The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1852-02-24
HON. DANIEL WEBSTER'S ADDRESS
BEFORE THE
NEW YORK HISTORICAL SOCIETY,
NIBLO,S THE A TIRE.
Tremendous Crowd and Great
Enthusiasm.
Most Successful Debut on the Stage.

Webster delivered an address last evening, before
the Historical Society, 81 Niblo's Garden. The
doors Of the theatre were thrown open at half.
PAST six o. clock, and such rush was never seen
~ Niplo's before-such q dense multitude never
filed its capscious precincts. The elite and
fashion Of tho whole city Seem TO have congrs-
gated together, and the greatest enthusiasm
prevailed. All the strangers at the different
hotels-sll the clergy Of tho me.ropols-ths
members OF the legal profession, and other
professions--she h!t1atears and the politici-
cians-together with an array Of female beauty AMI
fashion that cast the most brilliant nights Of the
opera into the shade-presented such IN assem-
blage as has rarely, perhaps never, met within the
walls Of any building in New York. Not oaly was
every seat occupied in very few minutes, with
the exception of the parquette-which was reserved
for the members Of the society-but every chair
about the theatre brought into requsition; and
still vast numbers were compelled TO stand in the
back ground. Hundreds who remained, never heard
or saw him at ali, and many went away in despair.
There was, in fact, q perfect fWore, whatever ex-
cited it.
At quarter past seven o'clock, Mr.. Webster
made his appearance in the daing saloon, where
he was introduced to the President, the committee,
and the members of'the society, who had assembled
there-having been admitted by members tickets.
Immediately after, they proceeded in body to oc-
cupy the parquotte, which had been reserved for
them.
1t was arranged that Mr.. Webster should address
the audience from the stage; and accordingly the
great star appeared there in a his glory, precisely
ct half past seven O'clock He was accompanied by
the committee and executive officers His appear
ance vas the signal fer Of the most tremendous
bursts Of applause We heard. The debut Of tae
honorable gentleman vas completely successful.
He wore white vest, rs usual, and seemed in good
kealth and spirits. He took his seat at table for
few minutes, till quiet secured in the audience.
The aasemblage was then called to order by the
PRESIDENT, Who announced that Rev. DR.. Dewey
would open the proceedings by prayer.
The Rev. gentleman then offered a prayer of
some length imploring blessing upon che society,
ard concluding with ''the Lords Prayer
LUTHER BRADIsH, Esq the President of the soce-
ty,then introduced MIR WEBSTER formally to the au.
dience, saying he would not detain them by any
remarks Of his, knowing how impatient they mutt
be to near tho great man who now before
them.
The Hen. DANIEL WEBSTER then presented him
SELF, and the scene Of enthusiasm battles all dcscrip-
tion. When tho tumuituous cheering, waving
of hats and handkerchiefs, subsidized, he pro-
decided to deliver his address, as folloEs which he
did with great distinctness and effect making him
self heard plainly in every part Of the house. except
by those who were completely in the Background
THE ADDRESS.
The object Of your association, gentlemen like
that Of others OF similar character, is highly impor.
tant. Historical societies are auxiliary to histor'-
cal compositions. They collect the material from
which the great narrative Of events is, in due time,
to be framed. The transactions Of public bodies,
local histories memoirs Of al kind. statistics laws
ordinances, public debates, and discussions, works
Of periodical literature, and the public journals
whether Of political events, of commerce, literature
or the arts. all find their places in the collections Of
historical societies. But these collections not
history; they are only elements for history Hsto.
~ is higher name. and imports literary produs
tions Of the first order.
1t is presamptuous in me, whose labors and
studies have been long devoted to other objects,
to speak in the presence of those whom Sea before
me- Of the dignity and Importance Of history ia its
Just senses and yet find pleasure in breaking in upon
tho course Of daily pursuits, and INDUCING, for
time in reflections upon topics Of literature, and in
the remembrance of the great examples Of historic
art. Well written history must always bs tho re-
suit Of genius aud taste, well as of attainment
1t stands next to epic poetry, in the productions Of
the human mind. If il requires less Of invention
than that it is rot behind il in dignity and impor
TANGO. The power Of tho epic consists ia the
narrative of real supposed events, and the repre-
sentation Of real, or at least natural, characters;
ard history, in ts noblest examples, is an account
of occurrences, in which great events are COM
memorated, and distinguished men appear as
agents and actors. Epic poetry and the drama
ere but narratives-the former partly, and the
latter wholly. in The form of dialogue; but their
characters and personages are usuay the creations
el The imagination.
Sewers history sometimes assumes the dialogue
or dramatic form, and, without departing from
truth, is embellished by supposed coIloquiss or
reeches, in the production Of that great maeser
titus Liyius, or that greater master still, Thucy-
dides.
Tho drawing Of characters, consistent with 80.
refal truth and fidelity, ia no violation Of hstori-
eel accursCy il is only an illustration or On ofna
mert.
When Llyy ascrbes an appropriate spa'ch to on,
q bis historical perlonagos, it is only as II DO had
portrayed tho same character in language pro
fossedly bis own. Lord Clarendons presentation,
IN his own words, Of the character OF Lord Fak
land one Of tho highest aud most successful efforts
Of personal description hardly different from What
Il would have been, If no had put into the mouth o.
Lord Falkland speech exhibiting tho same quail
sies Of the mind and the heart, the same opinions
and the samo attachments. Homer describes the
a,sicns Of porsonages, which, if not real, are 50
,wagined oa to DO coniofnnhle TO the general cha.
sactsrstics ofmen in the heroic ages. II bis rela
tcn DO not Historically true, il ia such nevestae.
lefs, as, making due allowance for political embel-
.ishments, might have been true. And in Millions
greet epic, which Is so, almost entirely mado up Of
narratives endspeesbcs there ia nothing repugnaas
"a the general conception which wc form Of the
characters Of thofe wloso sentiments and conduct