Weekly national intelligencer. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1841-1869, 1852-12-25

shedding down upon it, He could not understand tina
preieent honorable as it is was unnecessary to him
that II could add nothing to his political stature
large the horizon of his comprehensive views 1t the
Of men of true greatness OF exalted talents
to comprehend the nature and power of the gifts they
possess. That SIR IS an homage to God, who besows
them But 1T Is also their misfortune be dissatisfied
with the means and opportunities they have possess
ed to exercise those gifts to great national purposes
This IS merely dstrust Of themselves The world sir
comprehends the of the talents OF great
and gives them credit for their mastery powers without
asking that those powers should be tried in every position
IN which public men may be placed
see not in all the character gifts and attachments
OF MIR. Webster any illustration of the British orators
exclamation relative to the shadows which we are "
nor do discover in the splendid career and the aims OF
his lofty ambition any thing to prove what shadows
pursue.
The life of such man US Daniel Webster is one Of
sold greatness and the objects he pursued are worthy
being made in the image of God. life of honorable
distinction IS substantive and permanent object.
Inc good OF man. and the true glory and happiness of his
country are the substantial things the record of which
generation hands down to generation inscribed with the
name OF him that pursued them will not sir trespass
on TINS House by any attempt to sketch the character
narrate the services OF Mr. Webster too many will have
share In this days exercises to allow speaker so
tensve range. IL is enough for me- it. in obeying the
Indications OF others, give to my effort the tone of
spect with which the statesman and the patriot Webster
was regarded as well by the nation large by those
whom have the honor to represent this floor. And
in the remarks of those whose means of Judging have
been better than mine will be found his characteristics
OF social and domestic life.
How keenly Mr.. Webster relished the relaxations
which public duties sometimes allowed had an opporu
nifty Of judging for he loved to call to my recollection
scenery which had been familiar to in childhood as it
W., was lovely to him in age Though dying in Office Mr..
was permitted to breathe his last in made
classical to others by his and dear him by their
minlstrations to and correspondence with his taste
The good of his country undoubtedly occupied the last
moments of his ebbng life but those moments were not
If off duf;a
and in the dignity Of domestic quiet he passed onward
and while at distance communities awaited in grief and
awe the signal Of his departure the deep dapason of the
Atlantic wave, it broke upon his shore, fit
ting requiem for such parting spirit M
Mr.. BAYLY, of Virginia. remarked I had been, sir,
nearly two years member of Congress before made
Mr. Websters acquaintance About that time proceed
ing instituted here of delicate character far as
he concerned and incidentally concerning eminent
constituent and friend of mine This circumstance first
brought into intercourse with Mr.. Webster Suisse
quenty transacted good deal of official business with
him, of it also of delicate character thus had
unusual opportunities of forming opinion of the
The acquaintance made with him, under the crcum-
stances to which have referred rpened into friendship
1t is to these circumstances that political opponent
am indebted for the honor esteem it. of having been
requested to say something on this occasion.
From my early manhood, of course, sir have been
well acquainted with Mr. Webser's public character and
had formed my ideal of him a man and what mis-
conception of it that ideal Rarely seeing him in
public places in familiar intercourse with his friends
his grave staueke appearance in the
Senate and the Forum had formed the conception that
lie was frigd ironbound man, whom few could approach
without constraint and undertake say thaunti of
late years. in which, through personal sketches of him by
his friends the public has become acquainted with his
private charactersuch the idea most persons who
knew him only did formed of him. Yet, sir what
No man could appreciate Mr. Webster
who did not know him privately No could appre-
ciate him who did not him in familiar intercourse with
his friends, and especially around his fresde and
table, There sir he conding, gay, and sometimes
downright boyish. Full of racy anecdote he told them
in the most captivating manner.
Who that heard his description of and things
can forget them Mr. Webster, sir attached pc
cuar meaning to the word talk and in his Of the
term he liked talk and who that heard him talk
forget that talk Sometimes it the most playful
wit then the most pleasing philosophy. Mr.. Webster,
SIR owed his greatness large extent to his native gifts
Among his contemporaries there lawyers more
learned yet he was by consent, assigned the
hrst place at the American bar As statesman there
those thoroughly informed than he yet what
statesman ranked him Among orators there those
graceful and impressive yet what orator greater
than he? There scholars ripe yet who wrote
better English? The characteristics of his mind were
massive strength and classic beauty combined with
felicity His favorite studies, If may Judge from his
the history and the constitution Of his
country and the history and constitution of England
and undertake to say that there is not living
who more perfectly familiar with both. His favorite
and outdoor exercise have frequently
heard Mr. Webster say if he had been n merchant he
would have been outdoor partner Mr. Webster was,
as all great men are, emnenty magnanimous As
proof Of thiss his whoee and especially that browning
act of magnanimty, his letter to Mr.. Dickinson. Mr.
Webster had envy jealousy about himas great
man ever had Conscious of his powers he envied
those of no else Mr. Calhoun and himself entered
public life about the time each Of them for the
first honors Of the Republic They were statesmen of
rival schools They frequently met in the stern
ter Of debate and when they met the conflict
fct Of giants. Yet how delightful it was to hear Mr..
Webster speak, as have heard him speak, in the most
exalted terms Of Calhoun and how equally delightful it
was to hear Mr. Calhoun have heard him, speak in
like terms of Webster On one occasion Mr.. Calhoun,
speaking Of the characteristics Of Webster de-
batter said that he remarkable in this that he al
ways stated the argument Of his antagonist fairly, and
boldly met it. He said he had him state the
Of his opponent forcby than his opponent
had stated il himself and if he could not it he
would undertake weaken il by misrepresenting
II. What compliment this, coming it did, from
his great rival in constitutional law have also heard
Mr. Calhoun say that Mr. Webster tried to aim at truth
more than any statesman Of his day.
short time since Mr. Speaker, when addressing the
House at the invitation Of the delegation from Kentucky
on the occasion Of Mr.. Clays death, used this lam
guage:
~ Sir, it is but short time since the American Con-
gess buried the first that went TO the grave Of that
great triumvirate (Calhoun) We are called upon
to bury another, CLAY. The third thank God still
lives and long may he live to enlghten his countrymen
by his WISDOM and them the example Of exalted pa
triotism. Alasl how little did think, when uttered
these words, that my wish soon to be disappon
ed Sir in the lives and characters Of these great
there is much resembling those of the great trumvrate
of the British Parliament 1t differs principally in this
Burke preceded Fox and Pitt the tomb Webster sur
wives Clay and Calhoun. When Fox and Pitt died they
left peer behind them. Webster still lives, now that