Herald of the times. [volume] (Newport, R.I.) 1849-1856, 1852-06-10

tan Hall 10 hear the warbling Of that
mclodious Scandinavian Nightingale
who had lately visited our shores. That
large building was filled TO overflowing !
all were alive 10 the scene, and wrap
ped in brtatllcss amaZement. All at
once some one discovered that Mr..
Webster was in the gallery. A thou
sand voices made the vast hail ring
The songstress was moIionless and still
amid the 81 outs and huzzas for Web
ster After some ten or fifteen minutes
he rose and bowed TO The audience. The
melody was then again heard. Nov,
can any man believe that Mr.. Webster
was unpopular with that audience
Last winter. when he came on here
to address the Historical Society, he re-
manned over Sunday. A sermon was
TO be delivered BY popular pulpit ora
tor 10 the young men Of the city on some
public occasion I; Mr.. Webster was nvit-
ed by friend to accompany him to that
church he went late the church was
filled with young men collected promis-
cuously y firm every part OF the city as
he was seen walking up the aisle the
whole audience rose 10 their feet, and
continued standing till he took his seat.
There were, Of course, no shouts. That
solemn stiffness which the influence OF
religion can inspire reigncd. And YET
how deep and impressive was the elo-
quence OF that silence in developing the
emotion. Of the roul Would those
young men, thus regarding him, refuse
to support him for the highest Office in
the gift Of our republic 2
have adverted to these few instances,
among the vast number that might be
cited il we had time, in order 10 illustrate
my argument. hasten to give you the
result. The public man whom the peo-
pie oiall ages, of all classes, in our cities
in the country, in every part and por-'
ton Of the whole country, wherever he
goes, run after, admire, desire TO hear,
to greet, TO pay him every degree Of re-
spect and consideration, that man can.
not be unpopular. There is one trait
in the character Of Mr.. Webster, in his
public intercourse and debates, that de-
serves particular notice, and which dis
tingushes him from most other public
speakers. He treats his opponents with
respect, and states their arguments fair.
ly and thus his opponents are not tur.
ned into personal enemies.
But although we have nothing to
fear from the great body Of people, we
must nevertheless admits that there are
serious difficulties in the way lshall
now endeavor to point out here the real
difficulty lies
Our Consti!utionplac, ,heIe, ctivc fran
chise in the hands oithe eoplc. But it is
not SO in practice. The body OF the peo.
pie exercise only one branch OF the cleo
tive power; usdges,. in the course OF time,
rise up and become connected with all
law, whether municipal or fundamental.
They form what is called the uDwritien
common law. When they become en-
grated upon the Constitution, they form
what may be called constitutional com.
mon law. lf they do not Acquire the
same kind OF legitimate lorce which the
Constitution possesses, they are often,
like manners, quite as potent in their op-
crarions. We are divided in this coun-
try always into great parties, which par
ties have generally been considered the
bane oi kcpubIicss but an idea now
prevails extensively in this country that
they are essential to liberty. shall no,
tual workings Of our institutions through
these parties the candidates Tor high OIL
fees are selected by active political par
tisans. whom Burke calls the middie
men. Th"y have regular course OF
machinery 10 move and wo be TO the
candidate who attempts to escape the
application Of their engineering BY
means Of this they prepare the respcc-
tive candidates who are laid before the
people TO be voted for. In this respect
there is a resemblance between these
movements in re- ard 10 the elective
franchise, and the proceedings in the
ancient republics in matters OF legisa-
lion, where some Senatorial or other
body prepared the l.ws, and. thus pre-
pared they were laid before the peol lc
Tor their enactment by vote.
Ii is in this common law branch of
the constitution, among these middle.
men or political parlisdns, that the real
difficulty lies. do not mean to insinu-
ate that they are actuated by any sins
ter motive, out they are mistaken in
their views. lfyou talk to these men,
you will find them all in favor Of MIR.
Webster, but they shrug their should
ers and say, - 1t is impossible F; he will
no, run with the people, and therefore
we ought not TO take him up. 1t would
be glory 10 this country 10 have such
Chief Magistrate il would add TO
our respect abroad but we canno, elect
him; it will not do"
Thus we find that every body is in ia
vor Of Mr.. Webster, but all this class
seems 10 think that every body is
against him. Have you not all witness.
ed this state OF things i? II is passing
strange, and was unable TO account
tor this strange paradox TIL looked in
to i, "A little more closely. On inquiry
Of these people the reason Tor their
opin'n. found invariably they ex.
pressed the apprehension that MIR.
Webster was TO gredt a man to run with
the people that the people had no
sympathy with great men, and would
not vote for them.
Now, this | do not hesitate 10 pro-
nounce most damnabie political heresy'
Il ouj cheers "a hcrcsy of the most
dangerous consequence one which it
behooves Us, rs we value our political
existence and prosperity, to put down.
II Tor no other reason than To put il down
we ought 10 use our utmost exertion TO
prevent lis application 10 this case, and
have Mr.. Webster nominated. Why,
such principle would discourage all
efforts on the part of great minds to ac-
qulre distinction. II would destroy all
stimulus 10 great exerlion. Like the
Upas, it would blight every thing which
approached II.
1t 10 as false, too, in tact, as il is dan
gerous and destructive in its consequent
ces. II is not true that the people do
al