The prison mirror. [volume] (Stillwater, Minn.) 1887-1894, 1892-05-12
OHAUTAUQUA
DANIEL WEBSTER.

DANIEL WEBSTER
(Report for Class by F. B. H.
There are deeds which should not pass away,
And names that must not wither.
The spirit of single mind
Makes that of multitudes take direction,
As roll the waters to the breathing wind.-ByrOn.
Among the names of distinguished civilians,
jurists, advocates and patriots which America
produced during the first part of the nineteenth
century. there is none which stands out more
clearly and more worthy of homage, than that of
Daniel Webster.
Like many another public character in our ma.
tonal history, Webster came from good old New
England stock-his ancestors having settled in
New Hampshire in the beginning of the eight
zenith century-and first saw the light at Sails
bury, n H., Jan. IS. 1882 the last year of the
American Revolution. Though born in obscurity.
and reared in a harsh and rugged country where
the hills and forests of the Granite State offered
few inducements for the development of intellect.
ual versatility and strength. he died at Marsh
field, Mass, Oct "a, 1882 as Secretary of State
the most admired, the most celebrated and power.
full man of his time.
From boy Daniel Webster was noted for his
intense love of knowledge. and after an imper-
feet preparation he graduated at Dartmouth
college, studied law. and was admitted to the bar
in 1905. He started for the top of his profess
sion, and, by assidious application and indefat-
gable industry, subsequently achieved the dis
tinction of being the acknowledged head of the
American Bar. He had marvellous gift of con-
centrating his powers, and whatever he did, he
did with all his might, and was always a of
mark in every field that he entered. Not only did
his personal appearance attract attention. but
still more the utterances of his mind, for he was
great teacher of the people directly in the shape
of speeches, lectures. oratons, etc, many of
which have become immortal America has pro.
duced no greater orator than Daniel Webster,
who has been characterized as the greatest of
all orators that have used the English tongue.
His greatest services to the country. however,
were in the capacity of statesman; but of his
public career it is unnecessary to speak at length.
Its record forms part of the history of the
try during many eventful years. He was a states
man, and not politician. ITO be great states
man." says eminent writer. "a man must be
conversant with history, finance, and science;
he must be man of experience and wisdom
and reason; he must be both enlightened and
patriotic, merging his own personal ambition in
the good of his country-an oracle and sage whose
utterances received with attention and re.
spect. To be a statesman demands the highest
maturity of reason. far-reaching views, and the
power of taking in the interests of whole coun.
try rather than of a section. But to be success.
full politician man may be ignorant, narrow and
selfish; most probably he will be artful, dissem-
bling, going in for the winning side, shaking
hands with everybody. profuse in promises. bland.
affable. ready to do anything for anybody, and
seeking the interests and iattering the prejudces
of his own constituency. Indifferent to the great
if only his own private interests be advanced"
All politicians are not small and vile; many
honest but able to see only the petty details.
and n OF broad effects.
Mr.. Webster was pre.eminently statesman.
Here he scared to the highest rank of political
fame, and as the Defender of the Constitution,
his magnificent bursts of eIoquence electrified
the whole country. His Reply to Hayne" in
which the sophistries of notification and seces-
sion were dssected-when everything he had ever
seen or read or heard was floating before him in
one grand panorama-is the greatest parliament
airy speech ever made on this continent, and
stands as the most memorable illustration of the
value of GOODNESS, courage and reserved force.
The great mind and patriotic heart of Daniel
Webster embraced the whole country with all its
interests and claims. He often said that he knew
no North. no South, no East, no West, but that
the ends he aimed at were his country's, his
Gods, and truths. A great man, living for high
ends, is the noblest thing that can be seen on
earth. He elevates the whole tone of the public
mind makes friends, awakens interest and in
spires hope. He is gift. in some measure. rev.
citation of God. and the noble sayings of Daniel
Webster in the mouths of thousands of school
boys throughout the North not only materially
assisted in raising up generation in hatred of
secession. which went into the fields of the Civil
War animated with the stern resolution to fight
till the last drop Of blood was shed. rather than
allow the Union to be dissolved, but his ideas will