The Davenport gazette. [volume] (Davenport, Scott Co., Iowa) 1841-185?, 1852-02-12
wEBsTER's REPLY TO HAYEE.

->As~ go
As Mr.. Leu.ze has selected for his la,
and greatest historical painting, the grsnt
est exploit in the military annals Of ou
country, Mr.. Healey has seized for bis d.
but in that lofty branch Of art, one Of th
most memorable forensic displays eve
witnessed in our Congress-when DAME
Webster Of Massachusetts overihrew i
debate Robert Y. Hayne, Of South Carol
ma. II was my lucky lot to hear Webster
famous "Reply," and the animated seen
presented by the Senate on that occasion
is a. fresh on my memory as though il ha
occurred but yesterday. Who that attend
ed them cannot forget that session-tha
debate? Although The public lands form
ed the ostensible subject Of discussion, sl
the party issues and quarrels Of that es
citing era-tbe great questions Of publ
policy and petty points Of psrtizan wal
fare-alke the Tariff and Notification
and the slang, the "cast off slough Of fou
and polluted press" were the heteroge
neous ingredients flung into that seethin,
cauldron, around which for weeks wa
heard such chorus Of eloqnence as ,h
American Senate bad never before cbaunt
ed. Its members we're ranged into Nv
bands Of gladiators. and though severa
welded mere "daggers Of Iathe," ever,
one had a hand 10 the fight. The cham
ber was infected with the cdcoethes loquen
di, and remember how Senator, ths
for ten years had sat silently there, silk
his grandsire, carved in alnbsster," star
tied bis peers and constituents by spirit
cd rejoinder to stray shot hurled at hi
little State. Bat The general conflict set
tied down into single-handed encounte
between Webster and Haype. 1t wa
opened by the Inter, and bis assault wa
deemed irresistible and successful
Young, active, and enthusiastic, with hi
handsome features and blue eye, all a-plov
with intellect, no more captivating speak.
er can be imagined than wns Robert Hayne
The cnuse Of the South was put into his
hands, andthey proved worthy of,he trust
With the warmth ofhis cline and tempera
ment. be plead her wrongs 10 vivid pic
ture Of the evil wrought by what she deem
ed iniquitous legislation. His elocution
and delivery, SO characteristic Of the man
gave force to all he uttered. As bis mnsi
cal but sonorous voice rolled forth each
burning sentence. bis light person swavef
under his emotions. and, with every indig
nant period, rushed from bis desk 10 thu
open area OF the chamber. Nor was there
anything ungracefnl or extrayagant in This
impetuons style Of elocuiion. Alas! thai
be should have suilied the spiendor Of bis
legitimate argumentative weapon, by using
mastery efforts, hurled back upon hin
with fatal effect. But notwithstanding
this unbecoming passage, bis speech
charmed every one, and elated the South
erners into the extravsgan. but natural be
Iiefthst il was unanswerable.
And Daniel Webster was TO reply Il
this speech. The South flung down the
glove, and the North had champion rea
dv to pick it up and "eager for the Fray
Webster was then in his consummats
prime ofinfeIlectual and physical vigor.
shall not soon forget bis appearance at thai
time, Of compact strength and elastic spir.
its. over which new lustrc and happiness
had been recently shed by bis second mar
riagc. In this buoyant elimination d
mental and physical power, it is wei
known that Haynes splendid attack filled
him with
GTae stern Joy that warriors feel
In foemen worthy Of their STEEL"
and made him long for the conflict mex
day, with q sanguine confidence 10 his
ability 10 overwhelm the Southerner.-
What would be boastfnl conceit in ordina-
ry mortaIs, is the irrestrainable utterance
Of conscious power, in which genius may
we'll indulge; great minds often speak IL
homeIy phrase on sublime occasions. ane
as an illustration, was told by friene
who conversed with him the evening pre-.
vious TO bis ..rep!y," that Webster then cx
ultingly declared bis intention to 'cut "
Mr.. Hayne tomorrow, as much finer than
snuff, as snrf is than potatoes" And 10
deed when it came TO the pinch the mex
day, the mincing process was thoroughly
accomplished. What spectacle the Sen
ate then presented! During that session
| believe, was commenced the practice ol
admitting ladies' TO the floor Of the Cham
ber, but during the groat Duel speak Of
they not only filed the lobbies, but inva
ded the very seats Of Senators, and crowd
ed the open area in front Of the Secretary
The expected reply from Webster caused
them TO assemble there in greater numbers
and on that evsn.iul day, Mr.. Calhoun
(then Vice President sat ensrenched be
hind barricade of superbly dressed wo
men, whose bright eSes thus confronted
the body OF Senators, and interposed be
tween the orator and the Chair he was ad
dressing. This gay parterre was fence'
in BY varied group Of members OF ths
House, and all the distinguished civil ant
military functionaries, foreign Ministers
&C., then at Washington; while the galle
riss were crammed with similar displa,
Of elegantly dressed women and bearde'
men. Before such remarkable audienc,
$50 grave and at the same time 50 bril-
liant-I may say, picturesque in its char
acier and appearance, Daniel Webster re
piled to Robert Y. Hayne. It is unneces
sary to comment upon that reply, or des
cribe its effect. Richard had met Ssladir
and the brilliant graceful blade. ofthe Sara
cen went down under the ponderous bal
tIe-axe Of Ceur de Lion! From the fslici
tous imagery of it's prelude to the last so