By the exercise of our constitutional right of suffrage, by the peaceable remedy of election, we shall seek to restore wisdom to our councils, and peace to our country." This was a sensible and patriotic opposition.

It represented the views of the moderate Federalists, and traced the lines which Mr.Webster consistently followed during the first years of his public life.

The address concluded by pointing out the French trickery which had provoked the war, and by denouncing an alliance with French despotism and ambition.
This oration was printed, and ran at once through two editions.

It led to the selection of Mr.Webster as a delegate to an assembly of the people of the county of Rockingham, a sort of mass convention, held in August, 1812.
There he was placed on the committee to prepare the address, and was chosen to write their report, which was adopted and published.

This important document, widely known at the time as the "Rockingham Memorial," was a careful argument against the war, and a vigorous and able presentation of the Federalist views.