The Middlebury register. [volume] (Middlebury, Vt.) 1850-1882, 1852-03-10
Mr.. Webster's Address,
Com. on Field Crops,
Addison, Jan, LIST, 1852.

should say more. There were evlden
expressions of desire and expectation
that he would go on, and he continued
Bnt, gentlemen, | will not take m,
leave of you IN a tone of dependency
We may trust Heaven will not lorsake
us so long as we do not fofsake ourselves
We must strengthen ourselve, and grid
up our lons with new resolution we
must counsel each other, and vowing to
sustain each other in the support Of the
constitution, prepare to meet maniully
and unitedly whatever fate may have in
store for us. Are we of this generation
so derelct? Have we SO little of the
blood Of our Revolutionary fathers cours.
ing through our veins, that we cannot
preserve what our ancestors achieved
The world will cry gu. " shame" upon
us if we show ourselves unworthy 10 be
the descendants Of those great and Illus
trious men who fought for their liberty,
and secured it to their pcsteriiy by the
constitution.
Now, gentlemen, exigencies will arise
in the history of nations, when compe>
ttion and rivalry, disputes. and conten-
tons are powerful. Exigcncies arise in
which great men and good of all parties,
ard all shades Of political sentiments,
are called upon 10 reconsider their opin-
ions-to re>adjust their positions. aud TO
bring themselves together, if they can,
in he spirit of harmony. Such a stale
Of things. in my opinion, has happened
in our day. An exigency HIS arisen
We have great and wise constitution.
We have grown, flourlshed, and pros
pered under ii with degree of rapid.
ty unegua!eJ in the history of the world,
Founded on the basis Of equal civil
rights, It's provisions secure perfect e.
quality and freedom TO all all who live
under il are equal, all enjoying The
same privileges. In a case like ours. it
is to be presumed, that all the wise and
good men of the nation have the same
end in view-ihongh they may wish to
take different means TO obtain that end
the preservation Of the constitution
aud government. If, then, they have
the same object in view, they must pur-
sue concillating course, and each be
willing TO surrender somewhat TO each
other, to secure the harmony Of the
whole This general object then be-
ing the preservation of the constitution,
the only efficient means 10 accomplish
this end, is the union Of aHits friends.
(Applausej. The constitution has enc
mics, secret, aud professed but they
cannot disguise the fact, that it secures
us many benefits. These enemies are
unlike in character, but they all have
some fault to find. Some OF them are
enthusiasts, hot-headed. sell-suihcient.
aud headsirong. They fancy tina, they
can make out for themselves a better
path than that laid down for them
Phnton, the son of Apollo, thought he
could find better course across the
heavens for the sun.
ThuIPheton once a midst the ethereal plains
Leapcd on his fathers car and seized the reins;
Far from his course impelled the glowing SUM-
Till natures laws to wild disorder run.
Other enemies there are, more cool,
and with mure calculation. These have
deeper and more lraitorous purpose,
they have spoken Of forcibe resistance
10 the provisions Of the Constitution :
they now speak Of secession. Let me
say, gentlemen. that secession from us is
accession elsewhere. lie who renounces
the protection OF the stars and stripes.
shelters himself under the shadow Of an
other hag-you may rest assured of that.
(Sensalion and applause) These mall
contents 6nd it easy to infame mems
passions they lay all mislor,unes OF in
diydual men, of individual States, Of
sections aud communicable want Of
prosperity, 10 the Union. The ce>oper-
alton Of what are now called antagonist
principles is made service able in the en-
deavors to overthrow the Constitution.
Extremes meet and concert together
Some there are, who in their own words,
profess to hate the Constitution because
it tolrrates in the Southern States The
institutions existing there; some because
il does not more energetically sustain
the peculiar institution" Both par>
ties are willing to overthrow the Com
stltution, aud concert their measures
accordingly. to accomplish their ends
Now, TO counteracl the efforts Of these
malconienis, friends of the Constitution
must rally-ALL its friends OF whatever
section, whatever their sectional opinions
may be, must unite for its preseryati ion.
They must forget the things which are
behind, and act like band of brothers.
They must forget the past, the little
chickering's and trifling disagreements
which have hitherto separated them
They must look forward only OF The future.
aud unite their efforts To preserve the
boon bequealhed to the world by those
great men, their ancestors they must
gIrd up their loins TO the work. give
my confidence, my countenance, my in
huence. heart and hand, to all those
good aud wise men, who are willing to
stand by The constitution, and TO ac-
quiesce in the means necessary TO main.
tain its priceless provisions, without ref
erence to the past, or pledge tor the fu-
ture. will quarrel with no man about
past differences-I will object to the co.
operation Of no man. We stand here
now upon broad constitutional basis,
and lie, us act in that spiri, of union
which aetuated our ancestors when they
framed the institutions we mus, concen-
,rate our efforts to preserve. But ] DO
not carry my federation go far as TO jus.
iify in the slightest degree any detection
from the principles OF the Union. The
great point at stake is It's preservation.