The republic. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1849-1853, 1853-06-14

ASEcDorE OF DANIEL Weasrr. rh.-
Webster, the father of Daniel, vac = hrm.r tn
vegetables in his garden had suffered coeside
from the depredations Of voodchuck. whose hois
aous 1 .s was near the premises. Daniel
EZEKIEL nad set trap and finally succeeded in
capturing the trespasser. Ezekiel nronosed n k;i
zoe animal and end at all future trouble from
nlaui ou' Oaniei looked with compassion upon his
meek, dumb captive and offered to let him ,g,;r
go Tree The boys could not agree and each sn-
peaieo 70 their father TO decide the case. "Weil
my boys said the old gentleman. al will be the
LUG. there is the prisoner (pointing to the
"ooocnuck) and you shall be the connsel and
plead the case for and against his life and liberty
Ezek lei opened the case With a strong argument.
urging the mischievous nature of the criminal
nno great narm be had already done, said that
hucn ume and labor had been spent in bis can
ture, and nov, II he was suffered TO live and 20
again al large, ne would renew his depred ation,
anu De cunning enough not to suffer himself to be
caught again, and that he ought now to be put to
death; that his skin was of some value and that
TO make the most of him they could 1T would not
repay bali the damage he had already done His
argument was ready, practical, to the point, and
OF inucn greater length than our limits will allow
US TO occupy IN relating the story
The father looked with pride upon his son who
became distinguished jurist in his manhood
Nov, Daniel, i is your turn; I'll hear what YOU
nave 70 say Twas his first case. Daniel saw
mat the plea OF his brother had sensby affected hi.
rather the Judge, and his large brilliant black
eyes looked upon the soft timid expressions of the
animal, and as be cav il trembe with fear in n.
harro" prison house, his heart sweled with pity,
ana ne appealed with eloquent words that the ca
1--WE might again go tree. God he said had
made the woodchuck; he made him TO love, 10
ENJOY the bright sunlight the pure air the free
noius anu "ooos. God had not made him, or
anything, In vain: the woodchuck has as much
night to hive as any other living thing; he wa. not
adestructlve animal as the wolf and the fox were;
ne sthpiy ate few common vegetables, of which
tney mad plenty and could well spare part; he
destroyed nothing except the little food he needed
10 SUSTAIN his humble life; and that little food was
as sweet TO him, and necessary to his existence
as vas to them the food upon his mother's table
uoo iurnisned their own food; he gave them all
tney possessed; and would they not spare little for
the dumb creature, who really bad az much RIGHT
to his small share of Gods bounty a. thew them
selves mad to their portion' YEA more; the animal
naa never violated the laws of his nature or the
laws OF God, as man often did, but strictly fol-
lowed the simple harmless instincts be had received
from Inc hand OF the Creator of all things Created
oy Gods hand, ne had light, a right from God
70 NE 10 f0od, to liberty; and they had no right
10 deprive him OF either. He alluded to the mute
out the earnest pleadings of the animal for that
me, as sweet, as dear to him as their own was To
theIn, and the just judgment they might expectif
20 selnso cruelty and cold heartlessness they took
the lie they could not restore again. the life that
Tod alone had given. During this appeal the
tears had started to the old mans ewes and were
Last RAINING down his sunburnt cheeks; eyery
'SNHhS VI iatncr uearE was stirred within him,
ne saw the future greatness of his son before his
eyes, he felt that God had blessed him in his chill
dren beyond the lot of common men; his oity and
sympathy were awakened by the eloquent words
OF compassion, and the strong appeal for mercy;
and forgetting the judge in the man and the IA
tner, ne sprang from bis chair (while Daniel was
IN tae midst OF his argument, without thinking he
oad already won his case and turning bis older
son, dsshing the tears from his eyes, exclaimed
"leke' Leke, you let that woodchuck go.''
Boston 1rGreller