New-York daily tribune. [volume] (New-York [N.Y.]) 1842-1866, 1850-08-24
NEW PUBLICATIONS.

Under this general title, the writer Of the present
volume has given series Of personal and political
"reminiscences Of DANIEL WEBSTER, accompanied
with sketches Of the leading public charso'e"
whose career has brought them into connec''0n
with the distinguished Massachusetts eens''''
We predict for this work q wide and instant pop
ulsrity in spite Of the great freedom OF speech IN
which the author indulges, In his discussion oil po-
Utic,l celebrities and public events DE writes
with vgor, clesrnes and sPirls auoouSu Id "''
choice Of phrases be sometimes shows an exces
,ivs democratic license refusing TO obey the current
u.sees Of our language, when it better serves his
.nrn 20 neglect them. His materials bear the evi'
dent stamp Of authenticity being derived in grea'
measure from personal intercourse with the sub
iects of his narrative, and from an extensive cor
responderce with individuals whose position gave
them access to the bes. sources Of information
Without any love OF triAiDg gossip, or an over
veening spirit Of hero worship, be brings forward
m abundance Of interesting details, personal anec-
dotes, and amusing incidents, which give constant
Hveliness to bis descriptions, and relieve the teor
business Of mere political speculation.
Among the recollections Of Mr.. WEBsrERs early
life. we End q little incident showing how nearly
the illustrious statesman vas lost in the CLERK OF
County Court
The clerk of the Court Of Common Pleas for the
county of Hillsborough New Hampshire, resigned
his Office in January, 1905. Mr.. Webster's father
was one of the Judges OF this court; and bis col.
leagues from re gard for him, rendered his son the
vacant clerkship. II vas what Judge Webster
had long desired. The office was worth $1,000
per annun, which was in those days, and In that
neigbborhood, competency or rather absolute
wealth. Mr.. Webster himself considered 1t
great prize, and was eager 10 accept it. He weigh
ed the question in his mind. On the one side he
saw immediate comfort; on the other, at the best
doubtful struggle. By its acceptance, he made
sure his own good condition, and, what was near
er to his heart, that Of his family. By its refusal
he condemned both himself and them to ga uncer'
tain. and probaby, harraning future. Whatever
aspir atoms he nis ht have cherished oil professions
distinction he was willing cheerfuiy 10 reInquisn,
10 promote the immediate welfare Oh those no heio
most dear. 49,, l-., :;
ternosed his dissent de urged every argument
sSs;r.t the purpose. He exposed its absurdty
and its consequence. BE appealed to the ambition
Of his pupil once clerk, he said, he always would
ha A clerk-tbere would be no step upward. He
attacked him, too, on the side OF bis family ahec'
ton; telling him that he would be far more able to
gratfy tis friends from his professional labors than
your studies; you are poor enough, bat there are
greater evils than poverty live on no man favor
what bread you do eat let 1t be the bread oil pde-
pendence; pursue your profession make yourself
useful TO your friends, and little formidable To
your enemies, and you have nothing 10 lear
Diverted from bis design by arguments like these,
IL still remained to Mr.. Webster to scquaint his
father with his determination and satisfy him ofits
propriety He felt this would be no easy task, ss
bis father bad set his heart so much upon the
Office; but be determined 70 go home Immediately,
and give him in fall the reasons OF his conduct
II was mid winter, and he looked round for a
country slegh-for stage coaches at that time were
tbipes known ia the center Of NewH ampsbre-
and finding one that had come down to market, he
took passage therein, and in two or three days was
set down at bis fathers door. rhe same journey
is made now In four hours by steam 1t was even
ing when he arrived ! have heard him tell the
story of the interview His father sitting before
the Are and received him with manifest JOY. he
looked feebler than be had ever appeared, but his
counteneuce lighted up on seeing his clerk stand
before him In good health and spirits. de lost no
time In abiding 70 the great appointment-sald
how spontaneously it had been msde-no" Ainoy
the chief Justice proposed IT, with what unanimity
all assented, &c. &c. Daring this speech, 1t can be
vel ims gined how embarrassed MIR. Webster felt,
compelled a. he thought, from conviction OF duty
70 disappoint his fathers sansune expectations.
Neyertheess he commanded his countenance and
voice 90 an to reply in sufficiently assured man.
ner He spoke gsily about the Office; expressed
hin crest obligation 70 their Honors, and his inten
ton 10 write them O most respectful letter II be
could have consented 10 record anybodys judg-
ments, he should have been proud to have recorded
their Honors, &c &c. He proceededin this strain,
till his father exhibited signs OF Amusement 1t
having occurred to him. finally, that his son might
ali the while be serious" Do you intend to de-
cline this Office" he said at length Most or.
tsinly" replied his son, 4" cannot think OF doing
otherwise. mean to use my tongue 10 the courts
not my PEN TO be az actor, not register oil other
mems actions"
For moment Judge Webster seemed angry.
He rocked his chair slightly, flash went over his
eye softened by age, 1t even then black as jet,
but il Immediately disappeared, and his counte-
nance regained its usual serenity. Parental love
and partially could not after all but have been gra.
tilted with the sons devotion to an honorable aud
distinguished profession, and seeming confidence OF
success in it, Dwell, my SON." said Judge Web
ster finally "Ycur mother has always said that
you would come to something or nothing, she was
not sure which. / think you are now about settling
that doubt for her The Judge never after ward
spoke TO his son on the subject.
Mr. wEBsTERs MAIDEN SPEECH
1t was on Thursday, June 10, 1913, that Mr.. Web
ster made his maiden speech TO the House. twas
upon certain resolutions which he introduced in re-
ation to the repeal Of the Berlin and Milan DEGREES
the first OF which was in these words;
ROsed That The President Of The United State, be
Quesed 10 Inform this kouse, unless the public interest
shoud In his opinion forbid such commune when and
by whom and 10 whs manner, the frst iniell
Given this Government OF the decree OF the Government
OF France bearing dseihe 18th OF Apr 1871 and pur port
ing 10 be defhuve repeal OF the DEGREES OF Becin
Milan.
Thesa revolutions were not introduced to embar.
rass the Administration. bu. to elicit information
that might throw some light upon the proximste
causes Of the war, and enable Members to bes
nudge the most proper manner of conducting il.
Mr. Webster, in bis speech on these resolutions
displaysd cautious regard FOR facts aphilosoPhica
moderation Of tone, taness OF knowledge ana al
smbitude Of historical illustration which as,onisheC
the House There was no exsggeraton OF state
nent or argument, no sophistry nor uncaled ,fo
rhetoric in his speech; the Oldest PsrlismentarisI
could not have exhibited more propriety and de
cency OF manner or language nor the most able,