The national era. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1847-1860, 1851-04-03
THE INFLUENCE OF ONE MAN.

most prominent, if not the most attractive object
in the political world, has been Daniel Webster
During that period he has reached an eminencC
higher, if not more enyable, than was ever his
lot before.
The 18th Of March, 1850, witnessed his sud
den, unexpected, total reputation of the Ordi
nance of 1887 in its application to United States
Territory policy to which by his position as Q
Massachusetts Wing, by his long course of oppo
sition to the extension of Slavery by his speeches
letters, and declarations innumerable, he had
been solemnly, and in the judgment Of the Pub
lie, irrevocably committed. That act shocked
his friends and amazed his enemies; filed one
section of his country with joy the other, with
sorrow, shame, and indignation. Had not the
death of General Taylor opened the way for q
new Cabinet the close of Mr.. Webster's Sena-
torial term would have afforded the People Of
Massachusetts, an opportunity to show their sense
Of his political apogtacy, by permitting him to
retire from pd6iic life But, the accession OF
Mr.. Fillmore prevented him from falling into
their barAs
From that hour, Shareholders and their allies,
without distinction of Party, determined that this
signal act of treachery to Northern Principles
should be rewarded with signal honors; it would
never do to overlook the claims of statesman
who had risked so much in their behalf Under
the pressure of their influence, Mr.. Fillmore was
prevailed upon to interpOse between him and his
constituents, and to assign him the highest
place in his Administration, of the future char
acter of which, the appointment was an infallible
indication.
From that day to this, by the contrivances Of
his friends and of himself he has been constantly
kept before the American People, and an act,
which ought to have overwhelmed him with po-
ltical odium, has been held up as an infinite claim
to their admiration and confidence. Let US re-
view some of these contrivances.
A circular letter, expressive of high approba-
tion Of his conduct, sort of testimonial to char
acter, Is circulated by his Jealous partisans for
signatures, and when, by every appeal to good
nature, to policy, to personal friendship, to old
attachments, the requisite number of signers has
been obtained, their names are paraded in the
newspapers to show how well the great statesman
is sustained in his apostacy.
Next follow gratuatory letters from Doctors
of Divinity, imposed upon in their secluded re-
treats by the notion that the Union was about to
fall, when Daniel Webster with noble daring
stepped forward, put his Atlantean shoulders
under the massive pile which now only stands
by his strength.
Greetings from Democratic veterans, trained
champions of slavery, are next in order. Old
Party animosites are forgotten in the gush of
warm gratitude to this new Saviour Of the Union
Then come addresses and letters from Union
meetings, duly chroncling the perils Of the crisis,
and the deeds of the man who has been willing
to sacrifice himself in the effort to avert them.
To all these testimonials Mr.. Webster returns
prompt and patriotic answers, dwelling upon the
Union and the Constitution, as if for the first
time the People needed to be informed of the OBJ
legations of the one or the blessings of the 9th
er, and as if the first discoverer of both were
Daniel Webster
Quite opportunely, q mob of a few negroes in
che city of Boston rescues by surprise from the
custody of a deputy marshal, Off his guard, an
alleged fugitive from slavery What famous
occasion for display of the sublimest attributes
of the Governmental its memorable determine
tion to vindiCate the Majesty of the Laws, of its
noble heroism in behalf of the Union! A Procla-
nation, necessary preliminary to the use Of the
War Power, as lightning preludes the thunder
startles the country. The telegrapbic wires are
kept hot with the fervors of patriotic anxiety which
quvers along them, as the illustrous Secretary of
State receives from and sends to his Boston COM
missioner alarm-messages The clash Of arms is
heard, as the army is put in motion, and the rat
Ting chains tells that the navy is getting under
weigh. With such dread preparations to catch
poor runaway, and punish the few negroes who,
after taking him from sleepy deputy, went quiz
city about their business, who can doubt that the
illustrious Secretary Of State and his President
are equal to all emergencies, and that the Union
and the Constitution are safe in their custody
But, the Immortality gained on this famous &C.
casion, is not enough. The honor and humanity
Of the Government have been beautifully illus
trated by the untring Secretary An unfortu-
nate note from the Austrian Government gave
him an opportunity to magnify the power
and resources Of our glorious Republic and show
of considerable amount Of Fourth Of July
"pluckn against Foreign Despots. No special ne.
cessity existed for the disclosure of the correspond
ence-it could answer no purpose, unless to tickle
the national vanity and afford an opportunity "a
Mr. Websters partisans for little glorifcstion
but it was called for by Senatorial resolution and
laid before the American People. The same con
triyance brought out a correspondence concern.
ing Kossuth and his compatriots in captivity
And then follows an epistolary correspond
ence between the venerable schoolmaster and his
venerable pupil with due note of the substantial
gratitude Of the latter and another correspond
ence, concerning a carriage, brace Of horses and
harness, which was handsomely acknowledged by
the Secretary, with eloquent allusion to the
Union and Constitution, elegantly garnished with
classic quotation.
The latest effort at gorifcation is dinner
given to him at Annapolis, by the Constitutional
Convention Of Maryland, in session at that place
Wing and Democrat united to do him honor
The lion and the lamb lay down together, and q
political millennium made its advent in Annapo-
lis. The President, and Daniel Webster, and
Henry Clay and General Cass, and General
Foote, were toasted and drunk by Jew and Gen.
tile. Greek and Barbarian. II was Pentecost
of good feeling, only instead Of speaking in many
tongues, all were made to speak in one tongue
and that was burdened with the praises Of DAME
Webster.
A change of opinion and position is not neces
sarily blameworthy or discreditable. The poll
tician who abandons wrong course for RICH
one, does well, and deserves the praise Of well
doer. 1t was the change from right to wronI
position that brought down upon the head o
Mr. Webster the reprobation Of the best mel