New-York daily tribune. [volume] (New-York [N.Y.]) 1842-1866, 1852-11-24
Daniel Webster.

ffom The lordon itpc-
To the remarkable deaths which will hereai-
ter signulze the obituary Of 1852 may all thss
oil the who, by common consent, wa revut II the
grsSfest among the statesmen of the New World The
knowledge generally possessed by EnSishnea respect
ing the nie and services of Daniel WehsScr viii per
hare hardly prepare them for the sensation which bis
deccssc has created in the country Of his birth lie
spoken OF in America almost az Peel was spoken Of in
England. The journals OF the States appear IN mourn
ing for the departed statesman, writer's OF all political
denominations concur in euogs biographies, an the
reception OF the Intelligence in every town Of the
Union chroniced with uniform testimony TO the pop
uariiy OF the subject As far indeed coacurrHaccof
admiration can be taken proof we should be justined
in ranking Daniel Webster among the truly great mon
OF the oge.
la this opinion, however Il Is not probable ths, the
voice of Europe or the decision OF history will entirely
concur. The Truth Is, that Mr.. webstcrs reputation
emineitly American and the apparent grandeur OF
IL proportions due in small degree 10 that spr
of hypebole in which the citizens of the States are
custCned TO address themselves 10 all national t)pcs
They magnify their statesmen a. they magnify their
scenery or their strength not 1t must DO owned Tor
purposes OF elusion and si less with the emptiness o.
Asatic boastng, but with the exaggeraon incidental 10
DcmocI ATTIC Institutions and national adolescence Be
eide THE, Mr. Websier's qualities appealed directly TO
the passions and sentiments OF his eountrynen His
oratolical powers remarkable, and In no country
does popular oratory exercise great an influence rs
in the United States. Americans are unclaimed by
speeches, and when Daniel Webster addressed an audi
ence already predsposed to admiration his elolucnco
rarely failed them TO enthusiasm In justice To
his Il shoud be added that this eloquencc
usually employed on the side Of genuine policy. Nor
would H. indeed be e0sy with certain recent exceptions.
to point any question in which his authority not
ultimately exerted in the general interests of coneaton
and peace.
But il wss not from this pcrsonal gin that Mr. Web
sters reputation derived its moot characteristic feature
He above oil oters was peculiarly the person In whom
American statenanfhip displayed before the eyes
OF Europe He the conventional representative OF
his countrymen. in their diplomatic relations with the
ether great Powers OF the world IL was not that he on
oycd any extraordinary tenure OF those Ministerial ap
poiniments which such functions are commtted but
bis terms OF oice conceded remarkably with some Of
the most critical conecures OF the foreign policy OF the
Union, and to the consideration OF these subjects hs
brought an extensive Of urlsprdential informa
on; great pen sonal sptitdcs, and wisdom, If not ber
airy Of view, beyond that usually prevailing around him
II IL true that he American, but he was an Amori
can who had the world and he recognizedthose ne
cesiiies Of international intercourse for which Repub
can politicians sometimes tain to substitute the sag
gesons OF impulse interest," or power In this capacity
he commanded respect more universal than attached
70 him Wing senator or apopular speaker. lie NIL
ed it'll considerable what would otherwise have
been almost void in the pretensons ofhs coun.ymen
In him they saw an American who had not only carried
American elections and guided the discussions OF Con
gress. but who had met the dplomatists OF Europe
fair ground without dscredit and who enjoyed In the
capitals Of the Old World o distinction which In other
cAses wGs limited to the towns Of the Union Toe
tent ii not the character of this renown Is sufficiently
eyinced by the attention now paid 10 bis memory We
90 not imagine, have already minated thai the
verdict OF Europe VIII 0tO3ctnr support tlc natural
paralifes of America but, AT any rate the event now
anrounced viii be esteemed Of European importance
and IL will be universally admitted that statesman u
the world has been lost in the senator Of hisaehuses
IL Is in this representative capacity that be has been
90 remarkably endeared 10 the people OF the Union, nor
was ere any striking feature In the recent pot
cs than the respect which in tho most passion
ate heats Of conflict uniformly paid TO his general
pretenfions. Even those who opposed hs elevation &C
knowledged hs claims, and universally was he recog
nized great man, that hs ad'ersanes were CON
m
be made Presidents. He distinguished and sue
cessfu lawyer a writer OF considerable rcpute tn-
umphant orator veteran parliamentariaD, ami, above
oil celebrated American IL Is unfortunate that
hi, latest displays should have been uniayorabie
10 his renown. On the present occasion, we should
be naturally reluctant 10 bring these blensshes
that the questions Of the bay fisheries and the LObos
suds placed the departed statesman In no creiifable
light either stsesman or civilian. we are the less
called upon indeed 10 conceal or qualify our Opinions
since the Justice Of structures ai,erward con
frned by the reversal OF American policy In Mr.. Web
steI's own hands Either from declining strength or
incidental disability some increase Of that extraneo
bias frona which few American politicians can remain
EXEMPT IL l. manifest that he took wrong course with
cut eyde nee Of any laadable motive. In his eirlier
viz VS. Of fegn policy he war both more successful ana
correct Al various times IL became MS duty 10 assist
at or conduct OF the most important negotiations
la which the Government OF the Union "eS ever en-
gagged The North Eastern boundary, the provisions oil
mutual exfrsd0n, the right Of search on the hisn sea-
tons OF policy involving the highest interests OF more
than one State and ia al these discussions the influence
Of Mr. WebftcPs authority was DUtn po"eriuliy hnh
nertOrC usly eyinced. On ponts too OF more sxclu.
lively local interest such the annexation Of Texas
the Mexican War the reception Of ne" states into ths
Union and the compromise Of the Slavery d.puter his
voice was heard the side Ut moderation and equity.
Indeed when NOT biased by the temptations OF party
sUsyed ly the pressure OF poilcal cre, ne was FAR
too sgacous 10 be sedueed into and his
support might be confidently anticipated ~ the pro-
motefs Of Iigft and reason.
There nothing surprsng in the esteem and affection
with which hr name Ia now regarded throughout the
provinces Of the states, for his very faults were the
iauts OF bis cOuntrymen cherished for their pleasure
and cancauTed for their benefit In many rcspects-n
h orutory for instance, IN his popularity aud 10 his
eminent nationslity-he presents q marked
blsnce Daniel Council; but he enjoys this SUPERIOR
" the great AgatOr, that he never seriOay de-
signed 70 lead HE couI.rynen asrray II be tslked %
them after their fashion, he rarely carried these
popular views into the practical administration Of the
State aud his resistance to public cxtraysgance
not always what might have been dcsrod, wa per.
haps much could Re attempted. He was beyond
ali doubt accomplished scholar, acute lawyer,
experienced diplcnatst and great statesman In this
Last capacity his proceedings were occasionally opposed
to our IDEAS Ct such character but Il BIO
membered that statesmen arc adjusted 70 Sta,es and
Minister WHO secure Inc permanent appreciation u
biz counfIymen with az fair renow abToada a. was
enjoyed BY Daniel Webster has achieved a. much glory
as even the best politicians are likely to obtain
From Inc Day News
DanielWe surpassed all his contempt ~ -nons
American statesmen Ia certain sinesy knfne.s o. men
"a constitution. He 10 TIM rest "hal ins =. S
20 - 60, r. q, tho sofer wooded trees that surround
n To use .acSneyed figure ofspeeeh, he wa. man Of
ron. The outward countenance expressed pe inner
mind cspseOus forehead pale pie hoa Iss'sa
ssrbe nfenness Of purpose mDarting tensfy 70 every
e;ys no Interchange Of smiles Or soifef expfes.on
ouicL srdirdefsugablein acquiring ,endowea
With tenacous nsnoryl clear lighted siea H''se WIZ