Herald of the times. [volume] (Newport, R.I.) 1849-1856, 1852-06-10
OF THE TINES EW WPORI r. THURSDAY MORNING JUNE 10 1852

Is MT, w custer one Ol tiit ucsCEtp-
ton Let the mechanics OF Boston, the
farmers of New Hampshire. or the farm
ers and fishermen oi Marshfield answer
that question. have hearl il said hat
Mr.. Webster was taken up as "a candi-
date in this city by the rich bankers and
merchants OF Wall street. And this has
been said with view To blight his pros
poets with the people. You know bet
ter you know very well that where
there was one Of that description there
We're dozen boss mechanics who joined
in bringing him forward.
The people can distinguish between
pride and ostentation. and that kind OF
retired habit which results from diff
dence or deep reflection. Some of the
most retired men | have ever known
have been the ireest from vanity and
pride. Witness the late DR.. Alexander,
Of Princeton, one Of the mosrmodest men
that ever lived, and yet no one ever ap-
preached hin without the conviction
that he was a truly great man.
Why, we have among our own citizens
a distinguished merchant whose NUM-
fcient philanlhropby has carried an en-
terprise, so honorable to our whole ma
ton, into the very frozen seas and yet
this gentleman, from retiring disposi
ton, lnodesily declines the public iesti-
monals laid at his feet. Do you think,
however, that il Mr.. Henry Grinhell
should be proposed as a candidate for
an honorable public office, that unpopu-
idriiy could be urged against his avail
ability [Great applause.
Mr.. Webster is Il man of deep reflec-
tion, and therefore often retired (; but
that profound reflection has served 10
impart those qualifications which ought
to be his passport through preliminary
political conventions 10 the people, who
il he once gets fairly before them, will
soon show you that he is the most pOpu-
lar candidate that can be presented for
their suiirages, by any party or any set
OF men.
But, from some strange cause or 9TH
er, the notion has, within few years
past, among politicians, become preva-
lent in this country, that very great men
will not run before the people. They
may not always run. There are excep.
tions to all general rules. A great man,
by his peculiar course oil conduct may
have made many warm trends and ma
ny bitter enemies. He may be violent
and arbitrary il his views, unconci!ia-
ting and bitter in debate when opposed.
Mr.. Webster is known to be exempted
from that objection.
II is time this notion should be discar.
ded. Ii has no solid foundation TO rest
upon. No country ever did or ever will
rise TO greatness or glory without master
minds. Look back at Greece or Rome
The London Times has lately broached
the idea that Mr.. Webster could not be
made President, because he 10 too great
u man. 1t 10 not surprising that the ed
itor of that distinguished paper should
think so, because he is piejudiced against
Republican institutions and knows but
little Of the working Of ours. In him il
is sneer at us, for he knows very well
that England has been distinguished for
her galaxy Of great men; that from Ce
Gil, under the lofty and imperial Queen,
down TO Lord Derby in the reign Of the
pure and virtuous Victoria, u long line
of statesmen, able, distinguished, o. large
views, have guided and regulated Eng
lIsh affairs. and have raised England to
the height where she now stands.
What could have given rise 10 this
STANCE iriatuation in this country2 Is
there any thing in our example different
from tie example Of other great cOun-
tries? We started into existence but
yesterday, speaking in reference 10 the
age OF nations. We rose up under the
auspices of WAsHiNGTON-th the man Of
the largest and most comprehensive
mind OF his age, and surrounded with
men of great and distinguished ability
We now stretch from the Atlanti: 10 the
shores OF the Pacific. The commerce OF
the world is within our grasp; our
mines are inexhaustible; our territory,
unparalleled IN extent and fertility. is 20
be filled ur. What prospect is here
presented for future glory and greatness !
Are we to rise to this glory and great
ness without The lead and guidance oi
master minds, IL we are, then the las
OF human conduct in our case are 10 be
reversed and, it not reversed, we must,
il we attempt it, dwindle into insignif-
cance A European philosopher once
remarked that every thing IN this coun-
try was on great scale but its men. II
is to be hoped that the polite ians in this
country, under this strange iniatuation,
will not verify this remark. .....
Mankind are often mIslcd by the use
of terms. A sort OF hazy IDEA is often
attached TO the epilhet OF a great ni.n.-
Ii is sometimes said there is no magic
in words. II IS true, there is no magic
in them to elicit truth but they are OF.
ten magical in leading us in,o error
There are various kinds OF greatness Of
ten referred to, and IN such way as TO
cause coriusIon. The man Of wealth.
accumulated by great industry. judy
meni, and attention to business, is some
times and very properly called great
man, though il may not be Of the very
highest order. No one accuses Mr..
Webster Of being great man in that
sense.
In some countries they have body Of
great men whose main distinction con-
sists m their descen, through u long liLe
Of distinguished ancestors-ennobled by
titles, emblazoned by stars and ribands
and garters. Mr.. Webster has no such
distinction. He is the Hapsburgh OF his
own family. His root is in the earth,
amidst the rocks Of his own New llamp.
shire. He sprang from the people,
Though his intellect is elevated tar
above them by culture yet true to his
origin, his heart is in the midst Of them.
There is another kind Of greatness to
be considered. IL may be called legiti-
mate greatness, such as The head Of man
approves and his heart recognises. IL
is, in short, ability and efficiency Tor
great employments. To the reproach Of
this kind oil greatness, IL in the eyes Of
his countrymen it be reproach, Mr..
Webster must bow 10 silence. By