The Madisonian. [volume] (Washington City [i.e. Washington, D.C.]) 1837-1845, 1841-06-29
FOR THE MADIsoNIAN.
Observations ON the Political Life Of the Hon.
Daniel Webster, Secretary Of state.


u neque iaus et detraeta, nsque faisa eDieta
esse pideatar.-CIcERo
There is not better criterion of true greatness
IMAM the nomination, by the Chief Magistrate, of the
high officers of State and when these officers
sarily become his confidential advisers, accessible to
him at all times, and all occasions, and thus be-
come the observers of his policy as well an his accom-
pshments, the ordeal becomes still more severe II
he appoint of loose morals, his own virtues be-
come matter OF suspicion; and II he appoint men OF
feeble minds, it may be permitted TO doubt his talents
or patriotism talents which alone enable him To dis
cover the merits of others, and patriotism which
alone mpel him To divide the Government with men
of the same spirit.
General Harrison composed his cabinet of men Of
unimpeached virtue and OF ack nowledged talents la
this act he presented the nation with the srctest
pledge Of his determination to be directed by up.
right policy and TO call to his aid the best talents of
the country. Had he been prompted by the jealousy
of grovelhng mind, he would have surrounded him
self with men of moderate powers and of plastic tenn
pers Then he would have acquired the distinction OF
welding the Government alone; and might have gov
erned with absolute sway. But, above the petty adj
miration of tyrants with his eyes fixed the public
welfare he called to his aid incapable OF being
seduced from the path of rectitude, Of sacrificing
their independence. President Tyler, on his
sion to power impressed with the Importance Of pos
sessing cabinet elevated in the scale of public esli-
nation and intellectual endowmenis, determined and
wisely So to retain the present cabinet who, like
collected honey of the forest they must and will con-
duet the people Of the United States to the highest
enjoyment of prosperity and happiness
The nature Of the Executive duties of great
ton is such as admit Of discharge by
They various and extensive that the exertions
Of an individual however splendid mighty are in
adequate TO the task of fulfilling them. Although,
therefore, the theory OF the Government vest in the
President the whole Executive power, qualified in
some instances by the advice and consent Of the SEN
ate yet is less manifest from the legal provisions
establishing the several Departments from the reason
of the thing, that division OF power was contempla-
ted among subordinate agents. Hence the establish
ment of six great departments, each possessed OF
supreme control crcumscrbed sphere OF del
egated powers.
At the head of each of these Departments the Pre-
sident required, with the appreciation OF the Se-
nate to appoint individuals to take charge Of the bust
ness elongng each of the divisions of his power.
1t is apparent from this feature of the Government
that much depends upon the characters called upon to
fill the offices; and particularly OF those on whom are
devolved the superintendence OF the sx great De.
partments. To the Secretary of State, Is charged
with the conduct Of foreign relations on which
the peace and prosperity of the nation depend to the
Secretary of the Treasury is committed the manage
ment Of the whole revenues of the Government TO
the Secretaries Of War and Navy, committed all
the duties attached to those mighty engines of nation
al defence; and to the Post Master General, every
thing pertaining to the transmission of the mails, &c.
Besides the distinct discharge Of those great duties,
these high officers, in conjunction with the Attorney
General, as members of the Cabinet, called upon
to advise the President in all of great moment,
and to cooperate in the taking of eecual measures
in every interesting crisis of affairs. From these con-
sderatons the formation of ministry has been deem
ed, under all Governments a work Of the greatest
delcacy and difficulty; and SO arduous as to have
been reputed criterion Of talents Of the man at the
head Of affairs In proportion to the freedom of the
government, does this difficulty increase; for under
free governments, it is not only necessary that men OF
- L.. osst.t kVtt hat
should enjoy the confidence of the People, without
whose hearty cooperation it is impossible for such
government to be efficient respected
When, therefore, the late Chief Magistrate assumed
the rens Of government it with misapplied
socitude that the nation looked forward to the desig
nation Of these great officers Of state Mr. Webster
was called TO preside the State Department. Mr..
Bell of Tennessee, over the War Department, and
Mr.. Badger, Of North Carolina, over the Navy Mr.;
Granger of New York, as Post Master General, and
Mr.. Crittenden, of Kentucky, as Attorney General
and Mr. Ewing Of Ohio Secretary of the Treasury,
Among the distinguished citizens of the United
States, there is scarcely who from his character
and talents well his political principles and
duct merit higher station, and who has stronger
hold on the confidence and on the affections OF the
People, than the Secretary OF State From the period
Of his first appearance IN public life to the present mo-
ment his course has altered, and his whole ca
recr has been characterized by eminent services, and
the most ardent patriotism
He has been, without intermssion the decided
Wing, the firm Republican, and the strenuous ad-
yersary of all invasons of liberty. Possessed of
spirit, that disdans to yield to circumstances, he
swerved in his political faith, in the days
of the greatest infatuaon. But his manincss, tenn
pelsd with moderation that while il asserted its own
rights, left undisturbed the rights of others. Quick
in his perceptions and prompt in his DECISIONS he mas
long been considered the man of business and, as
consequence far eminently qualified for the dis
charge of duties not admitting Of delay In season
of faction strife, and seishness, and suspicion, he has
ting for a moment from the path of independence,
openness and honor has condescended to solcita-
tons xed with sorld purposes, controlled no po
cal alliance, participated in no intrigue. Persecu-
ted by the locofoco party he has not sunk into sub
mission Hattered by his friends he has not become
inflated with selflove.
To attain high station in public confidence, which
is honorable in free country II necessary that one
should devote long life to the study OF her laws and
institutions her history her domestic and foreign re-
ations the principles Of her public policy, the temper
of her people the genius of her political system, and
the spirit of her government; nor even then may we
pect that high elevation until he has exhibited the
possession Of that profound talent, those political prn
ciples and great moral qualifications which alone can
adorn her public councils and perpetuate the civil hb
critics of the country would ask, without the fear of
receiving any answer that would dsappoint me, wheth
er the opposition know any who is superior TO Mr.
Webster; who for the last twenty five years, has had
more ex pereDce of state affairs, and who has given
greater proof Of steady attention to public business
who possessed in greater degree all those qualities
which 90 to qualify for great affairs, whose
transcendent talents makes him an exception to al
most any rule in any thing that require uncommon
powers of intellect
The profound and varied learning, the pure and re-
fined tase unbending moral courage, the conscientious
attention to the points of duty his dgnied intercourse
with his fellow czensthese are some of the peculiar
features which have marked his character and CON
duct and have insured him the ahectonac regard OF
the people of the United States.
Gathering fiom The monuments of ancient exper
encc The lessons Of wisdom which might guide his
ourse-looking abroad on our own times, and those