The Republican journal., 1871-04-06

to the notice which had been taken of hi
services in defence of the Constitution
and reiterated his strong and heartfelt at
tachment to the Union" He then spok
OF his attachment to a system of interna
improvements; and referred to the ten
dency of men to rely upon good intention
in their rulers, instead of keeping then
strictly within the limits of the Constitu
ton.
Mr. Webster spoke about forty-fiv
minutes by the clock, although, withou
that certain evidence the people would in
sist that it was not over fifteen; and, il
conclusion, said that it might be expect
ed that he should offer sentiment loca
in its character, but we were member
and citizens not only Of this city and STATE
but Of a great nation, and deeply inter
ested in the perpetuity Of its institutions
Mr.. Webster gave:
"Civil liberty-It can only be preserv
ed by Constitutional restraints upon po
| litical parties
On the twenty-eighth Of September
Mr.. Webster proceeded to Belfast, in the
| steamer Bangor, which at that time, did
not make regular trips into the harbor
| On this occasion, out of respect to her dis
tinguished passenger, the boat came un
expectedly to the wharf. The unannounc
! ed arrival of Mr. Webster prevented any
formal public demonstration, although q
salute was fired after he had landed. Al
the Eagle Hotel, q large number of citi
zens collected and rendered their hospi,
talities. Mr.. Webster soon started by q
| private conveyance, for the kennebec
| On his journey, homeward, the citizens
of Augusta, Hallowell and Gardiner
| availed themselves of the occasion to in
vite him to a dinner at the llallowell
| House. The invitation was accepted
and about two hundred gentlemen were
| present The Hon. George Evans presi-
ded at the table After the cloth was re-
moved, Mr.. Evans explained the purpose
of the citizens of Kennebec to signify
their appreciation of the public character
and eminent service of distinguished
Senator in Congress, now present, and
took occasion to refer. at considerable
length, to some prominent political events
in which Mr. Webster had been leader
and champion, in defence of the Constitu-
ton against fearful and violent assaults,
from various quarters, but particularly
from the administration, OF party in pow
er. He concluded by offering the follow
ing sentiments
'Our distinguished Guest-Daniel Web
ster-The profound civilian-the eloquent
advocate = the enlightened Statesman
None so worthy the highest honors under
the Constitution, as its most untiring an
ablest supporter
After the applause had subsidized, Mr.
Webster addressed the company in q
speech of three quarters of an hour. This
speech is not included among his works !;
but an abstract may be found in the Ken
nebec Journal of October 9th, 1885. He
offered as a continent:
''The Constitution of the United States
The proudest Inheritance of the Ameri-
can people,"
1t was intended by the Wings of Port
land, to give collation., at the City Hall,
on Mr. Webster's arrival in that city, on
his way home The following corrc-
spondence passed on the occasion:
Portland, Oct !, 1885.
Hon. DANIEL WEBSTER,
SIR In the name of the Wings of this city,
We take pleasure in requesting you to meet
them at the City Hall, Tomorrow, at II NJ.
and partake of a collation. there to be provided.
In discharging this duty, as the organ of this
portion Of political party whose principles
you have 50 ably defended. and so eoquently
sustained throughout long series of usurpa-
tions upon the part of the present almnistra-
ton, we beg leave to assure you of our person
al regard, rs well political sympathy and
are, Sir, our most obedient servants,
Levi Cutter,
Samuel Fessenden,
Noah Hinkley,
Marshall French, Da,
Nathan Cummings, N''i
Hosea Ilsey,
Thomas Amory Deblois,
John Edwards.
Mr. Webster's reply.
Portland, Oct. I, 1885.
GENTLEMEN 1t would give me true pleas
ure to partake of a collation. with the Wings of
Portland, tomorrow, in compliance with their
kind invitation, communicated through you.
But my engagements at home do not allow me,
on this occasion to stay in the city long enough
to enjoy such an interview. | take leave to say
that | value highly, their appreciation of my
political conduct; that | accept their offered
sympathy with satisfaction, and cordiality; and
L pray you to assure them, that, under no cir
cumstances, Shall l abandon these principles of
civil liberty and that devotion to the Constitu-
tion of the country, to which | owe the cheer
ing commentator of the Wings of Portland.
With sentiments of warm personal attach
IlltIli, ouI lIltllti
fellow citizen, DANIEL WEBSTER.
To MeSSrS.
Cutter, Fessenden, Hinkley, French, Cum
mings, llsley, Deblois and Edwards.
Though the kind intentions oft Wings
We're not consummated, in the form Of a
public dinner, there was a general gath
ering Of the party at Mr.. Webster's lodg-
ings, during the evening that he remained
in Portland. The Advertiser states that,
''lrom the hour appointed to call upon
him until nine O'Clock, the drawing-rooms
at the Cumberland House We're thronged
with the friends Of the favorite son of
New England, tlocklng to exchange salu-
tations with one to whom they feel a
strong Indebtedness for the able and fear
less manner in which he has ever sustain
ed their principles. In the course of the
evening, Mr.. Webster was addressed by
one of the company, in the name of the
rest, and replied in his usual happy man.
ner.''
Mr.. Webster left for Boston, the follow
ing morning.
An old Octogenarian mSer died in this