The independent press. (Abbeville C.H., S.C.) 1853-1860, 1859-11-04
EVERETT ON WEBSTER.
PERSONAL CHARACTER.

rERSONAL CHARACTER.
This is not the occasion 10 dwell upon
the personal character of Mr.. Webster, or
the fascination of his social intercourse, or
the charm of his domestic life. Something
| could have said on his companionable
disposition and habits, his genial temper
theresources and attraction of his conyersa-
ton, his love of nature, alike in her wild
and uncultivated aspect, and his keen per-
ception Of the beauties Of this fair world in
which we live; something Of his devotion
to agricultural pursuits which, next to his
professional and public duties, formed the
occupation Of his life; something Of his
fondness for athletic and manly sports and
exercises; something of his friendships, and
of his attachments warmer than friendships
the son, ,,thc brother, the husband and the
father; something Of the joys and the sor-
rows of his home-of the strength of his
religious convictions, his testimony to tn e
truth of the Christian Revelation the ten
derness and sublimity of tho parting scene.
Something on these topics have elsewhere
said, and may not here repeat.
Some other things, my friends, with your
indulgence, would say; thoughts, memo
ries which crowd upon me, too vivid to be
represented, too personal almost to be utter
ed.
On the Eth of July, 1904, a young
man from New Hampshire arrived in Boston
all but pcuniless and all but friendless. lie
was twenty-five years Of age, and had come
to take the first steps in the career of lif, 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 returne
from England after an official residence OF
several years and solicited a place in his
office as clerk. His only introduction was
young man rs little known to Mr.. Gore
as himself, and vino went to pronounce his
name, which lie did so indistinc,ly as not to
he heard. His slender figure, striking
countenance, large dark eye and massy brow
his general appearance indicating IA delicate
organzation,S his manly carriage and mod
est dcmeanor, arrested attention and in.
spired confidence. His humble suit WAS
granted, he was fcceived in the Office and
had been there week before Mr.. Gore
learned that his name was Daniel Webster! !!
His elder brolhcr-older in years, but later
in entering life-0or whose education
Daniel, while teacher Of the Academy at
Fryeburgh, had drudged till midnight in
the office Of the Register of Deeds,) at
that timo taught small school in Short
street, (now Kingston street) in Boston, and
while he was III attendance at the com
mencement at Dartmouth in 1904, to re-
ceive hs degree, Daniel supplied his place.
At that school, at the age of ten, was
then apupil, and there comm enced friend
ship 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, l houored, I loved him. saw him
at all seasons and on all occasions in the
flush of public triumph, in the intimacy of
the fireside, in the most unrescrved inter
change Of personal confidence, in health,
and in sickness in sorrow and in joy ; when
early honors began to wreathe his brow
and in after life through most of the i'm
portant 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 I de-
clare this day, in the presence of Heaven
and OF men, that never heard from him
the expression of wish unbecoming a
good citizen and patriot-the utterance
OF a word unworthy of a gentleman and a
Christian that I never knew more gene.
rous spirit, safer adviser, warmer friend.
Do you ask me if he had faults answer
ne was man. He had some of the faults
of lofty spirit, genial temperament, and
warm and generous nature he had none
of the faults Of groveling, mean and
malignant nature. He had especially the
"last infirmity of noble mind,' and had
no doubt raised an aspiring eye to the
highest object of political ambition. But
ne did it in the honest pride Of capacity
equal to the station, and with consciousness
that he should reflect back the honor which
it conferred. BE might say, with Burke
that "he had no arts but honest arts; )" and
it he sought the highest honors of the State
he did it by transcendent talent, laborious
service, and patriotic devotion to the public
good.
1t was not given to him, any more than
to the other members Of the great trium.