Phenix gazette. [volume] (Alexandria [D.C.]) 1825-1833, 1833-05-27

tellectual giant. lie is himself armed and IN
Vulnerable at every point, while his blows fall as
thick and heavy on bis antagonist as u they were
| dealt by the hundred handed Briareus. others
cut with two. edged sword. but he handles -
sledge hammer, and repeats his blows 20 o''en
! and 10 so many different modes, that lev ca"
again recognize the carease he has undertaken 10
mansle" In this respect he has often been com
pared to the present Lord Chancellor OF Eng'aho'
and we considerable resemblance in some Respects
striking one. Mr.. W., however, IS unques,
tionabl, superior to his Lordsh'P IN grace anu
impressiveness of delivery, as wen a. 10
and propriety Of language, and quite ea,a' :"
depth Of thought and sold'ty OF Juos"en.
.;.ss him neeuIiar power II enables hun to
sS,;oa any thing and every thing, at his "ilI' 10
;rnstrs, linn of his subect-all the beauties VI ma
,nrs. and all the mysteries of art, "whether De-
ionoino TO earth or to higher regions" ne series
sverv thing as he proceeds and like resist'ess
torrent. bearing on its rapid bosom "eafth' a""
,ock and tree" seems tn acquire new power
and fresh visor in proportion as he becomes loao-
ed with the Heterogeneous mass. ne 's n"'
man Of profound learning; but he has the taeh''
he yond apy one we know Of, OF extracting from
every person he meets all the Information ne pos
sesses; and as his memory is retentive anu MS
observations acute. he has acquired stock OF
knowledge in every department OF human 'eafn'
ing. equailed by few and surpassed by none
Another Important trait OF character ".'cr ne
possesses in an eminent degree Is ms ut''o'u
practical yocd sens. He is Away, safe. as well
as powerful and profound. 1t se'ms 10 De Tue
peculiar lot Of great genius, where briii'ant ahu
Jisrursi,e imagination is not controlled and re-
eulated by Judgment equally strong, that ms
take, in theory and errors in practice VIII be
committed, which men Of far humber powers ne
YER would have made, and which they regard
with unfeisned sstonlshment. We every day see
striking e1empIlGca,ions at this truth. But Mr.
Webster's friends need never apprehend such
mistakes in him. They never have cause to
hang their heads in modification and chasrin at
a false step, or ridiculous course; his well 6a-
lanced mind carries him safely through, where
many man of genius has wcfuIly fallen. Pas
sion in him Is controlled by reason; imagination
is restrained BY judgments; theory gives way to
practice. In this trait. he will gain by compa-
rison with the most distinguished men OF an, aye
or country; no man has committed fewer MIS-
takes, who has taken part in so many matters:
Mr.. Webster has always been distinguished
Tor liberality and magnanimi.y as politician
1t can never be said Of him that he
"-narrowel his mind,
md TO part, gave up wha, was meant Tor mankind
Upou the miserable shutting of partisan war.
fare, his e. pansi,e and comprehensive mind looks
down; with disgust. His enlarged vision embra'
ces his country-his whole country. His atten-
tion has been directed to great aud worthy OBJ
iects-to increase the happiness, and power, ana
influence, of the American people; to elicit and
increase their resources. and to lay still broader
and deeper the foundations Of their future pros
perty.
He ia likewise an original and profound think
or. Like DIR. Johnson, hr gives a new aspect to
every thing he touches. He takes striking and
forcible views Of his subject; and where there Is
nothing positively new, his illustrations are com
man,Iino, the connex i0ns in which he places his
argument. are novel, and by these means he en-
paves and rvets the attention, while he carries
captive the Judgment, bya chain OF argument
CONTIGUOUS, powerful. irresistible. The sophsms
and ch,canerv by which an opponent may attempt
10 n,st,fy and delude an audience, vanish before
his all grasping mind. as il touched by the wa
eician's wand In the discussion of a subject,
he combines great originality OF genius, extra.
ordinar, requirements, and a vast reach OF
thought. with uncommon minuteness OF kDoWl-
edge, accuracy of detail, and perseverance
which no difficulties can dshearten, and no ob-
s,acle overcome. We shall find few orators or
statesmen OF any age or country, VINO Comoine
so much strength and originality Of thought, SO
much grandeur aud energy OF expression. with SO
muc', auty and elegance Of dlction. and so
grea, variety aud extent Of information.
Mr.. Webster's oratorical displays, unlike
those of Patrick Henry aud some other Of our
gifted speakers. lose none of their power and ct.
feet, by being published. They will bear the
incest scrutiny, the closest examination
the most fastid,ous critic will fnd little that he
will BE- able to alter for the better. His spec
ches and writings will decend to poserity as
rich legacy, to be consulted by future legislators
and statesmen, and with the "FederaIist" to be
studied and admired as profound commentaries
on our constitution and form Of government.
Perhaps the most furcible exhibition which
Mr. w. has ever made Of his rich and varied
powers was in the debate on Foot's Resolution.
This mighty effort-for pungency Of wit-for
bitterness Of sarcasm-for power and strength of
argument-fur profound and statesman-like
vlews-for force and variety Of iIlustratiun-
for dep,h and originality Of thougbt-:for bcauty
and proPriety of style-for extent and profoun
d,ty of local learning We fearlessty ASSERT. has