The republic. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1849-1853, 1852-06-11

Now euppose that Mr.. Webster, after the peou
liar services which he has rendered in this matter.
and after the particular rcsenlments which he has
incurred sin the house Of his friends should
now, when his steadfasl followers there-those
who have stood by him in good report and evil re-
port--are seeking to do him honor, BIO passed by
with neglect here in the South, what will be the
moral effect hereafter? ia The first place, what
will be its immediate effects on the friends Of thc
Comprehensive supporters Of the Fugitive Slave
law in the North Will they feel themselves par
ticu.ary called upon 70 risc up early and 81, up
late, in order TO do battle for this Fugitive Slave
law agans. all the devices of it's enemies--w when
the South for whose benefit il was enacted. and
for whose benefit it is carried OUT takes step far
tDayd 10 meet the man who has done 10 give
this law abiding constitutional efficiency than al
other mon! Will they not grow indifferent and
lukewnrn? Most certainly they will. But this is
all When some emergency shall hereafter
arise-when perhaps, this very slave question sha II
again be agitpted-wbsn the repeal ftbc Fugitive
Slave act sh1ll be urg'd-the very act which re
quires greater vencration for existing law than
all others 10 carry II into execution In the midst Of
the free States oct, which in its practical ope
ration the real interests OF the south 10 OF more
consequence than all the other questions pertaining
to thas subject; say when some such crisis shal
again come, where will the man be found who will
be willing to atem the torrent OF prejudice nj home,
and yet know or believe that he will find no just
appreciation, public Acknowledgment of his
services amongst those for whom he has hasarded
his domestic popularity? Where is the future
state snan, who, with the history 81 Daniel Web
ster before him, Cf unfortunately such neglect OF
Nj w bster shall ever be matter Of hlstory,) Will
risk his personal comfort and good name among
his neightors aud kinstok for the b-nef. Of those
who will not thank him for i. when il j, done: No
such man will ever be found. Is is against human
nature TO expcctit. Ills against all experience to
hope for il. And what will be the resulR Will IL
not be sectional feeling, ssc0nal action, section0!
parties; and will not the consequence OF that
be sectional sHedsures. and in the end disco
luton Of the Union, Such wo fear will be
he "
fail 70 manifest appreciation Of such SER
vices Mr. Webster has rendered We know
that in factn proper feeling does exist. and that
the neglect is only apparent. We know that no
man stands better in the estimation OF all Union
loving men in the South than Mr.. Webster. Yet
n rthern friends do not know it. They have had
no good ground TO suPposeH The appearance OF
things ia agoinst it. And yet, in all practical con-
sequences, the appearance is fatal as the reality.
And whether real or apparent it's moral influence,
and its practical consequence hereafter, is as much
10 be deplored, and ~ earnestly TO be struggled
against. as any event that could well be imagined.
Sir, il 10 the apprehension, whether fAnciiul or
real that northern men who are free from the
shackles of mere local opinion, and are national in
their views, looking to the rhOle country in their
measures. are nevertheless TO be rejected by south
ern men because, forsootb, on certain subjects
which loc1! to them, such northern Statesmen
may not go so far as they do. These local dens.
these narrow and confined notions OF public policy,
would, IL generally acted on ruin any free govern
ment extending over such "a space OF territory ns
ours. Our only safety on questions Of such Vita
interest is for opposing opinions TO extend through
all sections of the country The greatest safety for
the constitutional rjghts OF the South. the sub
jcct Of slavery, Is the existence CT party in the
Freesoil States who determined 10 abide by the
provisions OF the Constitution.
Irepeat, then, that nothing will tend more to put
down, and keep down hereafter, conservative and
constiu ional and national spirit in the North than
the belief that northern statesmen ut that character
not supported by the South. And nothing
would
pet,iate party In the North, always true to the
constitutional ghts Of the South. than seeing the
Southern Wing party coming up in one solid pha-
nnx 90 the support tor the Presidency, OF the great
northern champion OF the true principles OF the
American Constitution Let ne do what we can to
bring about this event. Let u. do what We can 10
avert the impending danger. Let Us do what we
can to raiso the man whom we venerate to the
highest office Of the Republic, not simply because
he deserves it and more than deserves IL, but be-
shall thus be serving the best interest OF
whole country, and accomplishing something
for the pcrpetui,y Of this glorious Union.