The primitive Republican. (Columbus, Miss.) 18??-1852, 1852-11-04
Death of Mr. Webster--Speech of General
Pierce

fees were closed, and business was generally
suspended. A meeting was soon after held
in the representatives hall, which was crow
ded full of citizens, large number of Ia
dies being present. Hon. Ira Perley was
chosen chairman, and DR.. Parker secretary.
An appropriate series of resolutions were re-
ported and unanimously adopted. The
chairman, after the resolutions had been
read, called upon Gen 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
overcame him, and in a calm and impressive
manner suited to the occasion, he spoke as
follows
Mr.. 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 tri-
ais! And how has that solemn impression
been enhanced by the last words of the tru-
ly great man, just read by the Rev. DR..
Bouton
But 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 Pickering in its 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 affection and more glowing graft
tude to his great compeer and associate, the
intelligence of whose sudden decease will
fall like funeral pail upon the public mind
throughout that Union to which he gave his
best affections 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 sngularly strong, and
this circumstance, perhaps, led to a series of
kind acts and courtesies toward me, during
the session Of 1S33-'34, and afterward, the
grateful recollection of which will never be
effaced mourn for him as for friend for
whose personal regard my own heart has Civ
en- back true and full response.
Among eminent citizens of commanding
power and influence while was in the Sen
ate he stood perhaps pre-eminent. In his
rich combination of qualities as an orator,
lawyer and statesman. it may be safely said
, he had no rival. How forcibly and sadly
are we reminded Of the great men with whom
he was associated in the Senate chamber, and
who preceded him in ais transit through the
G. dark valley" White, Grundy, Forsyth,
III / -.
1 Hill, Woodbury., Calhoun, Clay-men who
left their impress upon the age-names in
= Idissolubly connected with the fame and his
tory of their counry-all like him whose
death we are now called upon to dcpIore,
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. Up
on whom have Their mantles fallen? Who
, are to take their Places in the pcrils through
which our country may be called to pass p
Who, with patriotic courage and statesman
: like forecast, are to guide in the storms that
! will at times inevitably threaten us in our
unexamped development of resources as a
. nation, our almost fearful progress, our 20
sitlon of amazing responsibility as the great
confederated, selfgoverning 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 va
ried and solid attainments, his services, would
: be to discourse of matters as familiar, even
f to the children of his native State, as house.
hold words. Besides, this must be left to
f vigorous pens and eloquent tongues, after the
hrst gush OF grief and the oppressive sense
OF loss shall to some extent have passed a.
way. 1t Is, and long has been, my firm con-
: viction that Mr.. Webster had hold upon
| the minds and hearts of his countrymen
which will fail to be justly estimated only
because there has been no full opportunity to
measure 1t. You, Mr.. Chairman, have thu
y said that Mr.. Webster's greatness was of
that rare character which no earthly position
could exalt. He came to official stations. as
he approached all subjects presented to his
mind, their superior and their master. He
has reared for himself vast pillar of re.
noWn, which will stand in undiminished
strength and grandeur when the works Of
men s hands erected to his honor win be like
NlneVeh, and l fear when this Union NAV
have shared the fate which was the dread Of
ms later years. A few years ago, when the
e distinguished brother of the deceased was
) called IN an instant from time to eternity in
the court room in this place. with the last
! word OF perfect sentence lingering upon
= his lips, another citizen, most eminent AMI
e beloved (the late lamented George Sullivan,
c exclaimed, "What shadows we are, what
shadows we pursued How these emphatic
words come back to us here, as if by an echo
How mere earthly honors and distinction.
: fade amid G loom like this; how political
asperities are chastened; what a lesson to tho
t living; what an admonition to personal ma
levolence, now awed and subdued, as til,
great heart of the nation throbs heavily a
the portals of his grave
b have no heart to speak, or to contem
e plate the extent of the loss we have sus
tanned. AS personal friend, as a son q
New Hampshire, as an American. citizen.
shall be with thousands sincere monrnel
: at his obsequies.
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