The daily dispatch. [volume] (Richmond [Va.]) 1850-1884, 1852-10-28

| Rosrd;ng. Houses were literally packed, ana
thew all disgorged their contents into the SEN
ATE Chamber. The crowd was so dense That It
could neither move backwards nor forwards in
the galleries and Hobbies. Dixon H. Lewis,
who weighed FIVE hundred, became wedged in,
| on the floor of the Senate, at the back of the
Presidents Chair, so closely, that he was in
danger of being suffocated, for he could move
in no direction. BY tint of hard scuffiing, he
a, length reached one of the windows that flank
the Presidents Chair, and making hole in il
with his knife, obtained enough fresh air to
keep him alive. The floor of the Senate was
crowded with ladies', whose gay dresses threw
an air OF extreme hrilliancy over the scene
Everybody was more anxious than MIR. Web
ster himself. From the first he had manifested
the utmost calmness under the infection OF
| Col. Hayne. A gentleman, who visited him
the night before, found him lying on sofa-
The conversation having tagged, and silence
ensuing, il was broken by peal OF laughter
| from MIR. Webster. When asked what he was
laug hing about, he said, Il am thinking OF
what Hayne said about Banquo's ghost, AMI |
| am going to get up and make note about it,
| Our readers doubtless recollect with what
skill he turned this battery of Haynes upon
himself.
AS it is always gratifying to curiosity to
know how great man looks upon great occa-
sions, we subjoin the following description OF
Dir. Webster on that day. 1t is taken from
| March's life of the great statesman.
The personal appearance of Mr.. Webster has
been theme of frequent discussion. He was,
al the time this speech was delivered, twenty
years younger than now. Time had not thin
| ned nor bleached his hair; il was as dark as
the ravens plumage, surrounding his massive
orow in ample folds: His eyes, always dark
and deep set, enkindled by some glowing
| thought, shone from beneath his somhre, over.
hanging brow like lights. in the blackness of
night, from sepulchre. 1t was such coun-
| tenance as Salvador Rosa delighted to paint.
No one understood, or understands, better
than Mr.. Webster the philosophy of dress {:
what powerful auxiliary it is TO speech and
manner, when harmonizing with them. On
| this occasion he appeared in blue coat and
buff yest-the Revolutionary colors of buff and
blue-with a white cravat-a costume, than
which none is more becoming to his face and
expression. This courtly particularly ofdress
adds no little TO the influence of his manner
and appearance.
We have not room here to insert even so
much as an extract from this wonderful ora
ton. Its effect was overwhelming, and it has
ever since been esteemed the masterpiece of
American oratory. On the night of its deli
very MIR. Webster attended the Presidents le-
wee. In the eager excitement of the moment,
the President was left nearly alone. All flock
ed to the East Room to see the lion of the day
friends to offer their OBSERVATION-DISCLOSURES
gers TO crafty their curiosity. Among the
first to congratulate him was Col. Hayne him.
self Upon approaching, Mr.. w. said "how
are you tonight, Hayne?" at the same time
extending his hand. "None the better for
you, SIR said Hayne, with smile, at the
same time seizing his hand, shaking it warmly.
and congratulating him upon his great effort.
There seems never to have been the least i'll
feeling between these two extraordinary men,
Each entertained the most sincere admiration
of the others talents. At the time of this great
debate, Col. Hayne was the youngest member
of the Senate, and considering his years, his
effort was almost miracle. He replied next
day in speech of about half an hour, the sub
dued tone OF which evidently showed that he
was conscious of having encountered more
than his match. MIR. Webster rejoined in
short speech, which is altogether without pa
rallel, so far as strong argument and logical
deduction are concerned. The debate dragged
on for four months, but the champions spoke no
more. Mr.. March observes that the brief of
Mr.. Webster, in his great speech, did not cover
one side of sheet of paper, and he had taken
absolutely no notes on the constitutional por-
ton Of his argument, by far the most impor
tant of any. When we recollect that the great
est orators who have ever lived have carefully
elaborated their speeches, and that Demos
themes, Cicero, Burke, Pitt, Canning and even
Sheridan, bestowed immense labor in prepare
ton, we cannot bat admire the readiness of his
understanding. Doubtless, however, deep re-
Election upon these important matters had long
been familiar to him. He certainly had them
at his fingers ends.
MIR. Webster's next great triumph was TO-
rensic, not parliamentary. Joseph White, an
aged and enormously rich inhabtant of Salem,
Massachusetts, was found murdered in his bed
on the morning of the 9TH Of April, 1880. The
public mind was fearfully agitated by the &C.
currence. A few weeks after the occurrence,
Richard Crowningshield, and his brother
George, together with Joseph Jenkins Knapp,
and his brother John Francis Knapp, were ar
rested on a charge of having perpetrated the
murdes and committed for trial. Richard
Crowningsbield, the actual murderer, hearing
that Joseph J. Knapp had turned States evi.
dence, and made full confession, committed
suicide. john Francis Knapp, who had been
seen during the night, and recognised in the
neighborhood, apparently keeping watch, was
indicted as principal. Joseph J. Knapp, then
refused to be States evidence. The ingenuity
with which Mr.. Webster put all the circum-
stances together, and brought them to bear with