Southern standard., 1852-11-13

But this gfeat truth is more especially fragrant in
public men. Free Government rests upon the vir-
tue and intelligence of the people and in Repub-
lies public men their epistles, known and
read, ofall men. Not merely in spendor of Ga
tory, or the development of mighty thoRghts, or
the measures of mastery craftsmanship, but in
the hnmbler but not less potent influences Of Elk
vate character and private dutiea, the public man
lives for his country. Mr.. Webster was asstriking
exemplifcation of these truths. His influence
was very great. AS a statesman for forty years,
he stood the unrivalled intellectual leader Of the
constitutional policy be advocated, polcYEheth-
er for good or evil, destined, believe, ge the
settled policy of the confederacy. As speaker OF
English, he surpassed think, all his con temper
aries, either in this country or in Europe. AS an
orator, he leaves in his speech on Foote'S resolu-
tions the greatest oratorcal effort ever made by
an American statesman. Not only in his speech
es, but in all the effusons of his mind, there is a
dignity, purity and moral elevation, which filling
the mind with ardent admiration, induced the
pardonable appellation of beng God-like In his
private character, whatever may have been his
aillngs his death is veil as it is his atonement
Free of every stain of our frail humanity he doubt
less now enjoys blissful Immortality. The heat
and dust of the course is behind him, and he has
won the prze--the only prize worth living or dy-
ing tor--the glorious prize of acceptance with God
Doubtless he had fraies, he had but little of that
greatest of all of our infrmites--personal selfish
ness. No man ever had more free and gener-
Gus nature. His heart was open as day to melt
ngcharity. His hand was everextended to relieve
misfortune, or comfort the miserable in calamity
Living as did in the same community with him
tor several years, many instances of his unknown
and unostentatous kindness and charities to the
very humble, came to my knowledge. Of his do,
| Ill, j.
from what know, that be was of a very sincere
afectionate and noble temper in all his private re-
atons. He buried his daughter near his home al
Marshfeld, as he said to friend, "that | might
every day look upon the place where she lies
Public llte-absorbing and exhausting as it is tC
the gentler affections of our nature--had not turn
ed his heart from its only of happiness--tht
love we receive or bear to others.
But, Mr.. Mayor, it is not purpose, nor is i
the privilege of any of to euogize the great man
whose departure we are assembled to commemo
rate. That will be done by others who knew hin
far more intimately, and, therefore, can far better
perform so grateful a task. We come to discharge
a duty to the illustrous dead. In Republics, pub
lie life must always be the most arduous, as it i
but too often the most thankless, ofservces Die
not Mr.. Webster feel this in the silent depths o
a sighted and wounded spirit Liberty was new
er won, and cannot be preserved, without its mar
tyrs. The Presidential laurel has not adorned tht
brows of Webster, Clay, or Calhoun; but as eacl
of them has dropped from amongst US, thonsand
have felt if the fabric of the Confederacy shool
to its foundations. Each of them stood, in the es
| timation of millions, mighty element Of powe
and patriotism, which would lift up and assure tn
heart in all difficult emergencies They are gon
each. as he departed, looking with anxious ant
patriotic solicitude at the black clouds which low
er over the destinies of the Union. We assembl
this day to cast upon the grave of the last of thes
illustrious public testimonial of our pro
ces--his noble genius-his greatness and his ia
spread renown. If the response ofeven a heathe
oracle is correct, that mans death is the criteri
on of happy life, the country alone has cause t
mourn. MIR. Webster was happy in life and hap
py in death. Yet to him to die, was doubles
great gain.