The weekly democratic statesman. [volume] (Austin, Tex.) 1871-1883, 1878-01-10
webster,s seventh OF March speech
and CaIhoun,S Appearance.


and CaIhOun's Appearance.
When Mr.. Webster was about to de-
liver his Seventh of March speech he
invited me to come on to Washington
to hear it. He intended to make it
great effort, the crowning address of
his later public life; and, as be knew
beforehand that his action and motives
would be misconstrued, and that the
speech would bring down upon him
condemnation from many quarters, hc
was resolved that he would make use
of all his powers to render it worthy of
his really high motives and his fame.
Early on the morning of the Seventh l
was sitting with him in his house,
when the sergeaDt-at-arms Of the Ser
ate came in. He told Mr.. Webster that
already not only the Senate Chamber
itself but all the approaches to it were
crowded by an eager multitude. A
great speech from Mr. Webster was a
national event. Mr.. Webster looked
at me, and in a sad voice spoke of this
as being one of the last times that he
should eyer address listening masses on
the floor of the Senate, and Of the rap
idly approaching close of his public
life. Recovering his spirits again in
moment, he turned to the sergeant-at-
arms aud said
However crowded the Senate Cham
Der lie, want you to be sure and save
two good seats; one for Mrs. Webster,
and the other for my old friend Hsr-
vey, here, who has come all the way
from Boston to hear my speech"
The :sergeant-at-arms promised that
he would do SO. On going to the Sen
ate chamber at the proper time found
an excellent seat reserved for me, near,
and little in front of the spot where
Mr.. Webster would stand when he
made his speech. While he was
speaking an affecting incident &C.
CURED which illustrated the warmth
of feeling between Dir. Calhoun and
himself. 1t appears that, several days
before, Mr.. Webster had paid visit
to Mr.. Calhoun IN his sick room at the
old Capitol Building. The venerable
South Carolina Senator was very i'll,
and it was thought that he would
never be able to appear in his seat
the speech that Mr.. Webster was about
to make, the sick statesman expressed
sn earnest wish to hear it.
Mr.. Webster replied that he hoped
he would be able to get to the Senate,
as he himself was ANXIOUS that Mr..
Calhoun should be present. Mr.. CAL
houn shook his head sadly, and said
that he feared he was on his des TIL
bed, and Mr.. Webster parted from
him, fully impressed with the belief
that the venerable invalid must soon
pass away.
Mr.. Webster had not been speaking
long, on this occasion, when 1 saw q
tall gaunt figure, wrapped in a long
black cloak, with deep cavernous
black eyes, and thick mass of. snow
white hair brushed back from the
large brow and falling to the shout
ders, advance with slow and feeble
steps through the lobby behind the
Vice Presidents chair, and then, aided
by one of the Senators, approached
and sank into q chair on the opposite
side of the chamber. / looked at Mr..
Webster, and observed that as he
spoke his face was turned the other
way, so that he had not seen the al
most ghostly figure come in. He went
on speaking in his deep and sonorous
tones; and at last came to a passage
wherein he alluded to something Mr..
Calhoun had once said in debate, as
''the utterance of the distinguished
and venerable Senator from South Car
olins, who deeply regret is prevent
ed by serious illness from being in his
seat to-day" At THIS glanced at the
tall gaunt figure across the chamber.
He was moving restlessly in his chair;
his head and body were bent eagerly
forward and he made an effort as if
trying to rise and interrupt the orator.
But the efforts seemed to be
too much for him, for he sank
back in his chair, evidently exhausted.
The noble current of Websterian elo-
quence flowed msjestically on. all un-
conscious of the intended Interruption.
Presently the speaker once more had
occasion to refer to some statement
of Mr.. Calhoun, and again he alluded
to him as the eminent Senator from
South Carolina, whom we all regret so
iDUCn W HISS lIOul SUCH CAUSE IIOm
h seat to-day.
The figure grew restless; the hands
nervously grasped both arms of his
chair the black eyes glared asd shone
in their eagerness; and now, half ris-
ing from his seat and unable any long
er to bear the thought that Mr.. Web
ster should remain unconscious of his
presence, he exclaimed in feeble and
hollow voice, which yet was heard
throughout the Chamber:
"The Senator from South Carolina
is In his seatl"
Mr.. Webster turned toward him
with something like start, and when
he saw that his friend had actually
risen from the bed of death, and had
indeed dared death itself 10 creep TO
the Capitol and hear his speech, hi,
for moment, betrayed visible sigI
of deep emotion. Tnen, acknowledge
ing this touching compliment by bow
1nd a smile of profound satisfaction,
he went on with his speech. -Hdrrey's
anecdotes of HebSter