Mr.Webster attacked the war policy and the conduct of the war, and advocated defensive warfare, a navy, and the abandonment of the restrictive laws that were ruining our commerce, which had been the main cause of the adoption of the Constitution.

The conclusion of this speech is not far from the level of Mr.Webster's best work.

It is too long for quotation, but a few sentences will show its quality:-- "Give up your futile projects of invasion.

Extinguish the fires that blaze on your inland frontier.

Establish perfect safety and defence there by adequate force.