The Madisonian. [volume] (Washington City [i.e. Washington, D.C.]) 1837-1845, 1841-06-29

|
lie estimation Have they accomplished the object in
tended by this studied misreI resentaon7 They have
certainly failed IN their malignant Efforts. While the
haired entertained against MIR. Webster by his enc
mics was already so violent 10 admit OF augmenta
ton, his friends have been perfectly astonshed at the
bitterness of soul and the callousness 10 every kind
feeling which could delight in mangling such a char
acer IL has been the misfortune of the Secretary of
state To mInge freely with parties maintaining olpo-
site doctrines, whether he acted right or wrong
IN all the which he has been called on to a
prove OF or condemn, becomes province in
quire That he approved himself to his conscience
there Is not the least room to doubt. Admitting his
conduct IN some instances To have been objection
able, let Il be temperately censured hut let OBJ
terae from our recollection the patient selfdeDla the
unextinguishabe ardour of patriotism, the immen sc
abours and The great success Of this extraordinary
man
II may not, however he unac ceptabe to the reader
that we should state, in brief narrative the leading
events OF his political career marking the period of his
progressive advancement IN public life and collecting
such iacts and circumstances may render 1t faith
full record Of the principles of this us ious statesman,
and OF the elaquence with which those principles
| illustrated and enforced.
The political positions which Mr. Webster occupied,
present the consideration of three distinct The
first commences from his entrance into Coneres in
1913, and extends to 1916. The second comprehends
the periods from 1923 to 1927 The third erathe most
glorious for the fame of MIR. Webster-lhe happiest
for the destines of the country-embrace the period
/
Senatorial term to its termination These eras each
Of them important, invite separate consideration
| There have been few persons whom imposed,
| in equal degree the difficulty of proving himself equal
TO the fame for eoquence and ygor of thought which
had preceded him TO Congress, before he became
member Of il. Throughout the session Of 1873 that
he sat in Congress, his attention active and vgi
lant--hls attendance constant; but although aurng
opportunities for the display of his great powers of
mind were not wanting, he preserved strict silence.
He have devoted this first session to acquire
the useful knowledge OF the forms and rules OF Con-
gTess
tabsh sort of conscption Mr.. Webster delivered
speech sustaining the celebrity of his talents To those
whose recoectons bear them back to the remote day
which this great statesman first started into political
life, and those who have witnessed the matured bril-
liancy Of his career will alike feel delight in tracing
its that rich stream OF eloquence, which, for
more than twenty -seven years, has flowed, majestic
and powerful, the pride and ornament of the nation
When Mr. Webster entered the theatre Of political
life, he found powerful State in possession of COM
of which the world affords example, endeav
orng to interpolate into the laws OF nations ncetes
| and hayward distinctions, wholly at war with the
peace and tranquility of the country he found Europe
coDvused with wars and internal dssensions he
belegerent wanted her citizens for the defence Of his
existence. The neutral wanted them for profit. The
belegerent assumed the right to reclaim his sub
jects. Moreover, the British government undertook
to nerdic all neutral trade which was not permitted
in times OF peace to search neutral vessels the high
seas for contraband of war, and enemies property;
they declared the whole coast of the continent of
Europe in state of blockade, and by sort of argu-
mentative reasoning, the substantial and very impOr-
tant right of prohibiting the people of the United
States from trading with any other except Great Brit
ain Oftac acquiescence in pretensions thus lofty and
comprehensive, would have been abandonment OF
rights openly recognized, and derelicon of the most
important commercial interests of the country. he
contende the other hand that the rights of inter-
nal commercial regulation in articles OF an nnoxious
is of the essential inherent rights Of every
independent sovereignty, and with the exception OF
trading TO bockaded ports, or in articles conraband OF
war, every government has right TO sell the surplus
articles OF its manufactures and produce to neutral
merchants. The conditions proposed by Great bri-
tain for the settlement of these conflicting preensons,
being inadmissble the Congress of the United States,
in 1872, announced TO the world declaration of war.
1t must be observed, that Mr. Webster not
member Of the Congress that took this Important step,
a member Of any other political body; consequent
y he stands free from any opposition to placing the
nation in hostile attitude to Great Britain But
his enemies find grounds of elimination in his subse-
quen conduct will therefore briefly review the part,
look into the measures connected with the prosecu-
ton of the war, and ascertain whether he is properly
chargeable with the imputations which have been
made against him.
We have now reached that precise point of distance
from the declaration of war, when the history of 1t,
may be sketched with the greatest advantage II Is
sufficiently remote to open all desirable to every
repository of information regarding it, and to sanction
the ut freedom which justice may require in the
deneation of the conduct OF individual actors in it,
But what is of far higher Importance, the reader is
able comprehend the relative situations of those
engaged in the prosecution of the war, unobscnred by
the passions and pref udices of factions, and to make
lust estimate of the real merits of the part performed
by each of the distinguished men in the Congress OF
| 1913 and 1914.
| DR. Linn of the United States Senate has taken
prominent part In ariaignng the conduct OF the Sc
cretary OF State at the bar OF public opinion In an
attempt the which led to the overthrow
of his party and to point out the defective policy OF
the DONNA party in all Its true points nothing IS
more reqs than large and catholic spirit wholly
emancipated from the tammels OF party, joined with
| extensive knowledge and discriminating judgment
In both of these qualities he is deficient he looks at
every thing SO entirely through the medium OF party,
that though he cannot be sand to be absolutely blind
he quite incapable of seeing altar OF. Ills remarks
often shrewd, such o. tniicate mind a~ akened
aentively "a the scenes ch have passed before hun;
He is sometimes acute, never comprehensive inaccu-
rate in details with little capacity for tracing the con-
sequences unfolding the energy of general princ-
plies. There complication IN his views quite in
compatible with perfect purity OF Intention lie must
be regarded arlul bgoed partizan acting under
the disguise of patriotism Severe as this may seem,
we persuaded readers will acknowledge its
justice when they apprzed of the leading state
ments and positions contained IN HIS bill OF indictment
against the Secretary Of State
From the period of his taking charge OF the State
Department the Locooco party have made system
attic attack on MS conduct and principles III mas Deen
declared that they could never rest satisfied until he
displaced from office, punishment for what
they considered and pronounced TO be his antrepub
iican doctrines. All former acts of his political lite
have been brought forward in array against him. He
has been abused without for his unchastened
ambition; he has been accused of having opposed the
late
In relation to his opposition to the war; there are
few of the lndsputabe events in the life of Mr. Web
which have suffered more diversified and wanton
nuttl han hia If ppItt irnl
II was impossible for his enemies to have formed a
charge more destitute OF foundation, more easily re-