Burlington tri-weekly hawk-eye. [volume] (Burlington [Iowa]) 1852-1855, 1855-03-29
DISTINGUISHED MEN.
DANIEL WEBSTER.

DANIEL WEBSTER.
Daniel Webster was born in the small
town of Salisbury, NV II mpshire, on tho
18th Of January, 1882. HIS faith r was a
hardy Naw..Engla farmer, dwelling in a
rugged climate, and extracting from cold
and reluctant soil the malnlalnance of q
large and growing family. Daniel, as soon
as be was old enough shared the arduous du-
ties Of the farm, getting his education from
the winter school which was situated two
and half miles from his home. Possessed
Of remarkable memory, and a decided apt
ness to learn, he read everything that fell IN
his WY, and before he was fourteen, could
repeat By heart, several considerable volumes
Of poetry. About this time he entered Phil
lips Academy. ut Exeter, New Hampshire,
then under the charge Of the venerable DIR.
Abbot, and for whom Mr.. Webster ever re-
tanned the profoundest respect and esteem.
After studying the classics under Rev. DIR.
Woods, of Boscawen, New Hampshire, he
entered Dartmouth College, at Hanover New
Hampshire, in 1897, then fifteen years old.
He passed through college without any spe-
cal promise Of his future greatness, if we
except that close and severe attention to the
matter in hand, for which he was so rem srk-
able throughout his long and eventful life.
Deciding upon the law g his future f Id
of labor, he read awhile in the Office Of the
village l0~yer in his native town, and COM
pleted his legal course under the eye Of the
Hon. Christopher Gore of Boston. In March
1906, he was admitted to the Suffolk bar.
Not ambitious of city practice, however, he
opened an osce in Boscawen, and after a
while removed to Portsmouth, New lamp
shire, in 1907, in which year he was admit
ted to practice in the Supreme Court of New
Hampshire. lie resided in Portsmouth for
nine Yeas, in which time he established his
repatriation us sound lawyer and an able
advocate.
In 1913, Mr.. Webster was elected to a seat
in the national House Of Repres Antatives;
and here his public life dates its commence
IN mt. He entered Congress during tie most
exciting per'od-iust after the declaration Of
war against England-and found there 3
brilliant array Of talent. Henry Clay was
in the Speakers chair, and around him
set Calhoun, Forsyth, Pickering, and
Grundy. and others, whose names form g
bril- int dla1em of Ia ent and patriotism.
Mr.. Webster delivered his maiden speech in
June. lttook Congress and the country by
surprise, and at once marked him as great
leader of his party in that branch of Con-
gress. His speeches on the several impor-
tant bills discussed in that body, rs Mr.. Ev-
erett declared, ssraistd h m to the first rank
as debaier.' and as Mr.. Lowndes remark
ed, ''the North ad not his equal, nor the
South his superior.'
In 1914, Mr.. w .bster was reelected to
the same seat, and at the close of the session
voted himself asslduously to the prac-
tice Of his profession. In 1916, he removed
to Boston. The year following he was re-
tanned in the celebrated case of the corpora
ton at Oar mouth College against tn, Stlte
ct New Hampshire, in VII Oh he displayed
IN amount OF legal knowledge whicl sur
prlsed his friends even, and won for tn, cor
poration favorable decision.
Our limits forbid our following the proud
career of DAM Webster in detail. In ISL,
he WIS eicc ed i IN nmbar If the convention
called to revise the constitution of the com
monwealth of Massachusetts, and IN 1922
be was once more sent 10 Congress. In S24
he was reelected by an almost uranimoas
vote to the sam. house. In 1926 he was
elected to the Senate Of the United States,
but on account OF a severe domestic all. elton
he id dot take his seat until the autumn Of
1873; holding that post and making it hon
orabe for twelve years, during the admins
his great speech lgainst H,yne was deliver
ed. In 1889, he ma IL 4 short tour OF Europe
whore h. was rec lived as became his great
fame. In lS4l, he WIS ma le Secretary of
State under Mr.. Ty Ter, in which ollice he sue
ceSsfully negotiated AID concluded the ia
nous treaty touching tn north eastern boun-
dairy question. On the acc ssion of Mr..
Polk to the Presidency, he was again return
ed to the Senate Of the United States, and
retained his seat In that body until the death
of General Taylor. MIR. Fillmore succeed to
the Office of chief Magistr,ta, in vrtu, of
his position as Vice President. H. immad.-
ately called Mr. Webster to the post Of Sec
rotary of State. This office he he'd up to
the hour of his death, which occurred at
on the Oath Of October, 1852.
Mr.. Webster was twice married, and had |
several children, only one of whom survives.
lie lost one son in the Mexican war. sides |
his Official duties, he was often occupied IN
important law questions, and deliy cred ma ~
pubic addresses Oh important occasions. by
invitations of various societies. 1t is too
soon 70 write his Ell ocy, or speak freey of t
his political life. 1t must be left 10 h. next
generat on TO do justice to the character of
Daniel Webster.- IL. Amer. Biog.
GOVERNOR ROBERT Y. HAYNE.