The Hillsdale standard. [volume] (Hillsdale, Mich.) 1851-1909, 1857-07-21
HILLsDALE, MICH, TUESDAY, JULY 81, 1857.

4
II ey like no other form of speech so well a
the straight forward yes or no. independence
is the embodiment of all the cardinal virtue
with them. They are positive, methodical
cleanly, and formal; and have loving kline
ness for conventional ways. They love trutl
and religion to be sure, but they always speal
the ono and worship the other in precise
points of form. They keep their old customs
costumes and pomps; their wig and mace
sccptre and crown. Their first instinct is 70,
precedent. The favorite phrase of the Law
is, "a custom whereof the memory of man
runneth not back to the contrary" The
motto of the great Lords is, 1--WE are unwil
ling to change;" and the cockneys always
stiae the curiosity of q stranger as to the rea.
son Of any practice, with "Good Lord, sir
that was always So" They hate innovation
Bacon told them time was the right reformer;
Shakespeare, that habit was a second nature
Chatham. that confidence was plant of Glow
growth; Canning, to advance only with the
tine; and Wellington, that habit was ten
times nature. The whole British power re-
sides in their dislike Of change
| Now this which is true of English charac-
ter is equally true of the conservative part of
tho American. independence belongs both
to conservatism and radicalism, but it mani
tests itself in ways the antpodes of each 9th.
er, The one is independent BY the respect
which he wiN show for that which is establish.
cd, and for daring to beieve in old things
just because they are old and tried: while
the other fatters himself with the belief that
independence is manifested by embracing
new notions and lato-born ideas, and loudly
declaiming in their behalf.
Mr.. Everett displays the positive, method.
ieal, cleanly, and formal appearance of the
fine old English gentleman. His pcrecnal
Rppcarace is alwa's neat, appropriate, and
concilating. Tie moment he rises to speak
il is easy to perceive be is an accomplished
gentleman; before he has uttered many SEN
tcnces the Intelligent bearer is equally con-
vinccd he is IN accomplished orator and fn-
ished writer. His placid manner is in har-
monv with thc mild character of his sen,i-
ments. 4 calm richness pcrvades his style
by means Of which he throws a spell over tho
hearts Of his readers. His forte unlike that
of Clay, CT Cloate, or III fact the greater
part Of American speakers, lies not in violent
outLulsts Of passion when he rides upon the
storm and directs the whirwind, but rather
in his artistic power over materials deliberate
ly gathered, in his great command over the
resources of language, and in tho rich image
ry in which lie dIapcs his thoughts.
II has been said Of Daniel Webster that
Throughout his speeches we perceive spirit
emincntly national. His whole life was i'm
bucd ,vith patriotic arder. 1t was manifest
I'd at p,rmt;nth Rock, On Bunker Hill, at
the tomis Of Adams and Jefferson. He has
done What no national poet has yet succeeded t;a
with all in orr countrys history and scenG:-,v
which makes us rejoice that we are Amcri-
cans Over all the events in our history
which arc hcroical, lie has cast the hues of
strong feeling and vivid Imagination. He
cannot stand upon one spot of ground halow-
ed by liberty, without being kindlcd by the
genius of the place; he cannot mention a
name consccratcd by self devotion and patriot.
ism, without doing it eloquent homage. His
patriotism was part Of his being; it was the
alpha and omega of his political alphabet.
The same is equally, if not moro true of
Everett. He, too, has stood upon Plymouth
Rock and told the story of the Pilgrims; he,
too, has stood upon Bunker Hill and talked
of it Just as tic old Greeks loved to talk Of
Marathon md Thcrmopyac; JUS rs the Scots
lovo to talk of Sterling Town and Bannock
burn; inst rs the English love to talk of
Crcssy and Agincouit, of Haldown Hill aud
Flodden Field; he, too, has bent over the
tennis Of Adams aud Jefferson and lamented
FOR them IN sifains worthy Of the departed
heroes. lie has an acute scrsibiliIy to pa
triotic associations; no voice calls to him so
loud and 70 ctIcctnaily as that Of his country.
He always stands ready to do her bchests, and
acriilccs for her the best portion Of his lie,
md the f,rcst of his talents. His late noble
effort in behalf of Washington and the OBJ
jet to which il was devoted give inoontcsti-
bic proofs of this. 1t cannot DO said Of hin
as Oliver Goldsmith said Of Burke,
tsThat he narrowed his mind
And to party gave up what was m ant for mankind
Mr.. EverctL's character is emnontly con-
scrvative. He cutters upon 10 new project
until thoroughly convinced Of its worth and
practicabiity He prefers doing as his faith.
eis did, and when lac launches out into new
field it is with the EXTREMIST caution. In do
ing this he but follows the teachings of his
nature; it would be impossible for him to do
otherwise. Nature forms us Of different dis
positions and habits and these cannot be
wholly changed, however much they may be
trained by education.
The best exponent of radicalism I conceive
TO be Horace Greeley. 1t has been already
remarked that there is no class Of men in the
country who have so powerful an influence
as those who drive the quill. For bis great
succets in this profession no less than for the
strong points of character which he possesses
in common with SO many Of his countrymen,
I take him as the best Representative of this
class. Radicalism exists under many and
Protean shapes, and runs through all degrees
from the widest fanatcism down to the mild
est form Of the progressive spirit. With
those who embrace all the new ocracies and
sms Of the day, who in their own expressive
law guage Ego the whole hog" upon every
thing new, l wish TO have as little to do as
possible. They mount few late-born ideas
and ride them TO death through thick and
thin, They come down on everything that