cheerful and animating tones of his conversation, and his fast fidelity to friends. Some of us, also, can testify to his large and liberal charities, not ostentatious or casual, but systematic and silent dispensed almost without showing the hand, and falling and distilling comfort and happiness, like the dews of heaven. But we can testify, also, that in all his pursuits and employments, in all his recreations, in all his commerce with the world, and in his intercourse with the circle of his friends, the predominance of his judicial character was manifest. He never forgot the ermine which he wore. The judge, the judge, the useful and distinguished judge, was the great picture which he kept constantly before his eyes, and to a resemblance of which all his efforts, all his thoughts, all his life, were devoted.

Mr. Chief Justice, one may live as a conqueror, a king, or a magistrate; but he must die as a man. The bed of death brings every human being to his pure individuality; to the intense contemplation of that deepest and most solemn of all relations, the relation between the creature and his Creator. Here it is that fame and renown cannot assist us; that all external things must fail to aid us; that even friends, affection, and human love and devotedness, cannot succor us. This relation, the true foundation of all duty, a relation perceived and felt by conscience and confirmed by revelation, our illustrious friend, now deceased, always acknowledged. He reverenced the Scriptures of truth, honored the pure morality which they teach, and clung to the hopes of future life which they impart. He beheld enough in nature, in himself, and in all that can be known of things seen, to feel assured that there is a Supreme Power, without whose providence not a sparrow falleth to the ground. To this gracious Being he trusted himself for time and for eternity; and the last words of his lips ever heard by mortal ears were a fervant supplication to his Maker to take him to himself.

SOUTHERN TOUR.

IN the month of May, 1847, Mr. Webster made a visit to the Southern Atlantic States. He was every where, on his route, received with great respect and cordiality. His intention was to go as far as New Orleans, and to return to the North by way of the Mississippi. Unfortunately he was taken ill at Augusta, in Georgia, and was thus prevented from continuing his journey beyond that place.

RECEPTION AT CHARLESTON, S. C.

Address delivered from the spacious Piazza of the Hotel, on the 7th of May, 1847. HON. FRANKLIN H. ELMORE, Chairman of the Committee of Reception, addressed Mr. Webster in a most eloquent and friendly manner, and gave him a hearty welcome to the hospitalities of Charleston. To this address Mr. Webster replied:

GENTLEMEN, - It would be an act of as great violence to my own feelings, as of injustice and ingratitude to the hos pitality of the citizens of Charleston, if I should fail to express my cordial thanks for the welcome you give me in their behalf, and to reciprocate, to you and to them, my sincere respect and good wishes.

You are quite right, Gentlemen, in supposing that my purpose, in undertaking the tour which has brought me into the midst of you, is to see the country, and the people of the country, and to obtain a better and fuller knowledge of both. Hitherto, I have not been a visitor so far south; and I was unwilling, quite unwilling, to be longer a stranger, personally, in the Southern States. The citizens of Charleston do me an honor, which I most deeply feel, when they say, through you, that they have satisfaction in meeting me at their own homes, and wish to render my visit agreeable. When one is made welcome to the homes of Charleston, I am quite aware that the warmth of hospitality can go no further.

Undoubtedly, Gentlemen, differences of opinion on many subjects exist between your fellow-citizens and myself, and between South Carolina and Massachusetts. But how poor must be that spirit, a spirit which I am sure prevails neither here nor in Massachusetts, which out of these differences would extract cause of social alienation or personal disrc

spect! What would be the value of our political institutions, if men might not differ on public questions, without sacrificing mutual esteem or destroying the sense of common brotherhood? We have diverse political sentiments, but we have but one country. We may differ as to the best manner of serving and honoring that country, but we agree that she is to be served by all to the utmost of their power, and honored by all with filial reverence and patriotic devotion. If we do not always think alike, we all feel alike. We feel that much of the individual happiness, as well as the national renown, which belongs to us now, or may belong to us hereafter, does and will attach to us as the undivided, and I hope always the indivisible, members of the great American republic.

I am happy, Gentlemen, if you think that, while discharging the duties of Secretary of State, I paid just regard to the protection of Southern interests. In my judgment, those interests, important in themselves, were connected with grave questions of public law, questions touching the immunity of flags, and the independence and equality of nations upon the ocean. To the magnitude of these questions I could not be insensible. It is true that they commanded my utmost attention; and if the result has been greater freedom from annoyance, more security for maritime rights, and a general advance in the maintenance of peace and the friendly intercourse of nations, I am bound to ascribe this result rather to the concurrence of fortunate circumstances, and to the encouragement and support of others, than to any ability displayed in my efforts.

I concur with you cordially, Gentlemen, in the sentiment, that mutual intercourse strengthens mutual regard; and that the more citizens of different parts of the country see of one another, the more will asperities be softened, and differences reconciled. I may undertake to say, for Massachusetts, that she is ready, at all times, to meet and to return the respect and the hospitality of South Carolina; and that she remembers ancient ties of union and fraternity; that she acknowledges a common interest, and a common fate,

in a common country; that there is nowhere a juster or a higher appreciation of the men, or the deeds, of this her sister State; and nowhere the prevalence of more earnest wishes for whatever may advance her prosperity and distinction.

Gentlemen, I come among you, with my family, as travellers, but not feeling that we are entirely strangers. I wish to attract no ostentatious notice, but desire only to be regarded as a fellow-countryman and a fellow-citizen, and to see the country and the people without formality or constraint.

Thanking you, and the citizens of Charleston, again, for the cordial welcome extended to me, it remains that I offer you, Gentlemen, personally, the assurance of my high regard; and to this concourse of your fellow-citizens, which now surround us, and whose assembling together, on this occasion, I regard as so respectful, and so imperatively demanding my grateful acknowledgments, I must tender my sincere respects.

Citizens of Charleston! I am happy to regard you as countrymen. We are born to the same inheritance, won by the same patriotism and the same valor. New England blood has moistened the soil where we now stand, shed as readily as at Lexington, or Concord, or Bunker Hill. May it prove a durable cement of the union of our respective States! And may many generations, now far off, find themselves, when they arrive, as we now find ourselves, a free, respectable, united, and prosperous community! I pray you, Gentlemen, accept my sincere good wishes for you all.

DINNER OF THE NEW ENGLAND SOCIETY.

Speech delivered on the 8th of May, 1847, in St. Andrew's Hall, Charleston, S. C.

A. S. WILLINGTON, ESQ., presided.

After a toast from the chair in honor of Massachusetts and South Carolina, Hon. B. F. Hunt, one of the Vice Presidents of the day, made a most eloquent address, and concluded,—

"Mr. President and Gentlemen, I offer as a toast,

-

"Our guest: He has a heart large enough to comprehend his whole country- -a head wise enough to discern her best interests; we cheer him on his way to view her in all her various aspects, well assured that, the more he sees of her, the better he will like her."

This address and sentiment having been received with loud and repeated cheers and applause, Mr. Webster rose and replied:

GENTLEMEN, I am bound to say a few words in acknowledgment of the numerous kind things which have been said by the gentleman who has just addressed you, and the kind manner in which they have been received by the company. In answer to the testimonials of respect and the high compliments so eloquently paid me by my New England friend, I must be permitted to say, that it is a high source of gratification to me to find myself in the city of Charleston, the long-renowned and hospitable city of the South, among those whom I regard as fellow-countrymen, and who look upon me in the same light. The marks of respect and affection thus tendered have penetrated my heart with the most grateful emotions. Colonel Hunt has been pleased, with much propriety and eloquence, to refer to that great instrument of government, the Constitution, and to speak of it in terms habitual to, and expressive of the sentiment of, all American bosoms. Whatever difference of opinion may exist with regard to some of its purposes, all agree that it is the basis of our liberty, the cement of our Union, and the source of our national prosperity and renown. True, the cardinal principle of that instrument and the interpretation of some of its provisions have, at times, led to agitating discussions and dangerous excitements, but every thing is now calm and repose, and

"All the clouds that lowered upon our house

In the deep bosom of the ocean buried."

I take great pleasure, Sir, in marking the wise choice that the sons of New England around me have made, in coming to this State. I trust they were not very badly off at home, but they appear to be exceedingly comfortable here. Since "the loud torrent and the whirlwind's roar" did not "bind them to their native mountains more," they have not only