The Madisonian. [volume] (Washington City [i.e. Washington, D.C.]) 1837-1845, 1842-04-28

parable from patriotism, science and the best In
terests OF humanity. One of whom it may be said
with the soberness of truth
'Nlhil quod tetigt non ornavit"
How has it happened that this name, which but
lately shone with such brliancy the constellation
of political elevation, should SO soon become over
cast with the dim and sckly shadows of doubt susp
cion and dstrust' 4" How is the gold become dim !
how is the most fine gold changed"
1t is impossible for any man, who loves his coun-
try, and rejoices IN her prosperity, to withhold his
just Reproduction against the course which has been
pursued by political asprants towards the present Sc
cretary of State 1t is affecting spectacle to hon
orable and yiruous minds to witness the gnoble
of the press and the descent of some towering minds
TO the low and degraded employment of calumny in
relation to this distinguished man. 1t is, indeed painful
to individuals eminent for therpublc services and
distinguished for their political WISDOM openly array
ed against such man as Daniel Webster. Individu-
ais who profess to be patriots-whose characters
| marked with the weighty impress of high moral quail
ifcations, and stamped with the powerful attributes
| of lofty and commanding intelligence Indeed, |
can never believe, Mr.. Editor, that such men will
consent to be made the willing and plant instruments
of any ubiquitous fellowship which may have been
instituted for the political prostraon of such tried
and faithful servant of the American People. Delu
sion, with all its artful wtchery, its begung subtle
ty and its Crcean charms, has overpowed their udg
ments and dethroned their reason That disastrous
twilight" which the great poet has thrown around his
fallen spirits, has yelled their minds, and in the pre-
sent political connections, shut out the light OF that
moral intelligence which gives animation to virtue and
lustre to truth In the fearful discussions which now
agtate the Government, moral eclipse has oversha
dowed their intellectual vision and most devoutly
wished, that when the evil passions, those angry ele
of the mind shall be stlled, and the clouds of
doubt and disrust be etaced, that such men will dis
their and return by the path of duty, to
the virtue of that acknowledgment, which is the off
spring of enlarged and honorable minds. In view Of
| the course pursued by the enemies Of MIR. Webster
would now address myself to that distinguished con-
tederacy which, in the honest maintenance of their
political opinions, invested, in lS4l, William Henry
Harrison with the highest office in the gift of the
American People. 1t is from the most distinguished
of that party that charges have been preferred Gin
political sense) against the present honorable Secre
tary Of State. And what is the nature Of the great
and objectionable sin" which the said Secretary Of
State has committed In which of the various posi-
tons Of public life to which he has been justly elevated
by his countrymen has he proved unworthy untaith
tul In which of the balances of public favor has
he been weighed g and found wanting;" Where, in
the weishy responsibilities Of Office has his gigantic
intellect been employed, and found unequal to the de-
mands which patriotism required, and honesty exact
ed; leave these inerrogatories to be answered by
ai,,Ii Info tn
state the great offence committed by Mr.. Webster
against the American People
He has dared, in the first place, contrary to the
opinions and policy of those with whom he for
merly associated in the duties of the Government to
remain at his post and discharge to the best Of his
Abilities the trust committed to him by the President
of the United States. He has had the moral
courage, amidst the contending elements of political
ambition, to think for himself and to act for the good
OF the country; and this, too, when that country
needed most his services and the sacrifice Of all party
considerations to her honor and her interests.
| The very head and front of his offending
Hath this extent-no more !"
! And what rewards, what honors, what triumphs,
| now await him Alas the curse Of Swift is upon
him. +" to have been born an American and to have
used it for the good of his country"
| In the determination of Mr. Webster to remain in
the Cabinet of President Tyler, we must seek for the
motives which influenced that determination. Was
it for the consideration of emolumenti Who among
the American People will be willing to believe that
| MIR. Webster could have been moved by such con-
sderation' With less ardent duties and fewer bind
ing engagements than inseparabie from his pre-
sent official dutes he could have realised by the COM
handing influence of his professional experience and
his legal ability, much greater annual income than
is afforded by the salary of his present Office With
out any previous information whatever on this sub
ject the conjecture may be hazarded that in all pro-
liability, it would be double the sum now affixed to
the Office he sustans
Was it for the honor of the official station, that he
remained
1t is doubtless very high encomium on the worth
and merits of any individual to be selected from the
great body of the people to administer the affairs of
state, and to give yigor and efficacy its various de-
partments 1t is an honor very high one, to en-
poy the best powers of the mind in the services of
Government which secures freedom, and preserves
peace, and administers justice, and gives happiness
to seventeen millions of reemen. And was it neces-
sary that Daniel Webster should have been clothed
with the official dignity of his present position to
merit as well as to receive such an honor? Has he
not long since, as statesman, civilian and patri-
OF received honors weighty those which now
hang around the chair of statei Ay sir, doubt
not but that his present honors are as Addison Justly
observes, burdens to him." when compared with
those which were spontaneously heaped upon him
when, in the republican simplicity Of his manners,
the dignity of his character and the value of hi.
couL'es, he was the object of universal respect
among all classes of the People, both in his own