one else to strain the powers of the central government
to the last point, and use them most tyrannically and illegally in their
own interest and in that of their pet institution. The session of 1836
furnished a striking example of this characteristic quality. Mr. Calhoun
at that time introduced his monstrous bill to control the United States
mails in the interests of slavery, by authorizing postmasters to seize and
suppress all anti-slavery documents. Against this measure Mr. Webster spoke
and voted, resting his opposition on general grounds, and sustaining it by
a strong and effective argument. In the following year, on his way to the
North, after the inauguration of Mr. Van Buren, a great public reception
was given to him in New York, and on that occasion he made the speech in
Niblo's Garden, where he defined the Whig principles, arraigned so
powerfully the policy of Jackson, and laid the foundation for the triumphs
of the Harrison campaign. In the course of that speech he referred to
Texas, and strongly expressed his belief that it should remain independent
and should not be annexed. This led him to touch upon slavery. He said:--

"I frankly avow my entire unwillingness to do anything that shall
extend the slavery of the African race on this continent, or add
other slave-holding States to the Union. When I say that I regard
slavery in itself as a great moral, social, and political evil, I
only use the language which has been adopted by distinguished men,
themselves citizens of slave-holding States. I shall do nothing,
therefore, to favor or encourage its further extension. We have
slavery already amongst us. The Constitution found it in the Union,
it recognized it, and gave it solemn guaranties. To the full
extent of the guaranties we are all bound in honor, in justice, and
by the Constitution.... But when we come to speak of admitting new
States, the subject assumes an entirely different aspect.... In my
opinion, the people of the United States will not consent to bring
into the Union a new, vastly extensive, and slave-holding country,
large enough for half a dozen or a dozen States. In my opinion,
they ought not to consent to it.... On the general question of
slavery a great portion of the community is already strongly
excited. The subject has not only attracted attention as a question
of politics, but it has struck a far