The republic. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1849-1853, 1852-02-26

Of the several States-a Union by which no more
power is granted to the General Government than
10 necessary to enable that Government to carry
on the work to the interest of all the people, and
all the States concerned-could ever be adopted.
All beyond that is left to the States themselves,
Legislature, Governunent and the management OF
their own concerns. while the General q government
at Washington provides for the general good OF the
whole; that il the system. II is peculiar sysen,
OF which the world hitherto never knew any thing
like it, and since the Constitution has been revolv-
ing for the good of all
The peace of the home of every citizen has been
protected, and the honor Of the country maintained
abroad. by it we have been elevated to such IA
consideration and dignity among the nations OF
the earth. that we have nothing now to fear from
any. He felt the deepest concern when he thought
that domestic relations could by any means be
weakened, and that brotherhood could be dis
solved, to which the mayor had referred in his ad-
dress arraying region against region-North
against South-East against West and growing
discord and distrust in the field. to which obey
should all look TO reap golden harvest Of common
affection and common regard. IGreat applausel
My walk in life has been amongst the masses Of
my fellow citizens. From my birth have seen
and known the people OF this country, and think
am sure that il they were not mised, and not act
i ing according to temporary preJudiccs there is
not, on the face Of the EARTH there none who
entertain deeper more sensible love of liberty
than they. IApplause.l
The great end Of all government is to secure
prosperity, to the reputation Of its citizens,
and to give every man chance to rise, accord
ing to his talent-not from the ground his
birth, from any borrowed consequence of his
| ,l "a
him; but standing on his own feet, and rising
| to that position to which his merits entitle him.
IApplause.l
We have cause to respect Constitution which
has ensured many blessings. Here are
| thirty two States wound around one common cen
tire. and all steady under the pressure of equal
gravitation.
Each was in the perfect enjoyment of it's own
domestic institutions, and all the flag of the
| Union spread. There are, Mr.. Mayor and
| gentlemen, other countries in the world in which
| Independence and the enjoyment of happiness
under ones own roof, cannot be enioyed-and
| What ID under his roof he ia not sure will
be protected.
Here every man lives in happiness and in the
enjoyment Of his own. Let me say, Mr.. Mayor
and gentlemen, there belongs to the people of
this country common treasure, fount from
|
ry of the nation.
| l am afraid have detained you, and have only
| to repeat my thanks 10 the Mayor and Common
| Council for the handsome manner in which they
| have spoken of my puhlic
And to you. fellow citizens, be suffi-
GENTLY grateful. return you the best wishes of
warm American heart. [Applause.l
MIR. Webster's Letter to Committee of Con-
KressiOnal BANQUET.
The following letter was sent by Mr.
| WEBSTER, in reply TO an invitation to attend
the Congressional Banquet in this city Sat
urday last:
WAsHNoToN, February 10, 1852.
GENTLEMEN: | have received the invitation
which you have done me the honor of addressing
to me, 4" TO be guest of the Congressional Ban
| quet in this city. Saturday, the 2lst instant
for the purpose of celebrating the anniversary of
| Washington, and evincng becoming respect to
his high character and illustrious services, and
affirming and rcasserting the principles set forth
by him in his Farewell Address to the American
| people"
| regret that an engagement entered into some
| time since to be in New York on the day Of
your celebration, will deprive of the salts
faction Of being with you this occasion i
| sympathze deeply in the purposes and objects of
| your meeting, and | think there is peculiar np-
| propriateness in this celebration the present
| time, when Washlngton's opinions in respect to
| our national policy with foreign nations appear
| TO me to be somewhat misunderstood.
| As his public drawing TO a close, be
left TO his country, his last best gift that Fare
well Address to which you refer. which contains a
summary Of his political principles. and also his
| most earnest and affectionate exhorations TO his
oountrymen. And in letter addressed to his
/ A.
cite, a few months only before his DEATH in which
hc alludes 10 his valedctory address, he takcs &C.
casion to ray that his ideas OF politics are plain and
simple "I think )" says he, every nation has
right to establish that form of government under
which IL conceives IL may live most happily, pro-
vided it infracts no right, is not dangerous 10
Others; and that no government ought TO inter
iere with the internal concerns of another, except
for the security OF what is due to themselves.
| remarked in this city some twenty years ago,
at an anniversary like the one you now propose 20
celebrate, that 81 hardly knew how a greater ser
vice OF the kind could be done TO the community
than by renewed and wide diffusion Of that nd-
mirnble paper, and an earnest invitation 10 every
man in the community TO read and consider it,"
Its political masims are invaluable; its erhorts.
tons to love of country and TO brotherly affection
among citizens, touchingj and the solemnity with
which II urges tho Observance of moral duties and
mpresses the power Of religious obligation, gives
to IT the highest consideration as a truly disinte-
rested, sincere, parental and Christian advice.
wsshngtons pure moral, and his deep sense Of
religious duty, form, indeed The browning glory of
| his character. I remain. gentlemen,
With unfegned regard, your obcdient servant
| DANIEL WEBSTER
Addressed to the Committee Of Invitation
| -----------
Am Ia, 4 h.
| WEDsKsDhy, February %, 1852.