Litchfield enquirer., 1859-10-27
MIR, EVERETr'S GRAFTON ON WEE
STE!}

/
Hon. Edward Everett delivered an Grafton
at the Inauguration of the Webster Statue, Ill
Boston, which is snoken Of as one of the high
est flights of his eloquence. We give the clio
sing sentences, as follows =
This is not the occasion to dwell upon the per.
sonal character of MIR. Webster, Oil the f,,cin;l-
ton of his social intercourse, or the charm OF
his domestic life Something l could have
said Oh his companionable disposition and hab
its, his genial temper, the resources aud attrac-
tions of his conversation, his love of nature,
alike in her wild and cultivated aspects, and
his keen perception of the beautieS Of this fair
world in which We live something of Ills de-
votion to agricultural pursuits, which, next to
his pro e,s:oaal and public duties, formed the
occupation OF his life someth ng Of his fond
ness Tor athletic aud manly sports and eNerci-
ses something of his friendships, ana of his at
tachments warmer than friendships, the sou,
the brother, the husband. and the father
something of the joys and sorrows of his
! homc-of the strength of his religious conyic-
tionS his testimony to the truth of the Chris
tan Revelation the tendcrnt SIS and Sublmity
, of the parting scene. Something Oh these tol-
les have elsewhere said, and may not here
repeat.
Some other things, my friends, with your
indulgence, would say thoughts, memories,
which crowd upon me ; too vivid to be re-
pressed, too personal almost to be uttered
On the 18th Of July, 1904, young man
from New Hampshire arrived in Boston, all
but penuless, aud all but frendless He was
twenty-five years of age, and had come to take
the first steps in the career of life at the cap
tal of New England. Three weeks after arri-
wing i'll Boston, he presented himself, 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 intro
duction was by young man as little known to
Gore as himself, and who went to pronounce
his name, so indistinctIy as not to be heard.
His slender figure, striking countenance, large
dark eye, and massy brow, his general appear
ance Indicating delicate orgaz .tion, his man
ly carriage and modest demeanor, arrested at
tention 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 Web
ster His older brother, Older in years, but
later in entering life,-(for whose education
Daniel, wLile teacher of the Academy at
Fryeburg, had drudged till midnight 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 attendance at the commencement at Dart
mouth to receive his degree, Daniel supplied
his place, At that school, at the age of ten,
| was then a pupil, and there commenced a
friendship, which lasted, without interruption
or chill while his life lasted of which, willie
mine lasts the graz efu recollection will never
perish.
From that time forward knew, l honored,
loved him. l saw him at oil seasons and on
all occasions, in the flush Of public triumph
in the intimacy of the fireside-in the most
unreserved interchange of personal confidence
in health and in sickness, in SORROW and in joy
| when early honors began to wreath his brow,
aud in after life through most of the important
scenes of his public career. l saw him on &C.
casions that show the manly strength, and,
what is better, the manly weakness of the hu-
man heart ; and declare this day, in the pre-
sence of Heaven and of men, that never heard
| from him the expression of a wish unbecoming
| a good citizen and patriot--the ntterance OF
word unworthy gentleman and Christian ;
that never knew more generous spirit, a
safer adviser, warmer friend.
DO not ask me if he had faults / answer,
he 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 infrmity
Of noble mind" and had no doubt raised al
aspiring eye to the highest object of pot'ca
ambition. But he did it i'll 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, will
Burke, that she had no arts but honest arts :
and if he sought the highest honors Of the State
he did it by transcendent talent, laborions ser
vice, and patriotic devotion to the public good
1t was not given to him, any more than t