The anti-slavery agitation, which began in 1830, was as evidently a product of the new phase of democracy, but will fall more naturally under the next period.

Webster’s reply to Hayne has been taken as the best illustration of that thoroughly national feeling which was impossible before the war of 1812, and increasingly more common after it.  It has been necessary to preface it with Hayne’s speech, in order to have a clear understanding of parts of Webster’s; but it has not been possible to omit Calhoun’s speech, as a defence of his scheme of nullification, and as an exemplification of the reaction toward colonialism with which the South met the national development.  It has not seemed necessary to include other examples of the orations called forth by the temporary political issues of the time.

ROBERT Y. HAYNE,

—–­Of south Carolina. (Born 1791, died 1840.)

ON MR. FOOT’S RESOLUTION IN THE UNITED STATES SENATE, JAN. 21, 1830

MR. SPEAKER: 

Mr. Hayne said, when he took occasion, two days ago, to throw out some ideas with respect to the policy of the government in relation to the public lands, nothing certainly could have been further from his thoughts than that he should have been compelled again to throw himself upon the indulgence of the Senate.  Little did I expect, said Mr. H., to be called upon to meet such an argument as was yesterday urged by the gentleman from Massachusetts (Mr. Webster).  Sir, I question no man’s opinions; I impeach no man’s motives; I charged no party, or State, or section of country with hostility to any other, but ventured, as I thought, in a becoming spirit, to put forth my own sentiments in relation to a great national question of public policy.  Such was my course.  The gentleman from Missouri (Mr. Benton), it is true, had charged upon the Eastern States an early and continued hostility toward the West, and referred to a number of historical facts and documents in support of that charge.  Now, sir, how have these different arguments been met?  The honorable gentleman from Massachusetts, after deliberating a whole night upon his course, comes into this chamber to vindicate New England; and instead of making up his issue with the gentleman from Missouri, on the charges which he had preferred, chooses to consider me as the author of those charges, and losing sight entirely of that gentleman, selects me as his adversary, and pours out all the vials of his mighty wrath upon my devoted head.  Nor is he willing to stop there.  He goes on to assail the institutions and policy of the South, and calls in question the principles and conduct of the State which I have the honor to represent.  When I find a gentleman of mature age and experience, of acknowledged talents and profound sagacity, pursuing a course like this, declining the contest offered