Staunton spectator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1849-1896, 1850-12-04
pANIEl WEBSTER.


Tho following part Of letter written for the Specta
tor by friend in Washington, in April last but it will be
read with interest a, this ne After speaking Of General
TAYLOR, ,he writer says:
Rut there is one man in Washington who stands pre-
eninennoi by place pnwe-n"' by accident or achieve
men-nut by hpraIdry or titled honurs but in himself. as
man. staleslnannut only first amung equals, but une-
ouaed among our greatest men. Daniel Webster ISL have
no doub, At This moment the must popular man IN America.
and the truth Of this will be developed Never Destined
pe.baps to occupy The highest office in The gift of the peo
pe he is donp more to control and direct public sentiment
Than any other man. would rather have his posthumous
fame than that of any other in the nailnn, past pres
en-excep,inq only The Father of his Country, whom, if
any NAV equal, man can be expected 10 excel he
beauty force and power of expression o The English lam
euape are developed and its purity embamed in his speech
es The heart of the nation speaks in his doctrines. The
Constitution has found an Illuminated edition in his
words His intellectual works will be preserved and
studied among The Classics by coming generations and
by nations that may YET succeed US as ise of the great
masters If Greece and Rome studied in onr
schools. Demuslhanes and Cicero will fall into trio in
future references what is emnen,y patriotic and sub
lime in The names of statesmen and scholars. Demoslhe'
nes' spirit stirring 'PhilEpcs" and Ccerus searching
"Cataine Orations" and Webser's profound, polished
and courteous 'ans,uers to Calhoun and Has," will each
form model of its kind 10 be admired and initiated, never
surpassed, never perhaps equalled.
There are points fcharacler, loo, in Mr. Webster which
it will require the office of his Bugpher and another gen
eraon TO accred They belong To his more retired and
domestic life After left College entered his office as
student of law. My puson while there gave me good
Opporunity IL know his habits and understand the secret
workings Of his principles was then deeply impressed
with The conviction that Mr. Webster honest man,
Early in life SOON after he entered IN the practice OF Law
he united hmsefwh the Presbyterian Church IN us CON
preuationa New England form under the pastoral care o
Rev Thomas Worcester, Of Salisbury, n. d. nave
II NJ. nfto tbas hp
quanied with his religious feelings and views Ia have great
confidence in lis pry. Though then engaged IN the ag-
tanns Of political life his religious position and influence
had strung power his young pupil inc hrS' 'lIe
went To the communion table, sal by his SIDE ana pll
the fnce OF his example, If in the fiery trials through
which his pey has been tested in his public life any part
of the impulaons which his vrueni enemies have cast
upon him are funded in truth. yet all have te Inc power
of sound morality which through his wrllin9s' 'u
eating deep religious sentiment. 1t Is pleasant 10 see
that as his youth has passed into old age The evidence T"
this pey has become apparent, and religion slreh!'
ems lis hold his heart He and has long been cam
muncant The Episcopal Church. In religion, he lsdecided
but libera-n politics always bold and sune;nes connted
as partzan because parizlns have found him in their way
but always conservative, his speeches will show II
those who look at them with other than aundlced eyes
called last week On MIR. Webster. He had heen de-
tanned for some days from his seat in the Senate by severe
indispusun. The servant met me al the door win Inc
announcement that Mr.. Webster could not see company
sent in my name and was admitted. Though many years
since had spoken with him, he recognized and received
me with friendship enqnred for the relics Of his fifSI
family whom knew. .Yuu have one daughter living.
think sir" said ID have daughter" he replied with
evident emotion. The silence which followed was SO pam
fu and SO difficult to be- controlled that excused myself
by the remark that had merely called To pay myresp'cls
to him in passing and retired. In 1915 was youth /"
his office and he in the prime Of manhood Grace Webster
the y Of his hpartwas bright and sunny child exhibiting
eary and striking characteristics Of her father She grrw
up in his affections married happy-ye he has % daugh
; ter. did not dare 10 lin The vail further. knew his
amishe and pious wife had been iaken-anoher lovely
daughter alsoa given Ia the hecatomh in the Mexican
war One son, believe, is the only remnant d his frs
family left the house of the greatest in the world
praied even with his recognition of me, but with pro-
fund impression of the truh-lhal 'shadows we are, and
shadows pursue"