Phenix gazette. [volume] (Alexandria [D.C.]) 1825-1833, 1833-05-27
From the National MfelHgencer.l
MR.. WEBSTER.

Great intellectual power has always COM
handed the attention aud excited the admira'
tion of mankind whether exhibited IN the bat
lie &, Id amidst blood and carnage aud desOlation,
or d,,payed in the Legislative hail IN powerful ar
uument and splendid imagery and overwhelming
eIoouence: OF manifested in the page OF the poet
or the philosopher, charming aud delignting all
who come within its magic iGduence-the con-
trolling power Of talent aud genius is always &C.
knowledged.
. But, in our humble opinion, Of all the various
modes in which genius displays Its mighty inilu-
ence that Of the orator, who can at his will con-
troll his hearers and bend them to his purpose, at
fords the most perfsc, exempiidcation OF human
power. We think higher and mere lofty grade
OF intellect is necessary Tor this purpose, than is
required by the successful general OF the eloquent
writer The orator must unite the energy and
decision and self possession Of the warrur, with
the extensive learning aud refined taste and bril-
l,aat imagination OF Abe author.
These ideas have been suggested by consi'
Iteration of the character and services OF Daniel
Webster.
We consider Mr. w. one of the most gifted
and extraordinary men our country has ever pro-
Iueed; aud we believe we shall he sustained by
the deliberate judgment OF great maJ"rity OF
the American people, when We say. that with
perhaps one exception four venerated Chief JUS
tice) he is the most extraordinary man who Is
now ensa sej in the active duties ct lite among u.
Bv the mere force Of native talent, una'ded
by a single adventurous circumstance oi fanny.
or party, or friends, he has risen tn he'ghi Oh
reputation and influence, such as lancy could
hardly have pictured Or hope have Prnphesied
Whether we view him as youth at co''eIe
AS LAWYER in New Hsmpshire--as member
~ fhQ nrn nm M
Constitutional advocate before the Supreme Ju-
diciary-or as the overwhelming annihiiafor OF
notification in the Senate, he Is always d,st'n-
su,shed and always pre- eminent.
From the period at which he first appear
ed in pubic life, his history may Ge said TO
h, interviewer with that Of his c0untry-it
is familiar to all He has been regularly and
rapidiy rising in power and influence, until 1t
wou,d seem he could scarcely rise higher; and
vet every new effort seems to exhibit his charac-
Ter in a new light. and to fasten upon him. with
fresh forcr, the admiration and aPplauses OF his
countrymeD.
II is a singular and remarkable fact. that there
are combined in Mr. Webster's character almost
all the qualities which the critics require to form
perf.ct orator; aud il is in this that he is
40 grea Nv superior to any who have yet appear.
ed 10 our Countrv. and to most OF those who nave
been distinguished IN the brtts1 fariIament.-
Patrick Henry may have equaied him in fsen.
CIV and animation; Fisher Ames in elegance and
beauty cf language; and the great P,nkney IN
power, energy. and prompttude-but 1t was re-
served for Webster to unite all these. and even
other qualities, in his own person; with know.
ledge which NAV be said to be universal; with
wit and genius surpassed by none; in readiness
and nuency Of language; IN impressiveness oi
delivery; with powers of reasoning and imagna.
ton nicely balanced: with sell. possession which
never deserts him-we consider him before any
orator our country has vet produced, aud fully
eaual to any of whom England can boast. IL we
except Mr. Burke; and it may be well made a
question, whether even this gifted and mighty
man Gao. on the whole, be considered, his supe
riot. Perhaps in elaborate elegance Of style,
and in beauty and r,chSess OF metaphor, Web
s,er nav be inferior TO Burke; but in masculine
energy Of thought. 10 impressive grandeur Of sen
timent, in force aod variety OF illustrations ne u
fully his equal; while IN strength OF argument
pungency Of sarcasm. and prOfundity Of judg
ment. he Is probably his superior.
Mr. W,b,,er's style. like that Of Burke, Is
ori.ipal-is his own. DIR. Johnson's character
istlc remark respecting the latter, may with equa
truth be applied TO the former. When asked