Page:The World's Famous Orations Volume 9.djvu/49

 WEBSTER dent, be safe for the honorable member to ap- peal to those around him, upon the question whether he did in fact make use of that word. But he may have been unconscious of it. At any rate, it is enough that he disclaims it. But still, with or without the use of that particular word, he had yet something here, he said, of which he wished to rid himself by an immediate reply. In this respect, sir, I have a great ad- vantage over the honorable gentleman. There is nothing here, sir, which gives me the slightest uneasiness; neither fear, nor anger, nor that which is sometimes more troublesome than either, the consciousness of having been in the wrong. Let me observe that the eulogium pronounced by the honorable gentleman on the character of the State of South Carolina, for her Revolu- tionary and other merits, meets my hearty con- currence. I shall not acknowledge that the honorable member goes before me in regard for whatever of distinguished talent, or dis- tinguished character. South Carolina has pro- duced. I claim part of the honor; I partake in the pride of her great names. I claim them for countrymen, one and all — the Laurenses, the Eutledges, the Pinckneys, the Sumters, the Ma- rions — Americans all, whose fame is no more to be hemmed in by State lines, than their talents and patriotism were capable of being circum- scribed within the same narrow limits. In their day and generation, they served and honored the country, and the whole country; and their