures rs many bene
fits. These enemies are unlike in character, bu
they all have some fault 10 find. Some Of ther
are enthusiasts, bot-headed, self sufficient an
headstrong. They fancy that they can max
out for themselves better path than that lsi
down for them. Phaton, the son Of Apollo
thought he could find better course across Oh
heavens for the sun.
Thus Phaton once, amidst the ethereal plains
Leaped on his father 8 car and seized the reins
Far from his course impelled the glowing sun
Till natures laws to wild disorder run.
Other enemies there are, more cool, and witt
more calculation. These have a deeper, anc
more traitorous purpose; they have spoken o
forcible resistance 10 the provisions OF the Con
shtuhon they now speak Of secession! Lee
me say, gentlemen, secession from IA IL Accession
elsewhere. lie who renounces the protection
OF the stars and stripes, shelters himself undel
he shadow Of another flag, You may rest as
sured oil that Sensation and applause.
The g maIcontents find il easy 10 infiame meni
passions; they lay all misfortuncs Of individual
men, Of individual States, Of sections and com
munities--all want Of prosperity, TO the Union
The cooperation Of what are now called antao
onist principles is made serviceabIe in The on
deayors TO overthrow the Constitution. Ex
tremes meet and concert together Some Their