Mr. Webster sat
on my left. The President and the other members of the Cabinet were
on my right. The President arose when I did and remained standing.
When I alluded to Stuart and Conrad they gave no indication of their
presence, but when I referred to Mr. Webster he rose at once and the
Hall resounded with the cheers of the audience. Speeches in reply were
made by the President, by Mr. Webster, Mr. Stuart, and Mr. Conrad.
At the time Mr. Winthrop was the Whig candidate for Governor. He was
present in the audience. In the course of Mr. Webster's speech, he
gave my administration an endorsement in these words:--"I wish in the
first place to say that from the bottom of my heart I wish entire
success to your administration of the affairs of this State. Into
whosoever hands these affairs may fall, if they are fairly and
impartially administered, those hands shall have my hand in their
support, and maintenance." These words were received by the audience
and the people of the State as a more full endorsement of my
administration then the printed text justified. They gave Mr. Winthrop
and his friends much uneasiness and it is quite likely that they
contributed to Mr. Winthrop's defeat and to my re-election. In the
course of his speech Mr. Webster used these words speaking of the
people of Massachusetts: "And yet all are full of happiness, and all
are, as we say in the country, well-to-do in the world and enjoying
neighbor's fare.
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