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elapsed since the roar of battle had broke over the sacred ground. The corner-stone of a time-defying monument was then resting at his feet, and a hundred thousand bosoms in his sight were swelling and heaving with patriotism and republican pride. How sublime the scene! What a moment for "thoughts that breathe and words that burn !"'

All were satisfied,-all delighted. Yet there was nothing but good sense running through all he said; no artificial pauses were made to elicit the plaudits of a larger audience than any orator in this country ever before addressed He had studied no graceful gestures for the occasion. His voice was clear and powerful, and heard far beyond the usual compass of the human voice. He spoke as he felt, with deliberate energy of thought and word. His whole soul was in that day's glory. Every topic that he touched was directly applicable to his subject; there were none of the wanderings of genius in his speech; all was compact, intense, and connected. The importance of the institution, its great objects, and its harmony, with all the feelings of patriotism were dwelt upon The principles of the Revolution received new interest from his eloquence. The mighty dead of the Revolution were eulogised, and the survivors addressed with affection and reverence. They had never anticipated such a day. Lafayette was full of the 'grand spectacle,' and declared, that he had never before beheld a concourse so intelligent and so happy. Such impressions may slumber, but can never die. They will be called up by

memory, and transmitted with fresh laurels to remotest time.

Mr. Webster had not often made his appearance in Faneuil Hall on those occasions, which call forth the unpremeditated speeches of those who come to animate the voters before the poles are opened. He had not tried or wasted his strength on these useful, but ephemeral efforts in the cause of every ordinary election. He admired the old cradle of liberty, but it was the place for young men to try their oratorical powers, and he had passed the period of all such struggles; yet, previous to the election of April, 1825, in that State, when no small degree of confusion seemed to be found in the ranks of his friends, he was induced to come forward to say a few words in favor of union. He was awkwardly situated; some of his friends were very urgent for him to appear, as he might do much good in bringing about harmony. He received notes from some other friends pressing him to be there without fail; from others, again, urging him to stay at home. One, couched in Calphurnia's words, 'Go not forth to-day; and this from one, too, who loved him well, and one who had as many fears for the loss of his popularity as the fond wife had for Cæsar's life; nevertheless, his popularity was not in quite so much jeopardy as the great Roman's life. He did go forth, and made a speech, which, if it did not unite all parties, went no small way to accomplish it; at all events, it increased the public confidence in his politi

cal course. These sudden, occasional speeches, called out by unforeseen circumstances, show a man's common course of thinking, and his fitness for that debate, which a statesman is often forced into without much preparation. The topics he touched upon were well chosen, and as one of those little gems of eloquence, the speech is given :

'Mr. Webster said, he was quite unaccustomed to appear in that place; having, on no occasion, addressed his fellow citizens there, either to recommend or to oppose the support of any candidates for public office. He had long been of opinion, that to preserve the distinction, and the hostility of political parties, was not consistent with the highest degree of public good. At the same time he did not find fault with the conduct, nor question the motives, of those who thought otherwise. But, entertaining this opinion, he had abstained from attending on those occasions, in which the merits of public men, and of candidates for office, were discussed, necessarily, with more or less reference to party attachment, and party organization.

'The present was a different occasion. The sentiment which had called this meeting together, was a sentiment of union and conciliation ; a sentiment so congenial to his own feelings, and to his opinion of the public interest, that he could not resist the inclination to be present, and to express his entire and hearty approbation.

'He should forbear, Mr. W. said, from all remarks upon the particular names which had been recommended by the committee. They had been selected, he must presume, fairly, and with due consideration, by those who were appointed for that purpose. In cases of this sort every one cannot expect to find everything precisely as he might wish it; but those who concurred in the general sentiment would naturally allow that sentiment to prevail, as far as possible, over particular objections.

'On the general question he would make a few remarks, begging the indulgence of the meeting, if he should say anything which might with more propriety proceed from others.

'He hardly conceived how well disposed and intelligent minds could differ, as to the question, whether party contest, and party strife, organized, systematic, and continued, were of themselves desirable ingredients in the composition of society. Difference of opinion, on political subjects, honorable competition, and emulous rivalry, may, indeed, be useful. But these are very different things from organized and systematic party combinations. He admitted, even, that party associations were sometimes unavoidable, and perhaps necessary, to the accomplishment of other ends and purposes. But this did not prove that, of themselves, they were good; or that they should be continued and preserved for their own sake, when there had ceased to be any object to be effected by them.

'But there were those who supposed, that whether political party distinctions were, or were not, useful, it was impossible to abolish them. Now he thought, on the contrary, that under present circumstances, it was quite impossible to continue them. New parties, indeed, might arise, growing out of new events, or new questions; but as to those old parties, which had sprung from controversies now no longer pending, or from feelings, which time and other causes had now changed, or greatly allayed, he did not believe that they could long remain. Efforts, indeed, made to that end, with zeal and perseverance, might delay their extinction, but, he thought, could not prevent it. There was nothing to keep alive these distinctions, in the interests and objects which now engage society. New questions and new objects arise, having no connexion with the subjects of past controversies, and present interest overcomes or absorbs the recollection of former controversies. All that are united on these existing questions, and present interests, are not likely to weaken their efforts to pro

mote them by angry reflections on past differences. If there were nothing, in things, to divide about, he thought the people not likely to maintain systematic controversies about men. They have no interest in so doing. Associations formed to support principles, may be called parties; but if they have no bond of union but adherence to particular men they become factions.

The people, in his opinion, were at present grateful to all parties, for whatever of good they had accomplished, and indulgent to all for whatever of error they had committed; and, with these feelings, were now mainly intent on the great objects which affected their present interests. There might be exceptions to this remark; he was afraid there were; but, nevertheless, such appeared to him to be the general feeling in the country. It was natural that some prejudices should remain longer than their causes, as the waves lash the shore, for a time, after the storm has subsided; but the tendency of the elements was to repose. Monopolies of all sorts were getting out of fashion, they were yielding to liberal ideas, and to the obvious justice and expediency of fair competition.

• An administration of the general government, which had been, in general, highly satisfactory to the country, had now closed. He was not aware that it could with propriety be said that that administration had been either supported, or opposed by any party associations, or on any party principles. Certain it was, that as far as there had been any organized opposition to the administration, it had had nothing to do with former parties. A new administration had now commenced, and he need hardly say that the most liberal and conciliatory principles had been avowed. It could not be doubted, that it would conform to those principles. Thus far, he believed, its course had given general satisfaction. After what they all had seen, in relation to the gentlemen holding the highest appointment in the Executive Department, under the President, he would take this opportunity to say, that having been a member

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