The Rutland daily globe. [volume] (Rutland, Vt.) 1873-1877, 1877-07-21
From the Boston journal.
Daniel Webster's Prayer.

The death of Hon. Peter Harvey, Web
ster's most intimate and confidential friend,
recalls conversation held with him by
the writer, M time since, re.aing to the
character OF the great stat esman, wherein
many of his excellent qualities were men,
toned, and among the rest his deep reli-
gous feeling, which, Notwithstanding the
numerous claims upon him-mauy divert
ing his attention from serious reflections-
never wholly lost its hold, though dulled,
perhaps, for season. He was educated
in the old Presbyterian faith, strengthened
by his training at Dartmouth college, and
the religious sentiment held prominent
place In his mind His reverence for the
Scriptures was very marked, and his
speeches and letters abound with quota
tons from the inspired writings Mr..
Harvey dwelt With especial interest on this
trait in the character of his distinguished
fritnd, and gave as an illustration what ne
conceived to be ore of the grandest incl
dents of his career.
Webster left his home early for busy
life, and returned there only on periodical
occasions. There were sisters who grew
up after he left, and one of these was mar
ried to man whom he did not KNOW
write from memory-named John Colby,
and rem wed to his home in another rart
of New Hampshire or in Vermont, and he
never saw her again. Her husband was
vlole1t and profane man, but her gentle
ness subdued him he became a christian,
and when she died he was left in the deep
est grief
On visit with Mr.. Harvey to the old
Homestead, at late period of his life, an
old man then, but Wig lrous in body and in
tellect, he proposed to his friend that they
| ehould go in pursuit of John Colby, whom
he never had seen, and the description of
this lurney, as given by Mr.. Harvey, Was
| Charming 10 listen to. AS they rode along
every scene had its history or tradition.
| "Reminiscences crowded upon Renaissance,
| aud Webster's memory seemed exhauslless
as scene followed scene in the panoramic
display. And where the mt mory was not
called mo action the grandest reflections
we're introduced, which made every step of
tine way replele with the sublimest interest
| Here Was spot where he had play ed as a
boy, there pond in which he had swan,
or shot water fowl, there a withered tree
which had served as target for the young
| sportsman and there mountain whose
lofty peak had crawn his aspirations heav-
enward in his early days. Ali were as
fresh in his feelings as things of yesterday,
and he was a boy again, with all the aban.
doa of the boy-a delightful companion
and his friend delighted listener.
Thus they went on in the full enjoyment
of everything, until they came to their des-
|
upon gentle elevation, with a veranda
alb ut the structure, upon which, in the
shadow, commanding a view of the beau.
uful landscape, sat an old white-haired
man reading He looked sp from his book
az they entered the yard leading to the
house, and came to meet them. Mr. Web
ster abruptly accosted him
Are you John Colby ?"
IL am" was the reply.
"Then,' esid his interccutor. with {
trembling voice, II am Daniel Webster"
The greeting that followed was of thu
most hearty description; both wept, a
as they embrace again and again.
Aud are you" said Colby, holding The
sia'esman at arms length, "the DAME
Webster whose name has been go long ant
so cOnspicuously before the public 20
whose fame l have been so proud? Oh
that your sister had lived to zee this day !!
Brother Daniel" continued the old man
care you christian? ?"
81 trust l am was the emphatic reply
"Then all three kneeled, in the open al,
the Bible open between them, aud Wtbs,e
prayed. "And such prayer" sad MI
Harvey, with tears In his eyes as he recall
ed the scene, so long afterward, neve
liste ned to, as came from his lips. Sue
power, such tervency, such reverence, sue
tendern' IS seemed never before bende
with such intellectual grace and beauty
All were melted by the effort, ae, wit
clasped hards and bowed heads the broth
ers poured out their souls in praise and sur
plicalion,"
Then they arose, and 10 that sweet con
mnniOn of spirit talked Of the past and tn
future, the light Of heaven resting upo
! them and seeming to transfigure them g
they walked arm and arm across the yeraI
dab, and oftener by expressive silence say
ing more than words could convey. The
parting was very tender. They knew
was a final parting, and deep solemnit
rested upon the ceremony. But the fare
: well was at last said and az they locke
back the hands of the old man were raise
in benediction.
, And this was Daniel Websters prayer
| an effort not known to the world, b,
which was heard by auditors other tina
D those of earth-greater than his forens
= efforts greater than his written speeche
I greater than the sublimest pleas with whic
n he ever moved men. 1t is pleasure to r.
g call this incident, from the lips Of b
y friend. 1t shows Webster in a new llgl
e and reveals a phase in his character--pe
n haps the most prominent feature in h
r character-which the world does not Civ
d him credit for, that deems his greatne
d was ecipsed by the passion of ambition
. and careless regarding sacred thinl
It which amounted almost to rejection {
o moral control. This simple scene goes fl
to indicate his better manhood, whic
n earlier and wider revealed, might hay
D rayed his name with a glory far mo-
d tffulgent than his intellectual acumt
d achieved. b. p. S.