The daily dispatch. [volume] (Richmond [Va.]) 1850-1884, 1866-01-10

4 correspondent Of Chicago journal, who
has lately visited the national capital, pays
an cloqucnt tribute 10 the three great men
whose presence and influence are now 80 sadly
missed in the halls Of Congress. We can easily
imagine the emotions of m old visitor OF the
Capitol, who, after many years comes back 10
that magnificent structure but misses that
which was its chief glory, the illustrlous
statesmen. whose broad, Atlantcan shoulders
were fitted 10 bear the burthcns Of empire.
Architectural skill may raise 4 moro gorgeous
cdifice than that OF the simpler days Of the
Republic. but where is the Promcthcan spark
that shall rclume the light Of those fires OF Sc
MUS which once made it the glory Of the
earth ? The casket may be more splendid, but
the gems which gave it its chief value have
ceased 10 shine.
There was something even III the personal
presence of WEBSTER, CALHOUN and CLAY which
attracted the observation of 4 stranger. The
massive form Of WEBSTER, the imperial brow,
the solemn reposc of The classic features, lit up
by those lustrouS. cayernous eyes; the iron
physique of CALuorN the graceful, spirited,
chiyalrc person of CLAY. challenged the At
tcntion of strangers visiting the Senate. 1t
needed no one to point them out to those who
did not know them. The hand Of Nature had
stamped upon each the unmistaltablc mark OF
men born TO lead and command. When they
grapplcd each other i'll debate, 1t was n war OF
giants. Yet, il is remarkable fact that these,
the three greatest Americans that have lived III
the modern days of the Republic, Were never
elevated to the Presidency. If they We're am
bitious 10 obtain The highest honors of the
Rcpublic-and no one had u better right 10 in
dulge such aspira tons-they went down 10 the
grave disappointed men, and, 50 lar rs their
personal elevation TO the highest Official dlgni-
ties was concerned, might rs well hay" been
subjects Of European monarchy ~ citizens
of the American Republic.
Undoubtedly, the career which each ran,
long so brilliant in fame and influence, was
sadly darkencd towards its close. The sun,
which had risen 50 auspiciouSly, and travelled
in such might and Splcndor through the tirma-
mcnt went down shorn of its brightness and
enyelopcd by melancholy clouds. But ii was
the disappointment of Il deeper and noblcr pas
sion than personal ambition that darkencd the
last days of the most illustriouS patriots OF Il
former era Their prophetic vision beheld the
calamitcS which were impending over their
country, and whoever else may have been
blind TO the signs Of the coming storm, no one
can doubt that the experienced mariners who
had so long struggled TO avert it, felt, with
pang as keen rs that of death, that the labor
of their lives was lost, and that their own
funeral dirges would scarce have ceased before
the Ship of State would 90 TO pieces, and the
roar of the breakers sing a nations requiem.
II these great and patriotic Americans could
once more revisit the scenes of their ancient
renown, how would they struggle TO bind up
the wounds which the war has made, and TO
build that Union which their lives illus
trated upon. foundations which the Tlclssl-
tudcs and commissions of time could never
change If il is impossible for any OF the
public men OF the present day to emulate lhef
genius III craftsmanship and cloquence, they
can at least catch the inspiration OF their
catholic American sririt, and render worthy
tribute TO their memory by promoting the
mutual concord and confidence of the Ameri-
can people.