The Davenport gazette. [volume] (Davenport, Scott Co., Iowa) 1841-185?, 1852-07-15
From the New York Times.
DANIEL WEBSTER.

chflstened the elective franchise, aHt
whose first opportunity for its exercise
under tho law, will arrive at the next elec
tion, have called meeting TO present a.
their candidate for President tho mar
whose name precedes this article. 1t il
quite natural that Mr.. Webster should en-
list the enthusiasm Of youth, as well al
bind in captivating chains, the judgment
of age. The young, fresh from colleges
academies, or school, have been accnsiom
ed to declaim bis sonorous and lreghteo
sentences His speeches have been al
element in their education, and his wisdom
has informed their own. Youth, too, more
than age, glorics in The great men Of the
country. Less accustomed to travel 10 the
carl-ruts Of party, il, with noble generos'-
IL, seeks out The highest models, and bends
respectfully before the most splendid en-
iowmen,s. Such gifted men are the inspi.
ration Of the young.
There is probably no name, since those
of Washington and Franklin, more inef-
faceably interwrougbt into the history OF
our country, than ihs, Of Daniel Webster.
However men may differ from him on par
ticular questions-on tariffs or currency
on banks or revennes-all men agree that
no one has lifted the reputation Of the
country so high, for classic eloqnence and
great thoughts. He has brought TO the
service of the country the most stupendous
in,elec, il has ever produced. And when
the time comes-which we hope may yet
be distant-for tho termination of his
earthly career, we believe it will be grant
ed by foes, as well as claimed by friends.
tha, the very strongest and greatest man
Of the age will have departed from the
world. His name will be tower o.
strength to which every American will
point with just pride, in argument for
American intellect When political ami
mostly shall have died away, and rust gath
cred on the sword Of party vindietiveness,
we believe that the Americans. North and
South, Eost and West, young aud old,
Wings and Democrats, or of whatever faith
Or creed, will agree in installing Webster
in the very highest intellectual sea, Of
America.
For real mental muscle. we think Mr..
Webster must be regarded as the greatest
living man. Many may transcend him in
particular departments; none. we think,
can equal him in all. Humboldt may grasp
a more miuute aud extensive eeogrs phical
Ior scientific Wellington OF
Scot; excel him in military skill! -Kossuth
10 versatiity--Clay in impassioned and
spontaneous defamation and Calhoun,
when living, NAV have welded keener
me,sphy sicnl scimetar; aud go, perhaps,
We might run through catalogue Of the
mpst illustriurs men a the age; but in Q
.cale Of mental measurement, where The
Intellect stands up full, perfect, proportion
ed, and developed stature, Wobstor towers
bove auv other man who now treads the
globe.
1t has qeen the good fortune of Mr.. Web
| 4ier, moro than that of most statesmen, TO
record the evidence Of his transcendan'
powers. Hi. speeches, in their ponderous
msssiveuess, are of the classics Of the Ian.
plage. AS such they will ever remain
| They are as durable as the Constilrtnn--
- the couniry-as the language They
| re immortal.
In hearing Webster, We are impressed
with The conviction that he is not aroused
to the fnliness Of his power. There seems
eways behind unmeasnrea capahilty. -
The plummet never touches the depths ol
his mind. They are beyond soundings
In his migh,iest efforts the hearer feels
that if the occasion were however greater,
there ia latent capacity in the orator 10
meet il; that, if need should be, he could
rise still higher, and pouri ou, bis resist
ess argument in compscted sentences OF
vet greater power. The colossal grandeur
and supremacy of the great harmonious
mind of Webster are bodied forth in head
OF uneqnaled fullness and preponderance.
II is battery Of though.--the symmetry
of whose external proportions makes il a
model of the finest and most intellectual ot
the Caucasian race. Thorwaldsen, the
Swedish sculptor, after passing in review
the heads of the most eminent men in Ei-
rope, and the long list Of antiques, as hc
approached the marble sembIance of Web
ster, ins,inclively bonding before il, pro-
nouneed il the grandest specimen he had
ever seen. Nature has inscribed great.
ucss upon him in her mos, imposing char
acters. His erect and brswny form, his
clarion voice, his large and lustrous eyes
and massive, over-hangog brain, proclaim
one on whom
"Eyery God did seem 10 set his ssel,
/ To give the world assurance of man"
| II is extraordinary that Webster shoult
have maintained his health and ability 4
think. speak and work, amid such protract
cd and gigantic labors. Seventy.two years
weigh heavily upon even those OF the har
dest Of our race, who are permitted Il
reach tha, period, and whose labors ma,
be most favorable TO health and longevity
But when wo reflec, how much Mr.. Web
ster has accomplished--a professional stu
DIV and practice of itself Sufficient TO hre al
down sturdy consti,ution--six volumes
Of the ablest speeches iha. ever glanced
from human tongues life Of Official ton
as legislator and Secretary Of State--ih'
excitement OF personal homage such MS hs'
been rarely rendered TO mortaI--the vas
concerns of his own private business--an'
The constant excogitation, the working o
hs, mind, which, in its wear aud tear, re
4 1ures machinery of superior texture ant
| ,n,,or .rl ,ve sra amaged that even hi