The Belmont chronicle, and farmers, mechanics and manufacturers advocate. [volume] (St. Clairsville, Ohio) 1848-1855, 1853-08-19
MISCELLA EOUS
Extracts from Mr.. Choate's Eulogy on
Webster.

Extracts from Mr.. Choate's Eulogy o
Webster.
Among the recent commencement exc
cises at Dartmouth college was the Eulog
of Mr.. Choate. It is considered as the bes
of the many good eulogies delivered on tn
death of Webster. 1t certainly must hav
been grand literary feast to listen to such a
address from such man on such theme
feast the like Of which is not seen every day
no nor every century. The Eulogy occupie
about nine closely printed columns of the Tr,
bune in fine type, we have room for but few
extracts.
1t would not be unpleasing and would b,
quite within my plan and my actual prepara
ton, to pause and recall the names, and at
tempt to appreciate the influence of some o
that succession of competitors of judicial fried,
of Mason, and Smith, and Story, g. Dexter
and Parsons, by whose rivalry & counsels he
was honored, and stimulated, and trained
but that time forbids it. Equally within my
plan it would also be to enumerate the names,
at least Of some Of the great causes by which
his fame was built, and try to convey some
impression of the novelty Of the questions
involved, and the importance of the principles
adjudged. But there is only one of which
have time to say anything, and that is the
case which established the inviolabilty of the
charter of Dartmouth College by the Legis-
lature of the State of New Hampshire. Acts
of the Legislature, passed in the year 1916,
had invaded its charter. A suit was brought
to test their validity. 1t was tried in the
Supreme Court of the State; judgment was
given against the college; and this was ap-
pealed to the Supreme Federal Court by writ
of error. Upon solemn argument the charter
was decided to be contract whose obliga-
lion State may not impair. The acts were
decided to be invalid as an attempt to impair
t, and you hold your charter under that de-
,ision to day. How much Mr.. Webster con-
ributed to that result how much the effort
dvanced his own distinction at the bar, you
III know. Well, as if of yesterday, re-
member how it was written home from WASH
ngton, that Mr. Webster closed legal ar
,ument of great power by peroration whi ch
harmed and melted his audience. Often
ince l have heard vague accounts not much
more satisfactory, of the speech and the scene.
was aware that the report of his argument
IS it is published, did not contain the actual
'eroration, and supposed it lost forever. By
he great kindness Of learned and excellent
'erson, DR.. Chauncy A. Goodrich, a Professor
n Yale College with whom have not the
lonor of personal acquaintance, although
lis virtues, accomplishments and most useful
ife were we'll known to me, l can read to
you the words whose power, when those lips
poke them, so many owned, although they
;ould not repeat them. AS those lips spoke
hem we shall hear them nevermore, but no
ltterance can extnguish their simple, sweet
md perfect beauty. Let me first bring the
general scene before you, and then you will
lear the rest in Mr.. Goodrich's description.
t was in 1918 in the 37th year of Mr..
Vebster's age. 1t was addressed to tri-
unal presided over by Marshall, assisted by
Washington, Livingston, Johnson, Story,
Todd and Duvall-a tribunal unsurpassed on
arth in all that gives illustration to bench
f law, and sustained and venerated by a
oble bar. He had called to his aid the ripe
nd beautiful culture of Hopkinson, and off
is opponents was William Writ, then and
yer of the leaders of the bar, who with
aculties and accomplishments fitting him to
dorm and guide public life, abounding in
eep professional learning and in the most
arous and elegant acquisitions, a ripe and
plendid orator made so by genius and the
most assiduous culture, consecrated all to the |
unal and in presence of an audience select
nd critical, among whom, it is to be borne
n mind, were some graduates of the college,
,ho were attending to assist against her, that
e opened the cause. gladly proceed in the
words of Mr.. Goodrich:
"Before going to Washington, which did
hiefy for the sake of hearing Mr.. Webster,
was told that in arguing the case at Exeter. !
T. H., he had left the whole Courtroom in
ears at the conclusion of his speech. This,
confess, struck me unpleasantly-any at
empt at pathos on purely legal question
Ike this seemed hardly in good taste. On
ny way to Washington made the acquaint-
nee of Mr.. Webster. We were together
or several days in Philadelphia at the house
# common friend; and as the college
question: was one of deep interest to literary
nen, we conversed often and largely on the
ubject. AS he dwelt upon the leading points
# the case in terms so calm, simple and
'recise, | SAID to myself more than once, in
eference to the story had heard, 'What-
ever may have seemed appropriate in de-
Tending the College at home, and on her own
ground, there will be no appeal to the feel
ings of Judge Marshall and his associates
at Washington" The Supreme Court of
he United States held its session that winter
n mean apartment, of moderate size, the
Capitol not having been bull: after its destruc-
ion in 1914, The audience, when the case
ame on, was therefore small, consisting
hiehy of legal men, the elite Of the profess
ion throughout the country. Mr.. Webster
ntered upon his argument in the calm tone
IF easy & dignifed conversation. His matter
vas SO completely at his command that he