Weekly standard. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1858-1865, 1859-09-28
WehSter,s St8tue.

Webster's Statue.
The dedication of the bronzed statue of Daniel
Webster took place in the State House grounds in
Boston on the 18th instant. The grafton on the oc-
casion was pronounced by the Hon. Edward Everett
It was noble effort, we'll worthy the fame of the
great orator. We copy below the conclusion Of the
Grafton, which relates to Mr.. Webster's personal
character:
"This is not the occasion to dwell upon the per-
sonal character of Mr.. Webster the fascination OF
his social intercourse the charm of his domestic
life. Something l could have said on his compan-
ionable dispositions and habits his genial temper,
the resources and attractions of his conversation, his
love of nature, alike in her wild and uncultivated
aspects and his keen perception 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 son, the brother, the husband, and
the father; something of the joys and the sorrows
of his home,-of the strength of his religious con-
victons his testimony to the truth of the Christian
Revelation; the tenderness and submity of the part
ing scene. Something on these topics have else
where sale, and may not here repeat
Some other things, my friends, with your indulg-
ence, would say thoughts, memories, which crowd
upon me; too vivid to be repressed, too personal
almost to be uttered.
On the 18th of july 1904, young man from
New Hampshire arrived III Boston, Ill but penniless,
and all but friendless. He twenty-five years Of
age and had come to take the first steps in the
OF life at the capital of New-England. Three days
after arriving in Boston he presented himself with
out 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 him
SELF and who went to pronounce his namc which he
did so ndistinctly as not to be heard. His slender
figure, striking countenance. large dark eye and
MASSEY brow, his general appearance indicating de-
lcate organization. his manly carriage and modest
demeanor arrested attention and inspired confidence
His humble suit was granted, he received in the
office, and had been there week before Mr. Gore
learned that his name Daniel Webster! His
elder hrother-older in years. but later in entering
life-(for whose education Daniel, while teacher of
the Academy at Fryeburgh, had drudged till mid
night in the Office of the Register of Deeds at that
time taught small school in Short-street (now
Kingston street, in Boston, and while he was in at
tendance at the commencement at Dartmouth, in
1904 to receive his degree Daniel supplied his place.
At that school, at the age of ten, was then pupil
and there. commenced friendship which lasted,
without interruption chill, while his life lasted;
of which, while mine lasts the grateful recollection
will never perish. From that time forward knew,
honorcd, loved him. | saw him at all seasons
and on all occasions, in the flush of public triumph
in the intimacy of the frcside-n the most unre-
served interchange of personal confidence in health
and in sickness, in sorrow and in Joy; when early
hOnors began to wreath 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 declare this day, in the
presence of Heaven and of men, that never heard
from him the expression of wish unbecoming
good citizen and patriot-thc utterance of word
unworthy of gentleman and Christian that
never knew more generous spirit, safer adviser,
a warmer friend
Do YOU ask me if he had faults? answer, he
was man. He had some of the faults of lofty
spirit genial temperament, and warm and gen.
erous nature; he had none of the faults of grove
ing, mean, and malignant nature. He had especial
ly the "last infirmity of noble mind" and had no
doubt raised an aspiring eye to the highest object
of political ambition. But he 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, He might say, with Burke, that
"he had no arts but honest arts" and if he sought
the highest honors of the State, he did it by tran
scendent talent, laborous service, and patriotic de-
votion to the public good.
1t was not g ven to him, any more than to the
other members Of the great triumvirate with whom
his name is habituay associated to attain the object
of their ambition; but posterty will do them JUS
tice, and begins already to discharge the debt of re-
spect and gratitude. A noble mausoleum in honor
of Clay, and his statue by Hart, are in progress;
the statue Of Calhoun, by Powers adorns the Court
House in Charleston, and magnificent monument
to his memory is in preparation; and we present on
this day, fellowcitizens, the Statue of Webster in
enduring bronze, on pedestal of granite from his
native State, the noble countenance modelled from
life at the meridian of his days and his fame, and
his person reproduced from faithful recollection, by
the Oldest and most distinguished of the living artists
of the country. He sleeps by the multitudinous
ocean, which he himself so much resembled in its
mighty movements and its mighty repose; but his
monumental form shall henceiorward stand sentry
at the portals of the Capitol the right hand point
ing to that symbol of the Union on which the left
reposes, and his imperial gaze directed. with the
hopes of the country, to the boundless West. Ina
few short years, we, whose eyes have rested on his
majestic person, whose ears have drunk in the music
of his clarion voice, shall have gone to rest but
our children, for ages to come as they dwell with
awe-struck gaze upon the monumental bronze, shall
say, 80 that we could have seen-O that We could
have heard-the great originate"
Two hundred and twenty nine years ago. this day,
beloved city received from the General Court of
the Colony. the honored name of Boston On the
long roll of those whom she has welcomed to her
nurturing bosom, is there name which shines with
brighter lustre than his? Seventy two years ago.
this day, the Constitution of the United States
rendered to the acceptance Of the people by George
Washington. Who of all the gifted and patriotic of
the land that have adorned the interval, has done
more to unfold its principles assert Its purity, and
to promote its duration.
Here, then, under the cope of Heaven; here on
this lovely emnence; here beneath the walls of the
of those fair Ncw-England villages; here, in the
vicinity of the graves of those who planted the
germs of all this palmy growth; here, within the
sound of sacred BELLS We raise this monument, with
loving hearts, to the Statesman, the Patriot, the
Fellow-citizen, the Neighbor, the Friend Long
may it guard the approach to these halls of council
long may it look out upon a prosperous country /;
and if days of trial and disaster should come. and