The republic. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1849-1853, 1852-03-08

v,
nlng intervals, he has been in public life az the
Immediate representative of the people, as Sena-
Tor, and as Secretary OF State; during all this time
his acts and his speeches have been seen and read
known, understood, and scrutinized by all his
countrymen all over the land.
lie as known on the se1 board from the ST. Johns
70 the Rio Grande, ana from the Columbia to the
buii OF California, by every seaman and by every
ancrchant, as haGng achieved, by the power of his
reason, what war had failed to accomplish and es-
tabished, OH basis hereafter never to be ques
TONED, tho absolute exemption of the American
nag In Whatever sea, from search visitation
making The deck OF every vessel as safe from for
eign interference es a cabin behind the Allegha
nies.
lie 10 known throughout the vast Interior to all
engaged In internal trade and navigation, us the
earnest and consistent opponent of that narrow
construction Of the Constitution which restricts its
commercial protection and operation TO salt ioater
and denies them to our land locked seas nd mighty
rivers.
lie is known Go the farmer, mechanic, and man
uiacturer, as the advocate Of that system which de-
lends, prop.otes, and encourages American labor
and develops and expands all American resources
oi production and manufacture, the supports Of
iorc gu commerce.
lie is known at home md abroad for those great
negotiations in foreign affairs which have
composed striies, averted wars, extended com
mercc, settled boundaries repaired national inju-
rles inflicted or sustained, and sgnalized for
cign relations by acts of mutual respect and com
stY, OF rlagnanimly and clemency.
But above all, fellow citizens, he is known and
cherished by every lover OF his country, as the De-
Jfnder Of the Constitution and the Preseruer of the
Union, whenever and wherever "wc behold the gor-
geous ensign of the Republic. now known ard hon
ored throughout the earth still full high advanced,
,ss arms and trophies streaming in their original
tustre, not stripe erased polluted, nor a single
star obscured, bearing for it's motto, spread all
over in characters of living light blazing in all it's
ample folds, as they float the and the
iaAd, and IN every wind under the whole heavens,
glurQ nt,tt,np
LIREETY AND UNION, NOW AND FOREVER, ONE AND
INsEPARABLE.' Whenever and wherever be-
.inld this flag of our country, the name Of DANIEL
w sBsTER and bis fame to eyes mingled
with lts blazonry
This eminent citizen, instructed in every art,
Grained in every discipline informed by every
perlence OF public life, endowed with every power,
and furnished with every requirement ft for the
ser' ice OF the State his public virtue and patriot
ism tried by every personal partisan and sectional
influence within the whole sphere of politics,
and ever found true to the whole country. and its
permanent welfare-tbis eminent citizen now in
full maturity of years and WISDOM yet 'his eye
not dimned, nor his natural force abated," we
believe moot worthy to receive the honors, most
able to perform the duties, Of President Of tho Uni
ted States.
Nor, fellow citizens, il it less serious topic for
your consideration that justice, justice to Mr. Web
ster ahd justice TO country, justice to the his
toriISal greatness of tho past, and TO the solemn
Claims OF the future, requires the earnest and de-
niand his futu re services for the Republic.
He has served the State from early manhood to
the present hour; he has labored for and loved his
country with an enthusiasm untring and unde
caying-hs very heart and life, 1t were, have
been wrought into the fabric of prosperity and
our glory and at lest he has crowned long
reer of noble achievements for the general good,
with sublime sacrifice OF selfto public duty, which
has hijed the measure OF his fame and touched the
hedrt Of the whole people.
IT, besides public talents virtues, services, and
great deserts popularity be required for SUCCESS IN
the political canvass, Mr. Webster enjoys il with
the people OF the United States in unesampled
degree.
He who denies this, either means by popularity
something different from admiration, respect, at
tcchment and gratitude, or he means by the people
some Dondescript portion of the community, dis
tiDct from the who till the coil, and ply the
loom, and crowd the mart and navigate the ships,
and I'LL the professions and all the manifold pur-
suits Of industry and business. All these when
ever and wherever opportunity affords, in town
or country. at the North or South, ut the East or
West, in the courts in the Senate, in the popular
Assembly, seek every occasion TO gaze upon his
person. listen TO his eloquence, to grasp him by
the hand, and attend his presence and hi. move
ments with every display of enthusiastic admira-
ton and regard. Repeatedly candidate Tor pop
ular suffrage, he has always beaten HE compcti-
tors his elections to the Senate have always been,
on the part of the Legislature, but a formal ex
preston the popular viii OF its constituents and
his place in the Cabinet, now and heretofore, has
bcen accorded upon tho wel-dehnod and general
expectation and desire of the great mass OF the
American people.
For twenty wears the school. boys OF our land
have rehearsed the oloqucnco of Daniel Webster in
the same breath with that Of Fisher Ames and Pat
rick Henry, and have grown TO manhood to find
this classic OF their school, books the living orator,
patriot, and statesnan.
Distrust, then, fellow citizens these arrogant
contemncrs Of an intelligent, educated, enlighten
cd. generous people, whom they pronounce un,
able or unwilling 90 recognise the high deserts OF
MIR. Webster. claiming only for utemseires An hon
orable exception from such blindness and ingrati-
tudc!
For this, our own great State OF New York, his
frequent public receptions in this city, and his re-
cent cnth usasiic greeting from town, village and
hamlet through the length and breadth of the State,
have sufficiently shown the sentiments of our peo
plc and we icaressly challenge for him the test of
the general ballot 20 yindicate the whole country
from this aSpersion its intelligence and its pa
triotism.
In this crisis Of our history, such lie the
whom VIC propose for your sufirages, and such his
qualifications TO meet aud fulfil its duties. The
Issue Of hisacceptuucc rejection by the people is
one which cannot be evaded; and all the vast con-
sequences Of welfare or misfortune TO the country,
witch depend upon the decision, rect with each
ci,izon, according 20 the measure of his influence
over public opinion and public action. Let us,
t.cn, fellow. citizens, discharge our duty, and
our whole duty. TO the country, and TO the whole
country, that in the result Of the approaching con-
test. No may with honest pride join voice, in
the general Joy which will attend success.
Rcsoircd, That this meeting rcposcs unlimited
Confidence in tho talents, the integrity, and the
Tsiriotism Of DANIEL WKBsTER-whose great scr
vices 10 the country the defender OF the Consti-
tuition and the principles upon which il is bssed-
The jealous advocate OF the rights OF the people
aud OF constitutional hbcrty-bave justly entitled
h.n to the gratitude and affection OF every Amor
n. As wings. honor him as the able and
fearless exponent Of our principles; and, as Anne
ric1ns, glory in mis- well earned fame ms a
pa riot, and statesman, whose life has been de-
voted 20 the maintenance Of sound republican prin-
eiplcs md constitutional law and VIC desire TO pre-
st.t his name 70 the Wing National Convention as
a rnncidatc for President OF the United States at
the approaching election. His nomination would
gladden. the hearts Of the friends of the Constitu-
ton and The country in every section Of our widely
extended Republic, and patriotism, national pride,
and feeling Of self respect would combine 70 en-
sure his election; thus securing 20 our country the
triumph Of Wing principles and TO the cause Of
republcanisin throughout the world the incaiculn-
bio advantage Of demonstrating the capacity Of the
people for self government, by proving their dis
elimination ana judgment. by vindicating their
capacity to appreciate exalted talent. and by