Southern sentinel. [volume] (Plaquemine, Parish of Iberville [La.]) 1848-1858, 1852-05-08
MI. Webster.

aSSIiip lFotl lhiS view OF hr. w cbStSr is Il
! ststesnan, says the Boston Courier, from the
| broad outlines aud general mass Of his public
character, we descend to the contemplation of
hlrIi as a man, in his more immediate relation to
| individuals. As Il man, then, we find his great
| characteristic to be the dignity aud courtesy Of
! his drncanor. The violence of party spirit,
! the intensity of private hatred--so potent in
| the active work OF delraction, so unscrupulous
| i'll the invention Of ca.umncs-have entirely
! failed at this point. No enemy, public or pri-
vatc, Of Daniel Webster, has ever found any
bIcnlish in lis correct and gentlemanIy conduct
in public life. When We look at the public
conduct Of many of our most distinguished
| men, what, alas, do We behold? Undirncd,
violent and outrageous dcmcanor in the face of
| the world. Brilliant talents; degraded by
| coarse and dlsgraceiu words and decds-
Bright regulations soiled; lofty intcIlccts pros
tltuted TO low ends; strong minds bent down
by lguotlc passions; character sunk public
influence destroycd and the repulsiye side of
human nature shown in all its deformity, by
the indulgence of bad temper, vindictive feel
inqs and Il disregard of all the amenities of
outward behavior. Other members of Con-
gress, prominent like Mr.. Webster, for moving
in a more humble orbit, have been betrayed in
to the use of language low and rullianly.-
Some have been involved in disgraceful braWls
have fought duels--lost their set-rcstraint
and good manncrs--baye fomentcd strife and
brought discredit on their cause, party and
country. Not SO Mr.. Webster-unformly
calm, possessed, decorous, polite, digniied,
through long public career, and amid scenes
of great exccment-and where he as Il leader
cr was obliged to stand in the forefront Of the
battle, and meet excited, even outraged oppo-
nents.
There is a moral grandeur about such q
course that lifts our great statesman immeasur-
ably above the personages whose conduct has
been the reverse, and who yet would desire to
lessen the moral excellence of one who has
proved himself 80 superior to themselves, in
the moraIities of public debate, and the graces
Of refined and generous culture. What great
ness of soul, and what delicate courtesy and
noble bearing did Mr.. Webster exhibit toward
Mr. Calhoun in the closing days OF the great
South Carolinian. How nobly flashed up the
fire from that incense which was kindled in
scene Of intense political and sectional interest
Not more beautiful appear the chosen words,
the graceful thoughts, the pleasing metaphors
which adorn his letters and speeches. than
rises up to our contemplation in the chaste,
and dignitied, and courteous demeauor of sem
aLOfal uepOItuiehl
No friend of Mr.. Webster has ever been
panied by any defect in his mode of discussion
his manner of attack and defence. The
country has never had occasion to blush for any
disgraceful conduct of his in the halls of Con-
gress. On the contrary, the American people
have felt Il just and honorable pride in the un-
exceptionabe behavior Of him who, for thirty
years, has always been one of their most dis
tingushed public men.
Some men may estimate such virtue lightly;
and those who would put down Mr.. Webster
at all events, may strive to conceal this great
respendent sun of moral beauty, that sheds so
much lustre upon his name-but there are those
who can appreciate it, and will concedo to him
the merit Of such signal excellence
We point, then, to the dignity and courtesy
of Mr.. Webster's public and congressional life
and say, here is something to command adj
miration, secure confidence, and recommend to
that higher place--the Presidency of the Uni
ted States--a man who, with other and the
highest qualifications, will not be found want
ing in the requisite dignity and grace to adorn
with the grandeur of moral sentiment the de-
pertinent of the Chief Magistracy Of our
country.