Staunton spectator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1849-1896, 1856-12-17
Recollections of Daniel Webster.

In the correspondence of Daniel Webster"
now in press and about to be issued, are found
many interesting incidents in the life OF the de-
parted Statesman. not published elsewhere. We
extract the following reply to challenge sent
him from John Randolph, of Roanoke
WAsHINGroN, April, 1916.
"Sir:-For having declined to comply with
your demand yesterday in the House, for an ex.
PLANTATION of words of a general nature, used in
debate, you now demand of me that satisfaction
which your insulted feelings require, and refer
me to youp friend, Mr. -; presume, as he
is the bearer OF your note, for such arrangements
as are usual.
"This demand for explanation you,i my judg-
ment, as matter Of right were not entitled to
make on Inc .RQr were the temper and style of
your own rep ITO my objection to the sugar.
tax of character to induce me to accord it as
matter of courtesy.
Neither can |, under the circumstances Of
the case, recognize in you right to call me to
| the field to answer what you may please to con-
slider an insult to your feelings.
sit is unnecessary for me to state other and
obvious considerations growing out of the case.
1t is enough that do not feel myself bound at
all times and under any circumstances, to accept
from any man who shall choose to risk his own
life, an Invitation of this sort-although shall
be always prepared to repel, in suitable man
ner, the aggression OF any man who may pre-
sumo upon such refusal.
"Your obedieut servant,
"DANIEL WEBSTER"
The following is letter written by Mr.. Web
ster after the death of his wife, to G. B. Had
dock, ESQ.,:
WASHINGTON, March 81, 1928.
My Dear Nephep II thank you for your kind
and affectonate letter,and assure you its sugges-
tions are all in strict accordance with my own
feelings. 1t does not appear to me unreasonable
to believe that the friendships of this life arc
perpetuated in heaven. Flesh and blood indeed,
cannot inherit tile kingdom of God; but know
not why that which constitutes pure source Of
happiness on earth individual affection and love,
may not survive the tomb Indeed is not the
principle OF happiness to the senlient being es-
sentially the same in heaven and OH earthI The
love OF God and of good beings whom he has
created, and the admiration Of the material uni
verse which he has formed--can there be other
sources of happiness than these TO the human
mind unless it is to alter the whole structure
and character2
And again, it may be asked, how can this
world he rightly called scene of probation and
discipline, if the affections, which We are COM
PEELED to cherish and cultivate here, are to leave
US on the threshold of the other world2 These
views, and many Others, would seem to lead to the
belief that earthly affections purified and exalt-
ed, are fit to carry with US to the abode Of the
blessed Yet, it must be confessed that there
are some things in the New Testament which
may possibly countenance different conclusion.
The words Of our Saviour, especially in regard
to the woman who had seven husbands, deserve
deep reflection. l am free to confess that some
descriptions of heavenly happiness are SO ethe-
real and sublimated as to fill Inc with a strange
sort of terror. Even that which you quote, that
our departed friends "are as the angels OF God"
my soul with dreadful emotion
Like an angel of God, indeed, hope she is in
purity, in happiness, and in immortality; but
would feign hope, that in kind remembrance of
those she has left in lingering human sympathy
and human love, she may yet be as God created
her, little lower than the angels.
Ny dear nephew, ] cannot pursue these
thoughts nor tuln back to see what have writ.
ten Adieu. ID. w.