Page:The World's Famous Orations Volume 9.djvu/65

 WEBSTER to the renewed pursuit of professional duties, carrying with him all that enlargement and ex- pansion, all the new strength and force, which an acquaintance with the more general subjects discussed in the national councils is capable of adding to professional attainment, in a mind of true greatness and comprehension. He was a lawyer, and he was also a statesman. He had studied the Constitution, when he filled public station, that he might defend it ; he had examined its principles that he might maintain them. More than all men, or at least as much as any man, he was attached to the general government and to the union of the States. His feelings and opin- ions all ran in that direction. A question of constitutional law, too, was, of all subjects, that one which was best suited to his talents and learning. Aloof from technicality, and unfet- tered by artificial rule, such a question gave opportunity for that deep and clear analysis, > that mighty grasp of principle, which so much distinguished his higher efforts. His very state- ment was argument ; his inference seemed demon-^* stration. The earnestness of his own conviction^JJ^ wrought conviction in others. One was con- vinced, and believed, and assented, because it was gratifying, delightful, to think, and feel, and believe, in unison with an intellect of such evident superiority. Sir, the human mind is so constituted that the merits of both sides of a controversy appear very clear and very palpable to those who re- 55