Richmond daily times. [volume] (Richmond [Va.]) 1850-1853, 1852-11-04

ueEe In lntfustlnS to me the care OF conducting
his works through the press. May l venture
sir, to add that in the last letter but one which
had the happiness TO receive from him, audng
with n kind of sad presentiment, which could
not then fully appreciate, but which now humans
me, to these kindly relations of halt century
he adds: 1--WE now and then see stretching
across tho heavens clear, blue, cerulean sky,
without cloud, or mist, or haze. And such APP
pears to me our acquaintance from the time when
heard you for a week recite your lessons in the
little school house in Short street to the date
hereof 2lst July, 1852
Mr.. Chairman, | do not dwell upon the traits
of Mr.. Webster's public character, however
tempting the theme. Its bright developments
in a long life of service are before the world;
they are wrought into the annals of the country d.
Whoever in after times shall write the history
of the United States for the last forty years will
write the life of Daniel Webster; and whoever
writes the life of Daniel Webster, as it ought to
be written, will write the history of the Union
from the time he took a leading part in its con-
Germs. prefer to allude to those private traits
which show the man--the kindness of his heart,
the generosity of his spirit, his freedom from all
the bitterness party, the unaffected gentleness
of his nature. In preparing the new edition Of
his works, he thought proper to leave almost ev-
erything to my discreton-as far as matters of
upon me with an earnestness approaching to a
command. "My friend" said he. 81 wish to per-
petuate no feuds. have lived life of strenu-
GUS political warfare. | have sometimes, though
rarely, and that in self defence, been led to speak
of others with severity. | beg you, where you
can do it without wholly changing the character
OF the speech, and thus doing essential injustice
to me, to obliterate every of personality of
this kind. should prefer not to leave word
that would give unnecessary pain to any honest
man, however opposed to me.''
But need not tell you, fellow-citizens, that
there is no one of our distinguished public men
whose speeches contain less occasion for such an
injunction. Mr.. Webster labituay abstained
from the use of the poisoned weapons of person
al Invectve or party odium. No one could more
studiously abstain from all attempts to make
political opponent personally hateful. If the
character of our congressional discussions has of
late years somewhat declined in dignity, no por-
ton OF the blame lies at his door. With Mr.
Calhoun, who for considerable portion of the
time was his chief antagonist, and with whom he
was brought into most direct collision, he main
tanned friendly personal relations. He did full
justice to his talent and character. You remem-
Der the feeling with which he spoke of him at
the time of his decease. Mr.. Calhoun, in his
turn entertained Il just estimate of his great OPP
ponent's worth. He said toward the close of
his life, that of all the leading men of the day,
''there was not whose political course had
been more strongly marked by a strict regard to
truth and honor than Mr. Websters."
One of the resolutions speaks of permanent
memorial to Mr.. Webster. do not know what
is contemplated but trast that such memorial
Their will be. thrust that marble aud BRASS in
the hands of the most skilful artists our coun-
try has produced, will be put in requisition to re-
,,I
in this ha-the lineaments of that noble form
and beaming countenance on which we have SO
often gazed with delight. But after all, fell
Iow-citizens, the noblest monument must be
found in his works. There he will live
and speak to as ind our children when brass
and lnarbie have crurnhled into dust. As n re-
pository of political truth and practical WISDOM
applied to the affairs ofgovernment. know not
where we shall find their equal. The works of
Burke naturally suggest themselves to the uind
as the only writings in our language that eau sus-
tain the comparison. Certainly no compositions
in the English tongue can take precedence of
those of Burke, in depth of thought, reach of
forecast, or magnifcence OF style. | think, how
ever, it may be said without partiaity, either
national or personal, that while the reader is
cloyed at last with the gorgeous finish of Bnrke7s
dietion, there is severe simplicity and sig
niicant planness in Webster's writing that never
tire. It is precisely this which characterizes
the statesman in distinction from the political
philosopher. In political disquisition, elaborated
in the closest, the palm must perhaps be awarded
to Burke over all others, ancient or modern
But in the actual conflicts of the Senate-inan
against and opinion against opinion-in the
noble war ofdebate, where measures are to be
sustained and opposed on which the welfare of
the country and the peace of the world depend
where often the line Of intellectual battle is
changed in moment-no time to reflect no
leisure to Gull words or gather up illustrations
but all to be decided byavote although the reputa
tion Of life may be at stake-all this is very
different matter, and here Mr.. Webster was inn
measurably the superior Accordingly, we find
historically, Incredible as it sounds, and what
am ready to say will not believe, though it is
PROFESSIONALLY true) that these inimitable ora
tions of Burke, which cannot read without
thrill of admiration to his fingers ends, actually
emptied the benches of Parliament. Ali, gem
temen, it was very different with our great par
liamentary orator. He not only chained to their
seats willing or if there were such a thing, un-
willing senators, but the largest hall was too small
for his audience. On the memorable 7th of
March, 1850, when he was expected to speak
upon the great questions then pending before the
country, not only was the Senate chamber
thronged to its utmost capacity at an early hour,
Uut all tiio P"SSuSOo W ~, tiiO hOtuuuO Oh the
Capitol, and even the avenues of the city were
alive with the crowds who were DESTROYS of
gaining admttauce. Aoeehar sa aasarnot - no.
litical friend-was entitled to the floor. With
equal good taste and good feeling, he stated that
''he was aware that the great multitude had not
come together to hear him, and he was pleased
to yield the floor to the only man, as he believed,
who could draw together such an assembly,
This sentiment-the eiiusion of parliamentary
CONFERENCE.-THE. Darbpps ha touud 20
expression of what will finally be the judgment of
posterity.
Among the many memorable words which fell
from the lips of our friend just before they were
closed forever, the most remarkable are those
which my friend Iilliard has just quoted-"I
STILL LIVE" They attest the serene composure
of his mind. the Chris tian barosn, Will,