The Anderson intelligencer. [volume] (Anderson Court House, S.C.) 1860-1914, 1869-10-21
Advice from Webster.

Tn notice of the funeral of Senator
Fessende writer in the Portland argus,
concludes as follows:
Some thirty-ive years ago-and perhaps
mom-Daniel Webster contemplated a
Journey to our Western States and Terri
tories which he had never visited. The
great statesman felt inclined to have some
talented young man to accompany him,
and in looking over New England for
such companion his attention was at
'tracted to young Fessenden, and he eX-
tended to him an invitation to travel with
him. The young man gladly accepted the
invitation, for he was ambitious and felt
that it would be an honor as we'll as an
advantage, to accompany in his journey
ings such a.man as Daniel Webster, whose
fame, both asa lawyer ard as statesman,
was fast looming up before the American
people, if it had not already reached its
height. Young Fossenden did.accompany
him, and never had cause to regret it.
Many time and often has the young
man told us how he enjoyed the journey,
and what advantages he derived from it;
for Mr.. Webster treated him with great
kindress, and gave him much good advice
which he treasured up in. his. memory
Webster told him how hard he had stud
led, and how careful he was,in making out
papers when he commenced; the practice
of law. He said he never let o. writ or
other legal document pass from his shands
until he had read them over three. times
at least. And he further remarked that
while many young men were idling away
their time he was trimming the. midnight
lamp.
Now" said Webster, II have acquired
some fame both as lawyer and an orator,
and have made speeches in which have
occurred some figures and illustrations.of-
ten quoted, and which have already pass
ed into notices. And now, do you sup
pose these terse sayings were made from
the spur of the moment? By no means; (;
they were tie result of previous study
and close study too. Some of my best il
lustratioHs of thought have been studied
and trimmed down when the fshing-rod'
was in my hands. The words, which SO
ftly represent England's power, so often
quoted and so much praised, were strung
together while stood on the American
side of the ST. Lawrence River, near Nj
agara Falls, and heard the British drums
beating on the Canada sde.'
Many other statements he maze to
young Fessenden which we recollect, but
which we have not space to make record
of now, all of which prove very conclu-
sivaly that there is no royal road tolearn-
ing. Young Fessenden has often told The
writer that his journeying with Daniel
Webster was the best school he ever at
tended; and the lessons he received from
that great man were nexer forgotten;
hence we come to the conclusion that
William Pitt Fessehden was harder stu
dent than many have supposed him to be.
1t is not too much to say, perhaps. that
his keen logic, his terse language, his pow
er of condensation. his clear statements
and sharpness in debate may be traced to
the lessons which Webster gave him while
jouraeying with him to the West. Young
men who are ambitious to excel in their
professions will do we'll to make uote of
these things, and govern themselves ac-
cordingly.