The Memphis union appeal. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1862-1862, 1862-08-06
EDWARD EVRRETT.

Of the eminent public men in the country
no one has attained such brilliant distinction
IN spheres of sction so manifold as the illus
trions individual whose name stands at the
head of this article. AS a statesman, striking
out new lines of policy, and welding preg-
nant influence on the destiny of the nation
he may have been surpassed BY Others whose
ambition led them more directly to the hot
and crowded arena of political life; as an ora
TOT, he may be called TO yield the palm to
men whose lmpetuous temperament and facil-
lty OF coarse popular illustration, enable them
more edectually to sway tho passions of the
multitude; as scholar, he may perhaps have
hi superiors il special departments of learned
research, although he is excelled by none in
the variety and extent of his elegant literary
accomplishments.
But we can name no man who combines to
such remarkable degree in his own person
the rarest qualities of statesman, the scholar,
and the orator, and in each of these fields of
action has won distinct renown, which might
we'll be evinced by the most ardent aspirants
for success in any one of them.
Mr.. Everett's career as statesman has
beea marked by the peculiar character of his
mind. He has always been consistent with
himself. He has always had just estimate
of his own place in the politics of his country,
and has never failed to fill it with dignity and
sensitive nature, he has sought to avoid the
collisions of stormy controversy, and to pur-
sue mild, concilistory course. With highly
fastidlous tastes, and a keen sense Of the pro-
prletles Of social life, he has not been fitted
for the rough and adventurous path of the
pioneer His instincts have inspired him with
the love Of caution; his education and thought
have given compTehensiveness to his views;
the moderation which grows out of ssgacious
balancing Of probabilities and the exercise of
a wise foresight, preserves him from the adop-
tion of extreme opinions, and he is thus inev-
itably attached to the side for which be is fit
ted by nature-that of liberal conservatism.
DE has, accordingly, never been fierce and
bigoted partisan. No man has ever treated
his opponents with more justice and generosity.
In diplomacy he has displayed the scuteness
of an able counsellor, and acted with the firm
ness of devoted advocate His policy as a
statesman has been charged with taking its
tone from the spirit of compromise, but it
ought not to be forgotten that the American
Union was itself compromise. In the pres
ent disastrous crisis, no one can accuse Mr..
Everett of lack of decision and energy
With no trace of superfuous antagonism, he
has nobly vindicated the constitution Of the
United States, demolished the pretensions of
its enemies, and resolutely urged tie acquisi-
ton of peace by the vigorous conduct of the
war.
But it is in the cultivation of letters that Mr..
Everett is best qualified to shine, as we'll by the
native tendencies of his genius, and the rare
endowments of his intellect, as by his habits
of persistent industry, and the wonderful COM
pass, variety, and exactness of his attainments
His aptitude for learning was displayed at an
early age. While yet pupil under the iui-
ton of Daniel Webster singular coincidence |
in fho erha ol of oh 49,
in Boston, he was distinguished as q prodigy
of parts" He entered college when scarcely
old enough to leave the protection of the pa
ternal roof His career at Harvard was per-
petual succession of t-iumphs. The peculiar
juvenile beauty of his person called forth even
less admiration than the grace and brilliancy
of bis mind. La every branch of study he
was first among the foremost. His remarka-
bic capacity for acquisition was fully equalled
by the delicaey of his taste, his bright and
lambent humor, and his felicity of ex preston.
Even at that tender period he exhibited the
skill in literary composition in which he has
since found few peers among modern writers.
Soon after leaving his Alma Mater and be-
fore he had reached the age of twenty, be be-
came the pastor of a church distinguished for
its intelligence in city where intelligence
was deemed passport to heaven of no less
validity than religion. His congregation in
cluded among its members no small proper
tion of the wisdom and refinement of Boston
He succeeded the youthful Buekminster, the
fame of whose literary attainments and sill
very eloquence is among the choicest traditions
of that city, and whose premature death had
Just spread dismay among a devoted and
! enthusiastic circle of admirers. Mr.. Eve
rett, in whom the rosy sy-cheeked boy was scarce
| ly concealed in the surplice of the pastor, at
once proved himself equal to the situation
| His discourses were models of correct thought
| sound reasoning, chaste and elegant expires
| sion, and earnest appeals to the religious ma
ture. If they betrayed the splendid oratory,
| of which be has since become 50 conspicuous
| as master, it was only in germ. But his Gu
| rious erudition soon found fit occasion for It's
exercise. A young man named English, who
! had been divinity student at Cambridge,
suddenly emerged into notoriety by declaring
himself convert to Judaism, and publishing
an attack on the New Testament in favor Of
| the Old. His work, which would be an acqui-
| sition to the Museum, was filed with recon.
| dite learning, and written with in
| genuity and considerable power. Its
appearance among the easy-going Uni
tarians of the city of Boston had the effect
of sudden thunder clap. Almost a religious
panic prevailed among the eminently respect.
able Christians of that day. Mr.. Everett was
universally pointed out as the youthful David
to demolish the audacious Goliah, who had
thus dared sfo defy the armies of the living
! God" He girded himself with alarcity for the
contest, but with less homely weapons than q
sling and five smooth stones from the brook
The volume which he soon published seemed
almost q miracle of learning and argument
especially at that day, when theological re
search was less common than at present. II
was a work which would do no discredit to the
riper years of the author: but as the produc.
ton of SO young man, it has scarcely par
| allel in literature.
/ He continued to occupy the pulpit for {
little more than year, when, having receive9
the appointment of Professor of Greek Litera
ture in Harvard College, he entered upon al
extended course of European travel and study
in order more amply to qualify himself for tht
duties of his post. After an absence of lou