The Hillsdale standard. [volume] (Hillsdale, Mich.) 1851-1909, 1852-11-16

clear, blue, cernlean sky, without cloud or
mist, or haze. And such appears to me our
acquaintance from the when / heard you
for week recite your lessons in the little school
house in short street, to the date hereof" 2lst
July. 1852.
| Mr.. Chairman. / do not dwell upon the traits
Of Mr. Wcbster's public character, however
| tempting the theme. Its bright developments
| in long life of service are before the world;
| they are wrought into tho annals of tho coun-
try. Whoever in after times shall write the
history nf tho United States for the last forty
years will write the life of Daniel Webster;
and whoever writes the life of Daniel Webster,
as il ought to be written, will write the histo-
ry of the Union from the time he took lead
ing part in its concerns. prefer to alludc to
those private traits which show tho man. the
kindness of its heart, the generosity Of his
spirit, his freedom from all the bitterness of
Tho party. the Unaffected gentleness of his ma
tnrc. In preparing the new edition of his
works. he thought proper tn leave every thing
10 my discrction-as far as matters of taste
are concerned. One thing only be cnjoined
upon me with an earncstnoss approaching to
command. "My friend" said hc, 81 wish to
perpctunte no fucds. have lived life of
strenuous political warfare have sometimes
though rarely. and that in self defence been
led to speak Of others with severity. beg you.
the character ofthe speech. and thus doing cs-
sential injustice to me, to obl'terac every trace
of personality of this kind. l should prefer
not 10 leave word that would give unncccs-
sary pain to any honest men, however opposed
to mo,
But Incod not tell you, fellow citizens. that
there is no one of our distinguished public
men, whose speeches contain less occasion for
such an injunction. Mr.. Webster habi,ually
abstained from the use of the poisoned weap-
ons of personal invcctivc or party odum. No
one could more studously abstain from all at
tempts to make a.politcal opponent PERSONAL
ly hateful. If the character of our congress
ioral discussions has of late years somewhat
declined in dignity. no portion ofthc blame lies
ut his door. With Mr.. Calhoun who for n con-
siderable portion of the time was his chief an
tagonist and with whom he was brought into
m, 81 direct collision, he maintained friendly
personal relations. He did ulliust;ce to his
talent and character. You remember the feel
ing with which he spoke Of him at the time Of
his dcceasr. Mr. Calhoun in his turn, enter
tanned a inst estimate of his great opponents
worth. He said towards the close Of his life,
and that fall the leading men of the day,
| there was not one whose course had been more
strongly marked by strict regard to truth
and honor than Mr. Wcbstcr's.
One of the resolutions speaks of q permanent
memorial to Mr.. Webster, do not know what
is contemplated, but TRUST that snch q memo.
rial :here will he. 1 trust that marble and
brass, in the hands of the most skilful artists
cur country has produced, will be put in rclui-
| sion to reproduce to oirs-ard no wher so ap-
propriately as in this hall--the lineamenis of
that noble form and beaming counfenauce on
which we have so often gazcd with delight
But after all fellow citizens, the noblest mnnu-
IL,
will he live and speak to us and our children.
| when brass and marble have crumblcd into
| dist. As repositorv of political truth and
practical wisdom applied 10 the affairs &c gov
| ernment | know not where we shall find
their equal The works Of Burke naturally sug-
gcst themselves 10 the mind. as the only wr-
iings in our language thar can sustain the com
pariscn. Certainly no compositions in the En-
glish tongue can take precedence Of those of
Burke, in depth of thought. search of forecast,
or magnfcence of style. think. however, it
may be said. without partialitv, either national
or personal that while the reader is coycd at
last with the Gorgeous finish of Bnrke's detion.
there is a severe simplicity. and sigpant plain
ness in Wchsier's writing that never tires. II
is precisely this which charactcrizes the states
man in distinction from the political philoso-
pher
I'm political disqusition elaborate in he clos
ct, the palm must perhaps be awarded to
Burke over all others, ancient or modern. But
in the actual conflicts of tho Senate, man n
pai' ST man and ooinion against opinions in the
noble war of debate, where measures are IN be
sustained and opposed, on which the welfare of
tho country and The peace ofthc world depend
-wherc often thelne of intellectual hattie is
charged in a moment-no time TO reflect. no
leisure to- Gull words or time to gather up H.
Illustrations. bnt all to be decii cd by vote. al
though the reputation OF life may be at stake
all this is vory different ma'ier, and hero
Nlr. Webster was immcasurably the superior
Accordingly. we find historically Incredible
as il sounds and ihatI am ready to say, will
not believe though it is unquestionably trnel
that these inimifablc oraiions Of Burke. which
one cannot read without thrill of admiration
to his fingers ends. actually cmpted The bench
es of parliament Al, gentlemen, it was very
different with our great parliamentary orator.
lie not only chained to their seats willing, or
| if there was suchn thing. unwilling Senator'S:
but the largest hall was too small for his au-
dicnce.
On the memorable Sth ofMarch. 1850, when
he was expected to speak upon the great qucs-
tions then pending before the country. not only
was the Senate Chamber thronged to ita ut
most capacity at an early hour. but all the pas
sages to IT, the rotrunda of the capitol, and
even the avenues of the city. were alive with
tho crowds who were desirons Of gaining ad-
mitiancc. Another Senator. not political
friend, was entitled 10 the floor. With equal
good and good feeling. he stated that she was
aware that tho great multitude had not come
together to hear him and he WIS pleased to
Yield the floor tn The only man, rs he believed
who could draw together such an assembly,
This scntimcnt-thc etfusion Of parliamentary
conrtcsy--will. pcrhaps. found no inadequate
expression of what will finally be the judgment
ofpos'crity.
Among the many memorable words which
fell from tho lipsof our friend Just before they
were closed forever. tho most remarkable are
those which my friend IIiliard has just quoted
81 STILL LIVE Thew attest the serene COM
posure Of his mind. tho Christian heroism with