Page:The World's Famous Orations Volume 9.djvu/159

 RUFUS CHOATE HIS EULOGY OF WEBSTER' (1853) Born in 1799, died in 1859; elected to Congress in 1830; reelected in 1832 and resigned in 1834; United States Senator in 1841, serving while Webster was Secretary of State; succeeded by Webster in 1845. "Webster possessed the element of an impres- sive character, inspiring regard, trust, and ad- miration, not unmingled with love. It had, I think, intrinsically a charm such as belongs only to a good, noble, and beautiful nature. In ite combination with so much fame, so much force of will, and so much intellect, it filled and fascinated the imagination and heart. It was affectionate in childhood and youth, and it was more than ever so in the few last months of his long life. It is the universal testimony that he gave to his parents, in largest measure, honor, love, obedience; that he eagerly appropriated the first means which he could command to relieve the father from the debts contracted to educate his brother and himself ; that he selected fiis first place of professional practise that he might soothe the coming on of his old age. J From a commemorative address before the faculty, students, and alumni of Dartmouth College on July 27, 1853. Choate, as well as Webster, was a graduate of Dartmouth. 149