Eastern times., 1852-11-04
Remarks of Franklin Pierce on
the Death of Mr.. Webster.


The following are the remarks Of MIR.
Franklin Pierce, at the public meeting of
the citizens Of Concord, N. H. =
Mr.. Chairman How deeply have all
hearts been impressed by the fervent appeal
to that Power in which our fathers have put
ther trust, in the hour of their weakness and
trials. And how has that solemn impression
been enhanced by the last words of The truly
great man. just read by the Rev. DR.. Bouton.
But few weeks have passed since deem
gloom was cast over our country, by the
death of the great statesman of the West
1t had long been understood that this light
was Pickering in its socket, and mus, soon
60 out. Still, the announcement, when il
came. was laden with sadness and we have
all since then been disposed to look with
warmer affections and more glowing graft
tude to his great compeer and associate, the
intelligence Of whose decease will fall like A
funeral pail upon the public mind through,
out that Union 10 which he gave his best af-
fections and noblest efforts.
had met MIR. Webster repeatedly prior
to 1888, but my personal acquaintance with
him may be said to have commenced with
my first winter at Washington His attach.
ment to our Stnte was singuIarly strong, and
this circumstance, perhaps, leo to a series of
Kind acts and courtesies towards me dur
ing The session Of 1884, and afterwards.
the grateful recollection Of which will never
be effaced. l mourn for him as for a friend
for whose personal regard my own heart las
given back true and full response.
Among eminent citizens of commanding
power and influence while was in the Sen
ate, he stood, perhaps. pre.eminent. In his
rich combination of qualities as an orator,
lawyer. and statesman, il may be safely said
he had no rival. How forciby and sadly
are we reminded of the great men with whom
he was associated in the Senate chamber.
and who preceded him in his transit through
the dark vaIieyn White, Grundy, FORSYTH.
Southard, Wall. Linn, Sewer, Sias Wright,
Hill, Woodbury., Calhoun, Clay-men who
left their impress upon the age-names in.
dissolubly connected with the fame and his
tory Of The country; all like him whose
death we are now called upon 10 deplore,
were links in the chain which bound the past
generation TO the present; and all like him
are now on the other side of that narrow
line which divides time from eternity. Upon
whom have their mantles fallen? Who are
10 take their places in the perils through
which our country may be called to pass p
Who, with patriotic courage and statesman
like forecast are to guide in the storms that
will at times inevitably threaten us, in our
unexampled development OF resources as a
nation, our almost fearful progress, our posi-.
tion OF amazing responsibility MS the great
confederated, self-governing power Of the
globe! These are questions which will
press themselves upon all minds; but who
alas! can satisfactorily answer Them
To speak of Mr.. Webster's genius, his
varied and solid attainments, his services
would be to discourse of matters as familiar
even 10 the children OF his native State, as
household words. Besides, this must be left
TO vigorous pens and eloquent tongues, after
the first gush Of grief, and the oppressive
sense of loss, shall to some extent have
passed away. 1t is, and long has been, nv
finn conviction that Mr.. Webster had holt
upon the minds and hearts of his country
men. which will fail to be Justly estimated
only because there has been no full opportu.
nifty TO measure il. You, MIR. Chairman
have truly said that MIR. Webster's grearnes.
was of that rare character which no earthly
position could exalt. He came to officia
stations, as he approached all subjects pre-
sented 10 his mind, their superior and thei
master. lie has reared for himself a vas
pillar of renown, which will stand in undi
minished strength and grandeur, when tn,
works of mems hands, erected to his honor
will be like Nineveh; and l. fear, when thi
Union may have shared the fate which wa
the dread OF his later years. A few year,
ago, when the distinguished brother of the
deceased was called in an instant from time
to eternity, in the court room in this place
with ihe last word of perfect sentence lin
! gering upon his lips, another citizen, mos
eminent and beloved. (the late lamentec
George Sulivan) exclaimed, What shad
ows we are, what shadows we pursue -
How these emphatic words come back to u.
here, as if by an echo. How mere earthl,
honors and distinctions fade amid gloon
like this how political asperities are chast
ened; what lesson TO the living; what al
admoniion To personal maevoence, nov
awed and subduet, as the great heart of tn,
nation throbs heavily at The portals of h
grave.
| have no heart TO speak or to conlem
plate the extent Of the loss we have sus
tanned. AS a personal friend-ns son o
New Hampshire-as an American citizen,
shall be, with thousands, sincere mourne
at his obsequies.