The weekly North-Carolina standard. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 186?-1869, 1867-02-06
Daniel webster.

Daniel Webster.
The great statesman of New Eng
land is thus sketched by Mr.. Parton in
q recent article in the North american
Revieso:
Webster's leading trait, Mr.. Parton
asserts, was his enormous physical
magnetism. His presence overwhelm-
ed criticism. His intimacy fascinated
it. Fidgety men were quoted by his
majestic calm. Women were spell
bound by it. Itgave the public sense
of repose. When he passed up or down
State St., with an arm behind his back,
business YVES brought to a stand still.
Webster was never student. He alb
sorbed knowledge, but did not work
for it. In Latin, he was excelled by
some ofhis own class. Greek he never
enjoyed. For mathematics, he had not
the slightest TASTE. At college, he was
only an omnivorous reader. He barely
passed muster in the recitation room as
a student. His whole college life shows
that he was found to use the product of
other mems toll, not to add to the COM
mon fund. At the same 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
vigor of his life, he gave thousand
evidences ola good heart and of virtu-
GUS habits, but not one of superior I'M
derstanding. The total absence of the
skeptical spirit betrayed his want of
holiness and originality. In period
of transition, no young man of truly
eminent intellect accepts his fathers
creeds~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 religious
prejudice. In this respect, he never
lost his narrowness and ignorance. In
the time Of his celebrity he preferred
the Episcopal as the most genteel reli-
gion. ,ssHis political prejudices were
equally strong. He was ofslow growth.
His powers did not reach their full de-
velopment till he was nearly fifty years
of age. He had no practical 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 his spiritual.
He had an enormous capacity for phys
ical enjoyment, and became a great
hunter, fisherman, and farmer, lover
of good wine, and good dinners, and a
most jovial companion. But his min6
was fed chiefly upon past acquisitions
There is nothing in his later effort,
which shows any intellectual advance
He never browsedin forests before un
trodden, or fed in pastures new. Fol
the last ten years Of his life, though h,
spent. many thousand dollars on his Ii
brary, hehad almost ceased to be al
intellectual being. His pecuniary hab
its dsmoralized him. " He was not on
of those who find in the happiness an,
prosperity ftheir country, and in tn
esteem of their fellow-citizens, thei
own sufficient and abundant reward TO
serving her. He pinned for something
notwithstanding personal an
vulgar. He had no religion-not tn
least tincture of it; and he seemed a
last, IN his dealings with individuals
to have no conscience. What he Gale
his religion had no effect whateye
upon the conduct of his life /; it mad
him go to church, talk piously, puff tn
: clergy, and 8 patronize Providence
more" He was one of those who fe
before the seductions of his place.
Hewould accept retaining fees an
never look into the bundles of pape,
which accompanied them, in whic
were closed the hopes and the forum
of anxious households. He would r,
ceive gifts of money and toss into vast
paper basket the list of the giyer,
without having glanced at its contents
thus defrauding them Of the only re-
ompense in his power to grant, and tb
onl = one they wished.
In surveying the life and works {
this eminent and gifted man, we a,
continually struck with the evidence
OF hismagnitude. He was, as we hay
said, very large person. His brai
was within title of being one-thir
larger than the average, and it was on
OF the largest three on record. Hi