The republic. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1849-1853, 1852-12-16
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES.
DEATH OF Mr.. WEBSTER

A message was received from the Senate, in
forming the House OF the passage by that body Of
the following resolutions, viz:
RESOLVED, That the Senate has received with pro
found sensibity the annunciation by the PresI-
dent of the death Of the late Secretary OF state
Daniel Webster, who was long highly distin
guished member of this House.
Resolved, That the Senate manifest its respect for
tie memory of the deceased, and is sympathy with
the bereaved family. by wearing the usual badge
of mourning for thirty days
Resolped, That these proceedings be conmuni-
Gated to the House Of Representatives.
Mr.. STUART, after remarkng that this subject
would occupy the Hou c to day, and with REV
of &C accommodating the gentleman who had the
fioor in Committee of the Whole the state Of The
Union upon the resolutions proposing to refer the
various branches of the Presidents message,
moved that the time for closing the debate be ex'
tended until to- morrow at three O'Clock.
Mr.. HOUSTON remarked that he wished to
occupy about thirty minutes in the discussion
The motion of Mr.. STUART was then agreed to-
The House then proceeded to the consideration
Of the resolutions OF the Senate in relation to the
death of Mr.. Webster.
Mr. DAVIS, Of Massachusetts,, then said:
Mr.. SPEAKER: rise for the purpose OF propos.
ing some action OF this House in response TO That
which we learn has taken place in the Senate in
reference TO the death of Mr. Webster; and have
little to- add to the proposition Itself beyond
brief expression Of reverence and oil atectlonate
recollection. At this scat of Government, where
thirty years Of Mr.. Webster's life were sPent-ln
the Ca pitol-still populous with the echoes OF his
voics-to this House. Of which there Ia not an
individual member but can trace something
OF his intellectual wealth, or political faith,
20 the fountain of that mighty intellect-lt
would be useless, and worse, to pass in re-
view the various acts OF spoken and written
thought, by which be impressed himself inetace-
ably upon bis time Master Of the great original
ideas Of which social institutions are but the
coarse material impression master OF style
which clothed each glorious thought In garb OF
appropriate beauty: possessed Of a conquering ma
ture, that, like the west wind, brought the sun
shine with it," and gave us, wherever he was, the
scnse of security and powcr--he has run his APP
pointed race and has lett to feel that our day OF
life will henreforh be more wintry, now that that
light has been Withdrawn.
have no intention of undertaking here to mea-
his labors or interpret his ideas, yet FEEL
tempted TO cay that his great field OF acton-tbc
greatest which any statesman can have-was in
Undertaking to apply general principles to an ar
tificial and complicated system-to reconcile lib
crty with law-to work out the advance of liberty
and civilization, through and under the rules OF
law and government-to solve that greatest prob.
lem of human government, how much oftbe ideal
may safely be let into the practical
He sought these objects, and he sought the point
ical power which would enable him to carry oct
these objects, and he threw into the struggle the
great passion OF great nature, the quod puf, "a
uaide of the elder Brutus. he sought, and not
unsuccessfyliy, 10 throw around the cold. imper-
sonal idea OF a Constitution the halo Of love and
reverence which in the Old World gathers round
the dyussties OF thousand years; for, in the at
near of safety and permanence for his country.
His large experience and broad forecast gave
him notice of national dangers which all did
not see, as the wires of the electric telegraph
convey ntws of startling import, unknown TO
the Numbering village through which they
pass. Whether his fears were well or i'll
founded. the future, the best guarantee of his
fame, will chow; but whether welt or Ill founded,
matters nothing to him He has passed through
that las aud severest trial, which he has hinse in
anticipation described in words never 10 be forgot
ten: lone may live (said he) as conqueror,
hero or magistrate, but he must die az man
The bed Of death brings every human bong 10 his
pure individuality"
To the intense contemplation or to the deepest
and most soemn of all relatoDs-the relation be
tween the creature and bis crtation-here II ls
,ha, fame and renown cannot nssist Us; that al,
external things must fail to aid us; that where
friendR, offccton, and human love, and devoted
ncss ca sucgOr usthis relation, the true oun-
d. ton Of all duty, relation perceived and felt by
conscience ard confirmed by revelation, our illus
trious friend. now deceased always pck nowiedged
He revercnced the Scripture Of truth; bonored the
pure morality which they teach, and chung to the
hopes OF future life which they mpart
Mr. Webster died in accordance with the pre-
| Willing sentiment of his hfe-in the spirit of
! piaytr TO God, and of love TO Well might
those bo watc he'd his dy ing bed say, IN the words
| which the greatest English poet spplies TO lc-
| eendary hero who ala bad been the stay OF his
country in peril:
"Not hing ia here for tcars, nothing TO ~nIl.
Or knock The brcast-no weakness, no contempt,
| Dispraise, or blame; nothing bot we'll or fair.
And what may comfort us in death 40 noble
Mr. Speaker, move the following resolutions:
| Rtsol-sd, That the House concurs with the Sem
ate in it's expression OF griSf for the death OF Dam
iel Webster Of respect for his memory. and OF ca
,imation Of the services which he haG rendered Il
! his country 81.
! Rtsolosd, That the members OF this House vii
wear Grape on the left arm for the space OF thirty
days.