Public ledger. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1865-1893, 1879-09-15
WEBsTER,s eREAT gPEECHEs.

THE GREAT SPEECHES AND 0RATI0NS
OF DANIEL WEBSTER, with an Essay on
Webster as a Master of English Style. By
EDWIN P. WHIPPLE. One large octave vol
ume, 772 pages. Price, So. Published by
Little, Brown & Co., Boston.
1t is with the deepest veneration
that anything is written in connection
with the name of the great American
orator and statesman Daniel Webster.
From the time he began to figure in
the congress of the United States
about the year 1924 to the close Of his
career in 1852, period Of twenty
eight years, ne was conspicuously
and intimately associated with the
history of our common country, and
he stood in the front rank among those
who contributed to its welfare and
success. Playing an active and a
leading part in public affairs and in
the most exciting events of the times
his colossal mind gave vent to express
sions that won to him the homage Of
the thrOngs of his countrymen in all
stations, and attracted attention in all
parts of the civilized world Many
now in the middle age of life recall
the stirring topics of the period sue
ceeding the Mexican war, when public
questions arising out of the annexa-
tion of Texas and the admission of
California, together with kindred
affairs, fraught with deep interest to
the public mind, were the current
themes of discussion. 1t was in
those days that Webster, Calhoun,
Clay, Douglass and their confreres
figured as the giant intellects then
occupying high station, and it was
about that time, and near the close of
his public career that Webster de-
livered his celebrated speech in the
United States senate on the Constitu-
ton and the Union. A vast audience
assembled on the occasion, such
throngs filling the galleries and ante
chambers of the senate that it was
with difficulty senators could force
their way to their seats. This, it is
well known, was one of the greatest
efforts of Webster's career. His mas
terly oration, twenty years before, on
the floor of the senate, in reply to
Hayne Of South Carolina, won for
Webster the name of the Expounder
of the Constitution. These two
speeches, with over forty others made
by Webster between 1918 and 1851,
have been carefully collated and pro-
perly arranged in the new work, which
is offered at a price which is within
the reach of all who cherish the
memory of the great oratorial genius.
The volume contains on its title page
a steel portrait of Webster, as he
appeared in his youth; also one
facing it, showing his features toward
the close of his life. The six large
volumes of Webster's Works, as edit
ed by Edward Everett, are beyond
the reach Of many students and pro-
fessional men of limited means, though
highly valuable to any library. The
present volume, with its choice selee-
tions, is accessible to every admirer Of
Webster'sl genius, and will 60 far to-
ward enabling the growing youth tc
become familiar with his efforts. The
book is commended to all who would
acquire a knowledge of the style ot
one who understood the art of writing
English so exquisitely that he ranks
among the foremost prose-writers Of
America, and whose name will be
handed down to succeeding genera
tions as one Of the most renowned in
the annals Of the first century of our
country's history. It is the FIRST time
that a good collection of Webster
best speeches has been presented ia
one volume at popular price.