The southern press. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1850-1852, 1852-06-14
For The 6ossthsrA Press.
New YoRx, 20th May, 1851.
This il FanueiI HAll-orEH."

Men, who by the blind Partially or individ
ua tiattery of their admirers. are elevated fal
above their contemporaries, must expect to be
subjected to severe scrutiny. This is mos'
especially the case where they are placed before
the public as candidates for high aud RESPONSE
Bile Offices, calling for the possession and the
exercise of great talents and great virtues. II
then becomes the duty of those on whom these
talents and virtues are to be exercised, to use
all the means in their power to qualify them
selves for judging whether the man thus ele-
waited above his fellow creatures, and seeking to
rise still higher, is entitled to that distinction
by any intrinsic superiority. In order to arrive
at just conclusion on this point, we are not to
rely on the partially of friends, or the preju-
dices of foes. If his reputation is founded on
great capacity as statesman, we must resort
to the testimony of his life and actions If on
his powers rs thinker, writer, or speaker,
we must take these as the standard, and decide
accordingly. On some future occasion may
perhaps, undertake to test the merits of the dis
tingushed gentleman whose name is at the
head of this article, by the former standard; at
present shall confne myself to the latter |
have long ceased to take great men, especially
great politicians, on trust for have observed
that they are almost invariably either prodges
or monsters. Among all true Musselmen, Ma
homet is the prophet of Allah, the representa-
tive of his wisdom, and the interpreter of his
a II A.. J,. lat
ians, he is either an epileptc visionary or n.y.
pocritical imposter. SO with great party lead
ers and political oraces. On one side they are
| all sunshine on the other all shade. Among
their disciples and defendants they are little
| lower than divinitiesthey at least "god like
men J" among their enemies and opponents they
are little above demons. One might as well
look for needle in haystack, as for the real
merits and character of a candidate for high
political station in party newspapers, which do
not affect impartiality or pay, or even outward
homage to truth. Everybody sees and knows
this and the inevitable consequence il, that the
people are left in the dark to these vital mat
tiers, since there is no falsehood which will
not be asserted by an opponent, aud no truth
but will be denied by partisan. Hence the
private character or public conduct of great
politician have become matters of little or no
consequence, because it is next to impt ssible to
ascertain what they are, or what they have
been.
! propose to take different course on this
~ -
for himself and be his own witness in his own
cause. For the purpose of testing his great
superiority as writer and orator, shall pass
in brief review his last exhibition of these high
attributes in the great speech" -as it is called
delivered at ''Fanueil Hal--oPEn," before the
assembled wisdom of Boston, where everybody
knows the wisest of the wise men of the East
do congregate. On such an occasion, standing
| of the republic at most critical juncture, and
| swayed by every motive that could stimulate
| the human mind to its highest pitch of exertion,
| we have right to presume that he tasked his
powers to the utmost extent of their capacity
And what is the result? Has Jupiter brought
forth Minerva or a "BlOomer"-has the noun
tain been delivered of monster or a mouse
Let us see
Were to analyzc this address in single
phraze l would call it "tickng" Grafton, for
can find little or nothing in it but appeals to
that overweening vanity which already initiates
the good town of Boston almost to bursting,
Id &c al ,,,l
everybody in that emporium of all human excel
lence-not forgetting himself In the first par
agraph he tickles his worship the mayor, his
"old and constant frend;" and from thence
takes occasion to say good word for himself.
He did not come there TO talk politics, or dis
cuss political questions-not he. He has no.
thing tosadd, nothing to retract from his former
opinions, and no new political character to as
qualifications to offer. propose to you, my
fellow citizens, no platform but my life and
character have no new promi Ses to make to
my countrymen. | have no assurance to give
but the assurance of my reputation. | am
known. What have been and what am is
known and upon that knowledge rely to-day
with my countrymen, and before my country
men-and the rest is theirs. Nevertheless, gen.
tlemen, although it be not an occasion for pub
lie discussion of controverted questions, it is IN
occasion in which we may feel what is the posi-
ton we occupy. This is Fanue Hall-opEN'
| Prolonged cheers.
Then follows really glowing and eloquent
tribute to Fanueil Hail. once "the cradle Of lib
erty," and-he might have added-now desc
Grated by the drawings of foaming Abolition
lists, and recreant preachers who pervert the
word of God to justify the violation of His laws,
as well as the laws of our country. Let them
take care that the cradle Of liberty, as they are
pleased to call it., does not become its grave.
As to this proud assumption it is only an EN-
anation of that clannish exclusive spirit, 30 pc
culiar to Boston and it's inhabitants. There is no
truth in it. The cradle of liberty was the heart