Phenix gazette. [volume] (Alexandria [D.C.]) 1825-1833, 1830-03-05
DANIEL WEBSTER.
tn The Editors OF the NeU York Gdzet!e.

,bou, to give you brief skc,ch OF Mr.. WEE
srrp Of nj, .arIy history il IS not necessary
for me 10 speak. With that, al present, have
nothing to do. II is my desire 10 d~st rtbe him
ss he appears on the 400, OF The senate:
| am aware that i, 10 almost needless 10
sketch his prison, (for among our c'lz zen;
is well Known but as ,he editor OF 'ns User
Sentinel has done so, suppose must 'o'o"
the example Mr.. Webster then, IL raher
above the mlddling height, strongly nu'i'' ana
slightly inclined 10 corpuleney. HIS lace rs o,
The most expressive cast, sailoW ana "'tn"u'
color, bu, finely formed. His forehead is nigh'
but Of irregular shape, and his hair eoa' o.a'S'
and rather stiff and obstinate in lis leanngs'
He has, TO use the words OF the poet, an hs'
attic eve intensely black, mild in It's genera
expression, but with capacity 10 emoouy e
cry species Of sensation and passion whieh 10.
~ aims and Identified ambition eugender. His
mouth il one Of the fuest ever saw. ln !ne
movements of his lips there Is nerher P'uais"
compression nor hippant activity his "otas
IAN naturally. and the expression Of his FACE be-
travs nei her an anxiety 10 be expressive which
generally defeats its own objecD nor the slight
sx, degree OF carelessness. Indeed, when SPEAK
inc. his features seem to be the passive inslru-
men,s Of his thoughts, as he makes noapparen'
effort 10 throw the workings OF his mind into
the couplenancs. His voice is deep ye! mellow
and nlea.ine: only when raised a little above
its natural pitch, falling in its ordinary round
ness and volume. But he seldom exerts II be-
yond its power; and is never guilty OF the re-
ducf,o nd absurdum universally experienced ny
| those who tax their vocal capacities 100 high
In his ges,icul a,ions he is appropriate, ou'
snarjne: and as there is no ora orical flourish
in hi. speaking, neither is there any ming me
arical in his gestures. The distinguishing
feature Of his oratory is dignifed solemnity;
and in proportion as he seems Impressed win
the importance Of the subject in which he is
engaged, is the nearer disposed 10 symPathlse
with the esker. This cIrcumhtance explains
| the secret Of the fixed attention with whlch he
i, always heard and the peculiar charm OF his
eloouence. The nearer is impressed with
high and lofty feeling Of The momenious deca
raIion., gIavely and solemnly made by the
speaker, while the purify of his language, and
the clearness with which his ideas are express
sed, confirm the first expression arising nom
bis manner. His delivery has always the effect
10 convince his hearers that he Is IN edrnss'-
rha, what he u,ters he really feels and belle es
tina, the source Of his opinions are neither par
~ luminosity, spleen, or PreIudiee -henee MS
more vigorous sallies produce a powerful ef-
/
are not the ebulliions Of passion-whlle The
eo,sbls tenor Of his eratory renders those Eight
of fancy, which oceasionslly embellish his
speech hes doubly pleasing. They evidently come
unbiddep -ihey bear The stamp OF the spon
,.neous growth Of a highly cultivated mental
soil, taste ad Of the candy coloring OF e1otles.
In argument few men can excel Mr.. Web
ster. He never loses sight OF the deduction
which he in,ends TO draw, or wanders in ireva'
lent defamation into subjects foreign 10 the
matter in hand. II he digress, it is 10 bring
outward aid 10 his reasoning. not to confuse or
mysrify. With self~possession which have
seidem seen equa!,ed, he rises as coolly IN his
own defence against misrepre sentaiion, or the
bitter sarcasms Of an opponent, as 10 COM
mence debate on q grave and intricate SUBJ
iect. His irony seems 10 borrow force from
the cool and unimpassioned tone in which tits
expressed; aud h. hurls back The missile which
had fallen hurtess at his feet with On aim as
sure, and hand as steady, as those OF the an
Glen Psr,han. He is not much given 10 sar'
casm; but in its use, he knows well the expires
sion Of countenance which gives II point and
force. / well remember an instance in which,
with but few words, he made Mr. Woodbury.
appear e1. redingly ridiculous, BY an allusios
to the parade made by he latter Of his know
1 IeuHc vi ITlSC uooH oh s"u"itSS' hS
sarcasti, glance of his eye, as he referred to
the Senatorial Dr.. Price," made his allusion
| irresistible.
| When Mr.. Webster First took his seat in the
Sena'e, during The winter OF l727 8, there
seemed a determination in a numerous body Of
his petite al opponents, 10 leave TO opportunity
unimproved Of 'aking the New England lion
by the :nane. On the frs, day Of his appear
ance, which was ct a late period, (he having
been detained in New York BY illness. and
severe domestic calamity al occasion off'rsd
AS it were, upon The very threshold Of the Sen
ate, he was engaged in an arduous, and ! may
say, on the part Of his oppoosnts, viruen' de-
bate, A bill had been introduced, think, by
Mr.. White, Of Tennessee, 10 regulate supreme
judicial process in ths States sdmiuec into the
Union since 1889. II had been discussed and
amended, and came up for third reading
Apparently by mere accident Mr.. Webster's
attention was attracted to it. He went TO the
Clerks desk, and having read the bill, return.
cd TO his seat. In a few words he explained
his reasons for opposing its passage. He clear
1y elucdated that this bill not only extended TO
the new States, But would inevitably disorgan-