Washington telegraph., 1852-11-24
The Remarks of Gen. Pierce ON
the Chara cter Of Mr. Webster.

the CNafaC(cr Oh Nfs w eBSiCE.
In Concord, N. H., ON Monday, at 10
o'clock, most of the stores and Offices were
closed, and business suspended; and soon af-
ter, the Representatives Hall was crowded
full of citizens. large number Of ladies be-
ing present.
A series of resolutions were offered and
read; after which the chairman called upon
General Pierce to address the meeting
The crowded hall became as still as death as
Gen. Pierce rose to comply; and with deep
emotion, which at times almost overcome
him. and in calm and impressive manner
suited to the occasion, he spoke as follows:
M. Chairman-How deeply have all
hearts been impressed by the fervent appeal
to that Power in which our fathers put their
trust in the hour of their weakness and trials
And how has that solemn impression been
enhanced by the last words of the truly great
man, just read by the Rev DR.. Bouton.
But a few weeks have passed since deep
gloom was cast over our country by the death
Of the great statesman of the west. 1t had
long been understood that this light was
hickering in it's socket, and must soon go out.
Still, the announcement, when it came, was
laden with sadness; and we have all since
then been disposed to look with warmer af-
fection and more glowing gratitude to his
great compeer and associate, the intelligence
Of whose sudden decease will fall like a fun
eral pail upon the public mind throughout
that Union to which he gave his best atfec-
tions and noblest efforts.
had met Mr.. Webster repeatedly prior
to 1888, but my personal acquaintance with
him may be said to have commenced with
my first winter at Washington. His attach
ment to our State was singularly strong, and
this circumstance; perhaps, led to series Of
kind acts and courtesies towards me durin g
the session of 1884, and afterwards, the
ereatful recollection of which will never he
efaced l mourn for him as for friend
whose personal regard my own heart has
given back true and full response.
Among eminent citizens of commanding
power and influence, while | was in the
Senate, he stood, perhaps, pre-eminent In
his rich combination of qualities as an orator,
lawyer, and statesman, it may safely be said
he had no rival How forcibly and sadly
we are reminded of the great men with whom
he was associated in the Senate chamber,
and who preceded him in his transit through
the dark valley!
White, Grundy, Forsyth, Switzerland,
Wall, Linn, Sewer, Silas Wright, Woodbu-
~. Hill, Calhoun, Clay-men who left their
impress upon the agc-names indissolubly
connected with the fame and history Of their
country-all like him whose death we are
now called upon to deplore, were links in
the chain which bound the past generation
to the present; and all, like him, are now
on the other side of that narrow line which
divides time from eternity. Upon whom
have their mantles fallen Who are to
take their places in the pcrils through which
our country may be called to pass +? Who,
with patriotic courage and statesmanlike
forecast, are to guide in the storms that will,
at times, inevitably threaten us, in our un-
exampled development of resources as a
nat on, our almost fearful progress, our posi-
tion of amazing responsibility as the great,
confederated, self-governing power Of the
globe? These are questions which will
press themselves upon all minds but who,
alas. can satisfactorily answer them?
To speak of Mr. Webster's genius, his
various and solid attainments, his services,
would be to discourse of matters as familiar
even to the children OF his native State as
household words Besides, this must be
left to vigorous pens and eloquent tongues,
after the first gush of grief, and the oppres-
sive sense of loss, shall, to some extent,
have passed away. 1t is, and long has been,
my firm conviction, that Mr. Webster had
a hold upon the minds and hearts of his
counsrymen which will fail to be justly esti-
mated only because there has been no op-
portunity to measure it. You, Mr.. Chair
man, have truly said, that Mr.. Websters
greatness was of that rare character which
no earthly position could exalt. He came
to official station, as he approached all sub
iects presented to his mind, their superior
and their master. He has reared for him.
self vast pillar Of renown, which will
stand in undiminished strength and gran.
deur, when the works of mans hands erect
ed to his honor will be like Nineveh; and,
fear, when this Union may have shared the
fate which was the dread Of his later years.
A few years ago, when the distinguished
brother of the deceased was called in an in
slant from time to eternity in the court room
in this place, with the last words of perfect
sentence lingering upon his lips, another
citizen. most eminent and beloved, {the late
lamented George Sullivan) exclaimed
"What shadows we are. what shadows we
pursue"' ~ How these emphatic words come
back to us here, as if by an echo! How
mere earthly honors and distinctions fade
amid a gloom like this political as
peritieS are c1lastsned, !, aohat a lesson to
The liuing achat an aamonitiou to per-
sonoZ m0Lecolence, moi0 Gaced and su5dued
as the great heart of the nation thro5s
heartily at the portals Of the graue,