WEBSTER AND HIS MASTER-PIECES. CHAPTER I. INTRODUCTORY REMARKS. WHEN, after the 24th day of October, 1852, it was an nounced from Marshfield, that Daniel Webster was no more, as soon as men had time to begin to realize the nation's loss, his own words, which he had used in reference to the deaths of Adams and of Jefferson, seemed to spring spontaneously to the lips of every individual, who had made himself familiar with his works: "A superior and commanding human intellect, a truly great man, when heaven vouchsafes so rare a gift, is not a temporary flame, burning brightly for a while, and then giving place to returning darkness. It is rather a spark of fervent heat, as well as radiant light, with power to enkindle the common mass of human mind; so that when it glimmers in its own decay, and finally goes out in death, no night follows, but it leaves the world all light, all on fire, from the potent contact of its own spirit." This language was immediately applied to the man who had first uttered it. It was extensively copied into the public prints. Every American felt, that nothing short of the strongest expressions could do justice to the universal sentiment. That sentiment was higher than it has ever been, in this country, since the death of Washington. It was as high, probably much nigher, than it was in England on the decease of Wellington. |