The mountain sentinel. [volume] (Ebensburg, Pa.) 1844-1853, 1853-08-04
ELOQUENT ADDRESS.
EuIogy on Daniel Webster by Rufus
ChOate.


At the recent commencement of Dartmouth
College, the Hon. Rufus Choate delivered tru-
ly glowing eulogy on the Life and Character Of
Daniel Webster. We annex its concluding pas
sages:
He came into Congress, opposed, as 1 have
said, to the war-and behold him. if YOU would
judge of the quality of his political ethics, IN
opposition. Did those eloquent lips, st a time
OF life when vehemence and imprudence are ex-
pected, if ever, ana not ungraceful let fail even
one word of faction! Did he ever deny one
power to the general government which the
soundest expositors of ali creeds have allowed
it? Did he ever breathe syllable which could
excite region, State, a family of States
against the Uunion-which could hold out hope
or aid TO the enemy (which sought to turn or
tended to check the tide OF new and intense
nationality then bursting up, TO how and burn
till all things appointed to America to do shall
be fulfilled? These questions, in their substance
he put TO Mr. Calhoun, in 1928, IN the Senate,
and that great man-one of the authors of the
war-Just then, only then, in relation to Mr..
Webster, and who had just insinuated a re-
proach On his conduct in the war; was silent.
/ Did MIR. Webster content himself even with OBJ
jectiag to the details of the mode in which the
administration waged the war? No, indeed.
Taught by his constitutional studies. that the
Union was made IN part Tor commerce, familiar
with the habits of our long line of coast, know
ing well how many sailors and fishermen, drIv-
en- from everybody's sea by embargo and war,
burned to go to the gun-deck and avenge the
long wrongs Of England on the element where
she had inflicted them, his opposition TO the wan
manifested itself by teaching the nation that the
deck was her field of fame. Non sIH inlperiun
lPetagi sde0uas que triteadam, sed ao5is sorte da
tam.
/ But might recall other evidence of the ster
ling and unusual qualities of his public virtue
Look IN how manly sort he not merely con
Quoted particular argument a particular
speech, but in how manly a sort, in how high
moral tspe, he uniformly dealt with the mind o.
his coun -. Politicians got on advantage O
ham for sais while he lived; let the dead hav,
Just praise to-day. Our public life is Ions
electioneeriag, and even Burke tells you that al
popular elections tho most rigorous casuists
would remit something of their severity. But
wherever do you find him lattering his country
men, indirectly or directly, for vote? On
what did he ever place himself but good coun-
lscls and useful service? His arts were manly
arts, and he never saw day of temptation when
he would not rather fall than stand on any 9th
er. Who ever heard that voice cheering the
people on to rapacity, to injustice, a vain and
guilty glory? Who ever saw that pencil OF
| light hold up a picture of manifest destiny 70
dazzle the fancy? How anxiousIy rather, in
season and out, by the energetic eloquenee of
his youth, by his counsels bequeathed ON the
verge of n timely grave, he preferred TO teach
that by all possible acquired sobriety of mind,