The Middlebury register. [volume] (Middlebury, Vt.) 1850-1882, 1852-11-03

ms ult to our flag, perpctrated in the wa
ters of Nicaragua, by III. b NJ. brig
Express, which Vessel fred into the
Promotions, and had the satisfaction of
receiving an ample apology from Brit
ain.
But " standard-bcarer has faintea,"
and the nation bows its head in sadness
too oppressive for words.-It will be
long before men look upon his equal
his superior the present generation will
not sec. Warriors have led armies ito
victory; Mr.. Webster lifted this Union
into an equality of moral power and in
fuence with the proudest nations Of the
Garth. Many men have done patriotic
deeds Mr.. Webster's career was life
of patriotism, a continuous efflux of ma
tionality. Each country has had its
statesmen, who have achieved occasional
brilliant successes in diplomacy; Mr..
Webster was by mental constitution d
statesman and diplomatist his country
leaned upon him with confidence that
knew not the shadow of distrust and
now that he has gone from us, we fall
back upon his memory as that of one
whom nation delighted to honor, and
who, in an extraordinary degree; meri-
ted all the honors he received.
OF Mr. Webster's personal character
we should scarcely presume to speak.
One of the conductors of this journal,
however, looking back through long
years of public life, can recall many
pleasant and friendly interviews with
the deceased, the memory of which is
fragrant. We have talked with him in
the privacy of his own house have met
him in the social circle, when visiting his
friends, and may be permitted some
"reminiscences.
Mr.. Webster, we believe, was not, al
the time of his death, member Of any
religious denomination. In the early
part of his life he was in connexon with
the Presbyterian Church. We know
that he had high regard for a public pro
fcsslon of religion in others, and rejoiced
when such showed their fidelity to thcii
profession by corresponding life.
Some years ago we had the pleasure
of spending several days in company
with Mr.. Webster, at the residence of a
mutual friend, Harvey Ely, Esq, al
Rochester. During that intercourse We
had more than one opportunity of con
vcrsing on religious subjects, sometimes
on doctrinal points, but more generally
on the Importance of the Holy Scrip
lures as containing the plan of man.
salvation through the atonement Of
Christ So far us our knowledge of til,
subject extends, Mr. Webster was as or
thodox as any man We ever conversed
with
On one occasion, when seated in til,
drawingroom with Mr. and Mrs. Ely
MIR. Webster laid his hand on copy o
the Scriptures, saying with great empha
sis, Z" THIS is tie Book r' This led to
conversation on the importance Of th
Scriptures. and the. too frequent neglec
of the study of the Bible by gentlemen
of the legal profession, their pursuits il
life leading them to the almost exclusiv
study of works having reference to thei
profession Mr.. Webster said, " hav
read through the entire Bible man
times, now make practice to 6
through it once year. 1t is the boo
of all others for lawyers as well as fo
divines and pity the man that canno
find in it rich supply of thought, anC
of rules for his conduct it fits man 70
life-it prepares him for deathp
The conversation then turned upo
sudden deaths and Mr.. Webster ad
verted to the then recent death of hi
brother, who expired suddenly at Con
cord, n III. " My brother" he contiu
ucd, = knew the Importance of Bibl
truths. The Bible led him to prayer
and prayer was his communion with Goo
On the day on which he died he wa
engaged in an important cause in til
Court then in session, But this cause
important as it was, did not keep hir
from his duty to his God +; he foun,
time for prayer, for on the desk whicl
he had just left was found a prayer writ
ten by him on that day, which, for fel
vent piety, devotedness to his heaven
ly Master, and for expressions of humil
ity. think was never excelled. II
Mr.. Webster then mentioned the sat
isfaction he had derived from the preach
ing of certain clergymcn, observing tha
:. men were so constituted that we coul
not all expect the same spiritual benet
under the ministry of the same clergy
man" lie regretted that there was no
more harmony of feeling among profes
sors generally, who believed in the grea
truths of our common Christianity
Difference of opinion, he admitted, wa
proper but yet with that difference, tn
main objects should be love to God
love to our fellow creatures. In all Nh
Webster's conversations he maintaine'
true catholicity of feeling.
This brief sketch of Mr.. Webster's re
ligious views we give from memory; W
know that it is correct in substance, 70
his remarks made an impression upo
our mind that cannot be effaeed
OF his public character, ana of tn
loss the country suffers by his death
who shall speak in adequate terms
Master minds, like that of his friend Nh
Everett, have partially analyzed tn
wonderful attributes of his great mind
and have paid jnst and glowing tribut
to his craftsmanship, his diplomacy, hi
nationality, his patriotism and w
hesitate to indulge in the expression o
opinions and sentiments which they hay,
SO nobly uttered Yet no less sincerel,
than they do we admire his greatness
venerate his memory, and mourn his loss
| Well may the people mourn; and forget
ting all differences of opinion or Of poll
cy, weep that Daniel Webster IS dead
That is burden of grief heavy enougl