Page:The Green Bag (1889–1914), Volume 08.pdf/266

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Daniel IVebster.

239

been done; and that half his strength, or them, individually or collectively, to say all his strength, he put not forth. I never that on the 26th of January, 1830, and the 1 6th of February, 1833, they received a saw him make what is called an effort with out feeling that, let the occasion be what it support from his lips never before furnished, would, he would have swelled out to its and one that scattered to the winds the limits. There was always a reservoir of sophistry, suggested by an erring sense of power of which you never sounded its State patriotism, that threatened to weaken, depths, certainly never saw the bottom; and eventually to undermine them. His and I cannot imagine any great historical reply to Col. Hayne at the first date, and to Mr. Calhoun at the and civil occasion to second, eclipsing in which he would not eloquence all that the have brought, and to Old or theNewWorld which he would not had before exhibited, be acknowledged to were so clearly rea have brought, ade soned, so logically quate ability. . . The powerful, so patrioti Union, the Constitu cally perfect, so cap tion — the national tivating and persua federal life — the sive of the heart and American name — E the intellect, that the Pluribus Unum — whole nation, as by these filled his heart one irresistible im — these dwelt in his pulse, assented and habitual speech. ... applauded, and with Oh! for an hour of united voice pro Webster now! Oh! claimed throughout for one more roll of the entire land that his thunder inimit proudest of all earth able! One more peal ly titles to an Ameri of that clarion! One can citizen to be his, more grave and bold which the galleries, counsel of modera DANIEL WEBSTER. at the close of the tion! One more (From a painting by Ames.) last effort, unable to throb of American restrain themselves, feeling! One more and unrebuked, by one spontaneous and farewell address! And then might he as cend unhindered to the bosom of his father deafening cheer, awarded him, ' Daniel Web ster, the Defender of the Constitution. ' and his God." "But beside my admiration of those almost Reverdy Johnson, one of the ablest law more than human efforts, and my apprecia yers of his time, in a letter, expressed him tion of their inestimable value to us as a self thus warmly: — "From the adoption of the Constitution people, and my knowledge, from an intimacy to the present time, with all the reverence with which for years he honored me, of his and admiration we so justly entertain for the ever perfect patriotism — his constant devo many great and patriotic men, living and tion, to the last moment of his public ser dead, who have illustrated and enforced its vice, to what he believed to be the true true doctrines, it is no disparagement to honor and welfare of his country, I remem