The Madisonian. [volume] (Washington City [i.e. Washington, D.C.]) 1837-1845, 1839-08-03
DANIEL WEBSTER.


earlier reply but pressing demands upon the time Of
farmer, at this season OF sowing and hoeing must fur
Hsh my apology for delay OF some weeks in render.
iug due Acknowledgements | concur With you fully as
to the extraordinary Intellectual powers OF Mr. Web
ster have recently looked the two volumes OF
his speeches. and have compared them with several OF
the distinguished efforts Of celebrated British
orators and statesmen 10 the use Of the English Lam
gungr, far regards lelicous choice Of words TO
cxprcss precisely what he means, he seems 10 be in
ieror 10 no man who has ever spoken English In
great and expansive philosophy, Buike may have been
his superior bat for power ia the discussion Of single
question. he seems to TO sppass any Of modern
tunes. And there Is this remarkable characteristic
his speeches--ther meaning is always rendered plain
aud papabe to the most ordinary capacity Il is clear
thst the speaker intends that his hearers shall under
stand him. He resorts 10 no mysticism. There 10 no
thing like an ambush Of words in which sophism
trick Of art can be even faDced to Turk All is open,
| frank aud explicit. dwell upon this chsrac erisc
with satisfaction, for il ouy displays good rheto
real taste, but 10 iDcontroverible proof Of inegri-
i ~. None but an honest man--none but man whose
turn OF mind 10 TO pursue truth in straigh forward
| way--would or could deal with men Daniel Webster
does He evidently seeks TO put those he addresses in
full possession Of the arguments which Influence his
own mind he seeks to make them these arguments
clearly and then leaves tho work to truth and common
sense. Did ever sophst, a demagogue. double
dealer do this Did you over know dishonest man,
whose great effort TO make you fully understand
| Influence you! Never. Yet Webster does this, and
| It Is impossible to ask conclusive argument to
establish the habua integrity Of his mind and heart.
But shy is il, you ask, that Webster not popular
10 the first place. maintain that in the best Of
The word he is popular His talents and character are
not, perhaps, fully appreciated by the People large
out there IN this nation more profound respect for
Daniel Webster than for any other man In spite OF
the thousand interested engines pouring forth their mis-
representations, his great powers, even where unac-
| ed arr andfe and thara IA
the sensible and rejecting classes deep conviction Of
his thorough honesty ard devoted patriotism. Go
where you will, from Madawaska the Sabine, and if
you hear man, In expressing his real opinions, speak
doubtingly Of Mr. Webser's extraordinary powers
great wisdom. and sincere devotion his country you
will be very likely to find investigation, that you
have met with some par,izan whose mental digestion
Is eInbttered by spite, or man Of intellectual
and obstinate prejudices Even in the South you will
often meet with men opposed HIM in politics, who
will confess in the sincerity Of their hearts, though, per-
haps, IN confidential tone if in spite Of themselves,
that Mr. Webster Is truly great and wise man. |
have known editors Of papers adm, all this while they
sought every opportunity TO reye him in print.
| have heard anecdo,e that strlkinpy illustrates
this profound respect for Mr. Webster and that too in
the highest quarter. On his way to Washington few
years since. he was taken Ill, and detained at New
| York Ia the mean time, the Senate was convened,
and reports came to Washington. representing him
dangerously sick. THIS, however was a mistake for
ceeded to Washington, and, unannounced entered the
Senate chamber. As by spontaneous. but rrepres-
sble impulse, the Senators arose, thus paying sgni-
fcant tribute 10 the whom q large portion Of that
very body accustomed TO Willy with their lips.
may have stated this affair with precision but is
accurate enough 10 illustrate tho point What mem
Der Of the Senate under the circumstances could
have extored similar tribute Of feeling and respect
Could Benton or Grundy or Calhoun! Certainly
not not even Martin Van Buren, then, believe. Pre-
/ OF abuut tn he of
! Union ,......
/ Let US test the question in another way. Suppose
Webster were to die Would not that event cause
deeper SENSATION this nation than the death of any
other mani Would not cast a deeper shadow over
| the hearts of men than sny other similar event u
Would there not be- almost every spirit something of
! that sunset chill which comes when whom
we love, honor or admire, on whom we are accus-
toned to lean for support is Withdrawn from existence!
Should we not feel if luminary had fallen, that
| could not in our time, be replaced, and whose final
eclipse most ever leave TO US darkencd horizon II
the President Of the United States were die. his
official character would command respectful mourning,
but should not feel that vacuum was left which
could easily be filled IfMr Webster were to die.
there would be deep and self-applled Of loss,
not among office holders, party leaders, but the
nation and his eptaph, spoken and felt by Millions
would be, TAKE HIM for all in ALL shall NOT
has IKE again! Even his political enemies, for he has
no Others, Disseminated from their prejudces, would
weep over Websters tomb, saying, by confession. "A
| great man has fallen in Israel I"
| Allow two more illustrations Of the feel
| ing OF respect for and confidence Mr. Webster
| When the Union threatened with ACKNOWLEDGMENT
BY Cahoun's andacions attempt draw off South Ca
roina from tho Union, the administration took shelter
| behind Websters sword aud shield II TO him
that even his opponents for help in that hour Of
doubt and danger General Jackson, at the height Of
his popularity, did not, and dared not, take the
sponsibliy" Of that crisis, but under Of Web
siers battery. Could man extort from his enemies
stronger evidence acknowledgement Of their heart
felt confidence and respect than he forced from his
nles IN this instance! And in the late affair Of the
| Northeastern Boundary, to whom then did all eyes
turn, the best Of the whole nation negotiate
settlement OF this dangerous and vexatous question
To whom did all parties in the State Of Maine, as by
common consent, desire that this question, vital
them might be entrusted
Sir, it in vain to say that Webster is not popular
man, in the best Of the word. His very enemies
tell us, in the language of actions, which speak louder
than WORDS that they themselves, Notwithstanding all
their outcry have more confidence in him than in
other person. When they wish TO drive political bar
gain, they go elsewhere; when they wish to the
nation from peril or calamity, they GO to Daniel Web
s,er. do not by all this affirm that he is the
most available candidate for the Presidency. do not,
indeed consider him a candidate for that office and
am glad he Is not But it is source Of consolation
that, 70 the midst of many marks Of corruption in So
ciety, such man as Daniel Webster, one who embo-
dies more Of the spirit OF the founders Of Constu
ton, more Of the homey, straightforward character Of
the Shermans and Fankins of revolutionary days Than
any other conspicuous public man, is able to ancho
himself deep and strong in the confidence and respect Of
the people He is, at least a resource, if imminent pc
ri should threaten our country. Should calamity come
danger stretch its cloud over the land and the PEO
PIE become alarmed for the ship Of State, Webster
would be the helmsman by reclamation. Even if he
dies, OF if the day Of trial is deferred beyond the period
when his aid be brought the rescue his speeches
his noble exposi,ions Of the Constituton-his glow
ing appeals IN behalf Of the Union-his glorious deli
neatons Of liberty, will be work in the strife, and
though his voice BIO not, his spirit will be there, for
good and patriotic results The Presidency could not
enhance the fame Of such man, though his elevation