Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1930-08-22
Webster's Words Are
Worthy of Perpetuation

lectionS from Daniel WebSterS speeches
be used as inscriptions On new Gov
offer the belief that Mt. Webster Is
singularly worthy Of such recognition.
A specimen Of his diction already lies
under q corner stone of the Capitol.
If nv advocacy Of his eminence In
the country's history appears fulsorne,
I am still ready to admit that IN few
instances he erred in his long, wide
and vigorous public career. Yet 1t u
believed that leading lawyers. Sena-
tors and statesmen, as well IS open
minded historians, will agree that the
value Of his leadership 80 far out
weigh his errors OF Judgment snas ti .sy
death Of Mr.. Adams and Mr.. JEFFERSON,
Mr.. Webster for over IS years was the
mentor Of this country, ana mace
deep impression abroad. !.
It was he who, after the masters hao
given us the Constitution, brought the
people to the realization that 1t was
the greatest public document In the
world, brought reverence to 1t, ana
clothed it with inviolability. In &C
ccsApiishing this some sensibilities were
hurt, yet no man could command
greater audience, or be received with
more respect than he; the crowds came
whether 1t was Virginia or Massachu-
sets. He was the greatest champion
the Constitution ever had since its
founders submitted 1t to q disorganiZed
people, and he came when q champion
was needed. In bringing the people of
his time to appreciate their rich legacy,
he put iron in its structure that has
stood under the weight and fire of Sue
cessive crises and through the accumr-
lating years. Mr.. Webster's work for It
has made his name inseperable from It.
A pleasant appreciation came to him
In this connection, perhaps now SEEM
ingly slight, but not SO In the "fifties"
when ships were our breath Of life
the unprecedented marine RECOGNITION
Of naming three queenly clippers in
his honor-the Daniel Webster, the
Great Expounder, and the Defender (of
the Constitution).
For some 20 years Mr.. Webster was
the undisputed leader Of the American
bar, an honor recognized In none but
the profoundest Of men. The cases
In which he participated embrace a
wide range Of legal contests, including
scientific and commercial suits. Many
have become classics Of legal argu-
ment. Among the latter Is the doctrine
or interstate commerce. One of the
leading lawyers Of California only a
few years ago told the writer that he
made 1t q practice to read one of Mr..
Webster's speeches each month to Guilt
vate power Of reasoning expression.
His addresses instead Of coming
under the shallow head Of political
speeches have taken q pre-eminent
place in our political literature. For
instance: Nowhere is the Pilgrim pur-
pose so wildly and completely set forth
as in the Plymouth grafton. Nowhere
are the causes Of our Revolution so ably
and so fully placed on record as In the
first Bunker Hill grafton. In no speech
did an American statesman assume
deliberately such direful consequences
to himself as Mr.. Webster when he
made the effort to compose the strain
ing relations between the North and
the South in his 7th Of March speech.
Every speech carried weight; on oc-
casion howery, sometimes grandilouuent.
always lofty in character and patriot.
ism, and when needed, sharply concise.
the style was usually appropriate to
the occasion.
Mr.. Webster was notable for his DO
Htical fearlessness and adherence to
public interests, traits which probably
cost him the presidency as matters
stood. His critical situation in Presi-
dent Tyler's cabinet may be cited:
He was Secretary Of State; diplomatic
relations were in o serious condition:
the President had displeased his party
which in turn demanded that all the
cabinet resign. In this Mr.. Webster
def1ed his party and refused, owing
70 his involved negotiations with Great
Britain. In the face of intense bitter
ness he consummated one Of his great
est services to the countryside treaty
OF Washington--a beneficent and far.
reaching accomplishment. In spite OF
THIS success the political leaders were
unforgiving.
Mr.. Webster's popularity. outside Of
political differences-evenh hosts of those
who differed from him had the highest
personal respect-embraced all grades
or society. The devotion Of this great
Following became almost O passion.
In July, 1882, Mr.. Webster was given
q reception In Boston as he passed
through the city on his way to Marsh-
neid. It was participated in wholly
without regard to party. It seemed
that the people sensed the low-runninr
sand In the glass. The sentiment was
general In the country, but through
circumstances could only find express
sion In Boston, where through miles
OF streets 1t swept like q great earth-
quake wave from the hearts of the
people, rushing in to compensate the
retreating waters Of criticism, the
tribute surprising anything ever oc-
curing in that city, even that rtyen
Gen: Lafayette.
Infirmities grew rapidly upon the
Secretary Of State as the Autumn pro-
crossed. and In October he died. bro
phetically II you please, saying IT stjll
i've" GERSHOM BRADFORD.