Semi-weekly North-Carolina standard. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1852-1853, 1852-11-03
GEN. P1ERCEs SPEECH,

CEN. HlEhCEO SHEECd.
At Concord, New Hampshire, on Monday 10
o'clock, most of the stores and offices were closed
and business generally suspended. A meeting
was soon after held in the Representatives Hall,
which crowded full of citizens, a large number
of ladies being present. Hon. Ira Perley was cho-
sen Chairman, and DIR. Parker Secretary. An ap-
propriate series of resolutions were reported and
unanimously adopted. The Chairman, after the
resolutions had been read, called upon Gen. Pierce
to address the meeting. The crowded hall became
still death as Gen. Pierce rose to comply and
with deep emotion, which at times almost over
came him, and in calm and impressive manner
suited to the occasion, he spoke as follows:
MIR. Chairman: How deeply have all hearts been
impressed by the fervent appeal to that Power in
which fathers put their trust the hour of their
preston been enhanced by the last words of the truly
great man, just read by Rev. DR.. Bouton.
Bat few weeks have passed since deep gloom
cast country, by the death of the great
statesman of the West. 1t had long been under
stood that this light Pickering in its socket and
must soon 60 out. Still, the announcement, when it
came, was laden with sadness; and we have all since
then been disposed to look with affection and
more glowing gratitude his great compeer and as
sociate, the intelligence of whose sudden decease
will fall like funeral pail upon the public mind
throughout that Union to which he gave his best af.
fections and nobest efforts.
] had met Mr.. Webster repeatedly prior to 1888,
but my personal acquaintance with him may be said
to have have commenced with my first winter at
Washington. His attachment to our State was sim
gularly strong, and this circumstance perhaps led to
series of kind and courtesies towards me, dur
ing the session of 1884, and aterward, the CRATE
full recollection of which will never be. efaced.
mourn for him for friend for whose personal re-
gard my own heart has given back true and full re-
Spouse. .
Among eminent citizens of commanding power
and influence while was in the Senate, he stood
perhaps prominent In his ricn combination OF quail.
tiles as an orator. lawyer and statesman, II may be
safely said he had rival. How forcibly and sadly
are we reminded of the great men with whom he
was associated in the Senate chamber, and who pre-
ceded him in his transit through the dark valley "
White, Grundy, Forsyth, Southland, Wall, Linn, Sc
vier, Sas Wright, Hill, Woodbury., Calhoun, Clay
men who left their impress upon the age-names
indissolubly connected with the lame and history Of
their country all like him, whose death we are now
called upon deplore links in the chain which
bound the past generation to the presents and all like
him are now on the other side of that narrow line
which divides time from eternity. Upon whom
have their mantles fallen Who to take their pla
ces in the perils through which our country may be
called TO pass? Who, with patriotic courage and
statesmanike forecast to guide In the storms thai
will, at times, inevitably threaten US, in our unex
ampled development Of resources nation, our al.
most fearful progress our position OF amazing res
possibility as the great confederated, self-governng
power of the globel These questions which
will press themselves upon all minds but who, alas
can satisfactorily answer them
To speak of Mr.. Webster's genius, his varied and
solid attainments his services, would be TO discourse
of matters familiar, even to the children OF his
native State, household words. Besides this must
be left to vigorous pens and eloquent tongues, after
the first gush of grief and the oppressive sense of
loss, shall 10 some extent have passed away. 1t IS,
and long has been, my firm conviction that Mr.. web
ster had hold upon the minds and hearts OF his
countrymen, which will fail 10 be justly estimated,
only because there has been full opportunity to
measure it, You, Mr.. Chairman, have truly said
that Mr. Websters greatness was OF that rare char
acter which earthly position could eXait. lie
official stations, as he approached all subjects
presented mind their superior and their mas
ter. He has reared for himself vast pillar OF re-
nown, which will stand in undiminished strength and
grandeur, when the works of mems hands erected to
his honor will be like Nineveh and, fear, when
this Union may have shared the fate which was the
dread of his latter years. few years ago, when
the distinguished brother of The deceased was called
in instant from time to eternity, In the Courtroom
in this place, with the words OF perfect sentence
lingering upon his lips, another citizen, most eminent
and beloved, (the lamented George Sullivan,) ex-
claimed, Is w hat shadows are what shadows we
pursue!'' How these emphatic words come back to
us here as if by an echo. How mere earthly honors
and distinctions fade amid gloom like this; how
political asperities chastened what lesson to
The living What admontion to personal malevo-
lence now awed and subdued. as the great heart of
the nation throbs heavily the portals of his grave
have no heart to speak, or to contemplate the ex-
tent of the loss we have sustained. AS personal
friend-as a son of New HamPshire-as an Amerl-
can citizen, shall be, with thousands, sincere
mourner at his obsequies."