The Potter journal. [volume] (Coudersport, Pa.) 1857-1872, 1867-02-19
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Mr. Parton, the biographer, has furnish
ed to the last number of the North Aneeri-
can RevteW piquant article on Daniel
Webster which tells some wholesome
truths and is likely to attract good deal
of attention. Webster's leading trait, Mr.
Parton asserts, was his enormous physical
magnetism. His presence overwhelmed
criticism. His intimacy fascinated it. Fid-
getty men were quieted by his majestic
calm. Women ware spell-bound by it. 1t
gave the public sense Of repose. When
he passed up OF down State street, with
an arm behind his back, business was
brought to ctand still, Webster was nev-
er student. He absorbed knowledge
but did not work for it In Latin, be was
excelIed by some Of his own class. Greek
he never enjoyed. For mathematics, he
had not the slightest taste. At college, he
was only an omnieerous reader He bare
ly passed muster in the recitation room as
student His whole college life shows
that he was formed to use the product of
other mems toll, not to add to the common
fund. At the same time be was an limo
cent young man. His wild oats were not
sown in the days of bis youth. He was
always under the influence of others. Ma
ture made him not to lead, but to follow.
In the early flush and vigor of his life, he
gave thousand evidences of a good heart
and of virtuous habits, but not one of II
superior understanding. The total absence
Of the skeptical spirit betrayed his want of
boidness and originality In a period of
transition, no young man of a truly emf
nent intellect accepts his fathers creeds with
out first calling them in question. But no
new light ever ilumined the mind of Dan
iel Webster. As soon as he came of age
he joined the Congregational Church The
candor of his Judgment was impaired by
religious prejudice In this respect be new
er lost his narrowDess and ignorance. In
the time of bis celebrity he preferred the
Episcopal, as the most gehteel religion. Hi
political prejudices were equally strong
He was of slow growth. His powers did
not reach their fulI development till he was
nearly fifty Years of age. He had no prac-
tical wisdom. From the year 1882 to the
end of his life, he was suffering the process
Of moral and mental deterioration. His |
material part gained upon bis spiritual.
He had an enormous capacity for physical
aud became a great hunter,
fisherman and farmer, lovhr of good wine
and good dinners, a most jovial companion
Bat his mind fed chiefly upon past acqui-
sitions. There is nothing in bis later eff,ort>
which shows an intellectual advance. Hel
never browsed in forests before untrodden,
or fed IN pastures new. For the last ten
years of his life, though he spent many
thousand dollars on his library. he had al
most ceased to be an intellectual being. |
HIS pecuniary habits dernoraized him.
ale 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 pined for something
lower; sltaIler-somethins personal and
vulgar. He had no relisiou-not the least
tine'ure of itj and he seemed at last in his
dealings with individuals. to have no con-
science. What he called his religion had
no effect whatever upon the conduct of his
life; it made him go to church, talk pious-
ly, buff the clergy, and 'patronize Provi-
deiice'=no mores He was one Of those
who fell before the seductioDs of his place"
"He would accept retaining fees, and never
look int the bundles of papers which ac-
companied them, il whlcA were inclosed
the hopes and the fortunes of anxious
households He would receive gifts of
money, and toss into his waste-paper bas-
ket the list of the givers, without having
glanced at its contents; thus defraudiug
them Of the only recompense ln his power
to grant, and the only one they wished"