Worcester daily spy. [volume] (Worcester [Mass.]) 1850-1888, 1853-05-18
chr y ally Spy.
mOnument to Daniel webster.

mOnume mt TO DHnle1 0ooSteE'
In the House of Representatives Monday, the
resolve to appropriate money TO build monument to
the late Daniel Webster, was passed a third read
ing, by majority Of Is. II would seem that the
Wings do intend to pass this resolve. We think
L would be well for them to pause and consider, be-
fore taking step utterly partizan, and in such
bad taste.
The friends of Mr. Webster proposed to erect a
monument to his memory shortly after his decease,
and carried subscription paper through State street
to raise funds for this purpose. BuI the Wing bro
kers and bankers had closed their account with the
''Great Expounder." When Mr. Webster was
alive there two sides 10 the bill. There was
profit TO be obtained from his influence, and IRON
his talents therefore no actual loss was to he sus-
tanned by paying few thousand dollars; Out
now the reverse was the fact, the Wing brokers
therefore refused to give any money for the monu-
ment. Defeated ia State street the Webster monu-
mentalisls now make attack upon the purse strings
of the state Failing 10 induce Mr. W ebser's friends
TO raise a stone column TO his honor, they wish 10
compel the enemies of his politics and policy to do
so. We think the prophecy of such proceeding is
very questionable to say the least Of il.
What are monuments meant for? Are they not
intended TO preserve the memory of the best men,
that the youth of future generations may have visible
ideals of greatness and goodness constantly in view,
and be induced to emulate the virtues which are
represented by those monuneutsl II a monument is
built to Daniel Webster, what will it'epresent?-
So far as we Judge, it will represent in the first
place, the meanness Of the rich Wings who pretend
ed to adore Daniel Webster when be lived--who re-
fused 10 subscribe for a monument TO him hen he
was dead, after promising to do so, but who voted
TO compel Democrats and Free Democrats to pay Tor
this one, although utterly 10 any such appro-
prIaon of their money. In the second place, it will
represent eloQuence, but eoquence undigni6ed, un-
gorifed by virtue. Poserty pointing to the ycuIp-
tured stone, will ask of some future Mentor, what
this man did, mot what he said; and the answer
must be almost coincident with that given to Tele
machus, when he was in the land of shades-"He
sold the North for eold'' Fine words do not stand
the test of ages; but brave deeds do. Grand
speeches may raise man TO a stone pedestal, but
noble actions only can pedestal man amongst the
immortals. Daniel Webster is not a representative
mamie is not fit to be deifed and raised up as an
example before the eyes Of this Commonwealth;
and we trust that his unwse partizaus viii not I've
permitted to parper tie the folly which they medi-
tate. When man has been prominent political
partzan, having jealous supporters, and equally
jealous opponents it argues very lille in favor of
the discretion his friends, when they eome scarce
ly six months after his death, and ask the State to
make demgod of him, and also to pay for his
apotheoss. If we must have monuments, let them
be erected to men whose patriotism, genius, and vr-
tue were beyond all cavil question. Let them be
for men who were true to American liberty mot to
those who betrayed and delivered ii into the hands
of shareholders.