Vermont watchman and State journal. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1836-1883, 1850-09-05

lCndi dStOi, anu VI d utpOrtillent anu Hlduuel
to gain him great consideration among al
that knew him. In civil and military life
he obtained deserved distinction. Judge o.
the Court Of Common Pleas for twelve OF
fourteen years, he made good, by the integ.
rity of his purpose, the ciearness of his
Judgment and the strength of his character
the want of early education; and gained
for his opinions and decisions confidence
and concurrence not always accorded to
persons professionally more learned. He
was distinguished also in his military career
Entering the army private, he retired a
major; and won his commission by faithful
and gallant service, as well in the Revou-
tionary, as in the French aud Indian wars
He acted as major under Stark at Benning-
ton, and contributed no little to the iortu-
nate result of that day.
In May, 1907, Mr. Webster was admitted
as attorney and counsellor of the Superior
Court in New Hampshire, and in Septem-
Der of that year reIinquished his Office in
Boscawen to his brother Ezekiel, who had
then obtained admission to the bar, and mo-
we'd to Portsmouth, according TO his original
intention.
He married in June, 1908, Grace Fetch
er, the daughter of the Rev. Mr.. Fletcher,
of Hopkinton, N. Fl. By her he had four
children, Grace, Fletcher, Julia, and Ed
ward; but one of whom, Fletcher, survives.
Edward died with the army in Mexico, lS47,
Major of the Massachusetts Regiment of
Volunteers. He was one of the most gen.
llemanly, amiable, and honorable young
men of the age.
Mr. Webster lived in Portsmouth nine
years, wanting one month. The counsel
most eminent at the bar of the county at
that time were Jeremiah Mason, Edward
St. Loe Liyermore, Jeremiah Smith, Judge
Of the Superior Court and Governor of the
State; William King Atkinson, Attorney
General of the State; George Sullivan, also
Attorney General; Samuel Dexter, and
Joseph Story, Of Massachusetts, all lawyers
Of much more than ordinary ability, and
some of surprising excellence. No bar at
that time, probably In the country, present.
ed such an array of various talents. MIR.
We5ster's estimate Of Judge Story and Mr..
Mason, expressed in public, will form not
the least important nor least enduring mon
ument to their fame. 1t will outlast the
sculptured marble. For Mr.. Mason, his
professional rival sometimes, his friend al
ways, he entertained warm regard as well
as respect Mr. Mason was of infinite ad-
vantage to him, MIR. Webster has said, in
Portsmouth, not only by his unvarying
friendship, but by the many good lessons he
taught him, and the good example he set
him in the commencement of his career
=" If there be in the country stronger in
teleci," Mr.. Webster once said, -" Ii there
be mind of more native resources, il there
be a vision that sees quicker or sees deeper
into whatever is intricate, or whatever is
profound, | must confess have not known
it,"
Mr.. Webster's practice, while he lived in
Portsmouth, was very much OF circuit
practice. He followed the Superior Cour.
in most of the counties of the State, and
was retained in nearly all the important
causes. 1t is fact somewhat singular of
his professional life, that with the exception
Of instances in which he has been associa-
ted with the Attorney General of the United
States for the time being, he had hardly ap-
peared ten times as junior counsel. Once
or twice with MIR. Mason, once or twice
with Mr.. Prescott, and with MIR. Hopkin-
son, are the only exceptions within recollec-
zion.
Mr.. Webster'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 litigi-
Gus as in places less civilized by inteili-
gence. Though his time was exclusively
devoted to his profession, his practice never
gave him more than livelihood.
He 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
sometimes exercised, in favor of the party
whose principles he espoused. Even in that
early period of his life, however, when per-
haps something could be pardoned to the
vehemence of youth, he used no acrimoni-
Gus language OF his political opponents, nor
suggested or participated in any act indica-
tive of personal luminosity towards them.
At thirty years of age, he had become
well known and respected throughout the
State; so much so, that he was elected a
Representative of the State in Congress,
after an animated contest, in November,
1912, aud took his seat at the extra session
in May, 1913.
What has been written thus far, relates
rather to the private life Of Mr. Webster
what follows concerns mostly, his public;
as gathered from the records and contem-
poraneous 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
him. He has studied books, he has studied
mankind, he has studied himself, (Which is
the very fountain Of all true wlsdom,) deep
ly and conscientivusIy, from his earliest
youth. There has been no Incorporated
time with him none trIfled away. Even
in the hours of relaxation, he has thought
OF, and methodized the gleanings of the
Past, or prepared results for the Future.
He laid early and solid the foundation of
his tame. While the mind was eager and
facile to receive earnest Impressions, he
sought after everything in the way of learn
ing, that was sincere, elevated, and emo