Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1858-08-28
, pilgrimage TO the Tomb OF webster.

A pilgrimage TO the Tomb or "e1ster'
A CORRESPONDENT of the Boston Courier fur
nishes the following account OF pilgrimage
to the tomb of Webster:
"On the l9,h inst, select company OF
MIR. Webster's endeared friends made pill
grimase to his tomb, and dined and spent the
night under the hospitable roof OF bis SOD:
Among them we're his most distinguished
erogiss, and still his warmsst admlrers-
EGcrctt aud Choate. They were bis fact
friends while he lived, his sincere mourners
stree his death. They were MIR. Webster's
confidential counsellors; men whom be trust
ed, honored, and loved to the last. They
appreciated his generous affection and paid
il back with the usury of great hearts. Mr..
Webster. in a letter to Mr. Everett, dated
July 81, 1852, says I'VE now and then see
stretching across the heavens, a clear, blue,
cerulcsn sky, without cloud, or mist, or haze.
Aud such appears 20 me our acquaintance,
from the time when | heard you for week
recits your lessons in the little school-house
in Short street. to the date hereof" To this
early and constant friend, MIR. Webster COM
mitted, with unlimited confidence, his works
TO be edited and his biography to be written.
Mr. Egerett's faithful lsbors added new lustre
to the orators widespread fame. Yesterday
Mr. Everett made visis to the tomb OF bis
friend. With him came another great-heart-
ed lover Of the Marsbtield statesman-one
whose profound erudition, extensive legal
requirements, and peerless eloquence, often
foiied the logical fencing, and broke the iron
mail of him whom Choate himself declared to
stand "ornium c0nscnSu, at the summit OF the
American bar" MIR. Choate seems still to
regard Webster as his counsellor, guide,
and friend" lie entertains for him the love
of child, and the generation Of disciple.
With select company of friend, all Of
one heart and one mind, having Everett and
Choate as "orators for the day." who would
not exclaim, "Oh those Attic nights and sup
pers of tue gods !" The day was delightful.
! Ii will receive white mark in the calender
OF every guest. 1t was passed in wandering
over the grounds, in pleasant Interchange
of thoughts, and in discussing, ct o'clock,
! 2. NJ, an elegant dinner in the old dining
room, where the same friends 81 often shared
Mr.. Webster's hospitality.
! After bis guests had dined, Mr.. Fletcher
| Webster, in brief, but very appropriate
speech, welcomed his friends to the home of
| his father, adding: &" 1t was once his il is
now yours" lie then proposed MIR. Everstt's
health, who responded with touching patbos,
expressing great qualification at his present
visit, and q stroog desire that it might be
annually repeated. lie dwet for few mo-
ments upon the departed statesnan's services
and fame. Mr. Fletcher Webster, in reply,
speaking Of the efficient aid which his father
! bad received from his illustrious coadjutois,
very happily alluded to Lord Talbors revela.
ton cf tie true sources Of his greatness, to
the astouishei eyes Of the Countess of Au-
vergue in the first part Of ShakSpeare's
/ Henry VI. Talbot says:
No, no, | am bu; shadow Of myself
You are deceive; my substance is not here,
For what You see Is but the smallest part
and least proportion OF humanity"
lie then winds his horn, and his bold sol.
dirrs rush in crowds. Talbot adds:
These arr my Substance, sinews, arms and
strength
$50" sad Mr. Webster, might my father
say, in the pTesence Of these, his loviog
friends"