The republic. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1849-1853, 1852-11-05
General Pierce's .Remsflks en- the Death Of
MIR. Webater. IL
from lie Boston Po.t Of October 2s.


From tie Boston Post of October &c.
At Concord, New Hampshire, yesterday, at 10
O'Clock most of the stores and Offices closed,
and business was generally suspended. meet
ing was soon after held in the Representatives Hall,
which was crowded full of citizens, large num-
Der of ladies being present. Hon. Ira Perley was
chosen chairman, and DR., Parker secretary. An
appropriate series of resolutions reported and
unanimously adopted. The chairman, after the
resolutions had been read, called upon General
Pierce to address the meeting. The crowded hall
became as still death rs General Pierce rose 70
comply; and with deep emotion, which at times
almost overcame him, and in calm and imPres
sive manner suited to the occasion, he spoke as
follows
been impressed by the fervent appeal to that Power
in which fathers put their trust in the hour Of
their weakness and trials And how has that
solemn impression been enhanced by the last
words Of the truly great man, just read by the
Rev. DR.. Bouton.
"But few weeks epassed since a deep gloom
was cast over our country by the death OF the
great statesman OF the West. II had long been
Understood that this light wac Pickering in its
socket and must soon go out Still, the announce
ment. when il came, was laden with sadness; and
we have all since then been disposed to look with
warmer affection and more glowing gratitude 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 nobest
efforts, .aI
~ had met MIR. Webster repeatedly prior to
1899, but my personal acquaintance with him may
be said to have commenced with my first win
ter at Washington. His attachment to our State
was singulariy strong; and this circumstances,
perhaps led to a series Of kind acts and courtesies
towards me during the session OF 1884 and at.
terward, the grateful recollection OF which will
IL for ht.v,oo fOro frtn
for whose personal regard my own heart has given
back true and full response.
,"AmonP eminent citizens of commanding power
and influence while l was in the Senate. he stood
perhaps pre- eminent In his rich combination Of
qualities an orator, lawyer, and statesman, II
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 his transit through the
| dark Valley White Grundy, Forsyth, Southland,
Wall, Linn, Sewer, Silas Wright, HILL Woodbu.
ry, Calhoun, Clay-men who left their impress
upon the age-naines indissolubly connected with
the fame and history Of their country; all like him
whose death we are now called Upon to deplore
were links in the chain which bound the past gen
GRAFTON to the present; and all like him are
the other side Of that narrow line which divides
time from eternity. Upon whom have their man.
ties fallen? Who are to take their places in the
perils through which our country may be called to
pass? Who, with patriotic courage and statesman.
like forecast TO guide in the storms that will
| at times, inevitably threaten US in our unexam.
pied development of resources as nation, our al
most fearful progress, our position OF amazing re
sponsiblity as the great coniederated' self gov
| which will press themselves upon all minds; but
who, alas! can satisfactorily answer themi
| "To speak of Mr. Webster's genius, his varied
| and cold attainments, his services, would be to
discourse of matters as familiar, even to the chill
dren Of his native State as household words. Be-
sides, this must te left to vigorous pens and clo
quent tongues, after the fret gush of grief and the
Oppressive sense of loss shall to extent have
passed away. 1t is, and long has been, my firm
! minds and hearts OF his country men, which will
fail to be Justly estimated only because there has
| been iull opportunity to measure it. You,
| Mr.. Chairman, have truly said that MIR. Web
ster's greatness was Of that rare character which
no earthly position could exalt. He came to Off.
cial stations, he approached all subjects present
ed to his mind, their superior and their master.
| He has reared for himself a vast pillar Of renown,
| which will stand in undiminished strength and
grandeur when the works of mems hands erect.
cd to his honor will be like Nineveh, and fear
when this Union may have shared the fate which
was the dread Of his later years. A few years ago
when the distinguished brother OF the deceased
was called in an Instant from time to eternity in
the court in this place, with the last word Of
perfect sentence lingering upon his lips, another
citizen, most eminent and beloved, (the late la
mented George Sullivan,) exclaimed, What
| shadows we are what shadows We pursue - How
these emphatic words come back to us here, as If
| by an echo. How mere earthly honor and distinc-
tons fade amid gloom like this; how political
asperties are chastened; what lesson to the liv-
| ing; what an admonition to personal malevoence,
now awed and subdued, as the great heart of the
nation throbs heavily at the portals of his grave.
al have no heart to speak, or to contemplate the
| extent OF the loss we have sustained. As perso
nal friend-as u son of New Hampshire-as an
| American citizen, | shall be, with thousands,
sincere mourner at his obsequies."