Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1870-04-09
The Death ofDanieI Webster.

The Death OfDanieI Webster
From George Hcknor Curtis Life of Daniel
@ s Webster" ' ..E
He then looked inquiringly around the room,
as if to see that all were there whom he wished
to address. AS he was manifestly about to say
something that ought to be preserved, sat
down at table, in front of which some of the
ladies we're standing, and on which there hap.
pened to be ink and paper (the pen was still iu
nv handy, and wrote down the words just as
they fell from his lips. He spoke in strong,
full voice. that might have been heard over
half tue house, and with his usual modulation
and emphasis, but very slowly and with an 90.
casional pause. He said
my general wish on earth has been to do
my Makers will. I thank Him now for all the
mercies that surround me-. thank Him for
the means he has given me of doing some little
good for my children-those beloved objects
that am to die, if am, under so many cir
cumstances of love and affection. Ithank Him
for all His cares. No man, who is not brute,
can say that he is not afraid OF death. Noman
can come back from that bourne; no man can
comprehend the will of the works of God. That
there is God, all must acknowledge | see
Him in all these wondrous works, Himself how
wondrous The great mystery is Jesus Christ
the gospel What would be the condition of any
Of US if We had not the hope Of Immortality
What ground is there to rest upon but the
gospel? There were hopes Of the Immortality
OF the soul, running down, especially
among the Jews. The Jews The Jews
believed in a spiritual origin Of creation.
The Romans never reached it the Greeks
never reached it. 1t is q tradition if that
communication was made to the Jews by
God Himself, through Moses and the fathers.
assurance of Immortality in heaven. There is
now and then scattered intimation, as in Job,
81 know that my Redeemer liveth," but q
proper consideration of that does not refer it to
Jesus Christ at ALL. But there we're intima-
tions-c crespuscular- twilight. But, but, but
thank God, the gospel of Jesus Christ has
brought life and immortality to. light-rescued
it-brought it to light There is an admira
BILE discourse on that subject by DR.. Barrow,
nreacher to the Inner Temple. / think it is
his sixth sermon Well, I don't feel as if l
am to fall off. l may."
He paused a short time drowsiness
sppeared to come over him, and bis eyes swere
closed. 10 moment or two he opened them,
and looking eagerly around he asked: " Have
I-wife, son, doctor, friends are you all heref
-have 1 on this occasion, said anything
unworthy of Daniel Webster2' ., No, no. dear
sir !" was the response, from all. he tnen
hepan the words of the Lords Prayer but
after the first sentence feeling faint, he cried
out earnestly, hold me up ; | do not wish to
nrsv with fainting voice" He was instantly
raised little by movement of the pillows
and then repeated the whole Of the prayer in
clear and distinct tones, ending his devotl0ns
with these words: ..a
"And now unto God the Father, Son and
HOLY Ghost be praise forever aud forever
Peace on earth and good will to men-that is
the happiness, the cssence-good will toward
men,"
It was past midnight, when, awakening from
the slumbers that he had atintervais, he seem i.
cd not to know whether he had not already
passed from bis earthly existence. be made
a strong effort to ascertain what the conscious
ness that he could still perceive, actually was,
and then uttered those we'll known words, Il
still live ~ as if he had satisfied himself of the
fact that he was striving to know. They were
his last coherent utteranoe. A good deal later
he said something in which the word poetry
was distinctly heard. His son Immediately
repeated to him one of the stauzss of Gray 8
"Elepgy.". He heard it and smiled After
this. respiration became more difficult, and at
length it went on with perceptible intervals.
All was now hushed within the chamber and
to US who stood waiting, there were but three
sounds in Nature; the sighing of the autumn
wind in the trees, the slow ticking OF the cIook
in the hall below, and the deep breathing OF
our dying friend. Moments that seemed hours
flowed on. Still the measured beat OF time
fell painfully distinct upon our ears; still the
gentle moaning OF the wind mingled with the
only sound that arose within the room J. Tor
IL he ~
Of men. So grand, and yet so calm and simple,
had been his approach to tho moment " hen VIC
must know he is with us no more, that he had
lifted us into q composure, which, out tor h,s
areat example, we could not have felt a
tweuty-three minutes before o'clock his
breathine ceased the features settled into
sunerb repose, and DR.. Jeffries, who still held
the pulse. after waiting for few seconds
gently laid down the arm, and, amid breath
less sienc,, pronounced the single word Dead.
The ewes we're then closed, the remains wert
removed from the position 10 which deatf
came, and all but those who had been appoint
cd to wait aud watch, slowly and nourniuli!
walked away. Thus there passed out OF thu
world the great soul of Daniel Webster DE
yotedly thankful for the good he had beer
nermitted to DO, conscious to the last hour o
life in all his rich affections and splendid taeui
ties. fully believing that he was enterlnl
another state Of existence, and .humbly trust
ing that his aims on earth had been to DO tn
will of Him to whom be felt that all create'
intelligence aud all human power are to rende
up their account. o. = -s.a
Recently Capt. Mason, of Way. Key, Fla
was standing on the porch of his hotel, Whe
an elderly lady came out Of the building, IN
rain had been falling, and consequently to q
middle of the street was wet. II should TX
to get across tho street without wettlng N
ieet," said the lady. II can help you to cross,
the Captain responded. "Oh dear! sha
feel so much obliged to you,' the lady said
my feet have not been wet in twenty years.
For Heavens sake, Madam said the Cal
tain, don't show them to me- .s,.--r =