The republic., 1851-01-03
Fyom the ". Y. journal of Commerce

Having learned that the Rev. DIR. Spencer had
received letter of thanks from the Hon. Daniel
webster, Tor his excellent sermon on Obedience to
the Law as Christian duty, we ask permission to
publish the letter. and now enabled to do so.
we also publish DR.. Spencers note TO US enclosing
said letter, with the exception of few lines which
are OF no interest to the public:
WAsBIHGToS, Dec. 7, 1850
MY DEAR Sin: am greatly obliged to you for
sending me copy of your sermon delivered on the
oath OF November. II is refreshing to read pro-
ducton which, founding itself upon the express in
junction OF the Holy Scriptures, goes back from
theory 10 commandment, from human hypothesis
and speculation to the declared will of God
Obedience TO established government is some
thing more, and much more, than a mere idea Of
expediency; II Is a Christian duty. You say very
truly that "Law ia a friend to the human race
without law the human race must have remained
forever in a state of barbarism Law pervades the
physical universe and pervades equally the social
system OF mankind.
You are, of course, familiar with Hooker's cele-
brated, most truthful and most sublime description
OF law IL you have not recurred to it lately, allow
me TO ask you TO turn TO 1t. l never read it
without the strongest emotion. 'Of Law nothing
more can be sad than that her seat is the bosom oil
God, her voice the harmony OF the universe" &c,
&c. To the same effect is the beautiful ode of AL
cgus. translated by Sir William Jones But par
don me, my dear sir, am making suggestions 10
one who is more fit to make them to me. am ap-
pearing to lead where am quite content to follow
Yours, with the sincerest regard,
DANIEL WEBSTER.
Rev. DR.. SPENCER, Brooklyn, N. Y.
BROOKLYN, Dec. %, 1850.
DEAR Sir: enclose to you copy Of Mr. Web
ster's letter, which you requested OF me some days
since. You at liberty TO publish ii if you see fit
The passage in Hooker, to which Mr.. Webster
refers, stands in the edition before me as folows
"Wherefore, that here may briefly end; of Law
there can be less acknowledged, than that her
seat is in the bosom of God her voice the harmony
of the world, all things in Heaven and earth do
her homage, the very beast feeling her care, and
the greatest not exempted from her power;
both angels and men and creatures, OF what condi-
ton soever, though each in different sort and man
ner, yet all with uniform consent, admirng her as
the mother of their peace and joy"
subjoin also the Ode of Ac3us, translated by
Sir William Jones:
A ooPy.l
"What constitutes u State?
Not high raised battlements or labored mound,
Thick wall or moatcd gate;
Not cities proud, with spires and turrets crowned:
Not bays, and broad armed ports,
Where laughing at the storm rich naves ride;
Not starred and splangled courts,
Where low bred baseness watts perfume to pride;
Mo- men, high minded men,
With powers as far above dull brutes endued
In forest brake or dew,
Az beasts excel cold rocks or brambles rude;
Men, who their duties know,
But know their rights, and knowing dare maintain
Prevent the long armed blow,
And crush the tyrant, while they rend the chain
These constitu State,
And sovereign Law that Stats collected will
O'er thrones and globes eate,
Sits Empress, crowning good, repressing ill;
Smt by her sacred frown
The hend Discretion. like vapor sinks
And cen the all dazzling crown
Hides his faint rays, and at her bidding shinss."