The Hillsdale standard. [volume] (Hillsdale, Mich.) 1851-1909, 1853-01-18
sEwARD's EuLoGY OF WEBSTER.

ia pdosiiie odNOys L TOdcucu
the cmincnce where the traveller is promised
his first distinct view of Mont Blanc, | asked
"Where is the Mountain!" "There," said the
guide, pointing to the rainy sky which stretch
cd out before us. 1t is even so when we ap-
proach and attempt TO scan accurately great
character, Clouds gather upon it and seem to
take it up out of our sight.
Daniel Webster was man of warm and
earnest affections, in all the domestic and So
cial relations. Purely incidental and natural
illusions in his conversations, letters, and
speeches, have made Us familiar with the very
pathway about his early mountain home; and
his mother, graceful intellectual, fond and pi-
Gus; with his father, assiduous, patriotic and re-
ligious, changing his pursuits as duty in revolu-
tionary times commanded, from the farm to
tho camp, and from the camp to the provincial
Legislature and the Constituent Assembly. 1T
seems as if we could recognize the very form
and features Of the most constant and gener-
Gus OF brothers. Nor are we strangers at
Marshfied.
We are guests Hospitality admitted, and then
loft TO wander at our ease under tho evcrgreens
on the lawn, over the grassy fields, through
the dark, native forest, and along the sea
shore, We know, almost as well as we know
our own, the children reared there, and fondly
loved, and therefore perhaps carly lost the
servants bought from bondage, and held by
the stronger claims of gratitude; the careful
steward, always active yet never hurried; the
reverent neighbor, always welcome yet never
abtrusive, and tho ancient fisherman, whose
little fleet is ever ready for tho sports of the sea;
and we meet on every side tho ever watchful
and devoted friends, whom no frequency Of
disappointment can discourage, and whom ev-
er the death of their great patron cannot, all
at once dscngage from efforts, which know
no balancing of probabilities. nor reckoning of
cost, to secure his elevation 20 the first honors
of the Republic.
Who that was even confcssoily provincial
was ever so identified with any thing local, as
Daniel Webster was with the spidles of Lowell
and the quarries of Quincy; with Faneul Hall.
Bunker Hill, Forefathers Day, Plymouth Rock.
and whatever else belonged 10 Massachusetts: :
And yet, who was most truly national has ever
so sublimely celebrated, or so touchingly com
mended to our revcrent affections, our broad
and broadening continental home, its endless
river, majestic mountains and capacious lakes;
its inimit bio and inimiiabc and ndescribable
Constitution; its cherished and growing Capital;
is apty conceived and expressive flag. ond its
tliumphs by land and sea: and its immortal
founders, heroes and martyrs! How manifest
il was, too, that, unlike those who are inpatient
of slow but sure progress, he loved his country
not for something greater or higher that he
desired or hoped sho might become, but jnst
sor which she was, ard cs she was already, re-
gardlcss of future change.
No. sir: believe me. they err widely who say
that Daniel Webster was cold and passionless.
Il true tha. he had but little enthusiasm, but
he was nevertheless earnest and sincere, as
well as calm; and therefore he was both dis
eliminating and comprehensive in his afec-
tions. We recognize his likeness drawn by a
Roman pencil;
--"Vho with the nice disccrnment knows.
Uhat 10 his country and lis friends he owes:
How vlrious Nature warns the human breast
To love the Parent. Brother, Friend or Chest.
Uhgt the great offices of Judges are,
Of Senator'S. Of Geucrals sent TO war.
Daniel Webster was cheerful, and, on be-
coming occasions, joyous, and even mirthtul;
but he was habitually engaged in profound
studies on great affairs He was moreover
fearful of the dangers of pop
ular passion and prejudice; and so in public
walk, conversation and debate, he was grave
and serious, even solemnity: yot he mover dis
bonded in the darkest hours of personal or po
tical trial; and melancholy never, IN health
nor even in sickness, spread pail over his
spirits.
red that lust estimate OF his own powers which
was the basis of sclf-rcuncc which all the
world saw and approved. and which, while be-
rayed no feature of vanity, none but super
ical observer could have mistaken for pride or
arrogance.
Daniel Webster was no sophist. With a.
talent for didactatc instructions which have
excused dogma tism, he never lccturcd on the
question of morals that are agitated IN the
schools. But he seemed, nevertheless TO have
,caured philosophy of his own, and to have
made it the rule and guide of his life. The
consisted in improving his powers
md his tastes, so that he might appreciate all
ha, was good and beautiful in nature and art.
md to attain to whatever was excellent In coli
luct He had accurate perceptions OF the
qualities and relations of things, lie overval-
led nothing that was usefnl or even ornamen-
al. His lands, his cattle and equipagc, his
dwelling. library and apparel, his letters, argu-
monts and orations-cverything that he did
was, as far us possible, fit, complete, perfect
lie thought decorus forms necessary for pre-
serving whatevor was substantial or valuable
in polite and morals, and even in religeon.-
La his regard, Order was the first law and
Peace tho chief blessing of earth, as they are
Of heaven. Therefore, while he desires Justice
md loved Liberty, he revercnced Law as tho
first Divinity of state and society.
Daniel Webster was, indeed, ambitious, but
his ambition was generally subordinate to con-
ventional forms, and always 10 tho constitution.
He aspired to place and preferment, but not
FOR the nero exercise of political power, and
still less for pleasurable indulgences; and only
for the occasions to save and serve his country,
and for tho famo which such noble actions
might bring. Who will censuro such ambition?
Who had greater genius subjected the severer
discipline! What other motives than those OF
ambition could have brought that genius into
activity under that discipline, and sustained
that activity SO equally under over-changing
so long! Ills ambition never
fell off into presumption. He was, on the con-
irary, consent with performing oil practical du-
ties, even in common affairs, in the best posi-
bio manner; and he never chafed under petty
restraints from those above, nor malicious an
noyonces from those ground him. If ever man
had intellectual supcri rity which could havo