The republic. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1849-1853, 1852-05-21
sLLrk had

pie as il has been to it's distinguished object. At
first, when the shock occasioned by the speech had
passed, aud men began to look coolly at Mr. Web
5ter's position sentiment OF admiration for his
courage began to arise in their minds. The people
Of Massachusetts, a.c a generous people They arc
not much accustomed to having unpalatable truths
boldly spoken by public men, and they were struck
by the moral courage which could say to them, /"
love your favor, but love better your safety your
peace, and your clear perception Of the truth.
They said to themselves. that public man who
could trust TO their ultimate convictions Of duty
and right, who could afford to wait for those con
victions, or, if they never came, could find conso
lation FOR The loss OF popular favor in the deepest
sources of American patriotism, was not man to
be thrust out Of their henrs, whatever might betidc
him elsewhere. In this mood, they began to scan
his position and their own. They began TO
feel that Providence had not made him for the
mere agent of local policy or the mouthpicec
Of sectional interests. and had not made them tor
the selfish marplos Of the national security and
peace. They saw that such statesman has mis-
zion in human affairs, which no constituency can
demand of him 10 forego, without manning his
greatest powers, and depfiving him OF bis true
glory. They saw that the constituency who can
bend such siatesman upon the theatre OF nations
affairs, and can, through his voice, govern the
happiness and welfare ofa great country, were bot
poorly employed in diminishing their own strength,
and defeating their own influence. They saw, too,
that he, who had employed long life and an in
ellect Of unmatched comprehension and power, In
studying the Constitution OF the country, was as
likely to be right as they were in bis interpretation
of It's requirements; and that he Who more than all
other men, had contemplated the which
bind the peace, safety, and prosperity Of this peo
pie to the Union of the States, quite as likely
as anybody to see its real dangers and to apply
the true remedy.
So that, although the result has been slowly
achieved as such change always is among such
people--it has been reached trlumphantiy, and
there is all the more cordial and enthusiastic an at
tachment to Mr.. Webster in the carts OF the peo-
pie OF Massachusetts, Tor the temporary estrange-
ment. They loved him before for his brilliant
recr and the honor which he reflected upon their
State. lie might say with Othello, "Thcy
love for the dangers have passed" The
proofs OF it are coming out every day. Not q sin
gle Wing delegate has yet been appointed to tho
National Convention from any Massachusetts, dis
trict, who has not been chosen under the most
stringent popular instructions to his utmost
efforts TO secure Mr.. Webs;er's nomination. The
three delegates at large. appointed last autumn by
the general Wing Convention Of the State, are
three of hs strongest political and personal friends,
and they chosen with the entire concurrence
and appreciation of the whole Whig party oil the
State. Under these circumstances it seems 10 VA
that To express doubt about Mr.. Webster's car
rying the State, or TO suppose that any other Wing
command such vote that awaits him, ii he
shall be nominated, is TO doubt and suppose in the
face OF the plainest evidence.