The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1850-08-06
Mr.. wsss,sr,s Position IN the Republic.

Although, in The founding of nations, and the pro- !
eress of their history if they ever schieye perpe-
uity and power, the highes, degree Of talent, hero
ism and virtue is called int requisition among
their citizens, yet, in repubhc like ours, this re-
mark holds true to greater extent than is Illus
,rated in the history of monarchies. To establish
a kingdom, nothing Is required bat the heroism OF
popular leader, who, by the aid of brave men,
achieves decisive CONQUEST. The power rests IN
the hands of the victor; he decides the form OF the
state; he Issues his patents of nobility and the
government moves on, without causes OF popular
| disturbance, since there is an instructive venerl-
| lion for power and authority, particularly among
those who have been long Injured to the forms and
he service of depoiism. But 10 establish republic
| like our own and under circumstances like those
which gave il birth, where the great principle OF
the political equality Of all men is clearly acknow-
ledged il is necessary that higher degree OF IN
/ telligenee patriotism, and virtue should prevail
among the macs of the population. The American
republic dates its establishment from no single
| victory nor was there single decisive move
ment which finally settled the event, IT we except
the Declaration Of Independence. When that great
public act had been performed, by delegates CHOSEN
from every part of the nation, the people OF the
country were prepared 10 stand by the ground
taken by their delegates and wherever the intei-
ligence travelled, that the Declaration had been
| made, public sentiment sent back the response OF
concurrence admiration and the promise OF help.
II was trying crisis, and the real strength OF the
nation was more than quadruPled by the action
In the beginning at all events, if not all through
the revolutionary struggle, every man who was
concerned i'm the emancipation oil the country, feit
a responsibility pressing upon his own shoulders
which he could discharge only by hol ding his life
in his hand, ready TO offer II In sacrihce Tor the
redemption Of the nation With this spirit the
war of independence was begun; and with this
spirit it was successfully achieved II is true that
during that memorable and tremendous struggle,
the nation reposed its chiefest reliance upon the
the leadership of Washington yet, after all, that
immortal captain and statesman taught his coun-
trymen that they must rely mainly upon themselves
This principle, which he inculcated so deeply upon
the hearts of the men of the revolution, has since
become the popular sentiment OF the nation; and
we now feel that no single man holds the fate OF
this country in his hands, that public act OF be-
traya could peril the public interest," that no act OF
heroism could give 10 it glory it had not before
achieved.
And yet it has held good in this cOuntry
has among monarchists, and all other form "a.
vernmeni, that the course of events, und 'royl-
dence, has been mainly decided by few guiding
intellecis In recurring to our early history, we
find that even before Washington was summoned
TO the helm of public affairs, the way had been pre-
pared for him by such men as John Adams, Fisher
Ames, and Patrick Henry. Without such prepara-
ton, the nation would rot have been ready for
Washington, nor would he, himself, have been
ready for the great mission which he subsequently
filled So has il been since the period of the revo-
luton. After the death of Washington, JEFF
ferson became the ruling spirit ofthe republic; and
as he had been, next to the father Of his
country, the most influential man during the
revolution standing perhaps at the head Of the re-
evolutionary civilians, so he seemed to inherit the
scepire, after Patu Patrre was gone. The great
secret Of the influence which Jefferson has swayed
over the popular mind of this country consists
chiefly in the fact that he interpreted the consttu-
ton in manner which gave the most liberal con-
struction to that instrument; which enlarged the
area Of popular rights and limited the powers Of the
s~Asra, government He had doubtless irnhihsa
more deeply than any other great American Of that
period, the democratic principle which prevailed in
France during her first revolution, and which has
SINCE become universal among the people Of thin
country.
After the death of Jefferson, General Jackson
succeeded to the vacant place. and reigned triumph
antly in the hearts of the American people He
resembled more closely Jefferson than any of his
contemporaries not, perhaps, in his talents as 4
Statesman, and least Of all in his capacity for po-
ltieal intrigue, but chiefly in the spirit which
actuated him in all his movements. He became the
man of the people, in a higher sense than even
Jefferson had been; because, in addition to the
toiat which he received from his we'll known
leanngs toward the Jefferson school Of politics, he
had the additional charm Of military achievement.
He had fought calamity in the service of the re-
pubic, and the repsblic desired to do him honor.
That he loved the country, that he was an moor
ruptible, stern, heroic, patriotic man, was never
doubted.
We are not, Of course, attempting a complete
history Of the succession Of the controlling minds
of this country. We only tracing few Of those
names which have been most deeply embalmed in
the popular heart-we are only adducing few
illustrations Of the reliance which republic places
in its greatest citizens There are vast numbers Of
men who, in their several spheres, have swayed
controlling influences in States, and, at times, in
the national councils; but We are speaking now OF
a class Of men who have risen successfully on the
surface ofthe republic, and who have TO all intents
and purposes, controlled its destnies while they
remained there.
AT the present time, Mr.. Webster is that man.
He has been long period in reaching the position
which he now holds. il is not the result Of acci-
dent nor the freak Of fortune, nor the labor Of a
day II is the fruit Of the highest, the longest the
mos, earnest, and most eminent services For forty
year. and more, be has stood conspicuously before
the eye Of the nation, steadily winning popular inu-
/ A., "A ortrnaIlV with n
Intellectual powers, and. perhaps, distinguished for
Kind Of intellect 81 which the history OF very few
nations affords us any adequate examples; chsrac-
terized by the profoundesi knowledge Of the orga-
mic elements Of the constitution; ilustrious as ja-