The Cecil Whig. [volume] (Elkton, Md.) 1841-current, 1893-04-29

DEATH OF COL. {. H. WEBSTER.
The End of Useful and Event
full Career-A Brave Soldier
BELAIR MD, April 24-Ex Collector
Edwin H. Webster died at his home,
near Belair, Hartford county Monday
morning at o'clock, aged GA years, of
Bright's disease of the kidneys compli-
Gated with disease of the liver. About
ten years ago lie had just such another
attack as the last one. On November l,
1891, he was again taken very i'll and
never fully recovered from the attack,
although he improved sufficiently to go
out aud attend to business until last
Dece N Der W hen he had the relapse which
finally proved fatal. Some days during
his last sickness be would get up from
his bed and sit in his chair and converse
with his family, while other days would
find him very ill. When the news of his
daughters recent illness reached his ears
he was taken with fainting spells, which
threw him back. Colonel Webster
suffered intensely with his stomach to
ward the end. His family was sum
moned to his bedside early Sunday
evening. His daughter Mrs E. H. p Har
risou, of Martinsburg. W. Va, was too
sick to come home. The funeral took
place Wednesday morning.
Colonel Webster leaves Jour children
viz, Mrs. J. A Hunter OF Virginia; Mrs
Edwin II. P. Harrison of Martiusburg,
W. Va. Mrs w lillian II. Harlan, of Belair
and J. Edwin Webster an attorney, of
Belair.
Edwin Hanson Webster was born near
Churchville in Hartford county, Md,
March 81, 1929. His father was Henry
Webster promiaent farmer. His
mother vas Martha Hanson daughter
Of Beuj amin Hanson, OF Kent county.
NJ. Webster received his early education
at the Churchyilie Academy and the
Academy at New London, Chester
county, Pa. At the age of fifteen he
entered Dickinson College, Carlisle. Pa,
and graduated there in lS47.
After teaching school near his fathers
home for about year aud half he
began the study of the law in the Office
of O5ho Scott, in Belair. HIS public life
began before he was admitted to the bar
for he was nominated in 1851 by the
Wing party for the office of States
attorney 90 Hartford county. Just be-
fore the election he was al United to
election he was defeated BY Major William
ii. DaIlam who received a majority over
Webster OF ten votes After this cleo lCn
AR. Webster entered into a law partner
ship with Stevenson Archer aud with
him piacticed law in Belair. 10 1855 he
Was elected to the State Senate by the
American party over Colonel Ramsey
McHenry whom be met in joint dis,
cussion during the campaign. His
majority at this election was about 200.
During his second term of Senator in
1858, he was made president of the
S9uate.
In 1856 he was presidential elector on
the Fillmore ticket. In 1856 he was
elected to the House of Representatives
in the second Congressional district of
Maryland composed of Kent, Cecil,
Harfotd Carroll and portion of Balti-
more county. His old antagonist, Col.
Ramsey MoHenry again confronted HIM
Mr.. Wsbster's majority this time was
about seven hundred. The Congress to
which he was elected was one of the
most exciting in the history of the
country. The contest for speakership
extended over months. The American
party of which he was representative
held during this time the balance OF
power. He gave his vote 70 Gilmor, of
North Carolina. In the presidential
contest of 1860 be supported the Bell and
Everett ticket. lu Congress, when the
secession movement became imminent
he was for p.ctication and the passage
of the Crittenden resolutions. But when
the issue was squarely made between
Union and secession his support OF the
Union was vigorous, devoted and uncom
promising and he sustained Governor
Hicks in his anti secession police with
all his might.
| Re elected to Congress in 1861 ht
sustained aud favored the energetic
prosecution of the war. Whilst voting
for all acquisitions of men and none.
for the coercion Of the South he believed
that money should be raised by selling
bonds and not by the issue of legal
tender notes which he regarded a
unconstitutional He twice declined
commission rs Bcigadier General bu
atterward in 1862, recruited the Seventh
Regiment of Maryland Volunteer Iufantr.
and as it's colonel marched to the froa
in September of that year. Wills
sitting in Congress during the session
| OF lCOO uS lOIl LILO ASS "NNSA ~
command of Lieut.. Col. Charles (
Phelps. Upon the adjournment G
Congress, March 3, 1868, he returned t.
the regiment which was then on Mary
land Heights opposite Harpers Ferry.
In the autumn or 1868 he was electe
to the Thirty eighth Congress, the cam
paigu and election taking place durin
his absence in the field. Upon takin
his seat in Congress he resigned hi
military commission, receiving upon hi
departure from his regiment copy o
resolutions signed by every officer IN hi
command expressive of high regard an
of regret at his departure. For h
5 military service Colonel Webster woul
, receive no compensation. Atthe sessio
, of 1864, Congress submitted the toul
teenth amendment to the constitution
the States for ratification. He voted IL
4 the bill aud also favored the abolition
3 slavery by the government of the Sta
! of Maryland. He again offered b