Cooper's Clarksburg register. [volume] (Clarksburg, Va. [W. Va.]) 1851-1861, 1852-11-03
Address of Cen Pierce on the death
of Mr.. Webster.

At Concord, N. H., on Monday, bust
ness was suspended, and the stores clo-
sed on the announcement of the death
OF Mr. Webster. and a town meeting was
held IN the Hall of Representatives,
which was crowded with citizens, iuclu-
ding large number of ladies'. The
Boston Post says that the chairman, Hon.
Ira Perly, after appropriate resolutions
|of respect to Mr.. Webster had been read,
called upon General Pierce to address the
meeting. The crowded hall became as
still as death, as Gen. Pierce rose to COM
1ply, and with deep emotion, which at
times almost overcame him, and in a
calm and impressive manner, suited for
the occasion, he spoke as follows /:
& Mr.. CHAIRMAN-How deeply have all
hearts been impressed by the fervent ap-
speal to that Power in which our fathers
Bout their trust in the hour of their weak
mess and trials ? Aud how has that sol
semn impression been enhanced by the
Hast words Of the truly great man, just
Tread by the Rev. DR.. Bouton 2
But few weeks have passed since
5deep gloom was cast over our country by
sthe death of the great statesman of the
sWest, 1t had long been understood that
this light WAS Pickering in it's socket, and
must coon 90 out Still the announce
ment, when it came, was laden with sad
Enessi and we have all since then been dis
kposed to look with warmer affection and
eand more glowing gratitude to his great:
Scompoer and associate, the intelligence OF
HWhose sudden death will fall like tune-
sral pail upon the public mind throughout
Ethe Union to which he gave his best at
Elections and nobest efforts.
81 had met Mr.. Webster repeatedly prl-
for 10 1889, but my personal acquaintance
Swlth him may be said to have commenced
with my first winter at Washington. His
Sattachment to our State was slngularly
&stroRg, and this circumstance, perhaps,
: led to series of kind acts and courtesles
Atow ard.me during the sessions of 1854,
Sland afterward, the grateful recollection of
(which will never be effaced. | mourn for
ahim as for friend for whose personal re-
sgard, my own heart has given back a
ztrue and full response.
q Among eminent citizens of comman-
adlng power and influence while L was IN
athe Senate, he stood, perhaps, Pre-em
Snent. In his rich combination OF quail
Cites as an orator, lawyer and statesman,
s4lt may be safely said he had no rival
8 How forcibly and sadly are we remin-
Eded of the great men with whom he was
Sassociated in the Senate chamber, and
Awho preceded him in his transit through
the dark valley p White, Grundy,
aForsyth, Southland, Wall, Linn, Sewer,
zSilas Wright, Hill. Woodbury., Calhoun,
NClay, men who left their impress upon
Ethe age, names indissolubly connected
AUlth the fame and history of their coun-
Etry; all like him whose death we are now
Scaled upon to dePlore, were links in the
Schain which bound the past generation
Hto the present, and all. like him, are now
ION the other side of that narrow lane
(which divides time from eternity.
y Upon whom have their mantles fallen?
HWho are. to take their places in the perils
I2through which our country may be called
Eto pass Who, with patriotic courage
Eand statesmau-like forecast, are to guide
lin the storms that will, at times inevitably
sthreaten us in our uAexampled develop
Sment of resources as a nation, our almost
Efeartul progress, our position of amazing
responsibility as the great contederated,
Hselt-governing power of the globe >
nThese are questions which will press
themselves upon all minds ; but who,
salas can satisfactorily answer them ?
To speak of Mr. Web5ter's genius, his
svaried and solid attainments, his services,
svould be to discourse of matters as fami-
: liar, even to the children of his native
Estate, az household words. Besides this
smust be left to vigorous pens and eloquent
Stongues, after the first gush of grief and
Sthe oppressive sense of loss shall, to some
sextent have passed away. 1t is, and long
Shas been my firm conviction that Mr..
wv ebster had hold upon the minds and
Shearts of his countrymeu, which will fail
sto be Justly estimated, only because there
shas been no full opportunity to measure
Git. You, Mr.. Chairman, have truly said
athst Mr.. Webster's greatness was of that
grare character which no earthly position
Scould exalt. He came to official stations
sas he approached all subjects presented
Ito his mind, their superior and their mas
) ter. He has reared himself vast pillar
Sof Ienown, which will stand in undimin
slshed strength and grandeur, when the
Swork of mems hands, erected to his no.
! nor, will DO like Niuevah; and | fear
3when this Union may have shared the
fate which was the dread of his latter
Syears. a few years ago, when the dis
Stinguished brother of the deceased was
gcalled in an instant from time to eterni
aty, in the Court room in this place. with
sthe last word of a perfect sentence lInger-
fling upon his, another citizen, most emil
Enent and beloved, (the late lamented
sGeorge Sullivan) exclaimed. What
I shadows we are-what shadows we pur-
sue p How these emphatic words come
! back to us here, as if by an echo. How
smcre earthly honors and distinctions fade
samid gloom like this; how political asper-
Slues are chastened, what a lesson to the
giving; what an admouition to personal