Litchfield Enquirer

The following remarks upon free discussion, are from one of the speeches in Congress, by Daniel Webster, and we believe express the sentiments of the great body of the people not only in the Northern but also in the Southern States-remarks the New-York American:

"Important as I deem it to discuss, on all proper occasions, the policy of the measures at present pursued, it is still more important to maintain the right of such discussion, in its full and just extent. Sentiments lately sprung up and now growing fashionable, make it necessary to be explicit on this point. The more I perceive a disposition to check the freedom of inquiry by extravagant and unconstitutional pretences, the firmer shall be the tone which I shall assert, and the freer the manner in which I shall exercise it. It is the ancient and undoubted prerogative of this people, to canvass public measures and the merits of public men. It is a "homebred right," a fireside privilege. It hath ever been enjoyed in every house, cottage and cabin in the nation. It is not to be drawn into controversy. It is as undoubted as the right of breathing the air or walking on the earth. Belonging to private life as a right, it belongs to public life as a duty: and it is the last duty which those whose representative I am, shall find me to abandon. Aiming at all times to be courteous and temperate in its use, except when the right itself shall be questioned, I shall then carry it to its extent. I shall place myself on the extreme boundary of my right, and bid defiance to any arm that would move me from my ground. This high constitutional privilege I shall defend and exercise, within this house, and without this house, and in all places; in time of war, in time of peace, and at all times. Living I shall assert it, dying I shall assert it; and should I leave no other inheritance to my children, by the blessing of God it will leave them the inheritance of free principles, and the example of a manly, independent and constitutional defence of them."