The Madisonian. [volume] (Washington City [i.e. Washington, D.C.]) 1837-1845, 1839-08-21

lKEICEIES
or rHE PERSONAL AND PUBLIC character OF
DANIEL WEBSTER.
IErrfR Nh ~

hs
LETTER NO. W.
Re-, Mass, July, 1899.
The Arhsnan who could no, bear 10 hear Ari.,ide.
called "hs just" INDUCED feeling more common
than cEedtable 70 human nature L think IL i Sir
Matthew Hale who observes that be never knew ,nao
rise 10 any considerable distinction Who hab,u.y
chose the society OF bis Interiors IL il so obvious
that person = apt 10 adjust himself the measure or
those around him. sinking The low, or stretching 40
TO the exalted as the case may be- that il would seem
universal dictate Of selflove 10 cultivate an u.sr
course with those on whom Nature or fortune has he
slowed superior giiis. 10 this way We may be made
sharcrs IN the bouniies Of Providence and m IN IN,
apparently impossible gulf which yesrns between mso
OF genius and one Of common mould. But there 4 n
the breast Of the lte well the great an i,nper,
nen meddler by the name Of pride, which stems Ia 10
ihwsr so wise course of action With the mslign,y
Of wasp PRIDE essays TO sting the bosom of man
whenever he looks on one Of superior talents or virtue
and by natural process OF moral chemistry excel.
ence ITSELF associated with wounded self love and NOR
hed vanity, becomes al object OF disgust and haired
Nor does the feeling stop here, for mpcs its subjects
TO active Efforts for the purpose Of pulling down and
degrading those whose merits have placed them on an
eininence. Thus was with the ancient Greek, who
not only INDUCED feeling OF dislike towards the up
right and patriotic Arisdes, but did what he could 10
deprive him Of the reward due to excellence
To such obhqaties has. i, would seem, sufficient
tendencies; but Ia all ages, past and present. there
have been crafty individuals, who have made il their
business 10 work upon this iray OF human nature and
turn il selfish account Ia no period has this
been more exemphed than OF late, and in our osn
country and IN no instance has ii been conspcu-
Gus than IN the unceaslng attacks made upon Daniel
Webster--an individual who. in age remarkable for
It's greedy and graspng selhshness, has sacrificed bis
own private interests to public concern, and who while
others have been pushing their private fortunes, has
given himself up TO his country and to manknd--an
individual who, while others have been winning Offices
ard rich empnments or making investments in stocks,
has invested the whole fruits Of his vast abilities for the
benefit Of his countrymen
Now, sir, am not about TO mpute to you any Of
this narrow feeling towards Mr., Webster; but may
be allowed to refer explaining the fact which
you have alluded that he is said TO be naughty his
manners. look upon this as Of the inputa,ions
which lteness has invented appease its unessmess
at the spectacle Of greatness and excellence Let
give you brief sketch OF actual events and ask you
to say whether am right in dlscredl,ing this alleged
haughtness
10 the spring Of 1896, after visit to Washington Of
few weeks, was returning with, two ladies'. The
session was not its close but Mr. Webster hav-
ing occasion to go TO Boston, happened to be IN the
cars IN which we set out for Baltimore. aud hi, seat
was accidentally next TO nine had slight scenain-
lance with him. bat certainly claims upon his part
cuar notice. The day fine the last wreat,s of
the snow were melting in glad ris down the scopes,
aud the blue birds twtterug Of promised May and
flowers. Every thing suggested thoughts Of home, OF
the garden, Of the farm; aud conversation turned
upon agriculture.
Never shall forget Mr.. Websters conversation on
that occasion, His manner seemed to be that OF
well-bred New England farmer, In the full thRs of
confidence when the first ice Of strsngeness has pass
ed away. But the extent Of his knowledge Of hus-
bandry astonlshed Both its theory and practice
seemed equally familiar to him. No topic that could
be preached seemed to have escaped his investigation
spoke OF the Importance of shcering young trees
fTpn vala ba had tnada
mcnts the subject, and assured that, al Marsh
field, where the land lies open the sweep Of the
bfeezes, he had found that very young trees grew near
ly twice as fast when protected as when exposed
This led to remarks upo climate, modified by eleva-
ton, proximity 10 the sea- the clearing Of Forests the
draining Of marshes Of the gradual change Of climate,
remarked in various parts Of the Eastern Hemisphere.
by comparing the modern productions with those Of
ancient times Of the difference Of climate between the
Old and New Continent in the same parallels Of lati-
tude of the wonderful revolutions which have taken
place in globe, Indicated by fossil vegetation
all these TOPICS with the learning belonging such
quires, seemed not only familiar him, but upon each
he sppeated 10 have bestowed reflection and every
where prepared TO throw out suggestions calculated to
enlarge the boundaries Of knowledge
In such circumstances, | found that time few on
rapidly as the wheels Of the cars, and soon at
Baltimore. II was evening and we both took tea to-
gcther at Barum's, the party consisting only OF MIR.
Webster, the two ladies', and myself
Tea in a comfortable hotel is an excellent provoca-
tive OF socabity but woman's wit has still greater
power. The directness with which women address
great personages is snguary con,rssted with the shy
clrcumlocuton with which the lords Of creation apt
to approach them. A few years since, an American
lady, believe from New York, being introduced to
Louis Philippe, spoke to him Of the attempt then re-
Gently made upon his life. - On my word, sire, said
she, you put me in mind Of Washington, for you
know the British soldiers always shooting at hun,
but Heaven had given him charmed liie' There
resisting this nairee. and the happy fatery II
contained. Really, madam" said the King OF the
French, . esteem the compliment that you pay me as
the most agreeable that ever met my ears" Thus it
is that perces the steel corslet of ceremony
whether Court elsewhere. So it happened IN our
case and we were soon in the full tide Of conversation
have heard Mr.. Webster often in public, but never
have known him truly eloquent at the ca.table,
and in our little circle Of that evening. shall not at
tempt TO give you sketch Of all he said but Will re-
peat Of his remarks, which seemed to me IN hal
mony with his character, and illustrative OF his habits
of mind He was speaking of his summer residence
at Marshfeld, and its proxlmtyt to the sea. ~ have
been attracted by the ocean," said he, lever since
first saw it. often walk upon the beach, but could
never stoop down TO pick up shells pebbles in the
presence Of the sea- Ii always seemed speaking to
aud beckoning TO There is eloquence 10 all its
sounds, and poetry in every motion The surf that
rolling like the horse oaming from the battle
its surface, the glorious mirror where the Almghy's
form glasses itself in tempests'-every thing is full Of
blended beauty and sublimity.
There is a rapture on the lonely shore,
There is society where ntrudes,
BY the deep sea, and music in its roar"
am yours, truly.