The daily union., 1852-12-15


he contrary, content with performing all practical du
lies even in affairs in the best possible manner
and he never ehafed under petty restraints from those
above malicious annoyanees from those around him
II ever any had intellectual superiority which could
have excused want of Difference 10 human authori-
~ or skepucism concerning that which was divine. lie
was such one. Yet he was, nevertheless, unassuming
ana courteous, here and elsewhere in the public coun-
ellis; and there was, think, never time in his life
when he was not an unquesoning believer in that rel-
gon which offers TO the meek the inheritance OF the
heavenly kingdom.
Daniel Websiers mind was not subtle. but il was
clear II was SURPRISINGLY logical in the exercise Of in.
ducon, and equally vigorous and majestc in all its
moyements-and yet he possessed an Imagination so
ong that II had been combined with even moderated
enthusiasm OF temper, would have overturned the excel
lent balance OF his powers
The civilian rises in this, in other republics by the
practice OF eoqnence, and Daniel Webster became an
oralor--lhe hrst oi orators
Whatever else concerning him has been controyerted
BY anybody, the iiiy thousand lawyers oil the United
Slates interested to deny his preensions. conceded TO
him unapproaehable supremacy at The bar How did
be win that high placer Where others studied laboIi.
ossy, he media,ed intensely, Where Others appealed
to the pejudces and passions OF courts and lres he ad
dressed only their understandings. Where others lost
themselves among the streams he assembled TO the foun-
tain. While they sought The rules OF law among con-
hictng pecedenis, he found them in the eternal princi
pies OF reason and justice
But il is concediDg too much TO the legal profession TO
call Daniel Webster a lawyer Lawyers speak for
clients and their nterestshe seemed always TO be speak
mo for hs country and for truth. So he impecep
bv above his profession and while yet in the FORUM
NE stood before the world pubcisl In this felicity he
resembed while he sed Eskinc, who taught the
courts at Westminster The law OF moral responsibility !
aol he approached Hamilton who educated the courts al
washington in the constitution of their country and the
philosophy oil government
An undlsnguishable line divides this high province OF
The forum from the Senate TO which his philosophy and
eoqueuce were perfectly adapted Here, in times OF
stormy agitation and bewildering excitement, when
vpt the Union of these States seemed not 10 have been
cemented and consolidated and lis dissolution seemed
hang il not on the immediate result OF the debate, al
least upon the popular passion that that result must gem
crate. Daniel Webster put forth his mlghtest Efforts
confessedly the greatest put forth here this
continent Those efforts produced marked effect the
Senate they soothed The public mind and became endu
ring lessons OF instruction 10 our countrymen on the
science of constitutional law, and the relative powers
and responsibilities OF the government, and rights and
duties OF the States and 0! citizens.
Tried BY ancient definitions, Daniel Webster not
an orator He studied no art, and praclised action;
Nor did he form himself by any admitted model. He had
neither the dreetness and vehemence OF Demosihenes,
nor the fulness and flow OF Cicero, the inienseness
Of Milton nor the magnifcence of Burke 1t was happy
for him that he had not The temper and tastes OF bus
age and country required eoquence different from all
these and they found in the pure logic and the vigorous
vet massive rhetoric which constituted the style OF Dan
ie Webster.
Daniel Webster, although statesman did not aim to
be either popular parliamentary leader He left COM
mon affairs and questions TO others, and reserved him
self for those great and nfrequen occasions which seem
10 involve the prosperity The continuance OF the repub
c On these tsions he above partisan influences
and alliances and gave his counses earnestly and with
mpassoned solemny, aud always with unaffected
lance upon the intelligence and virtue Of his country
men,
The first revolutionary assembly that convened in Bos
ion promulgated the principles OF the revolution of
1855" Resistance 10 unjust laws is obedience to Cod
and became the watchwod throughout the colonies.
Under that motto the colonies dismembered the British
empire and erected the American republic Al an early
day, il seemed to Daniel Webster that the habtua cher
lshng OF that principle. alter It's great work had been
consumma'e threatened 10 subyert IN lis turn the Tree and
benehcen constitution, which afforded the highest attain,
able security against the passage of unjust laws He al
dressed himself therefore. assduousy and almost alone
10 what seemed 10 him The duty OF calling the American
people back from revolutionary theories to the formation
OF habits OF peace, order and submission TO authority
He nculcated the duty ot submission by States and
all laws passed within the province OF cons,tu.
onal authority, and OF absolute reliance constitutional
remedies for the correction OF all errors and the redress
OF all injustice This the political gospel of Daniel
Webster He preached il in and out OF season.
boldly, constantly, with The zeal VI al apostle, and with
the devotion, II there were need, OF martyr. II was
full OF saving influences while he lived and those lnu
ehees will last so long as the constitution and the Union
shall endure
do not dwell on Daniel Webs,er's exercise OF admin.
sratye functions. Il was Earked by the same ability
that distinguished all hIs achievements in other fields o
duty IL was at the sane time emnenty conservative ol
peace, and OF the great principles OF constitutional lber
y, on which the republican Institutions ol his country
were founded But while those administrative services
benefited his country, and increased his fame, we all felt
nevertheless that his proper and highest place was here
where there field and score for his philosophy and
the equal constituent States, which were at once 10 be
hed together and 10 be moved in the establishment OF
continental power, destined 10 contro all the Amer-
can States and TO balance those OF the Eastern World
and we could not but exclam, in the words OF the Ro
man orator, when saw him leave heegislatve coun
cils 10 enter on the Office Of Administration
"Qudn, IN sngusiy Usstra gion1 dilaidri Usiii =
Mr. STOCKTON. Mr.. President, came to this city
only this morning, and to the Senate chamber wholly ur
apprzed IN relation 10 the present solemn and interesting
proceedings. II would therefore not become me- on tn,
solemnliy and grandeur of the occasion, 10 mnge, @
entirely unpTepafed as ! needs must be, my voice will
The eloquent voice Of amenation which has this morn
iog done honor 10 the Senate for any other purpose thar
SIMPLY asd briefly 10 express my grief, my soTrow-sy
sf, my heartfelt, petvadIng sonow, when heard tha
Daniel Webster was dead
Senators, have known and loved Daniel Webster 10
ihlry years. What wonder, then, should sorrowl Bu
now that am on my feet, and the Senate who knew ant
loved him too are my listeners, how TO express tha
sorrow cannot do IL il cannot be done our anguag,
y too poor Oh sir, all words, IN moments like these
when grief love is 10 be expressed, cold and frgd
SeRators, can even now hardly realize the sad event
that Daniel Webster sreay dead that he does not R
Hpe' did hope that God, who has watched over th,
republic who do all things, who hung the earth upor
othing, who 3 endowed the mind OF Daniel Webster
would have still longer upheld its ita tenement, ant
kept him example not only TO meR, but {,
the OF the whole world Indeed II is no bguTe q
speech when we say thai his fame was" world wide"
but, senators, rise 10 pronounce no eulOgy on him
! am up for such vain purpose come with no cero
mony but come 10 the portals OF his grave stricken
with sadness; and bere before the assembled Senate
ay, SIR in the presence OF friends well senator's
because whether they be OF this side Of the chamber
The other eide OF the chamber, hope | am entitled u
call every senator my fend-to mlngle my grief with
the grief OF those around rise here with no hope
OF adding gTaye-slone to the colossal column he ha
erected for himself but only TO hang a garland