Des Moines courier. ([Ottumwa] Iowa) 1848-1854, 1852-11-11

country. LII looV, ne tndue Wnat IS gen
orally regarded the ablest of his parlia-
mentary efforts, his second speech in re.
ply 10 Col. Hayne, of South Carolina
This gentleman in speech on resolu-
tion moved by Mr.. Foote, of Connect.
cut, relative to the surveys of the public
lands, had INDUCED in some personalities
agains, Mr.. Webster, had commented
with severity on the political course of
New England States, and had laid down
in rather an authoritative manner those
views Of The constitution usually known
as the doctrine of "nullificaiiOn.' .-s-
Mr.. Webster was accordingly called
upon - defend himself from the insinua
lions of the distinguished Senator from
South Carolina, TO vindicate New Eng
land. and to point out the fallacies Of null
LITIGATION. 10 accomplish these objects.
he employed all the resources of The mos.
skilIful rhetoric. polished sarcasm, and a.
cute argument. The records of modern
eloquence contain nothing OF superior force
and beauty. The second speech of Mr..
Webster in this debate may be regarded
as The greatest effort of this consummate
orator. Shaping his public course by
principle, and no, by the blind impulse
of party, Mr.. Webster, though opposed
TO the administration of Gen. Jackson,
gave i, cordial support in ito measures
for the defence of the Union in 1892 '33.
The doctrines of the Presidents 2rocia-
nation against the theories of South Car
Dina, were manly adopted from Mr..
Webs,er's speeches, and he was the chief
dependence of Tie administration upon
the floor of Congress. When. however,
the financial system of Gen. Jackson was
brought forward and fully developed, II
was slrenuously opposed by Mr.. Web
sler. He foretold with accuracy the ex-
d. osior which took place In the spring
az 1897, and contributed materially 10
rally the public opinion of the country "a
like against the first phase OF the new III
nancial sysiem, which was that OF an al
most boundless expansion of paper cur
rency, issuing from The State panSs, and
against the opposite extreme which was
adopted as a substitute, that Of all exclu
sive use of specie in all payments TO or
by the government. Mr.. Webster main
tanned with great force OF argument and
variety OF illustration, the superior con
venience OF HE financial system which
had been adopted IN the infancy of the
government. with The approval of every
administration, from that Of Washington
down, VIZ: that of a mixed currency OF
specie aud convertible paper. kept with.
Ia safe bounds by the law requiring all
pay n.ents to be made in specie or It's e.
quivalent, and regulated by nauonal
Institution acting as check upon the
State banks. The clear and forcible
manner in which these principles were
iacuicalet by Mr.. Webster contributed
materially TO the downfall of Mr.. Van
Buren, administration.
In 1899, Mr.. Webster made a short
visit to Europe. HIS time was pfincl-
pally passed in England. but he deyoled
few weeks 10 the continent. Ills fame
had proceeded him to the old world,and he
was received with the aiientIon due 10
his character and talents al the French
and English courts, and in the highest
circles OF both countries. On the access
ion OF General Harrison TO the Preslden-
cy, Mr.. Webster was placed at the head
OF his Cabinet, as Secretary of State
His administration of the department du
ring the Two years he remained IN II was
signallzed by the mos, distinguished sue
cess. The Unlted States was at that
Time involved in long standing contro.
versy with Great Britain, On the subject
of the northeastern boundary of Maine.
10 this had been added The difficult ques-
lions arising out OF the detention of A
merican vessels by British cruisers on
the coast Ut Africa. Sull more recently,
the affair OF M'Leod. in New York, had
threatened an immediate rupture between
the two governments. The correspon-
dence between the United States Minis
ter, in London, in l84l, Mr.. Stevenson,
and the British Secretary OF State tor
Foreign Affairs, Lord Palmerslon, was
of an uncompromlslng character.
Other causes of mutual lrr.tation ex-
isted, which the limits of this sketch do
mol permit us 10 enumerate. Shortly al
ter the access OF Gen. Harrison, the Mel
bourne administration was overturned In
England, and Sir Robert Peel returned 70
power. This contemporary change OF
government in The two countries was la
.orabie to sestlemen, of the long -stand'
ing difficulties. Mr.. Webster. after CON-
ing into the Department OF State, init
mated to the British Minister, that the
Government of the United States was
convinced of The impossiblli.y of se.dlng
The boundary lIue by adhering to The
course hitherto pursued-that OF lopo-
graphical explorations, with view to The
literal execution of The treaty OF 1888
but was prepared 10 adopt conventional
| line, on The basis OF mutual gam and con-
cession, il such line could be agreed
npon. The new Ministry taking the ad'
vantage of this overture, immediately de-
,ermlned 10 seud Lord Asaburton, as a
special envoy to the United States, 70 ne
go.ia.e upon This and The other subjects
in controversy. Massachusetts anu
Maine were invited to take part by their
commissioners in the negotiations; and on
1 1910 he nf w aShlnUtOu