Rensselaer Republican, Volume 17, Number 51, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 27 August 1885 — Daniel Webster’s Peroration. [ARTICLE]

Daniel Webster’s Peroration.

Unhappy Europe! the judgment of God rests hard upon thee. Thy sufferings would deserve an angel’s pity, if an angel’s tears could wash away thy crimes! The eastern continent seems trembling on the brink of some gteat catastrophe. Convulsions shake and terrors alarm it. Ancient systems are falling; works reared by ages are crumbling into atoms. Let us humbly implore heaven that tho wide-spread-ing desolation may never reach the shores of our native land, but let ns devoutly make up our minds to do our duty in events that may happen to, us. Let us cherish genuine patriotism. In that there is a sort of inspiration that gives strength and energy almost more than human. When the mind is attached to a great object, it grows to the magnitude of its Undertaking. A true patriot, with his eye and his heart on the honor and happiness of his country, hath an elevation of soul that lifts him above the rank of ordinary men. To common occurrences lie ifc indifferent. Personal considerations dwindle into nothing, in comparison with his high sense of public duty. In all the vicissitudes of fortune he leans with pleasure on the protection of Providence and on the dignity and composure of his own mind. While his country enjoys peace he rejoices and is thankful; and if it be in the counsel of heaven to send the storm and the tempest, his bosom proudly swells against the rage that assaults it. Above fear, above danger, he feels that the last end which can happen to any man never comes too soon if he falls in defense of the laws and liberties of bis country. —Delivered in 1802, at the age of 20. , rl