Wisconsin tribune. (Mineral Point, Wis.) 1847-1854, 1849-03-23
N5Gt@GSIJaWp.
MR.. WEBSTER'S IDEA OF A GREAT
MAN

The indispensable element in any great
human character is exhibited with character
istic emphasis IN the sub Joined extracts from
MIR. Webster's remarks In the Massachusetts
Supreme Court; on presenting resolutions on
the recent death Of the late jeremiah Mason
We experience grateful satisfaction IN being
able to interpoate such noble estimate OF
true human greatness, from such source, in
the midst of the fiayorless chopped-straw of
current legislative and newspaper business
albeit necessary incident of our social con-
dition. After the resolution had been read by
the clerk, Sir. Webster rose and said
The prophecies of this occasion compel
ne, with whatever reluctance, TO refrain from
the indulgence of feelings which arise in my
heart upon the death Of one with whom have
cultivated sincere, af1ectonate and unbrOken
friendship, from the day when | commenced
my own professional career, to the closing
hour Of his lie. will not say, Of the adyan-
tages which derived from his intercourse and
conversation, and all that NJ. Fox said of FL
mund Burke; but am bound 70 say that of
my own professional discipline and attain
Inents, whatever they may be, owe much to
that attention 10 the discharge Of my duties
which | was compelled to pay, for hire sue
zcessiye years, from day 10 day. by Mr.. Ma
sons efforts and arguments at the bar. 'sfas
est ID h0Ste doceri," and l must have been I'M
intelligent indeed not to have learned some-
thing from the constantdispiays OF that power,
which had 50 much occasion to see and to
feel. Il Is the more appropriate duty Of the
present moment TO give some short notice cf
the life, character and qualities Of his mind
and heart, so that he may be presented as an
example to those who are entering upon or
puTsuing the same career.
Mr.. W. here reviewed his life, with the
aid of manuscript memoir, left By his friend,
and after referring to his high professional and
political attainments, thus concluded
But, sir. political erninence and professional
fame fade away and die with ali things earth
". Nothing Of character is really permanent
but virtue and personal worth. They remain.
Whatever of excellence is wrought into the
soul itself, belongs to beth worlds. Real
goodness, does not attach itself merely to this
life, it points to another world. Political or
professional fame cannot last forever, but
conscience void of offence before God and
man. is an inheritance for eternity. Religion,
therefore, Is necessary and indispensable ell
eTnent In any great human character. There
as no living without it. Religion is the tie
that connects man with his Creator. and holds
hun TO his throne. If that tie be all sundered,
ali broken, he floats away, worthless atom
IN the universe, its proper attractions all gone,
its destiny thwarted, and its whole future
nothing but darkness, desolation and death.
A man with no sense of religious duty is he
whom the scriptures describe-in such terse
but terrific manners ''living without God
in the world Such man is out of his
proper being, out of the circle of all his du-
ties, out of the circle of all his happiness, and
away. far, far away from the purposes of his
creation.
A mind like Mason's, active, thoughtful,
penetrating, sedate, could not but mediate
deeply on the condition of man below and feel
its responsibilities. He could nor look on
This wondrous frame
"The universal frame thus wondrous fair,
without feeling that it was created and upheld
by an intelligence to which all other intelli-
gences must be responsible. l am bound to
say that In the course of my life | never met
with an individual in any profession or condi-
ton OF life, who always spoke and always
thought with such awful reverence of the
power and presence of God. No irreverence,
no lightness, even no too familiar allusion to
God and his attributes ever escaped his lips.
The very notion of supreme being was with
him made up of awe and solemnity. 1t filed
the whole of his great mind with the strongest
emotions. A man. like him, with all his
proper sentiments and sensibilities alive in
him, must, in this state of existence have
something to believe and something to hope
for; or else as life is advancing to ITS Close
and parting, all is heart sinking and oppres
sion. Depend upon Whatever else may
be the mind of an old man-old age is only
really happy, when, on feeling the enjoyment:
of this world pass away, 1t begins 10 lay
stronger hold on those of another.
Mr. Mason's religious sentiments and feel
lngs were the browning glories OF his chaTac
ter. One with the strongest motives to low
and venerate him. and the best means o
knowledge, says: