Speech of the Honorable Daniel Webster, on the Compromise Bill, Delivered in the Senate of the United States, on the 17th Day of July, 1850 (Classic Reprint)

Excerpt from Speech of the Honorable Daniel Webster, on the Compomise Bill, Delivered in the Senate of the United States, on the 17th Day of July, 1850
Mr. President: It was my purpose, on Tuesday of last week, to have followed the honorable member from South Carolina, (Mr. Butler, ) who was addressing the Senate on the morning of that day, with what I then had, and now have, to say upon the subject of this bill. But before the honorable member hid concluded his own remarks, it was announced to us, that the late Chief Magistrate of the United States was dangerously ill, and the Senate was moved to adjourn. The Senate adjourned; and the solemn event of the decease of the President took place that evening.
Sir, various and most interesting reflections present themselves to the minds of men, growing out of that occurrence. The Chief Magistrate of a great Republic died suddenly. Recently elected to that high office by the spontaneous voice ot his fellow countrymen, possessing in a high degree their confidence and regard, ere yet he had had a fair opportunity to develope the principles of his civil administration, he fell by the stroke of death. Yet, sir, mixed with the sad thoughts which this event suggests, and the melancholy feeling which spread over the whole country, the real lovers and admirers of our constitutional government, in the midst of their grief and affliction for this loss, find something consoling and gratifying. The Executive head of a great nation had fallen suddenly: no disturbance arose; no shock was felt in a great and free Republic Credit, public and private, was in noway disturbed, and danger to the community or individuals was no where felt. The legislative authority was neither dissolved nor prorogued; nor was there any further interruption or delay in the exercise of the ordinary functions of every branch of the Government, than such as was necessary for the indulgence, the proper indulgence, of the grief which afflicted Congress and the country.
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