The republic. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1849-1853, 1852-11-20

have been his infrmities, they were not such, In
my judgment and belief, as ever to have corrupted
his moral principles, debased his character and
taste, and destroyed the life Of his religion. be
lieye that Mr.. WEBSTER was converted and re-
ligious man; and it this element of his charac-
ter that lent peculiar strength and beauty to his
writings, his affections, his public and his private
life.
In q few more words upon this point will dis
miss subject upon which IT Is painful for me TO
speak but upon which also feel It would be wrong
in me, considering the relations which have
sustained to him, and the kindnesses j have re-
ceived from him, be altogether silent. These
attacks upon hs character and the misgivings of
portions Of the public mind in consequence, which
somewhat diminished the strength OF an influence
which, without some such abatement, II might
have been too much for any man, with safety to his
soul, to have possessed, reads salutary lesson to
public men. 1t shows them that no intellect, how
ever gigantic, sway the mind and heart of the
people Of this country unless it ia believed TO be
connected with purity of life and principle. Il adj
nonshes them not only to be, but TO be careful to
seem, and to be seen 10 be. faithful aud incorrupt
And now turn to those traits Of character which
were largely modified and influenced by bis rei
gious element and training, some beautiful illus
trations Of which have been presented in the pub
lie prints. Then il will remain for me to speak of
his religious character and his closing hours.
There in Mr.. WEBSTER q simple unpre.
tending Doric dignity of character and demeanor,
which correspondent with the greatness of his mind
Not from any thing that he assumed, but from what
he he impressed all VINO associated with him
with reverence, and many with awe.
From this dignity and self respect he set an ex
ample OF decorum, high courtesy and forbearancc
in debate and in wiring, which has been rarely
equaled, and never surpassed. 1t ID stated that he
has never been called 10 order in debate. He usu-
ally discussed subjects apart from the personalities
in which they might be involved. He had none Of
the bitterness OF mere party warfare. His mind
seized the great principles which were involved in
questions, and to them bis strength was given.
The editor Of his writings states that he received
but one I'M junction from MIR. WEBSTER in reference
TO his productions, and that was, that he should
obhterate from them, il possible, every trace OF
party feuds and personalities; and he truly adds,
that there was but little occasion for the injunc-
ton.
Another striking trait of MIR. WEBSTER, in his
public and private life, was the purity Of his taste,
and the elevation of his moral tone One who has
long been intimate with him declares that never
in his life did he hear an impure thought pro
fame expression come from his ps A nd this there
none to gainsay. In all the six large vol mes
OF his collected works it would be az dificult to
find passage which contains a low sentiment, an
impure allusion, light or sneering word in
ference to sacred things, any other than the
loftiest and noblest principles and sentiments, az
1t would be to find examples of bad taste. feeble
| reasoning, or tawdry rhetoric. In these produc.
tons he still lives. There hs real character there
bis true heart, there his great and high nature,
still speaks to his country and the world All that
was temporary and Incidental, all that detracton
whispered and maligniy surmised, 10 already
u
posterity, as spotless rs it will be transcendent.
But nothing in MIR. WEBSTER was more beauti.
full than his large heart, the warm and tender af.
| fectionateness Of his disposition No man ever had
| more ardent and tenacious affection for his kin
dred bis carly associates and the Chosen circle of
his friends. Less demonstrative of his feelings be-
| fore the world than many others, with manners
which in general society and common intercourse
| sometimes conveyed an impression of coldness, if
not harshness, 1t ia nevertheless true that he was
eminent!y loving and beloved within the sphere of
! home and OF chosen friendships, and the private
| relations Of life. Since his death some most touch
| ing evidences of this fact have appeared. If the
cabinets of his nearest friends could be opened to
| the public eye, they would show wealth, a beau
| ty, tenderness, warmth, delicate refinement
OF affection that would prove this man of the
largest brain, to have been a man less of tho
| largest heart.
How touching that incident-you all have read
it-of the hot day in Jolly, when a boy, he was
making hay with his father; and they sat beneath
the elm, hay cock, and his father spoke to
him of his tolls and want of education, and he
cried; and his father promised that he should be
promised he should be educated, he laid his head
upon his fathers shoulder and wept of grateful
joy. How exquisite his letter TO ''Maser Tappan, ;"
the " good old echoolmaster" Of his childhood.
| How beautiful his tributes to the memory Of his
father mother, and elder brother. How affecting
the direction IN his letter. so late March of this
| year, to Jno. Taylor, the agent on his farm at
Franklin: " Take to keep mn mothers garden
IN good order" II was not of siatesma nship and
of the Presidency alone that he thinking then
He had thoughts OF his mother and of her garden
and that garden of his mother in his childhood's
home he would have kept in order, whoever might
be an accepted or rejected candidate. How beau.
tiIu the dedication of his works to his chosen
friends and his nearest kindred, especially that to
the memory OF his deceased son and daughter:
GO, gentle spirits, to your destined rest,
While |, reversed our natures kinder doom,
Pour forth fathers sorrow at your tomb
How does the beauty Of that affection become sub
lime, when he calmly cals all his near ones around
his dying bed; and with words of affection, cheer.
iulncss, and religious admoniton, bids them a last
farewell
This affection flowed forth over large circle Of
beloved friends. With them his intercourse was
marked by the most endearing courtcsies and kind
nesses There was cordially and genial cheer
| fulness in these friendships which gave them a
peculiar charm. Here he let his mind recreate and
play. Here 1t was that the beauty of his mind
often came forth and gambolled over it's sleeping
rcposing power. Here 1t that his fine fancy
OF whose use he was sparng in his public eff.
forts, had free range. He would not allow her to
60 forth with his reason, lest she should begule it,
when it was occupied in the grave tasks of patriot
lem and duty; but he kept her at home by the side
of his heart, that che might brighten and sing to
the domestic circle 1t was delicate Ariel, W bonn
| this mighty Prospero would employ only in the
service of the affections. If the memories and the
cabinets OF his family and friends could be thrown
OPEN it would be that this man. of the large st
reason and affections, a nan also Of the nluat
But on these features of his character I'VE too
long fingered Let me. in conclusion, speak of his
religious character and his osing hours
| Mr.. WEssTER, in early life, bef,re his removal
to Boston, was a commitment in a Congregations
Orthodox Church in New Hampshire After his
removal 10 Boston, he attended tho Unitarian
Church About ten years since he became com
,nunicunt of the Episcopal Church in this city.
During the five years and half of my sdence
in this city, he has been regular attendant and
cummuncant in this cbur h.
OF the entire system Of religious opinions enter
tanned by Mr.. WEBSTER, have no authority to
epcak. But, in the conversations which have had
Nth him on religious subjects, his sentiments on
several topics have been freely expressed HE pre-
ference for the Episcopal Church rested chiefly on
his admiration OF it liturgy, and its general con.
| serva!ive character. He had sympathy with,
but rather profound conviction of the folly of that
churchmanship which stands with it's face to the
| past, and it's back to the future. He loved most
that preaching which was plain. ca nest affection
ate, personal, and expostory, rather than that
which was general and disc ursive. His converse
ton was always understood by me to proceed upon
the admission, on his part of hat are called the
distinctive and evangelical truths Of the Gospel
have known his most emphatic appreciation to I'M We
| been expressed of sermons in which these truths
were most distinctly presented,
MIR. WEBSTER exceedingly fond of dac oura