The Perrysburg journal. [volume] (Perrysburg, Ohio) 1853-1861, 1858-05-27
From the Springfield (Msss.l Republican.
DANIEL WEBSTER.

Worcester convention in 1882 He was then In
the vigor of manhood, and in the plenitude OF his
intellectual powers. His pre-emiuence as aa ora.
tor had been fully established by his Bunker Hill
Address, his Euiogy on Adams aud Jefferson. and
his Reply to Hayne. He was the pride OF MasSa-
chusetts The desire to sec him and hear him
was most intense. AT that time he presented the
finest physique think, ever saw. He was not
above the ordinary height but admirably proper
toned he was erect in his carriage, and walked
with an elastic tread. But the head that dome
of fthought-the face that index OF the soul Few,
who have had an opportunity OF studying his
noble features, will forget them: head OF great
volume, surpassed in modern times only by those
of Napoleon and Cuvier, aud covered with raven
black hair; an ample, over-hangiug brow, amount
ing almost to detormity black, shaggy eyebrows;
deep-set eyes which, in excitement, glowed like
Goals Of fire; a we.formed nose stern lip; a
dark, thoughtful countenance aud voice which
in its deeper tones rivaed the peal of all organ in
volume and melody. Such was Daniel Webster at
fifty. He might have served as model for an an
uque Jove.
last saw him when he had attained the ordi-
nary limit assigned by the Psalmist to human life.
He was on his way to Marsh6eld--to die. Twenty
years of toll and care had wrought fearful changes
on that form. The traces OF anxious thought, OF
strong passions, OF disappointed ambition, OF
blighted aspirations, and of public confidence i'm
paired were legibly written on that face. The
elasticity of step was gone, that erect form was
bowed, and his drapery hung loosely upon him.
His locks were thin and bleached, his eye had lost
its fire, or flashed out at rare intervals like an ex-
pring taper from its socket, his dark countenance
was furrowed deeper with the lines Of care, and
his voice was like the moan of the surge long after
the storm has passed. The portraits and daguer-
reotypes taken during the latter years OF bis life,
are not the proper ones to transmit his image to
postcrity. The Webster on the canvas even OF
Healey is spirtleSs and tame. as compared with
the great original in the prime of manhood. The
bust of Powers gives us fixed proportions but
there is wide difference between the chsoled
marble and the living breathing, animated form
us wide as between life aud DEATH
His Worcester speech was an admirable review
of the administration of Gen. Jackson. The con,
clusion was exceedingly graphic, wherein he said
Let the star of Massachusetts, be the last
which shall be seen to fall from heaven, and to
plunge into the utter darkness Of disunion. Let
her shrink back, let her hold Others back, from
this gulf full at once Of fire and of backness
yes. sir, as far as human foresight can scan, OF
human Imagination fathom, full Of the fire and
the blood OF civil war, and of the thick darkness
of general political disgrace, ignominy aud ruin.
The sceno brought so vlvidly before the
audience that they seemed to be gazing on pic
ture like Martins Destruction of Babylon, where
the black sky is illumed by single streak o.
lightning while below is yawning guilt filled witt
flames
"Yet from those flames,
No light, but rather darkness visible"
Mr. Everett was next called out but declined tc
speak, "for why should attempt said he. " tc
add perfume to the violet. strength to the oak, OIL
terror to the thuuderbot.' Certainly very
felicitous compliment
There was one passage at arms, in Mr. Web
ster's life, which may not be known to the youngeI
portion of the community, but which at the time
produced a m ,rked sensation. Both he and Gov
Lincoln were members of the constitutional con.
vention of 1890. The latter was the champion o
the democrats the former, who had recently mi
grated from New Hampshire, had become the pet
of the Boston federalists. Both parties were
anxious TO witness an encounter between these
rivals ;--nor was their desire thwarted. Gov. Lin
coin, in discussing the principles of representa-
ton, had charged that the convention were forging
chains and fetters for the people. Mr. Webster
in reply, after having rung the changes on the
phase "chains and fetters," and said that an as
sembly so variously composed chosen within
month, and to return within month, wouldhard
ly combine to fabricate manaces for the people,
proceeded:
"Sr, there are some things too extravagant fol
the ornament and decoration Of oretory some
things too excessive even for the ictons OF poetry
and am persuaded that little reflection woulC
have persuaded the honorable member, thai
when he speaks of this assembly as lifting
outrages on the rights of the people. and as forg
ing chains and letters for their suhjugation, he
does as great injustice to his own character, as
lust and manly debater, as he does to the mo-
tives and intelligence Of this body"
1t is not our purpose to follow him in his intel
lectual triumphs Suffice It to say, that down tc
1885, his name was held in respect and venera,ior
by very large majority OF the people of the
North The compromise measures were proposed
Massachusetts, the whole North, looked to him
to oppose them His Intimate friends in Wash
ington wers writing home that such would be hi,
course. The 7th of March arrived 1t wa,
known that Mr.. Webster was to speak. The
anxiety to hear him was intense. Every avaia
bic place in the Senate galleries and lobbies was
occupied Ladies were admitted to the floor, AM
many Senators surrendered their own seats. Mr.
WebSter's aspect as he rose to speak, might have
been compared to that Of Millions fallen angel
with grave
Aspect he rose, and in his rising seem'd
A pillar of state; deep on his front engraVen,
Deliberation sat and public care;
And prncely counsel in his face yet shons.
Majestic though IN ruin; sage he stood,
With Atlant an shoulders fit TO bear
The weight OF mightiest monarchies."
That speech fell like a blight upon his friends
and constituents. To say that they wee disap
pointed -mortifed-chagrined would not repre-.
sent to the full extent their feelings. From that
day he loss large portion of that power over the
people of Massachusetts which he had welded
unquestioned for more than quarter of centu
ry. Up to that time, no public man had clearer
ant-slayery record his proudest parliamentary
triumphs had been won in his contest with the
South. But this one step was fatal. 1t severed
old political ties,-it severed old personal friend
ships. Men met him with averted faces. The
press attacked him. The doors of Faneull Hall
were shut in his face. His constituents would
hardly listen to defence of his conduct he had
eStranged them by his errors, he had sacrificed in
an evil hour life-acquired popularity.
Bnt truce to this uuwelcome theme. The style
of Mr.. Websters oratory cannot be too highly
commended. IL is comprehensive. strong, terse
idomatic II ia noble majestic English which