The Middlebury register. [volume] (Middlebury, Vt.) 1850-1882, 1850-10-22

as Major under Stark, at Bennington, and
contributed no little to the fortunate result
Of that day
Tn May, 1907, Mr.. Webster Vas admitted
as attorney and counsellor of the Superior
Court in New Hampshire, and in Sepem-
Der of that year reinquished his Office in
| Boscawen TO his brother Ezekiel, who had
then obtained admission to the bar, and NOV
ed 10 Portsmouth, according TO his original
intention.
lie married in June, 1908, Grace Flctch-
or, the daughter of the Rev. Mr.. Fletcher.
of Ilopkinion, n. II. 13y her he had four
children Grace, Fletcher, Julia and Ed
ward but one of whom, Fletcher. survives
Edward died with the army in Mexico, 1s47,
Major of the Massachusetts Regiment of
volunteers. lie was one OF the most gen.
tlcmanly, amiablc, and honorable young
of the age.
Mr.. Webster lived in Portsmouth nine
years, wanting one month. The counsel
most eminent at the bar of the comfy at that
time were jeremiah Mason, Edward St. Loe
Livermort, Jeremiah Smith, Judge of the
Superior Court and Governor of the State
William King Atkinson, Attorney Gcncr4
al of the State George Sullivan also At
torncy General; Samuel Dexter and Joseph
Story, of Massachusetts, all lawyers of more
than ordinary ability, and some of surpass.
ing excellence. No bar at that time. prob
ably in the country, presented such an array
of various talents. Mr. Webster s estimate
of Judge Story and Mr.. Mason, expressed
in public, will form not the least important
nor least enduring monument 10 their fasie:.
1t will outlast the sculptured marble. For
MIR. Mason, his professional rival sometimes,
his friend always, he entertained warm re-
gard as well as respect. MIR. Mason was OF
infinite advantage TO him, Mr.. Webster has
said, in Portsmouth, not only by his unvary--
ing friendship, but by the many good lessons
he taught him, and the good example he set
him in the commencement Of his career. "lf
there be in the country stronger intellect"
MT. W eOSlcE OICc Suiu, - ~ llleTc W Il Illlu
of more native resources, if there be vision.
that sees quicker or sees deeper into whatey-
er is intricate, or whatever is profound, l.
must confess have not known it."
Mr.. Webstcrs practice, while he lived in
Portsmouth, was very much Of a circuit
practice. lie followed the Superior Court
in most of the counties in the State, aniwas
retained in nearly all the important causes.
1t is IA fact somewhat singular Of his profess
sional life, that with the exception Of those
in which he has been associated with the At
torncy General of the United States for the
time being, he has hardly appeared ten times
as Junior counsel. Once or twice with Mr~
Mason, once or twice with MIR Prescott, ard
with Mr.. Hopkinson, are the only exceptions
within recollection.
MIR. Webstcr's practice in New Hamp-
shire was never lucrative. Clients then and
there were not rich, and fees, consequently.
were not large nor were persons so litigious
as in places less civilized by intelligence.
Though his time was exclusively devoted to-
his profession, his practice never gave him
more than n livelihood.
lie never held office, popular or other, in
the government of New Hampshire. He
occasionally took part in political affairs, and
was then not unfelt in his action. His vote
was always given, his voice and pen somc-
times exercised, in favor of the party whose
principles lc espoused. Even in that early
period of his life, however, when something
perhaps could be pardoncd 10 the vchemencc
of youth, lac used no acrimonious language
of his political opponents, nor suggested or
participated in any act indicative Of person
al animosi;y towards them.
At thirty years Of age, he had become
we'll known and respected throuqhout the
State; so much so, that he was elected Rep
resentative of the State in Congress, after an
animated contest, in November, 1912, and
> took his seat at the extra session in May, 1919.
What has been written thus far, relates
rather 10 the private life of Mr.. WEBSTER;
what follows, concerns, mostly his public as
gathered from the records and contcmpora-
neous testimony.
But the ingenious youth of the country
should understand that Mr.. WEBSTER great
as he is, has not become SO, without great
study. Greatness has not been thrust upon
y him. lie has studied books, he has studied
mankind, he has studied himself, (Which is
y the very fountain Of all tue wisdom,) deep
" ly and conscientiously, from his early youth.
There has been no ounappropriated time with
: him; none tri1ed away. Even in the hour.
{ of relaxation, he has thought of and meth.
= odized the gleAnings of the Past, or prepared
c results for the Future. lie laid early and
solid the foundation Of his fame While the
Is mind was eager and iacie to receive earnest
l' impressions he sought after everything il
l. the way OF learning, that was since re, ele
is vatei and ennobling, tn Gil and satisfy it
lie pursued no study he dio not comprehend
/. undertook no task to which he did not dc
.e vote his whole mind. Whatever he strov,
n after, he acquired, and whatever he aequire'
A. he retained.
At 1t was the early and constant seeking al
le ter knowledge-this desire unsatisfed will
u acquisition-this all-embracing pursuit, tina
G. determined his intellectual character an