The republic. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1849-1853, 1852-04-03
From he 1rsnlon Tue Aaerican.
Revised Sketch OF Commodore stocktoM's
SOeech.

From Ms Trenton Tue American.
Revised Sketch OF Commodore stocktom's
Speech.
Delivered on The goth March, 1852
SESAToas AND GENTLEmEs OF THE ASSEMBLY,
AND Fellow clrizEss: You may perhaps imagine
that l very fond Of making speeches. 1t is
therefore proper for to say that this is not The
time the occasion should have selected for such
purpose. am altogether unprepared-I did
not, could not have anticipated this event, that
any power on the lace of the earth could have
dragged out of me a speech, or an attempt at
speech, upon this occasion worthiy appropriated
to your distinguished visitor
II Senators and members of the House of Assem-
bly, require any additional proof of my regard for
them, my desire to serve them. or of my willing
ness to sacrifice myself for them, you have II in
this prompt but hazardous compliance with your
wishes.
This venerable hall, distinguished by so many
proud "reminiscences and hallowed associations
connected with the carly history Of New Jersey,
has this day been honored in a way that, If the
spirits ofoor fathers are lowering over as, they will
applaud the spectacle.
Friends and fellow. citizens, if there ia any
thing that can rouse up the best emotions Of the
human mind, it is the contemplation Of the spon
taneous affection which gratitude sometimes be
slows upon the possessor Ut high virtues and great
intellectual attainments. When we can lay down
the altar Of patriotism all our scfsh and un-
~ottuy iccuuBo, Iorsctuu8 purity pTcOlleCtlOn6 anu
sectional differences, to pay just homage to the
great and good, We may feel that we have achieved
triumph over human infifmity Of which may
well be proud
This ia proud day for New Jersey. Ifcel It as
Jerseyman, as a man, as patriot. This day, here
III this Hall Of the Representatives of the people, the
and women Of New Jersey have assembled to
testify their regard for the talent, the patriotism,
and the worth Of Daniel Webster, one OF the wiscst
and best of mankind. Whenever l contemplate
the character OF Daniel Webster-his extraordi-
arv ND nv rf Une IN haov in
thanks to God that he has made such man, that
he has thus endowed one of our species. 1t is not
simply that manly form or noble brow (Which
seems to have been placed ms crown to mark the
many to which our homage is paid, but TO one of
the strongest hearts and most gigantic minds of
the age. have known him for thirty years, and
have seen him sitting among the wise and good in
the councils OF the nation ! myself when boy
have sat beside him and drunk in every word that
fell from his almost inspired lips. say before this
assembly, and before the world, that if there is q
patriotic heart that warns the bosom of any man,
that heart is in the body of Daniel Webster.
have heard him discourse in private, at various
times on the subject OF our public affairs, aud
heard him say word that might be con-
strued inimical to the interests of his country or
his race, or that might not well have emanated
from the heart Of a great and pure man. ] have
seen him engag ed in the sports OF the field, with
his gun upon his shoulder. following my own doge;
in short, whenever wherever have heard or
seen him, he has always been the same great and
You need not, then, be surprised at my hesita-
ton to speak on this occasion, or think my concern
affected.
The exalted patriotism and great talents Of your
distinguished visitor quite enough to disturb
my poor abilities. But still could not refuse your
wishes to hear me speak, or let the occasion pass
without raising my feeble voice, in welcome of
your guest; nay. more, / am proud of the occasion,
and rejoice in the opportunity, to pay my fealty to
exalted worth.
Mr.. Webster has justly and believe truly, said
that whenever he has crossed our territory and
locked out on our fields, the enthusiasm OF patriot
ism was kindled in his breast to greater degree
than anywhere else Mr.. Webster is one of the
few men who have studied the traditions Of New
Jersey, and recommend them to the study of all
my fellow -citzens. Her history has yet
been written. When it lie truly written II will
make of the brightest pngts in the history OF
our country, not only where it recounts the mill
tary exploits Of the Revolution, but where it may
tell OF her steady perseverance in maintaining the
institutions Of the country in time Of peace. A
we'll written history Of the State Of New Jersey
will make the national heart leap with JOY and
pride. New Jersey has heretofore had too much
dignity to boast OF her achievements, and too much
pride to complain of injustice.
New Jersey has scarcely ever been heard TO de-
mand from the couHcs OF the country her just and
equal rights. but she has at last protested. The
~sncr Gay !. yoor representative, called the
wiseo'n VI the nation, then around me in the Capt.
'oi' 10 witness that New Jersey had suffered and
sacrinced much for the county and the. Union
that she had fought . vaiianIy and performed rs
Important services to this nation any of her sis
ter States, and that she had received few direct
D~uS"eo Tue Oencfal government as any Otncr
State.
In the history Of nations you can hardly find
such an exhibition of self dependence and moral
grandeur as may be found in the annals of
state New Jersey has proceeded on steadily in
the path OF patriotic duty and noble sacrifice, with
out complaint or yet rcmonstrance.
10 estimate New Jersey by her own prctcnsons.
you could scarcely imagine that sire bad ever
made a sacrifice or fought battle in the cause Of
liberty or the Constitution. When you come,
however, to examine her records, you will be
IN rcd IN hat ahc bao sk,eAs rrh
for the public welfare, and asonished that che has
received nothing worthy a name from the General
Government. Her mineral resources appear to be
inexhaustible, but they buried in her noun
tains-hcr his are filled with iron and copper-al
uselcss. inactive, dead, in consequence OF con-
stantly huctuating revenue system. will never
be beggar at their doors, but ] shall not be
slow 10 tell them what our necessities require, and
what, In my judgment, justice demands. shall
lnsst-becausc it is . good Democratic doctrine
shall insist upon dragging the iron out OF our
mountains down to the scacoast We want il for
national defences.
Am aware that tread upon delicate ground.
hope no one will cause TO be offended. ]
mean offence. Why should not the operations
of the General Government contribute to the devel-
opmcnt OF resources il has done that Of other
states' hope to get this matter ofron, well "a
OF gloss included in the next tariff bill. The tariff
WINS heretofore Democratic measure in the State
Of New Jersey
The first resolutions on this subject, as we'll !
can rccollect, were introduced in the Legislature
OF this State by Mr.. James j. Wilson, gentleman |
OF cminence and worth No one will dispute or
doubt his Democracy. As a leader Of the Demo |
cratic party, he was looked up TO and much
spected throughout the State.
Not many years after this, however, the party |
was rent aeunder. One side took with them the |
thunder. Ii was all the thunder they had They |
would not allow tho matter to be settled, and thus
II became party question. How much more
cc.sary tariff Ia at this time, let experience and
facts show. With an annual expenditure Of fifty |
millions Of dollars staring in the face. any
thing be more ridiculous than to quarrel about the
vagarics Of free trnde? This amount Of expendi.
turc will require an average duty Of thirty three
per cent. on all our importa,ions. We have no
other resources for OF any consequence but
tho duties on imports. What folly, then, repeat,
to be constantly wranaling about the doctrines OF
Tree trade! Fellow. citizens, my party robes do
not hang very heavy on my shoulders when the
welfare, the honor, or tho interests OF my country
arc at stake.
have passed my grand climacteric and can
have Mt beat but few more years live now in and
for my children. II were TO consult my interest