The republic. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1849-1853, 1852-12-16
The sen.te,s Tribute 10 Mr.. web.ter.

the resolutions offered in memoryof Dir. WEEsTEz,
and which were omitted yesterday because they
had not been furnished for this paper:
At the conclusion of the remarks of Senator
DAVIS ......
Mr.. BUrLEa sald Mr.. President, this is an
occasion full ofinteresng but melu ncboly assoiia
tons, and one that especially appeals TO my feel
ings and sense of jus,ice-I might almost say
historical jostice--as representative OF South Caro-
lima. Who that were present can ever forget the
mourniul and imposing occasion. when Daniel
Webster, whose eloquence and ability had given
distinction to the greatest telihcrntiye assembly
and the most august tribunal OF justice in this
great Confederacy; and wht Henry Clay, name
associated with all that ia daring in action and
splendid in eloquence, roSe witnesses before the
tribunal Of history, and gave their testimony TO
the character and services OF their iuatrous
peer John Caldwell Calhoun? They e,nbamed in
historical mortality their rival, associate, and
coinrade.
would that could borrow from the spirit Of
my great couniryman something Of its justice and
magnanimity, that might make some requtal
for the distinguished tributes paid TO his memory
by his illustrious compeers.
Such an occasion as the one have referred to ia
without parallel in the history of this Senate and
sir, fear that there is future for such another
one Calhoun, Clay, and Webster, like Pitt, Fox,
and Burke, have made picture our history
that will be looked upon its culIninatipg spen-
dor. They were luminaries that. in many points
| of view, essentially differed from each other,
one differeth from another but they were all
stars of the first magnitude. Defiance cannot do
sroy, nor can time diminish, the simple splendor
Of their light for the guidance and instruction Of
| admring posterity. ...|..
Rivals they on a great and eve ntful theatre
of political life; but death has given them a
mon fame. Their contest in life for the awards
of public opinion, the great lever in modern dimes
by which nations are to be Influenced
"With more than mortal powers endowed,
How high they scared above the crowd!
Theirs was no common party race,
Jostiing by dark intrigue for place:
Like tabled code, their mighty
Shook Realms and Nations in its jar!''
Before became member Of the Senate, of
which found Mr.. Webster distinguished orna-
nlent. had formed very high estimate of his
abilities, and from various sources of high author
ity. His mind, remarkable for its large capacity,
was enriched with rare endowments-with the
knowledge Of a statesman, the learning OF jurist,
and the attachments of scholar. In this Chamber,
with unsurpassed ability, Mr. Webster has dis
cussed the greatest subjects that have can iniiu.
ence the destinies of this great Confederacy.
Well may apply to him the striking remark
which he bestowed on Mr.. Calhoun: "We saw be-
| fore us Senator of Rome, when Rome survived"
haze always regarded Mr.. Webster as noble
model of a parliamentary debster. His genial
temper; the courtesy and dignity of his deport-
ment; his profoun knowledge Of his subject, and
his thorough preparation, gave him a great com
msnd, notonly over his immediate audience, but
| gave his mastery speeches impressive influ-
enoe over public opinion.
| In the Supreme Court, Mr.. Webster was
gagged in the greatest cases that's ever decided
| j
assert that his arguments formed the basis Of some
| Of the ablest judgments of that Court His exu-
berant but rcctfed imagination and brilliant lite
rary attanments impair ted to his eoquence beauty,
simplicity, and majesty, and the finish of taste and
| elaboration He seemed to prefer the more debu
| alive style of speaking; but when reused and as
| sailed he became formidable adversary in the
war of debate, dischargng from his full culver the
| arrows OF sarcasm andinvectiye with telling effect.
Mr.. Webster was born in forest, and in his
childhood and youth lived amid the scenes OF rural
l md w mr. .nI< thpyrIn amir nn in
| 1uence that he imbibed that love of nature which
| has given such charm and touching pathos to
some of his medtated productions. 1t always
struck me that he had something of Burnss
! ture but controlled by the discipline Of higher
| degree of education. Lifted above the ordinary
| level of mankind by his genius and various intel
| sive horizon than could be seen by those below
| him. He had too much information from his va
rious intercourse with great men, and his acquaint
ance with the opinions of all ages through the me-
dunn of books, to allow the spirit of bigotry to
| have place in his mind. have many reasons to
| conclude that he was not only tolerant Of the
| opinions of others, but even generous in his
judgments towards them. will conclude by say
| ing that New En- gland especially, and the Confed
eracy at large, hnve cause to be proud of the fame
| of such n man. L--s.E.,e
Messrs CAss and SEWARD having also paid
their tribute to the virtues of the deceased states
man
Mr.. STOCKTON said: Mr. President, ] came to
| this city only this morning, and to the Senate
Chamber wholly unappr;zed in relation to the pre-
sent solemn and interesting proceedings II would
! therefore not become me, the solemnity and
grandeur of the occasion, to miDgle, so entirely
unprepared as needs must be, my voice with the
eloquent voice Of lament alton which has this
ing done honor to the Senate, fer any other pur-
pose than simply and briefly TO exprees my grief,
my sorrow--ay, sir, my heartfelt, pervading
| row-when heard that Daniel Webster was dead.
Senators, have known and loved Daniel Web
ster for thirty yesrs. What wonder, then, should
! sorrow? But now that on my feet. and the
| Senate, who knew and loved him too, my list
| eners, how am to express that sorrow? cannot
60 it; it cannot be dono language ia too poor.
| O, sir, all words, in moments like these when
grief love ia to be expressed cold and frigid.
event that Daniel Webster is really dead; that he
does not "stII HUe." i did hope that God, who has
watched over THE Republic, who do all things,
who hung the earth upon nothing, who so endowed
| the mind of Daniel Webster, would have still
longer upheld its frail tenement, and kept him
an example, not only to men, but to the
men Of the whole world. Indeed, il is no figure of
speech when we say that his fame was 'world
| wide.'' ........
But. Senators, rice TO pronounce no euogy on
him. am up for no such vain purpose come
| with no ceremony; but come 10 the portals of his
grave stricken with sadness; and here, before the
| assembled Senate-ayc, sir, in the presence of
friends well ne Senators, because, whether they
be of this side of the Chamber he other side of he
Chamber, hope am entitled to call every Sena tor
| my friend--to minglc my grief with the grief of
those around me. rice here with no hope OF add
ing one gravel stone to the colossal column he has
! erected for himself; but come only to hang
| garland Of friendship the bier Of one Of the
| greatest and best men ever knew. s
! Senators, you have known Mr.. Webster in his
public character, as statesman of almost intui.
tive perceptions, lawyer OF unsurpassed learn
ing and ability, as ripe and general echoar. But
ii vas my happiness to know him O man in the
seciueon OF private life, and in the performance of
sacred domestic duties, md of reciprocal friend
| chip. ! say here in this presence, and as far
| my poor voice may reach that he was remarkable
for all those attributes that constitute noble, a
generous. hospitable. high minded. courageous
man. Sir, as far as n1yrcseafthcB into the history
OF the world have gone they have frled to furnish
his superior; not even on the records Of ancient
Greece, or Rome, or any other nation, ia TO be
| found a man OF superior Endorsements to our own
| Webster.
| Mr. President, in private life Mr.. Webster
! generous to a fault in public life his whole mind
wos absorbed in his 'country, bis whole country,
and nothing but hs country Sir, one net Of his,