Richmond daily times. [volume] (Richmond [Va.]) 1850-1853, 1852-11-04
Eloquent Tribute TO Mr. Webster.
SPEECH OF HON. EDWARD EVERETT,
I'm FaDcuiI Hall, Boston.

AT great HeetlnS OF the cltlZens OF DoSIoH,
without distinction of party, in Faneuil Hall,
convened in honor of Mr.. Webster and to take
measures for the erection of monument to his
memory. after the adoption of appropriate
lutions, Mr. Everett spokej as follows
Mr. Mayor and fellow citizens: never arose
to address an assembly when was SO little fit,
body or mind, to perform the duty ; and | never
felt so keenly how inadequate are words to ex-
press such emotion as manifestly pervades this
meeting in common with the whole country
There is but one voice that ever fell upon my ear
which could do justice to such an occasion.-
That voice, aas we shall hear no more forever.
No more at the bar will it unfold tho deepest
mysteries of the law; more will it speak con-
viction to admirng Senates; no in this hall,
the chosen theatre of intellectual dominion, will
it lift the soul as with the swell of the pealing
organ or stirthe blood with the tones Of a clarion
in the Utmost chambers of the heart.
We assembled, fellow citizens to pour out
the fulness of our feelings; not in the vain at
tempt to do honor to the great man who is taken
from us; most assuredy not with the presu mp
tuous hope ON my part to magnify his name and
his praise. They spread throughout the
land. From East to West and from North to
South, (which he know, as he told you, only
that he might embrace them in the arms of loving
patriotism) voice of lamentaton has already
the land since the deathsof him who was first in
war, first in peace, and first in the hearts oil his
| countrymen.
You have listened, fellow citizens, to the res
| olutions which have been submitted to you by
| Col. Heard | thank him for offering them. 1t
does honor to his heart, and to those with whom
| he acts in politics, aud whom have no doubt he
we'll represents, that he has stepped forward so
| literally on this occasion. The resolutions IRE
emphatic, sir, but feel that they do not say too
much. No one will think they overstate the
| magnitude of our loss who is capable of appreci
ating character like that of Daniel Webster
Who of US, fellow citizens, that has known him
that has witnessed the mastery skill with which
he would pour the full effulgence of his mind on
some contested legal and constitutional principle
til what seemed hard and obscure became as plain
as day; who that has seen him in all the glory OF
intellectual ascendancy-
Ride the whirlwind and direct the storm
of parliamentary conflict; who that has drunk of
the pure fountains of wisdom, and thought in the
| volumes of his writings; who, alas sir, that has
seen him
OF social pleasure fIlsoxcnangen s,r psp,ss, s.A 4
that has come within the benignant fascination of
his smile. has felt the pressure of his hand and
tasted the sweets of his freside eloquence, will
think that the resolutions say toe much!
do honor to him, but to do justice to ourselves.
We obey an impulse from within. Such feel
ing cannot be pent up in solitude. We must
meet, neighbor with neighbor, citizen with citi-
zen, man with man, to sympathize with each
| other If we did not, mute Nature would re-
buke us. The granite hills of New Hampshire,
within whose shadow he drew his first breath,
would cry shame; Plymouth Rock, which all
but moved ut his approach the slumbering echoes
| of this hail. which rung SO graudly with his voice;
that 'sient but majestic orator. which rose in
no mean degree at his command on Bunker Hill
ALL all would cry out at our degeneracy and
ingratitude
Mr.. Chairman, do not stand her to pronounce
the eulogy of Mr.. Webster, it is not necessary
Eulogy has already performed her first offices to
his memory. AS the mournful tidings have
flashed through the country. the highest offices of
nation and State, the most dignifed official bodies,
the most prominent individuals, without distinc-
ton of party, the press of the country, the great
voice of the land, all have spoken, and with one
accord of opinion and feeling. and a unanimity
/ that does honor at once to the object of this
| touching attesaton and to those who make it.
The record of his life, from the humble roof be-
meath which he was born, with inheritance
but poverty and an honored name,) UP through the
arduous paths of manhood, which he trod with
lion heart and giant steps, till they conducted him
to the helm of State-this stirring narrative, not
| unfamiliar before, has, with melancholy prompt-
tude, within the last three days, been again sent
abroad through the length and breadth of the
land. 1t has spread from the Atlantic to the Mis-
sissippi. Struggling poverty has been cheered
afresh; honest ambition has been kindled; patriot
| ic resolve has been invigorated, while all have
rnourned.
I The poor boy at the village school has taken
comfort as lie mas read that the time was when
! Daniel Webster, whose father told him he
should 60 to the college if he had to sell every
| acre of his farm topay the expense, laid his
fhead on the shoulder of that fond and discerning
4 parent, and wept the thanks he could not speak.
The pale student who seeks out his scauty support
| by extra toll has gathered cDmfoft, when remind
ed that the first jurist statesman, and orator of
| the time earned with his weary fingers by the
| midnight lamp the means of securing the same
| advantages of education to beloved brother.-
| Every true hearted citizen throughout the Union
/ has felt honest pride as he reperuses the mar
| ratiye, in rejecting that he lives beneath con-
stitution and government under which such
man has been formed and trained, aud that he
| himself is compatriot with him. He does more,
sir; he reflects with gratitude that in consequences
of what that man has done aud written and said
in the result of his efforts to strengthen the
pillars of the Unlon-a safer inheritance of civil
| liberty. stronger assurance that these blessings
will endure, will descend to his children
| know, Mr.. Mayor, how presumptuous it
would be TO dwell Oh any personal causes of grief
in the presence of this august sorrow witch
spreads its dark wings over the land. You will
not, however, be offended, it, by way of apologyl
for putting myself forward on this occasion, l
say that my relations with Mr.. Websterrun fur
ther back than those of almost any one in this
community. They began the first year he came
to live in Boston. When was but ten or eleven
years old | attended little private school in
Short street, Jas it was then cal. ed; it is the