Dinner to the Hon. Daniel Webster, of Massachusetts

Excerpt from Dinner to the Hon. Daniel Webster, of Massachusetts

Among the statesmen of our country, daniel webster has taken a foremost position, and but few of those who have striven with him in the mighty efforts of intellect, which have brought lustre upon his name, and added honor to the nation, have done so much for the true interests of the people, or contributed so largely to the perpetuity of peace. He has met and grappled difficulties that seemed overshadowing the land  pregnant with omens of war; and under his careful guidance, the calm light of peace has again been diffused where it seemed almost extinguished. He has soothed the angry feelings of the nation without abating its honor, and added to its dignity, by sustaining with the ability which belongs only to the highest powers, and the most enlarged intellect, the claims of the country, both abroad and at home. He has become a pillar of strength in defence of our National Constitution, and aided, with wise forecast, to throw around our Commerce and Manufactures, the guards and defences which have protected them while feeble, and aided them in prosperous maturity. He has become a citizen of the country, and has won a place in the hearts of our people. New Hampshire may point with exulta tion to his birth-place among her granite hills, and Massachusetts claim him as her favorite son; but Pennsylvania, and every State in the Confederacy, has a claim upon his matchless mind, and a pride in his broadly diffused fame. The services which have made his name illustrious, were for the Union, and the nation yields him the precious gift of gratitude for what he has accomplished for her permanent good.