Hannibal journal. (Hannibal, Mo.) 1852-1853, 1852-03-04
From the Louisville Courier. .
Daniel Webster's Address.

NEW lOhh, It 81
Niblo's was last evening filled to overlooking
with brilliant and fashionable audience of la
dies and gentlemen, to listen to the discourse OF
Mr. Webster before the State Historical Socie-
ty. The speaker dilaied at considerable length
upon the ancient history of Greece and Rome,
and alluded to the difficulty Of Distinguishing the
fabulous from the actual. After reviewing the
progress of literature, poetry and historical
compositions amongst the ancients, the speaker
next touched to the history OF our Of our own
cauntry. He said it was divided into three
opochs, the first extending from the settlement
OF the Colonies to IVA; the second from that
period TO 1889, when the present Constltion Of
our Government was established; and the third
embraces from that date up to the present time.
The speaker mainly considered that portion Of
the third period, embraced within the admins
ton of Washington.
The assembling of the Continental Congress,
at Philadelphia, was prominent event, and may
be REGARDED as an era at which the Union Of the
States commenced. Let this day be ever re-
membered. 1t saw assembled from several
Colonies great men whose names have come
down to us, and will descend to posterity. At
that day there could have been convened, on no
part of this globe, an equal number of men pos
sessing greater talents, or animated by higher
or more patriotic motives. They made no
speeches for ostentation; they sat with closed
doors, and their great maxim was, "tdre sans
deire;" after giving rapid sketch oil events that
checkered the proceedings OF that assembly, the
speaker made u beautiful alluson to the scene
and day on which Washington first took on him
self the administration Of the government in the
city of New York. The first Congress also
makes an illustrious passage in our history, and
= ,,lt l,,n iot1fh Int IraT nod
( the constitutions the organization of the first
Congress BY grey-haired men of the revolution
and Washington himself in the principal chair
/ of state, surrounded by the heads Of the Depart
ment.
The importance Of this Congress did not
strike the minds Of ordinary men as those OF
Burke, Fox and the sagacious men of Europe
beheld it. and had their advice been followed
how would the destiny of England have beer
altered: instead of subject colonies, r,nglant
now beholds :. mighty riyal-rich, inteliigen
and powerful like herself, and may they be for
ever friendly rivals-may their power anc
greatness sustaining themelves, be always d
rected to the promotion oftpeace and prosperi
", enlightenment and liberty Of mankind, anC
il it be the united destiny, in the course of hui
man events that they shall be called on in thu
cause oil humanity anu lIecuoh W stullu uSa'uo
world in arms, they are of a race and blood t
meet the cries without shrinking from danger
. and without quailing in the presence of an,
: earthly power. The close of the address wa
most eloquent allusion to the present state o
, our country and the prospects before it, If w
n and our posterity be true to Christian religion
: and maintain Just moral sentiments, and sucl
e conscious conviction of duty should contro
: heart and life, we may have the highest hope
for the future fortune of our country; 1t vii
: have no decline, but it VIII go on prospering
But if we and posterity reject religious instruc
tion and violate the rules Of eternal justice, tril
n with the rules of morality, and recklessly de
5 stroy the political Constitution which binds u
c together, no man can tell how suddenly ca
!, tastrophe may overwhelm us that shall bury al
, glory in profound obs euriy. II that catastro
a phe shall happen, let it never have an history
: let no narrative ever be wrttena- LET It's fate
= like the lost book Of Levy, which no man ca ca
: ever know. 1e