The republic. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1849-1853, 1852-12-21
Hon. j. L. TaylOr's Rem arLs Ola the DeatI,

or Mr.. Webster.
In the House Of Represe Mat ves on the l4,h IN.
saht' on the occasion OF resolutions being offered
In memory Of MIR. Webster
Mr.. TAyIoR said In the Coneress of 100 nI,
opeaRer' when the announcement Of the death of
Seherai washington was made in this BODY an
propriate resolutions were passed 10 express the
appreciation oil the Representatives Of the peo-
PIE Oh the pre-em,nent public servicea of the Fa-
ther OF MS Country, and profound grief for their
loss his death was considered a great national
calamity and in the beautiful and appropriate
language OF General Henry Lee who preparcd Tho
resolutions introduced by ohm Marshall, he u,ns
proclaimed as having been "Frst in war frat in
peace, and hrst in the hearts of his fellow citizens
inc whole nation cordially responded TO that sem
timent, and from that day to this the bigb euIo
GUM has been adopted by the people Of the United
States America as the just and expressive tribute
ol .ne creates. man, take him all in all, that our
country had then, or has since, produced Time
rolled on; and the sentiment of his own countrv
has OF late years become the ntelli gent opnion Of
tue whole world And in proof Of this | might
cite, amongst Others the deliberately recorded
opinion OF the late Premier Guizot of France and
the great thongh eccentric writer and statesman
hfongham, OF England, men of vast celebrity
ouf country then Ia ITS infancy, has grown up,
In little more than half century to De the first
Republic In the world, havin inc sed from three
or iour miions TO nearly twenty five millions Of
inhabttnt'' and extending from the Atlantic to
the Paeihc ocean. During the present wear the
nation has been called upon to mourn the death or
two OF her most distinguished citizens-two men
born since the establishment of our independence
Graded in the Revolution and bronze tx IN as :,
were, at the feet Of the fathers Of the RenuhIic
whose long public career has attracted to them. and
all that concerned them, moro than 10 anv other.
.ne adniraiion the gratitude and the hopes of the
whoie people, These meu-Henry Clay and Dan
lei Webser-hav both been gathered to their ia
TIERS during the present year. When during on,
iast session. the official announcement was made
In TINS House, OF the death of Henry CLAW listened
with heartfelt sympathy to the eloquent and bc,u
tiui eulogies then pronounced upon his character.
and ielt In the funess Of my heart the truest grief
one ,he representatives of the great and pros
porous State OF Ohio on this floor desired then to
mingle my humble voice with those who eagerly
sought 10 honor HIS memory. But no opportunity
was afforded me, and could only join with meek
ness OF spirit and bowed mind in the appronriatc
funeral honors which rendered TO the iliustri
Qua dead by Congress. And only now desire 70
say that no State in this Union-not even his own
which, in the death Of Mr.. Clay, the nation had
sustained, than the State Of Ohio; and the public
meetings OF her citizens, without distinction nr
parry, IN the city in which reside, and many
o.nsr parts OF the State, expressed inappropriate
ana feeling terms their ugh estimate of his oreat
death. r0NAu S'ioi io' Ills
And now, sir, snce the adjournment of Con.
gress at Its last session he who co onc,at,d w b
niI. oay IN the Legislative and Executive De.
partments, at various times, for nearly forty years
ana TO whom. with his great comnatriHt more
than to any others. the people looked for counsel
aha Tor security and peace-he too hns maid the
aeot OF nature, and will never more be seen
amongst men The formal announcement j., 80;
body OF the death of Daniel Web,ter has a,ic;tns
Just and eloquent tributes to his memsrv' nnd
brings freshly to our view the beautiful traits of hs
private character, and his great and long continued
Pubiic services in the Senate and in the Executive
departments Of the Government In ali thai ia
said In commentator Of the private virtues and
prc1eninent public services of Daniel Webster,
heartily concur; and WISH sir, that I could fnd
words sufficiently strong and appronr;ate 70 az
press what In my judgment, were the great claims
Oh these TWO eminent men upon the ad p,iraton and
upon the gratitude of their countrymen They
wsre IN many respects exemplars for the Young
men OF our country. Born without any of the adj.
vantages conferred sometimes by wealth and posi-
!on' In humble life; struggling with adversities in
ther earlier years; triumphing over all obstacles
by their native strength of intellect, by their pe
NUE. and by their persevering industry and grsat
energy, they placed themselves in the very first
fo ann VI american Statesmen, and for moro than
forty years were the great leaders of the American
Linu' and amongst the brightest guardians of their
common country.
sir.it was my good fortune to have known, for
man years. both these great patriots and to have
- tlslE ndshp; and think but express
ene generAF ssoiment of the intelligent people Of
I'M. great country when say that our country is,
present unexampled prosperity; for itspeace and
domestic happiness; and for its acknowl lodged
power and high renown all over the world In my
Judgment the words of tho National Legislature,
30 beautifully and aptIy embodying the true cha
racter OF the Father of his Country were not more
appropriately uttered then in reference to him than
noy might lie applied now, SO far relates to the
',ol affairs and action of our Government within
70, me last forty years, to Henry Clay and Daniel
eDster; and 1t may be properly sad of them thai
WYNN sE;,, .hat time they have been emphatically
Frst IN war first in peace, and first in the heart,
u u 'near fellow. citizens" But sir the great men
d country must die; and, if the great men Of n
country are pre- eminently good men, their loss is
me more severely felt. Nothing human is perfect:
and am far from believing much less from "a
'erting' that the eminent men of whom have epo-
zen were without defects Of character But be.
ieve their virtues 30 far outweghcd the imperf.c
ions OF their nature that to dwell upon such detects
IN TINS occasion would be as Improbable and futile
Is to object to the light, and heat and blessings Of
ne glorious sun, guided by the Omnipotcnt hand,
because an occasional shadow spot may be seen
~ ms DISK. these guardians Of our country have
'assed away, but their works and good examples
IRE lett tor our guidance, and part of the last.
nS ana valued possessions of this nation And
hr. Speaker
when the bright guardians of country die.
!he grateful tear in tenderness will start:
And the keen anguish of reclining eve
Disclose tho deep Affections of the heart