acted wisely in coming hither, but, if they must make a change, I really think they could not have made a better.

Where on this continent is there a higher freedom of social enjoyment, or a more ready extension of the relations of private friendship and the courtesies of refined society, than in this city and State? Nor can I forbear a tribute to the intelligence, enterprise, and hospitality of the citizens of Charleston, where the exiled and the oppressed of the earth, and the victims of religious persecution, the Huguenot as well as the Puritan, have ever found a sanctuary ând a home; whither, as the name of this hall instructs us,* the enterprising North-British merchant resorts in the prosecution of business, and for convivial enjoyment; and where that other people, the hapless sons of Ireland, in our day the subjects of so much suffering, and to whose relief the whole of our land, both North and South, are now hastening with one heart and one purse, have also gathered as the home of the oppressed.

My friend has been pleased, in speaking of my public services, to refer to my influence over recent negotiations, connected with the preservation of the peace of the earth. Our true national policy is a policy of peace. I have not felt, for many years, that it is at all necessary for us to make further displays of prowess in arms in order to secure us an enduring national renown. There is no danger that we shall be underrated in the scale of nations, by any defect in this particular. With these views, I have in my public course directed my best efforts to promote the peace of the world, deeming that policy best for the honor and prosperity of our land, and in closest conformity to the benign precepts of Christianity and the humane spirit of modern civilization.

In reference to this policy, I can bear testimony to the able and honorable bearing of the distinguished sons of South Carolina in the councils of the nation. On all the great questions of peace and war, and other questions of national interest, that have been discussed in the halls of

* St. Andrew's Hall.

legislation, they have been arrayed on the side of the country, and a large debt of gratitude is their due.

It is natural on an occasion like this to reflect on the advantages to be derived from free intercourse between the inhabitants of the various sections of the Union, and on the importance of personal communication, to enable us to see and know more of one another, convinced as I am, that, the more we see and know of each other, the higher will be our mutual appreciation, the greater will be our deference for each other's judgments and opinions, and that, by cultivating reciprocal feelings of kindness and courtesy, the stronger will be our ties of fraternal peace and concord, the stronger the great bond of union which holds us together as United States. These considerations are especially applicable in this era of developments so favorable to transportation and conveyance, in which distance is so much less measured than formerly by space than time.

Nobody, Sir, will expect a set speech from me at this social board. I have had enough of such speeches elsewhere. I feel that it would be entirely out of keeping with the unceremonious character of the occasion to inflict on the company a formal address. Enough has been already said by me; and it only remains for me to tender my most earnest and cordial good wishes for the happiness and prosperity of the citizens of Charleston and the people of South Carolina.

Mr. Webster concluded with the following toast:

The people of South Carolina: Distinguished for their hospitality and high social virtues, as much so as for the great names which, at all times, they have given to the public service of the country.

This toast was acknowledged by General Hamilton, who, after a very interesting speech, concluded by offering:

"The memory of Robert Y. Hayne: A champion worthy to have contended with Daniel Webster, and to have borne on high the glorious banner of our State."

This toast was drank standing and in silence. On the company being again seated, Mr. Webster rose and said,

The gentleman who has just taken his seat has anticipated me in the tribute he has paid to the memory of his friend, in what I intended to say in the course of the evening. I cordially concur, from the bottom of my heart, in every sentiment he has so eloquently and feelingly uttered. If it was my fortune to be opposed to that gentleman in debate, on an important national question, it only gave me a better opportunity of recognizing his very eminent ability, which was not even surpassed by his gentlemanly accomplishments. I am happy in this assembly to have an opportunity of bearing testimony to his elevated patriotism, his high honor, and incorruptible integrity. No one out of the circle of his immediate relatives and friends more sincerely sympathized in the great public loss that his death occasioned. With this appreciation, we can then well afford to offer another tribute to his distinguished worth. I will give you

The memory of Robert Y. Hayne: A gentleman of courteous and polished manners, of irreproachable life, a lawyer of distinction and eminence, a statesman of ability and talent, and a highly-favored son of his native State.

RECEPTION AT COLUMBIA, S. C.

Abridged from the Columbia South Carolinian of the 17th of May, 1847. HON. DANIEL WEBSTER (accompanied by his family) visited our town last week. He was received with such honors and hospitalities, public and private, as is suitable to tender to one who fills so eminent a position in our Union. On arriving, he repaired to the mansion of his friend the Hon. Wm. C. Preston, President of the South Carolina College, (whose more especial guest he was,) and in the course of the evening was greeted by several hundred ladies and gentlemen, who had been invited to meet him.

The College buildings and grounds were brilliantly illuminated by the students.

On Friday, at 2 o'clock, Mr. Webster repaired to Clark's Hotel, to receive such of our citizens as might be disposed to make acquaintance with him. Here he was addressed, in behalf of the town authorities, by W. F. De Saussure, Esq., to whom he replied in suitable terms.

The students of the College having held a meeting, and appointed a committee to tender to Mr. Webster their respects and congratulations,

at four o'clock he repaired to the chapel, where Mr. Farrow, of the Senior Class, made to him the following exceedingly well-composed address:

"HONORABLE SIR, — Allow me, in the name of my fellow-students of the South Carolina College, to present you the assurance of their sincere pleasure at being honored with your presence on this occasion. Conscious we are that our humble tribute can add but little either to your pleasure or your fame. But taught from infancy to respect worth, we could not be silent when we see in our midst one in whom are blended the finished scholar, the able statesman, the pure patriot; one 'whose fame can no more be hemmed in by State lines,' than the consecrated histories of Boston, Bunker Hill, and Lexington. However warm may be our gratitude to those who sustain our country's honor on the battle field, we are not forgetful of those whose names are interwoven in the history of the councils of state and the debates of senates. And whilst we weave a willing wreath around the victor's brow, we equally offer the homage of our hearts and our understandings to men illustrious as you are, Sir, in civil life. Be assured, Sir, on our part, of a most hearty welcome amongst us."

To which Mr. Webster replied:

YOUNG GENTLEMEN OF THE SOUTH CAROLINA COLLEGE, I thank you for the manner in which you have been pleased to receive me, and for the respect which you have manifested. You are of the generation which is to come after us, and your judgments are to form part of the opinion of posterity, in respect to those who are now active in the scenes of life. It will be happy for me, if the mature sentiments of your manhood shall correspond with those thus expressed in your youth.

My young friends, I may well congratulate you on your present condition, and your prospects. You are members of a flourishing institution. You enjoy the teachings of a learned faculty, with a name at its head beloved in private life, highly distinguished in public life, and which confers grace as well as usefulness on these academic groves. Private and family affections cluster round you all; a thousand hopes are cherished for you; all good auspices hover over you. Every one of you may take to himself, in this respect, the language of the poet,

"Non sine Dis animosus infans."

Let me, then, say to each of you, "Carpe diem." Art is long and science is profound, and literature, in our day, is various and extensive. But you have youth, and health, and the means of culture and improvement, and can accomplish great objects. With you it is the bright and breezy morn of life. A long day, I trust, is before you. Let me advise you to be early in prosecuting the great work, which in that day is to be done. Like the morning of the natural day, let the morning of life begin with devotion to the Great Giver of all good; and let every succeeding hour of that life be filled with acts of duty, and friendship, and private and public beneficence. The evening of such life will be full of hopes for a better; and all will be cheered and consoled by

"that which should accompany old age,

As honor, love, obedience, troops of friends."

Young Gentlemen, all my good wishes attend you! May you here sow, with liberal broadcast, the seeds of a future harvest of honor to yourselves, gratification to your friends, and usefulness to your country!

RECEPTION AT SAVANNAH.

Speech delivered on the 26th of May, 1847, in Monument Square, at Savannah, Ga. AGREEABLY to previous arrangements, at eleven o'clock, the committee of thirteen waited upon Mr. Webster, at his lodgings, and escorted him to the platform erected against the Greene and Pulaski monument, in Monument Square. A large audience of both sexes was in attendance.

Mr. Justice Wayne addressed Mr. Webster in behalf of the people of Savannah, and bade him welcome to the city, and as he said, "We mean it to be a hearty welcome."

Mr. Webster replied:

SIR, -I beg you to believe me duly sensible of the respect paid me by the citizens of Savannah. They have appointed a committee to welcome me, composed of distinguished citizens, and placed at its head a gentleman well known to myself personally and to the public, as filling with equal honor to himself and the country the high station of