The daily union. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1845-1857, 1852-10-26
Death OF Daniel webster.


throughout country and the world. He died at
an advanced age-in the seventy first year OF his life
and in the full possession OF his faculties.
Mr. Webster was unquesonably the greatest orator n|
the world when lie died. His superiority in the school
which he had made his own. was unconlested. He was
an orator, much in the graces OF as
in those copous resources with which he fortified and
adorned his speeches His style at once solid and
sublime. There is depth Of thought in his writings
and in his speeches, elevation OF tone in the language
in which he clothes his ideas. and grandeur in his
illustrations that will command admiration through
all coming time He seemed 10 have taken for his
model the poetry OF Milton. There is a stately but
harmonious dignity, a gorgeous style OF imagery, and
IA deep and music in the productions oil Web
ster, that remind forcbly of the rich and MASSIVE
verse OF the immortal bard AT the bar, as well in the
Senate Mr. Webster conessedy the head Of all others
liz the great qualities which he so abundan,y possessed
lie less thorough lawyer than he resist
less advocate, but he exceed in the OF the
national legislature. That the OF his greatest
|triumphs. VIVA, he said there will live long the
language, and in the future generations OF men
Twill profit by the great ideas he uttered the great prnci-
plies he defended opposed and the example he left TO
poserily OF his unvalled powers in every field OF intel
Ilectual controversy.
Mr. Webster, throughout his life, belonged TO the wing
|or federal party But although some OF his greatest Ell
forts called nj in opposition to the antagonists OF
THAT party than occasion he gave his best
energies TO the of his country. 1t these
casons that he laid broad and the foundations of
ldeathless renown II was on these occasions that he
seemed 10 glow with inspiration 1t these
sons that he gave mankind The nobss aud The grand
es, creations of his intellect The poet may laud this
part OF his history the skies the painters art may
haus itself in trying preserve The lineaments of the
great orator these moments but his best title 10 The
gratitude of his country and his hold upon fu
lture admiration and reverence founded in The works
themselves, which, in all The splendor OF eloquence in
Jail The majesty OF patriotism, and in all the solidy OF
|truib will remain like the eternal hills, enduring
|umenis TO his memory.
SRf P aSMS fAhans e, ss ia re as dq a
|ol the old masters. His oraons at the laying OF the
corner stone, and the completion OF the Bunker Hill
monument; his reply 10 Mr Hayue; his speech al the
New York dinner; his discourse on tho characters oil
Thomas Jefferson and John Adams-these will survive
20 tae latest period Of ms in all the grandeur and sym
metry OF their proportions.
The life Of such as Daniel Webster is history
|o bis country. lie was coemporaneous with some OF
he greatest and many OF the greatest men OF the
asst fifty years. His education commenced almost at the
moment that the constitution went into being, and from
hat period down TO tie present he has been actor
in many Of the most important scenes in the pro.
gress OF the repnbc. When such a man lives,
THE space he fills is large and the influence he wields
Us commanding. lie leads masses Of men by his ge
nius, and he may make and unmake a great party
When he dies il is like botting star from the heavens
WE feel his loss the more sensiby as il is loss which,
cannot be supplied
Mr. Webster emphatically al the head OF lhe
wing party than any other but Henry Clay. lie was
early attached the federal party and he adhered 10 III
with ardor after Il had assumed another name. But NJ
Webster survived the affections OF his party. lie lived
long enough 10 realize ts heartlessness and lis In
gratitude. BE saw Il flourish under the prestige
Of bis master intellect, and succeed under the bold
leadership Of Clay; and be was proud Of H. But
when the fate Of Clay made manifest 10 the world
when that great champion was thrown aside for the
glitter Of an availability tina, never could have beenl
triumphant II the wing party had not been made strong
BY his brilliant leadershp-ihen Mr. Webster must have
Ie bat MS own lae was lOfeshadowed and That hlsl
own doom was written Presented to the very last Whr
National Convention, he called upon 10 undergo n
his own person The final and severe trial He saw lhe
party TO which be dedicated the best years of bis life
whose pathway The steady golden radiance Of his genus
bad more Than once lighted TO vicory-tmmplnS bis us
aspirations under foot and, The one hand sacrificing
bis friends and himself for their heroic stand IN fayor
OF the Union; while, on the other hand, they ele.
waited The candidate Of the foes OF that Union at the
same lime dealing in professions OF regard for the very
principles they had just before tried destroy His proud
spirit sank before this spectacle Of neglect and Of in
gratitude. The whole past rushed upon his mind HsI
principles all came back upon him TO torture the even.
ing Of his life, and 10 poison the years he then believed
10 be in store for him. But, alas he calculated tool
confidently upon his powers Of endurance To fail
Tor his principles not to dishonor himself bat toll
fail under the blows OF those who have been made great
by his devotion 10 wing doctrines, who had many oil
HEN, obtained Office and power in his name-hs was al
late for which all his former dsappoinlments, and all
he outrages heaped upon Henry Clay. had not pre-.
pared him He fell wounded by the daggers OF those who
lad fawned upon and Gaered him who had called him
godke," and made him the idol OF their prayers and
heir praise Well may we say Of this sad sequel OF hs
life, in the language OF the poet
"'rwas thine friends who gave the fatal blow
And helped 10 plant the wound that laid thee low
50 the struck eagle stretched upon the plain,
No through rolling clouds TO soar again