The Cecil Whig. [volume] (Elkton, Md.) 1841-current, 1888-03-31
WEBSTER'S LAST SPEECH.

Speaking of Daniel Webster, re-
minds me that | have seen floating
around in the newspapers an absurd
paragraph purportlng to give his last
notable speech, the few remarks he
delivered from the balcony of his house
on louisiana avenue, now the Webster
Law building, the night after Scott was
nominated at Baltimore. According to
the paragraph | have been laughing at,
the gOdlikc Daniel said: "Boys, am
very much obliged TO you. But | am
hard hit, and [ am going home to DIE
| cannot imagine any burlesque that
could be more grotesque than this ap-
parently serious report. Fortunately, |
have means of correcting il. 1t was a
beautiful start night in May. The
Wings of Washington, who had sere-
naded and congratulated Scott, marched
down, after Scott had made them
little speech, TO Webster's house toward
midnight TO see what the Massachusetts
statesman would say, They took their
music with them, and when they got
down to Webster's they gave him
serenade too. Presently Webster ap-
peared on the balcony above them,
wrapped in his dressing gown, the mere 4
shadow of his former self, worn in body
and broken in spirit by disease and dis
appointment. His voice, though no
longer eloquent nor even powerful, had
not lost its art, and what he said was in
itself intensely interesting. So he held
his audience in absolute attention from
the first to the last word of what every
one felt to be his valedictory He. said
Il thank you, fellow citizens, for your
friendly and respectful call. am very
glad TO see you. Some CT you have
been engaged in an arduous public duty
at Baltimore, the object OF you meeting
being the selection of fit person to be
supported for the office of President of
the United States. Others of you take
an interest in the result of the delibera-
tions OF that assembly of Wings. 1t SO
happened that my name among others
.ol A.
candidate, however, was preferred. l
have only to say, gentlemen, that the
Convention did, | doubt not, what it
thought best, and exercised its discre-
ton in the important matter committed
to il. The result has caused me no per-
sonal feeling whatever, nor any change
OF conduct or purpose. What | have
been I am in principle and in character,
and what | am hope to continue to
be. Circumstances or opponents may
triumph over my fortunes but, they will
not triumph over my temper or my self
respect. Gentlemen, this Is a serene
and beautiful night. Ten thousand
thousands of the lights of heaven illu.
inmate the armament. They rule the
night. A few hours hence their glory
will be extinguished
Ye stars that glitter in the skies
And gayly dance before my eyes
What are ye when the sun shall rise?
Gentlemen, there is not one among you
who will sleep better to night than |
shall. If | wake shall learn the hour
from the consultations, and | shall rise
in the morning, God willing with the
lark, and though the lark is a better
songster than am, yet be will not leave
the dew and the daisies and spring up
ward to greet the purpling east with
more blithe and jocund spirit than l
possess. Gentlemen, 1 again repeat my
thanks for this mark of your respect
and commend you to the enjoyment of
quiet and satisfactory repose. May
God bless you all n'
This was the last word of his elo-
quence. His hearers felt what we can
almost see, the tense strain of the great
self control which kept his mind and
heart from breaking under the full real
ization what had burst upon him that
day for the first time-that he would
never be President of the United States.
They felt, too, as though they had seen
his genius expire. His body died in
the following October.
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