The daily Madisonian. [volume] (Washington City [i.e. Washington, D.C.]) 1841-1845, 1842-05-02
THE SECRETARY OF STATE.
,rrespondence of the Old School Republican.

Correspondence OF tne Olu ScnOOi nepuDHcdHl
Is it not astonishing, at moment like this-when
the Secretary should be noby and honoraby support
ed by every .American-when the peace of the coun-
try hangs almost altogether upon his shoulders Is 1t
not astonishing to find that there who do not
to SANDER, villify and abuse him, simply be-
cause he has stood by excellent Chief Magistrate
in an honest upright and straight forward course :
We could hardly expect any thing better from the
Globe and its flea feeding editor, but it is too pitiable
to see men who would fain rank as Wings joining in
the cry of the Globe, and going UNNECESSARILY be-
yond the thing that conducts it, in vomiting Billings
gate slang upon the head of the Secretary of State.
What drop of revolutionary heroism can rest in the
bosom Of one who at such moment as this would
decry and abuse the man put forward the negota-
tor for his country And what idea will England
form of institutions, when she finds both parties
setting the dogs of to snap at the heels of
Prime Minister ! understand that these abusive
ticles are written by man who pocketed several
hundred dollars bearer of despaches for Mr. Clay
when he was Secretary of State and who never de-
ivered his papers, but gave them to the Captain Of
the ship to hand to the American Consul, while he,
the bearer took another vessel and went to the
old cities of Europe. The given for not pur-
suing his voyage was the pollution of his perfumed
mustache by the number of honest mechanics on
board the vessel. This man abuses Mr. Webster.
The honorary Secretary has all the innate feeling
and all the outward delicacy of true bred gentle
man, but Daniel Webster never found that honest
man so poor or so depressed but he was ready to
shake hands with him and give him all the assistance
in his power There walks not on the sod of
our glorious Union who possesses more true demo-
cratic feeling than that same abused and slandered
Daniel Webster. l know man who has more of
the milk of human kindness in his bosom.
1t is but few years since that quite an cutlery was
heard about MIR. Webster's being very mysteriously
absent Fl ON the Senate Chamber for several days If
he came at all to the forum he looked emaciated--
his face was pale--his eye sunken and his feet al
most refused to bear him. For all this he abused
He was accused of every manner Of debauchery and
those who love the wonderful believed every word Of
Islander that was uttered against him. How changed
the scene when the papers of the day announced the
death of young, talented, though poor man. How
awe-struck were those who believed all the stories
against him. when Daniel Webster appeared chief
mourner at that young mans funeral How were
the vile slanderers dscomftted when it was ascer-
tanned that the slandered Mr. Webster had been de-
voting days and nights in the chamber and at the
bedside of his young frendthat he had knet beside
the dying mans couch, and been his constant atten-
dant while preparing to enter
s'That bourne whence no traveller returns
He had read the Scriptures beside the midnight
watch lamp to his young friend he had been his
nurse and his comforter; had given him all his med-
cines, and watched him closely and attentvely as
if he had been his own and his only son. The young
sufferer loved him as he would love father, and
when during Mr.. Websters absence from the sick
chamber the patient became excited, the moment his
kind comforter entered the room and addressed him.
all his excitement was gone and he would in mo-
ment fall asleep with his head resting on the bosom
of the Senator. The young man died in Mr. Web
ster's arms and the latter did not leave the chamber
until he had with his hands, closed forever the
eyes of his poor friend.
This not the son of millionaire, but talented
young man whom Mr.. Webster had taken from the
hay-mo,c, and educated at his own expense.
| could fill book of such incidents in the life of
Secretary of State but the little space left warns
me that have run this letter beyond the limits
intended when | commenced.
The slanderers of Mr. Webster have their own
ends to answer by their abuse, but he has defen-
ders left and though the weakest of them all am
ready to stand by him. He is at the side of the Pre-
sident and is the spokesman in the pending negot
ations. II is to embarrass and to bring into disrepute
the present Administration, that these attacks are
made on the Secretary. John Tyler is to be headed
and every man connected with him is to be headed
also but the Executive and the Secretary can stand
up against all the slang that can be heaped upon
them, and the good the Administration will do, will
secure to all that honest need desire-the appro-
baton of the people--the whole people.