Herald of the times. [volume] (Newport, R.I.) 1849-1856, 1851-01-02
Tribute TO Mr.. WEBSTER. We are

indebted TO friend for copy Of an
Address delivered before the Phi Beta
Kappa Society of Bowdoin College,
Maine. at its anniversary in September
last, by the Rev. DIR. Sprague, Of Al
bany, New York. II our limits permit
ted we should be happy to transfer to
our columns the whole of this able,
learned, and eloquent address. which
adds much to the already exalted rep
utation Of th,s distinguished scholar
and divine. But we are unable to do
30. We cannot, however, forbear from
laying before our readers an extract
from it, conveying tribute to the emi-
nent gentleman whose name is at the
head Of this paragraph, rs just as it is
eloquent. 1t comes opportunely to re-
buke the reckless animadversions which
lew of the clergy of New England
and esewhere-some in Congress and
some out-have poured forth upon Mr..
Webster
Such a tribute from gentleman of
DR.. Sprague's learning, pieiy, and
Christian patriotism, cannot fail TO have
its just influence upon all candid and
sober-mindcd men.
The subject Of the Address is " the
Perpetuity ofIntellectual InAuence."-
The following is the extract -
II were TO select from The whole
intellectual nobility OF the present day
one whose influence, especially as a
statesman, furnishes as apt an ilustra-
ton of my subject as any other, | should
have no occasion to look beyond New
England ; and the name TO which |
refer has already become so much the
property of history that dcicacy does
not forbid me TO allude to it; while yet
it is SO much household word that
necessity hardly requires that ] should
pronounce il. That illustrious man,
nearly half Il century ago, was hard at
work at neighboring college in the cul-
tivation Of his intellect and he has
u been hard at work, almost ever since,
for the welfare of his country. speak
not of the distinctive hue ofhis political
opinions, or OF any particular position
he may at any time have assumed; but,
overlooking all party distinctions,
! speak of him as an earnest, honest, far
seeing patriot a man of wisdom and a
man OF might great as truly in repose
! rs in action; in thoughtful moderation
as in rcsistless power. honor him as
/ fit 10 be balance wheel in our politi-
Cal mechanism, which shall give to each
and every part Of it a steady, safe, and
effective operation. honor him as one
! who has more than once shown himself
able 10 etand up in serene grandeur
amidst warning elements, and to make
his voice heard above the loudest swell
of the storm. declaring for his country,
his whole country, forever. honor him
( as one who has given additional value
to the privilege Of being an American,
and whose name we have only to speak
10 rebut many Of the paltry calumnies
Of other nations. There have been pc
RODS in our history when oil parties
have united in tribute of homage TO
his public character and even when he
has appeared OH the arena Of political
conflicts. and mingled in the hottest Of
the fight, he has never stood in so much
as an equvocal attitude in respect to
either dignity or integrity; and his very
adversaries have felt constrained to do
him honor. His vocation has been that
of a statesman and there his influence
and his honors have chiefly centered
and yet he has occasionally brought an
Offering to the cause of literature, which
has given him place among her most
renowned beneiactors. The produc-
tions Of his pen, distinguished alike by
chaste simplicity and rugged strength,
may fairly challenge comparison with
the most classic productions ofantiquity.
His thoughts are like chain Of dia
monds and his style like a crystal stream
Even Plymouth Rock and Bunker Hill
have been invested with ne " attractions
by the power of his eIoquence and as
long as the one stands witness for re.
ligous freedom and the other witness
for civil freedom, each will be witness
also to the majesty ofhis intellect. Yes,
he will live on through all coming time;
will continually brighter and stron-
ger and more widely diiiuscd life. And
ii the State where he was born and
nurtured or the State in which most of
his public lie has been passed, should
venture al attempt 10 monopOlze his
| fame or hereafter 10 build his monu-
ment his country would cry out that he
belonged TO her the world would cry
out that he belonged to her and these
universal claims would be echoed and
re-echoed by each passing generation"
u. S. SHiP OHo.--Orders have been
y W