The Washington herald., 1908-02-02

Webster, was the author of the Federal
Constitution, interest in the career Of
Webster has become general. even among
persons who do not appear to have before
heard OF this economist, and who were
surprised to learn he was a Pennsyl-
vanian, and more, a PhiIadelphian, says
the Philadelphia Public Ledger.
Pelatiah Webster was a Pennsylvania
and a Philadelphia in the same manner
as Franklin. Rather less, in fact, for he
did not come TO this city until he was
we'll along in years and had graduated
from his college and had filed a pulpit
for about year in a New England town.
It is rather remarkable. however, that
this man, who undoubtedly made an in
delible impression not only upon his time,
but upon the form of government and the
national ideals, should have left 50 little
trace.
Few Relics Remain.
Wherever the searcher looks in his de-
sire TO recover those evanescent but es-
sential facts necessary for the reconstruc-
tion of she man as he appeared to his con
temporaries, he is met with disappoint-
ment Had Webster left no literary
works, it is not improbable that his life
on this sphere would have been entirely
unknown to this generation. for almost
nothing else survives. His home, which
was In Water street below Chestnut. has
long ago been swept away by the stern
hand Of progress; no portrait of this re-
markable man survives, and Il any of his
letters are in existence they have yet 10
be uncovered by the historical student.
Even his grave has been moved from its
original place, and now can only be indi-
Gated with a possible element OF error.
Yet, in his time. Pelatiah Webster was
q minister. merchant. a patriot who
suffered in person ana in pocket for the
sacred privilege, and, If not responsible
for the present system of government.
he at least published d pamphlet from
which the form could have been derived.
and suggested some Of the reforms in the
currency in the critical days of the Reyo-
luton.
Explained the StrinEency.
Webster is said by McMaster 10 have
been the only man of ability and note in
Pennsylvania who held out vigorously
against the rag money" party. When
there was Stringency in the money mar
ket just after the Revolution. somewhat
Ike that just passed. Webster seized the
opportunity 10 issue a tract, In which he
showed that the stringency was not due
70 any real scarcity of currency, but to
want of public and private faith and a
disTust Of all security
he was a stanch free trader and d
suade the people against a paper currency
at a time when they demanded money.
alleging a scarcity OF a circulating
medium. In his essays. which were pub
lshed originally as pamphlets, and in 1871
collected into volume, Webster dis
cussed what usually are regarded as dry
subjects In a most entertaining and in
structive manner,
SO far as his connection with the Fed
eral Constitution is concerned. all that
can be said is TO draw the parallel; but
when it is considered that at the Constitu-
tiondl convention Of 17SI no fewer than.
four plans were offered. and that one Of
these has been claimed for two persons
John Rutledge and Charles Pinckuey-
what chance has Webster. who was not
even a delegate? The Pinckney and the
Hamilton plans, which differed I'm degree.
are regarded as the basis Of the present
document The claim made for Pelatiah
Webster that his sketch of Il plan for tha
union of the Thirteen States suggested
the Constitution as We have !, would in
dicate thar his little pamphlet. issued in
the year 159. entitled "A Dissertation on
the Political Union and the Constitution
of the Thirteen United States Of North
America, had been read from New York
Ia i
able
Name Net Mentioned.
As The meetings Of the convention were
secret. and only brief and fragmeutary
accounts of-what took place at the ses-
siOns have come down 20 us. il is not
known that Wehster's name ever was Ut
tered al the conferences. In none of the
printed accounts of the convention Is his
name found. even tn "a footnote. for Web
ster was one of those pubiic-spirited men
who are not public men. He was a quiet
business man. VINO had ideas. but who
evidently bad no desire 20 shine in public
office or as politician
Although he spent the last forty years
of his life in this city he does not appear
70 have left much OF au impression upon
his immediate ueighbors, for while some
of them We're inclined to be reminiscent
at times. and often gossiping. the name
OF Pelatlah Webster never is mentioned
by them in diary or letter
Native Of Connecticut.
Webster although called a PennsyIva-
nian, really was born i'm Lebanon. Conn,
either in 1725 or lbs. In the brief notice
of his death which appeared in the news
papers at the time, September 4, 1885. we
have. Died on Wednesday last. Pelatah
Webster, esq, merchant of this city. aged
seventy" On the books of the Second
Presbyterian Church his burial is regis
tered under the date Of September .. and
he is described as being sixty-seven years
OF age While the date of his burial is
given as September .. that date really was
that of his death
Webster was a graduate Of Yale in the
class Of 1916, yet when a few years ago
Yale, now a university. was celebrating
its bicentennial and was recalling with
just pride the deeds Of her distinguished
sons. IL was significant that Webster was
forgotten. He always has been. Even
his own university has failed to appre-
ciate his work After he had left his col
lege Webster took a course in theology.
and is said 70 have actually filed a pulpit
at Greenwich, Mass, during the year
1g4s-9
Deserted Theology.
His thoughts turning to literature. he is
said 10 have deserted theology, and in
1850 is found in Philadelphia established
as merchant In mercantile life he
seems to have been successful. and early
he is found to have time and leisure for
the composition Of tracts on his favorite
subjects. During the British occupation
Of this city he was kept in the Walnut