The weekly pioneer and Democrat. [volume] (Saint Paul, Minn. Territory) 1855-1865, 1859-10-14
The Statue of Daniel Webster

The Statue of Daniel w ebster.
Mr.. EVERETT is certainly one of the
greatest of modern rhetoricians. No better
proof can be given of fertility than that, af
ter all which has been written and spoken
about Mr.. WEBSTER, he should yet have
been able to present so much connected
with bis subject that is novel; interesting.
and attractive. The annexed Renaissance
is very pleasing, and exhibits both the
teacher and the pupil in a most amable
light, and affords also strong ground of en-
couragement to the young who are conscious
of honorable ambition and manly faculties
however humble or obscure may be their
present lot.
WEBSTER TAUGHT--EvERETT LEARNED.
"On the 18th of July, 1904, young man
from New Hampshire arrived in Boston,
all but pen1iless, and all but friendless. He
was twenty-five years of age, and had come
to take the first steps in the career of life at
the capital of New England. Three days
after arriving in Boston he presented him
self, without letters of recommendation, to
Mr.. Christopher Gore then just returned
from England, after an official residence of
some years, and solicited place in his office
as clerk. His only introduction was by
young man as little known to Mr.. Gore as
himself, and who went to pronounce his
name, which he did so indistinctly as not to
be heard. His slender figure, striking counte-
nance, large dark eye, and massy brow, his
general appearance indicating delicate
organization, his manly carriage and modest
demeanor, arrested attention and inspired
! confidence. His humble suit was granted,
he was received into the Office and had been
there week before Mr.. Gore learned that
his name was Daniel Webster His older
brother-older in years but later in enter
ing life for whose education Daniel, while
teacher of the Academy at Fryeburgh, had
drudged till midnight in the office of Regis
ter of Deeds,) at that time taught small
school in Short street, (now Kingston
street, Boston, and while in attendanceat the
commencement at Dartmouth, in 1904, to
receive his degree, Daniel supplied his place.
At that school, at the age of ten, l was then
a pupil, and there commenced friendship
which lasted, without interruption or chill
while his life lasted of which, while mine
lasts, the grateful recollection will never
perish. From that time forward [ knew,
| honored, loved him. | saw him at all
seasons and on all occasions, in the flush of
public triumph, in the intimacy of the fire.
side, in the most unreserve1 interchange of
al ~ - Il
ness, in sorrow and in joy; when early
honors began to wreathe his brow, and in
after life through most of the important
scenes of his public career. | saw him on
occasions that show the manly strength, and,
what is better, the manly weakness of the
human heart and 1 declare this day, in
the presence of Heaven and of men, that l
never heard from him the expression of
wish unbecoming good citizen and patri-
Ot-the utterance of a word unworthy a
gentleman and Christian that | never
knew more generous spirit, safer advisor,
a warmer friend.
One of the most striking passages in the
discourse is the reference to the Amphicty-
onic league, that loose association, destitute
of all the powers of an organized efficient
Government.
VALUE OF A FEDERAL UNION.
"On this subject Mr.. Webster found
remark in Grote's History of Greece which
struck him as being of extreme significance
to the people of the United States. Coca
sionally,' said Grote, there was partial
pretence for the imposing title bestowed up
on the Amphictyonic league by Cicero,
Commune GyeciG Concilium, but we should
completely misinterpret Grecian history if
we regarded it as federal council habitual-
ly directing, or habitually obeyed' And
now said Mr.. Webster, comes passage
which ought to be written in letters of gold
over the door of the Capitol and of every
State Legislature: Had there existed any
such commune conciliun,' of tolerable, wis
dom and patriotism, and had the tendencies
of the Hellenic mind been capable of adapt
ing themselves to it, the whole course of
later Grecian history would probably have
been altered; the Macedonian Kings would
have remained only as respectable neighbors
borrowing their civilization from Greece,
and exercising their military energies upon
Thracians and Illyrians while united Hell
las might have maintained her own Terrific
ry against the conquering legions of Rome
A wise and patriotic Federal Government
would have preserved Greece from the
Macedonian phalanx and the Roman le-
gions p
The subjoined anecdote illustrates at
once the imaginative nature of Mr.. Web
ster's mind and bis babitual course of thought
on the Constitution and the Union:
II happened one starry night to be walk
ing home with him at late hour from the
CAPITOL at Washington, after skirmishing
debate, in which he had been peaking, at no
great length but with much earnestness and
warmth, on the subject of the Constitution
as forming united Government. The planet
Jupiter shining with unusual brilliancy was
in full view. He paused as we descended
Capitol Hill, and unconsciously pursuing
the train of thought which he had been en-
forcing in the Senate, pointed to the planet
and said /: Might unto night showeth knowl.
edge; take away the independent, force en-
anating from the hand of the Supreme, which
irnpels that planet onward, and it would
plunge in hideous ruin from those beautiful