The New York herald., 1876-11-26

which listened to him with admiration when he laid
the corner stone OF the Bunker Hiil and
OF the throng which hung with rapture on his lips as
he pronounced that splendid sulogy on Adams aud
Jefferson IN Faneu Hail. Entering his office az u
law student In 1928 was under his personal tuition
during three Of the busiest and proudest years oil his
life. From ls40 10 1850 associated with him IN
the Congress OF the United states, and may be par
doned Tor not forgetting that u WIS then my privilege
and my PRIDE to succeed HIM IN lhe Senate
when he last called into the Cabinet as
Secretary of state by President Fillmore. Oh those
who knew Daniel Webster longer or better than did
fow certainly remain among the living, aud could
hardly have recopcied with what rs due to his me
ory with what Is due to my own position II had
reiusedl viii not say TO bear testimony to his
deru powers and his great public services Tor all
such testimony would be rs superuous as 10 bear es
timony to the light o. the sun IN the skies above us-
but II mad declined 10 give expression 10 the greh
cation ana delight with which the sons OF New Eng
land, and the Of Massachusetts and Boston espe
most signal commemoraton OF ono whose name aud
fame were so long aud SO peculiarly dear 10 them
We are here 10 recognize Daniel webster as
GREArEsr MEN
country has produced one OF the grandest
figures III whole national history as one who, ior
intellectual power, had no superior and hardly an
equal in our own or in any other land during HIS day
and generation: and stil more and above all as one
who rendered measurable seryice TO his country. Mr.
Webster made many marvellous manifestations OF
himself in his busy lie OF threescoro years and ten
Convincing arguments IN tue courts OF Jaw, oriihant
appeals popular assemblies, triumphant speeches
in the balls legislation, magnificent orations and DIS
courses OF commemoraton ana ceremony, are thckly
Among those who have been celebrated as orators
or public speakers in own day or in other days
rations But Webster combined everything No
thoughts more profound and weighiy no style more
terse ana einng, illustrations more VIVID and clear
cut, occasions more august and momcntous, no
more deep und thrilling, no mnnner more inn
prcssive and admirable no presence grand and ma
Jesc as his
on his discourse the second centennial ami
versary o. the landing OF the Pilgrims on Plymouth
Rock Jonn Adams wrote in acknowledging copy Of
n sAtr nnrLn 10 M Had In hA nrri nf
being the most consummute orator OF modern times
John Adams himself was not more truly the colossus
OF independence in tho Continental Congress than
Daniel Webster was the colossus oil inc constitution
ana the Union in tho Federal Congress- OF 1880 For
other speeches Of other men II might perhaps DO
ciamco that they have had the power TO inilame and
great speech as senator Of Massachusetts.
IN 1s30-and OF that alone, think-it
can be SAID that IL averted aud post
poned civil for whole generation
Yes it rcpressed the rrepressibc conflict ,seli for
thirty years And when that dire calamity came
upon us ls,, though The oi the had
long been hushed. that speech still supplied the most
convincing arguments aud the most inspiring incte-
mens tor a fesoute defence oil the Union IL is not
yet exhausted There Is argument and Inspiration
enough in 1t still. only they be needed, TO carry
along united people, at least Tor another century
in that speech .he sim nves-ves Tor the constitu-
ton union OF the country.
No one will pretend tnat he was free from all In
irmites OF character and conduct, though they have
often been grossly exaggerated Great temptations
proverbally Deset the pathway OF great powers aud
who can overcome almost everything else may
sometimes Iail Of conquerng himself Ho never as
sumed TO be iautiess, and ne would have Indignantly
rebuked any who assumed IL tor him have
known him IN his moods have experienced the pain
his irown, well the charms OF his favor; but
his better nature always reassered itself in the end
No woman child could be more tender aud
ateconate.
congratulate you, my friends, that your Park is to
be adorned permanently with
GRAND FIGURE,
and that the inscription It's massive pedestal Is to
forever With the great principle Union
and liberty one and inseparaben Nor can con-
ciude without saying that IRON all have
known OF Mr. Webster's feelings, nothing could
have gratihed HIM more than that IN this
centennial on this memorable anniversary,
nearly quarter OF century after he had
gone his rest when all The paItaiiiies and prem
dces all tho love and the haze, which wait upon
OF living public men, should have grown cold
passed away, statue oil himself should be set up
here, within the limits Of your magnificent city ana
amid these superb surroundings Quite apart the
personal and domestic ties which rendered new
York dear him, he would have appro-
ciatcd such tribute, think, above all other pos
thumous honors. In your noble city he recognized,
he SAID THE comine cia capital not only Of the
United States, but Of the whole continent, from the
Pole to the South sea Now York nersclf," no ex-
claimed ''is the MODEST culogy on the Union OF the
States" In behalf OF my fellow citizens of New Eng
land thank MI Burnham for this great gut 10 your
Central Park, aud congratulate him having
cia,ed his name with splendid tribute 10 Illus
trious man.
AT the conclusion OF Mr.. Winthrop's address the
crowd disper sed and returned 10 the city,