The southern press. [volume] (Washington City [i.e. Washington, D.C.]) 1850-1852, 1852-06-15
For the Southern Press.
New YORK, 29th May, 1859
This is Fanuel Hall--oPES.
Hon Daniel Webster,


ual fattery of their admirers, are elevated Tar
above their contemporaries, must expect TO be
subjected to a severe scrutiny. This is most
especially the case where they are placed before
the public as candidates for high and RESPONSE
BILE offices, calling for the possession and the
exercise of great talents and great virtues. IL
then becomes the duty of those on whom these
talents and virtues are TO be exercised, to use
all the means in their power to qsa!ify them
selves for judging whether the man thus ee-
waited above his fellow creatures, and seeking TO
rise still higher, is entitled to that distinction
BY any intrinsic superiority. In order to arrive
at just conclusion on this point, we are not to
rely on the Partially of friends, or the preIu-
dices Of foes If his reputation ia founded on
great capacity AS statesman, we must resort
to the testimony of his life and actions if on
his powers as thinker, writer, or speaker,
we must take these as the standard, and decide
accordingly. On some future occasion may
perhaps, undertake to test the merits OF the d's-
tinguished gentleman whose name is at the
head Of this article, by the former standard at
present shall confne myself to the latter.
have long ceased to take great men, especially
great politicians, on trust for have observed
that they are almost invariably either. prodlgles
or monsters Among all true Musselmen, Ma
homet is the prophet of Allah, the representa-
tive of his wisdom, and the interpreter of his
will while in the estimation of orthodox Christ
ians, he is either an epileptic visionary or hy-
pocritical imposter. So with great party lead
ers and political oracles On one side they are
all sunshine, on the other all shade. Among
their disciples and defendants they are little
lower than divinities-they are at least "god like
men )" among their enemies and opponents they
are little above demons. OAe might as we'll
look for needle in hsystack, as for the real
merits and character of a candidate for high
political sta ton in party newspapers, which do
not affect impartiality or pay, or even outward
homage to truth. Everybody sees and knows
this and the inevitable consequence il, that the
people are left in the dark as to these vital mat
ters, since there is no falsehood which will
not be asserted by an opponent, and no truth
but will be denied by partisan. Hence the
private character or public conduct OF great
politician have become matters of little or no
consequence, because it is next to imp( ssible to
ascertain what they are, or what they have
been.
propose to take different course OH this
occasion, and permit this gentleman to speak
for himself and be his own witness in. his own
cause. For the purpose Of testing his great
superiority as a writer and orator, | shall pass
in,brief review his last exhibition of these high
attributes in the great speech, "-as it is called
delivered at "Fanueil Hall-oPES," before the
assembled wisdom of Boston, where everybody
knows the wisest of the wise men of the East
do cougregate. On such an occasion, standing
before them as a candidate for the highest honor
of the republic at II most critical juucture, and
swayed BY every motive that could stimulate
the human mind to its highest pitch Of exertion,
we have right to presume that he tGsked his
powers to the utmost extent of their capacity.
And what is the result Has Jupiter brought
forth Minerva or "Boomer"-has the noun.
tain been delivered Of monster or a mouse !
Let Us see.
Were | to anayze this address in q single
phraze, | would call it "tickIing" Grafton, for
can find little or nothing in it but appeals to
tina, overweenirg vanity which already i; hates
the good town Of Boston almost to bursting,
.prinkled with praises of almost everything and
everybody in that emporium Of all human excel.
Ience-not forgetting himself Ia the first par
agraph he tickles his worship the mayor his
"od and constant friend;" and from thence
takes occs.ion to say good word for himself
He did not come there 10 talk politics, or dis.
cuss political questiOns-not he. He has no.
thing 10 add, nothing 10 retract from his former
opinions, and no new political character ~ as.
sumo. Il have" he says, mo explana' ions or
qualifications TO offer. ! propose to you, my
fellow citizens, no platform but my life and
character. have no new promi 'es 10 make TO
nv countrymen. have no assurance 10 give
but the assurance Of my reputation. | am
known. What ! have been and what am il
known and upon that knowledge rely to-day
with my .countrymen, and before my country.
men-and the rest Is theirs. Nevertheless, gen.
tlemen, although il he not an occasion for pub
lie discussion OF coutroverted questions, it ia an
occasion in which we may feel what is the pos.
ton we occupy. This is Fanueil Hall-oPEx."
Prolonged cheers.
Then follows a really glowing and eloquent
tribute to Fanueil Hall, once "the cradle Of ill.,.
erty," and-be might have added-now desc.
Grated by the drawings Of foaming Abolition.
lists, and recreant preachers who pervert the
word Of God to Justify the violation Of Ills laws,
as well as the laws Of our county. Let them
take care that the cradle Of liberty, as they are
pleased 10 call il, does not become its grave.
As 10 this proud assumption il is only an em.
anation OF that clanni-h, exclusive spirit, SO pc
cular 10 Boston and its inhabitants. There is no