Constitutional Whig. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1824-1832, 1830-03-09
DANIEL WEBSTER.

it, and believe, fidelity viii not prove unaccept
able.
DANIEL WEBSTER.
TO ate Editors Of the .Ne,o Foih Gaseis
CENT? EMEN--According to my PROMISE / am q.
bout to give you brief sketch of Mr.. WEBsrER
OF his early history it is not necessary for me to
speak. With that, at present, will have nothing
to 90. 1t is my desire to describe him he appears
| on the floor of the Senate.
am aware that i, is almost needless to sketch his
person TOR among our citizens it is well known but
as the editor of the Ulster Sentinel has done SO,
suppose must follow the example MIR Webster
then, IS rather above the middng height, strongly
built, and slightly inclined to corpulency. His face
Is oil the most expressive cast sallow and without
colour gu. iinely formed. His forehead is HIGH hut
OF irregular shape and his hair coal black and rat
CT stiff and obstinate in it's leaninss. He has 10 use
the words OF the poet san Asatic cye'' intensely
black mild in its general expressions but with en-
pasy 20 etHbody every species of sensation and pas
sion which lofty aims and dignifed ambition enpen-
dcF. His MOUTHS of the finest ever saw In
inc movements OF his bps there is neither prudislr
compression nor ppant activity. His words fall nat
nray and the expression of his face bctrays neither
an anxiety to be expressive (Which generally defeats
It's own obecD nor the slightest degree of careless
ness. indeed when speaking, his features seem to
be merely tic passive instruments of his thoughts
as he makes no apparent effort to throw the workings
OF MS minds INTO The countenance HIS voice is .
deep, yet mellow and pleasing; only when raised q
little above its natural pitch failing in its ordinary
roundness and volume. But he seldom exerts il be-
yond Its power; and never guilty of the e1ucti0 all
universally experienced by thoS who tay
their vocal capacities high In his resticuIation
ne IS appropriate, but sparine and as there is no or
atorlcal flourish in his speaking neither is ,herp anv
.s theasflcai III his gestures The distinguishing
proportion as tie seems impressed with the Importance
OF the subject in which he is engaged is the hear
or disposed TO sympahse with the speaker This
circumstance explains the secret of the fixed atten
Lon with which ne Is always heard, and the peculiar
charm of his coquencc. The nearer is impressed
with high and lofty feeling of the n,omenous dec
iaratlons gravely and socmny made by the speaker
While the purity of his language, and the clearness
with which his ideas expressed Can't, sr re.
impression arising from his manner His daI;vet
always inc effect to convince his hearers that he
IS IN e"fest-that What he utters he really faels and
pcieVes; that the sources of his opinions are neither
party amnesty, Spleen nor prejudice. Hence his
mere vigorous saiiles produce powerful effect and
the conviction In his hearers that they areznot the
ebuhons of passion-whiie the equable tenor ofhi
oratory renders those flights of fancy which occa
sionaly eInbesh his speeches. doubly pleasing They
evidently come unbdden-;hey bear the sfarnp of
the spontaneous growth Of highly cultivated menoI
soil, instead Of the gaudy coloripg of exotics
In argument, few men excel Mr. Webster lie never loses
sist OF The deduction which he intends draw or wandefs
IN Irrelevant defamation subjects foreign to the matter in
Nal o. IL ne agress II is TO bring outward aid to his reasoning
l' 70 CONFUSE or mySiy With sefposseson which
seldom seen equalled he rises cooy in his own defence
as commence on grave and intricate
HIS irony seems 10 borrow force from and unimEss-
which had fallen hurtless his feet with an aim as sure and
hand as steady as those Of The paan file is not
much gwen 10 sacasn but IN its he knows the
preston of counenance which gives point and force well
Mr. woodbury. appear eSceensv rG I v a. a %aoo
TO the parade made by the latter Of his knowledge Prices
book on annui,es The sarcastic glance eye as he re-
sisrble. ~ ~ mt
When Mr. Webster first his seat in the Senate during
the winter Of 1928, there determination in numer
onS ooay OF his political opponents to leave opportunity
Inc nfs day Of his appearance which late period Che
having been detained in New York by Illness
very treshnldo the Senate, engaged IN an arduos
5a& pa q i bg s Wbs of ds e"n
10 eate supreme judicial process in The States admitted
and came up for third reading Apparently by nero acct
dent Mr. Webser attention was attracted He went To
In few words he explained his opposing It's pas
sage He clearly elucidae this bill only extended 10
the new States, but would inevitably sorgonize and destroy
the federal process in the old States which had existed ever
Mr.. tayne, Mr. M'Kiney, Mr.. White. and Others "The
mcy on ali es he da V" WORE a a%n ne
and when his opponents had fairly themselves Mr.
webster moved an adjournment, ntmang that be would re-
ply on the next day.
d nave ave. seldom knoyvna greater excitement
SON. man prevailed among all classes reply of Mr.
Webster The Senate lronged al an esriy hn and his
rising was marked by profound silence Ie obIquey
so as occasionally 10 towards the Wee PRESIDENT lye,,
.e form OF debate required and bring Mr. Tazen
Mr. Rowan directly in the line of eye He commenced
WIN ms usual camne and gradually with his subject
His speech was indeed great Ii sophsry
false reasoning were uumaked. Mr. Webster
on this occasion He spoke not only like profound lawyer,
ou' IKE wise statesman and his antagonists completely
nay restricted m IFS application
the Union since 1889 THIS debate important
the circumstances bave mentoned that day the
enemies of Nlr Webster looked upon him fear well as
dislike.
No man who was present the debate Tariff q think
on the 18th ay0 during the easily forget
the contest OF that day The date has escaped
membranes Of the cam MIR Webster had already
spoken at length the subject lie had advocated u,air
features of the b but objected other portions
tern and Western members interested
10 which he objected They attacked him by detail Among
his assalants remember Mr. Benton, who exceedingly
viocni Mr. johnson Kentucky, Mr. Tazewe Ef Berrisi
and think, Mr. Branch TO EACH ORDER Mr. Webster
rePy-and tie raPidy Of the attack only prelude 10
the overthrow Of his adYcrsae It far tb mcs, III
eresting and the animated debate s1S TO-
The senate crowded sufsocaon during tie whole period
OF the discussion, which did close until uaht
As ] walked down Pennsylvania Avenue of hIr.
Webster uttered by every in of admiration.
In alusoD TO this debate, Of Senators from Louisiana
said me- the subsequent day. that ne had an
idea tina; MIR Webscr possessed much power skirnis