Weekly national intelligencer. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1841-1869, 1852-11-06
ADDRESS OF GEN PIERCE ON THE DEATH OF
Mr.. WEBSTER


At Concord, New Hampshire, on Monday, week,
business was suspended and the stores closed on
the announcement of the death of Mr. WEBSTER
and teSn meeting was held in the Hall Of Rep
resentatiyes, which was crowded with citizens, in
Guiding large number Of ladies. The Boston Post
says that the chairman, Hon. Ira PERLEY, after
appropriate resolutions of respect to Mr.. WEBSTER
had been read, called upon General PIERCE to ad-
dress the meeting. The crowded hall became as
still as death as Gen. PIERCE rose to comply, and
with deep emotion, which at times almost oyercame
him, and IN calm and impressive manner suited to
the occasion, he spoke as follows:
Mr. CHAIRMAN: How deeply have all hearts been i'm
pressed by the feryent appeal to that Power which our
fathers put their trust in the hour Of their weakness and
trials? And how has that solemn impression been en-
HANGED by the last words of the truly man. Just read
by the Rev. Dr. BoUToS?
But few weeks have passed since q deep gloom was
country by the death of the great
man of the West 1t had long been understood that this
light was Pickering in its socket and must 20 out
Still the announcement when it came laden with
sadness; and have all since then been disposed
look with warmer affection and more glowing gratitude
his great compeer and associate the intelligence Of
whose sudden decease viii fall like funeral pail upon
the public mind throughout that Union which he gave
his best affections and noblest efforts. IIa
had met Mr. Webster repeatedly prior to 1888, but
my personal acquaintance with him may be said TO have
commenced with my first winter at Washington. His at
tachment to State snguary strong and this cir
cumstance perhaps led TO series of kind acts and cour
teses toward during the sessions Of 1884 and after
ward the grateful recollection of which will never be
efaced. mourn for him for friend for whose per-
sonal regard my heart has given back true and full
| response t
Among eminent citizens Of commanding power and in
huence while in the Senate he STOOD perhaps pre-
eminent In his rich combination of qualities ora
tor, lawyer and statesman it may be safely said he had
rival How forciby and sadly reminded of the
great men with whom he associated in the Senate
chamber, and who preceded him in his transit through
the dark valley White, Grundy, Forsyth Southland,
4 Wall. Linn SEWER silas wright Ill., Woodbury. Cal
houn, Claymen who left their impress upon the age
names indssouby connected with the fame and history
of their country; ALL like him whose death
called upon to deplore, links in the chain which
bound the past generation to the present and ALL like
him. the other side of that narrow line which
divides time from eternity.
Upon whom have their mantles fallen? Who are to
take their places in the per through which country
may be called pass Who with patriotic courage and
statesmanke forecast to guide in the storms that
will at times inevitably threaten us, in unexamped
development Of resources nation almost fearful
progress our position of amazing responsibility the
great confederated efgoverning power Of the globe
These are questions which will press themselves upon all
minds; but who alas can satisfactorily answer them
To speak Of Mr.. Websters genius his varied and solid
aainmens his services would be to discourse of mat
tiers as familiar to the children of his native State
household words Besides this must be left TO vgor
GUS pens and eloquent tongues after the first gush Of
grief and the oppressive of loss SHALL to
tent, have passed away. 1t is and long has BEEN my
firm conviction that Mr.. Webster had hold upon the
minds and hearts Of his countymen which will fail to be
justly estimated only because there has been full op
portunty to it. You Mr. Chairman, have truly
said that Mr. Websters greatness Of that char
acter which earthly position could exalt He came to
official stations he approached all subjects presented
to his mind their superior and their master He has
reared for himself vast pillar of renown, which will
stand in undimnished strength and grandeur when the
work Of mems hands, erected to his honor viii be like
Nineveh and, fear, when this Union may have shared
the fate which the dread of his later years few
ago. when the distinguished brother ofthe deceased
called in instant from time to eternity, in the
courtroom in this place. with the last word Of perfect
sentence lingering upon his lips another citizen,
eminent and beloved 1.-THE late lamented George Su-
van,) exclaimed, "What shadows we are-what shadows
we pursue!" How these emphatic words come back to
us here, as if by echo How earthly honors and
distinctions fade amid gloom like this; how political
aspertes are chastened; what lesson to the living
what an admonition to personal malevoence now awed
and subdued as the great heart Of the nation throbs
| heavily at the portals of his grave.
have no heart to speak, to contemplate the extent
of the loss have sustained As personal friend
| son of New Hampshire, American citizen, shall
be- with thousands sincere mourner at his obseques.