The Ebensburg Alleghanian. [volume] (Ebensburg, Pa.) 1865-1871, 1867-02-07
Webster as He was.


Mr.. Parton, the biographef, has fur
nished 20 the North American Reuseuo &
piquant article on Daniel Webster. which
tells some wholesome truths and is likely
to attract good deal of attention. Web
ster's leading trait, Mr. Parton asserts,
was his enormous physical magnetism
his presence overwhelmed criticism. His
intimacy fascinated 1t. Fidgety men were
quieted by his majestic calm. Women
were spelibouud by it. 1t gave the public
sense of repose. When be passed up or
down State street, with an arm behind his
back, business was brought to stand-stilt.
Webster was never student He sbsorted
knowledge, but did not work for il. F,s
Latin, he was ezceled By some of his own
class. Greek, he nevsf ,enjoyed. For
mathematics, he had not the slightest
taste. At college, he was only an omniy-
orous reader. He barely passed muster
IN the recitation room = q student. His
whole college life SHOWS that he was
formed to use ne product of other mems
toll, not to add to the common fund At
the sane time, he was an innocent Young
man. His Wild oats were not sown in
the days OF his youth. He was always
under the influence of others Nature
made him not to lead but to follow. In
the early flush and yigor of his life, he
gave thousand evidences of good heart
and of virtuous habits, bu. cot cne Of
superior understanding. The total aSsence
OF the skeptical spirit betrayed his want
OF boldness and originality. In beriei
OF transition, nc young man Of a truly
eminent intellect accepts Els fathers
ereeds without first calling them in
question. But no new light ever illu-
mined the mind of Daniel Webster. As
soon as he came of age, he Joined the
Congregational Church. The candor of
his judgment was impaired by religions
prejudice. In this respect, he never lost
his narrowness and ignorance. In the
time of his celebrity, he preferred the
Episcopal as the most senteel religion
His political prejudices we're equally
sEong. He was of slow growth. His
powers did not reach their full develou-
meut until he was nearly fifty years of
age. He had no practical wisdom.
From the year 1892 10 the end OF kis
life, he was suffering :n4 pToeess Of moral
and mental dete .sration. His material
part gained upon. his spiritual He had
an enormous capacity fer physical enjoy
me6t, and became great hunter, fisher
man and farmer, lover Of good wine and
good dinners, a most jevial companiou.
But his mind fed chiefly upon past acqui-
slti9ns. There is nothing in his lates
efforts which shows an Intellectual advance
He never browsed in forests before uu-
troddeu, or ted in pastures new. For the
last ten years of his life, though he spent
many thousand dollars on his library, he
had almost ceased to be an intellectual
beiug. HIS pecuniary habits demoralized
him. "He was not one of those who find
in the happiness and prosperity of their
country, and in the esteem of their fellow
citizens, their Own sufficient and abundant
reward for serving her. He piued for
something lower, sn1aller-somethiag per-
sonai an6 vulgar. II had no religion
not tbs least tincture Of il; and lie seem
ed at last. in his dealings with individuals,
to have no conscience Vhat he called
his religion had nc effect y .ateyer upon
the conduct OF his life; it made him go
to church, talk piously, puff the clergy,
aud 'patronize Providence'-no more.
He vas one of 'hose who fell before the
seduotious of tis place" "He would
accept roaming fees, and never look into
the bundles of papers which accompanied
them, in which were inclosed the hopes
and the fortunes OF anxious house holds.
He would receive gifts oc money, and
! toss into his saste-paper basket the list o:
the giVers, without having glanced at its
contents thus defraudipS them of the
only recompense in his power to grant,
and the only one they wished"