Herald of the times. [volume] (Newport, R.I.) 1849-1856, 1851-10-02

cation in the Christian Observer, a re-
bgious paper Of high standing in Bos-
ton. These articles are entitled, What
is il to he Drunk z" They are from the
pen OF The well-known author Of Tem-
perance Tales" who has probably
accomplished more than any other liv-
ing man for the cause in which he is
engaged. These articles are written in
defence OF Daniel Webster against The
charge Of Horace Mann that Mr.. Web
s,eE is !" addicted to infemperance." This
charge was recently ma lie by Mr.. Mann
against Mr.. Webster, for political pur-
poses.
Judging by the articles which have
already been published, our readers will
at once perceive that the author Of these
articles requires 10 aid, either to show
up the maigniiy Of Horace Mann, or to
defend Daniel Webster. He is welding
pen, before whose argumentative and
withcring sentences, Horace Mann will
sink lower than he has already fallen,
by his political somerset. We are will
ing TO give every man his due, and in
this respect, we freely acknowledge the
value ol the service which Mr.. Mann
has rendered. in past years, as Secre,a-
ry Of the Massachusetts Board Of Edu.
cation. II was subject m which he
WAS interested and which he understood,
and the field OF his labor was well sut-
ed to his menta! capacity and to the
qualities oi his heart Here he acqu;r-
ed some reputation, and had he remain
ed in the sphere for which nature de-
sic ned him, he would undoubtedly have
accomplished even much more good to
socieiy,--and he would have descended
to the grave, honored and. respected in
his life, and amented in his death.
Dos in an evil hour the political fever
seized him, aud he burned Tor sen, in
Congress. His wishes were gralifcd,
aud thus his ruin ww secured. The
demon monster Of Abolition took posses.
sion oi him, and 8, inspired him with
vanity and weakness that he imagined
his political career IN Congress was to
be rs great and successful rs his Edu-
ca,om,l one had been in Massachusetts,
aud he consequently rushed on to
destruction. with his eyes completely
blinded by his infatuated vanity. He
could not be contented with attacking
men Of his own calibre, and with whom
he might have respectable kind of an
encounter. But he sharpcncd the wea-
pons Of his warfare, and with fool hardy
daring rushed wildly and ferociously at
Daniel Webster, actually supposing, no
doubt, that it had been reserved by Di,
vine vengeance for him to do that which
crushed the distinguished Haync,-
VIZ, annil,ilate Daniel Webster, al
though in another mode. Well. it was
not the battle of the gian,s,-but it was
the attack of,ic mosquito upon the ele-
phan:. Daniel Webster never iclt the
blow Of Horace Mann, and, as far az
consequences are concerned, he would
never have known Of The attack, had he
not been told OF it.
How exceedingly prepostcrous for a
man with the comparatively diminutive
mental proportions Of Horace Mann, TO
have Tie presumption TO attacI Daniel
Webster. the mental giant Of the coun-
try. and the first mnn OF the age. in the
~orld, in point Of intellect But the
comparison is too ridiculous to pussue
siill further.
We agree with Old Times" the au-
thor Of the articles, that if Daniel Web
stcr's tremendous intellectual power is
the result Of what Horace Mann calls
into1icat on, and il the same result can
be accomplished in other instances,-
we would advise many other men 10 be-
come i,uoLicdLed, ia the same way. with
the hope that they might become equal
ly fortunate,-and we should advise
Horace Mann to make the first expert
mental trial, l,-lor if he was not success
iul, he certainly could not be more ua.
successful than he has been in his attack
on Daniel Webster.
We care not how much Daniel Web
sIer or any other public man, may
drink, so long as he is not thereby in
capicilatcd from the discharge OF his
public duties. And who will say thas
the colossal proportions of Daniel Web
ster's brain have been lessened by the
USE Of wine or other liquors Who will
say that the ovcrpowering and awing
force OF his ma este nleller, has in the
leas, degree been dimmed or marred by
the use oi any stimulating beverage O.
Who will say that his consummate and
perfect ability IN any and all occasions,
has in the least degree been decreased.
whatever his habits may have been, or
still are : Surely no one. For il any
man assumes such position, he there
BY virtually admits that hc has no, the
capacity even to appreciate the vastnoss
aud tive power OF Webster's hcrcu can
mind. The very dew-drops of intellect
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