Phenix gazette. [volume] (Alexandria [D.C.]) 1825-1833, 1833-09-19
ALEXANDRIA GAZETTE
DANIEL WEBSTER.
From 6 Men and Manners in .9merica, by the
.Aaihor of Cyril Thornton"

N"I"V " Sy'" 1"0'Wo'
The person however, who has succeeded in RI
vettlns most strongly the attention Of the whole
Union, is undoubtedly Mr.. Webster. From the
Gulf Of st. Lawrence to that of Mexico, from
Cape Sable to Lake Superior, his name has be.
come, as il we're, household word. Many dis.
approve his politics, but none deny his great ia.
Tents, his unrivslled fertility Of argument, or his
power even still more remarkable, Of rapid and
comprehensive Induction. In short, it is univer.
sally believed by his countrymen, that Mr.. Web
ster is great man; and in this matter certain.
ly make no pretenson to singularity Of creed
Mr., Webster Is man Of whom any country
might well be proud. His knowledge is at once
extensive and minute. his intellectual resources
very great; and, whatever may be the subject OF
discussion, he is sure to shed on it the light Of an
active. acute, and powerful mind.
| confess, however, did meet Mr.. Webster
under the influence Of some prejudice. From
the very day Of my arrival in the United States,
| had been involuntarily familiar with his pre-
tensions. Gentlemen sent me his speeches to
read. When I talked Of visiting Boston, the OBJ.
servation uniformly followed, 'Ah! there YOU will
see Mr.. Webster" When reached Boston,
encountered coincidence on all hands. ''YOu
are very unfortunate, said my friends, Mr..
Webster set out yesterday for Washington. "
Whenever at Philadelphia and Baltimore, it be-
came known that had visited Boston, the CUES
tion. odd YOU see Mr.. Webster!" was Sc.
ouence as constant and unvarying as that of the
! seasons.
The result Of all this was, that the name Of
Webster became invested in my ear with au ad-
yentitious cacophony. 1t is not pleasant to ad-
uire upon compulson, and the very Pre-eminence
of this gentleman had been converted into some.
thing Of a bore. To Washington, however
came, armed with letters to the unconscious
source of nv annoyance. The first night OF my
arrival I met him at a ball. A dozen people
nointed him out to nv observation, and the first
Glance riyetted my attention. | had never seen
sny countenance more expressive Of intellectual
| power.
The forehead of Mr.. Websteris high, broad,
and advancing. The cavity beneath the eyebrow
is remarkably large. The eye is deeply set, but
full, dark and penetrating in the highest degree;
the nose prominent, and well defined; the mouth
marked bv that rigid compression OF the lips by
which the New Englanders are distinguished.
| When Mr.. Webster's countenance IS IN rePose,
its expression struck me - cold and fOrbldding,
but in conversation II lishtens up; and when he
smiles, the whole impression il communicates IS
AT once changed. His voice Is clear, sharp, and
firm. without much variety OF modulatlon; out
when animated, it rings on the ear like clarion
As an orator, / should imagine MIR. Webster 8
forte to be in the department OF pure reason.
cannot conceive his even attempting an appear 10
the feelings. 1t could not be successful; aud he
has too much knowledge Of his own powers to
encounter failure In debate his very counte-
nance must tell. Few men would hazard vol.
uptary sophism under the glance Of that eye, so
cold, 80 keen,s penetrating,s expressive Of ih'ei
lectual power. A single look would be enough
to wi,her upa whole volume OF bad logic.
In the Senate, | had, unfortunately. no oppor
tunity of hearing Mr.. Webster display his great
powers as de6a,er. During my stay the sub
iects on which he happened to speak were alto,
sether of inferior Interest In the supreme
Court he delivered several legal arguments which
certainly struck the as admirable both IN regard
IN matter and manner, The latter was neither
vehement nor subdued. 1t was the manner oil
conscious now err tranquil and sell, possessed.
AZ Webster NAV be al once acquitted OF all
rar,icipa,ion in the besettng sins OF his age and
country. even doubt, in any single Instance,
if he can be fairly charged with uttering SEN
tence of mere defamation. His speeches have
nothing about them of gaudiness and glitter
Words with him are Instruments, not ends; the
vehicles. not Of sound merely, but Of sense and
reason. He utters no periods full of noise and
fury. like the voice Of an idiot. signifying-nOth'
ing; and it certainly exhibits proof that the
taste of the Americans is not yet irretrlevao'y
denrayed. when an orator like Mr.. Webster,
who despises all the stale and petty triekerv Of
Of his art, is called BY reclamation to the tlr''
place. . ,v.,.
agreeable. 1t seems slight to him. when he
minsles with his friends to cast OF the trammels
Of weighty cogtation. aud merge the lawyer
and the statesman in the companion;-a more
ple,san. and instructive one Ihave rarely Known
IN any country. Asa politician. the opinions Of
Mr.. Webster are remarkably free from intOle.al
u.J.,.t.nd the British Constitution, not as a
mere abstract system Of laws and institutions.
but in its true form and pressure, as 1t works
and acts on the people, modified By thousand
influences, Of which his countrymen IN general
know nothing.
K