and for the hope of republican institutions throughout the world, that the struggle was not precipitated in 1850. Thus it is that the statesmanship and patriotism of Webster are vindicated by subsequent events. I have the honor to be, most respectfully, Yours, etc., JAMES W. BRADBURY. FROM LEON ABBETT. TRENTON, N. J., May 18, 1886. HON. GILMAN MARSTON, Chairman: Dear Sir, — Your kind invitation to be present at the New Hampshire state capital on June 17 next, to attend the dedication of the statue of Daniel Webster, is at hand. I should be pleased to attend, but state engagements will prevent. Yours respectfully, LEON ABBETT. FROM ROBERT C. SCHENCK. WASHINGTON, June 12, 1886. HIS EXCELLENCY MOODY CURRIER, Governor of New Hampshire, HON. GILMAN MARSTON, Chairman of Legislative Committee: Gentlemen, I must beg you to pardon me for not making earlier answer to your letter asking me to participate, as a guest of your state, in the exercises of the day on the occasion of the dedication of the statue of Daniel Webster, at Concord, on the 17th of this month. The invitation is one which, on every account, I regard as a great and special honor, and if it were possible I should take great pleasure, I assure you, in availing myself of the opportunity to be present and take part in so interesting a ceremony; but I am compelled, reluctantly and regretfully, to decline. I have been hoping that it might be convenient for me to so anticipate and arrange a summer visit I am intending to make this season to the coast of Maine, as to allow of my being at Concord at the date indicated, but my engagements here will not permit me to get away soon enough for that, and my age and the condition of my health will hardly admit of my making two such journeys. Excuse me for these personal explanations. I give them only be cause I would not be thought to miss, willingly or lightly, a chance and my cherished to show my veneration of the memory of Webster, appreciation of his greatness. New Hampshire may well be proud of the distinction of having given birth to such a man! - it was In one period of my public service - from 1843 to 1851my good fortune to see much of Mr. Webster. There were circumstances which brought me, during a portion of that time, into as close association and intimacy with him as, perhaps, was compatible with our difference of age and position. As a statesman, a senator, a great constitutional lawyer, to be admired and revered, towering among his compeers, he certainly lost by nearness of view nothing of his majestic stature. Thanking you again, gentlemen, for the honor of your invitation and the proffer of New Hampshire hospitality, I am, Very respectfully and sincerely, Your obedient servant, ROBERT C. SCHENCK. FROM E. M. STEARNS. BOSTON, June 2, 1886. HON. G. MARSTON, Concord, N. H.: I thank you for your kind invitation to participate in the dedication of the statue of Mr. Webster. It would afford me the greatest pleasure to be present, especially under the hospitable terms of your letter. I should deem it a great honor to be the guest of the state which Mr. Webster loved so much, and which was so proud of him. My earliest political fealty and devotion was given to Mr. Webster, and although a babe in all political lore and experiences, I was enrolled among the "Silver Grey Whigs" and followed his fortunes while he lived; and upon his death, it seemed to me that the country was left without guide and support, and must stagger as best it could with its head buried and gone. I fear it will be impossible for me to be present, as professional engagements here and at my home so crowd upon me in the busy month of June that escape seems out of the question. Accept my thanks for your remembrance of me upon this interesting occasion, and my regrets that I cannot avail myself of your kindness. Yours very truly, E. M. STEARNS. FROM WILLIAM PATERSON. PERTH AMBOY, N. J., June 9, 1886. GEORGE W. NESMITH, JOHN M. HILL, JOHN H. GEORGE, Trustees Webster Statue, Concord, N. H.: Gentlemen, Judicial engagements will prevent my acceptance of the invitation with which I am honored by you, to attend the dedication of a bronze statue of Daniel Webster at the state capital of New Hampshire, on Thursday of next week. I regret my inability to participate in the exercises of the occasion and assist in paying tribute to the memory of that illustrious citizen of your little commonwealth, whose fame as a statesman will be written forever on the page of American history. I shall not attempt to dwell upon the life and character, the services and the worth of one so exalted in reputation and distinguished among men. Those superior and commanding qualities by which a long public career was illustrated and finished in immortal glory will be portrayed most fitly by the president of the academical institution so highly honored by his enrollment among the number of her sons. As an alumnus of a sister college, the walls of which bear marks of the struggle that gave a continent to freedom, and but few, if any, of whose young tribes were faithless in the patriotic cause, I should esteem it a rare privilege to unite with the alumni of Dartmouth in honoring him who always stood in civic strife a foremost champion of the rights of all the states and all their people. But few are living who can recollect with me the crown of glory laid upon his head, when more than half a century ago he stood forth, peerless of all his peers, as the grand defender of constitutional liberty and union; and keeping steadily in view the price at which that liberty was bought, and the perpetuity of the Federal Union, which he professed as his great aim, it was most meet that the closing effort of his life was to maintain inviolate the sacred compact which he ever kept and ever strove to make secure and safe. Very respectfully yours, WILLIAM PATERSON. FROM CHARLES F. ADAMS, JR. HON. GILMAN MARSTON : BOSTON, May 28, 1886. My Dear Sir,—I have to thank you for the invitation sent me some days since to attend the dedication of the statue of Daniel Webster, presented to the state of New Hampshire by Mr. Cheney, upon the 17th of June. While it would afford me the greatest possible pleasure to participate in this occasion, my engagements are such as will preclude my so doing. Regretting extremely that this should be the case, I remain, etc., CHARLES F. ADAMS, JR. FROM REBECCA MILLER. TEMPLE, June 11, 1886. TO GOVERNOR MOODY CURRIER AND GENERAL G. MARSTON: Dear Sirs, I cannot imagine any thing which would give me more pleasure than to avail myself of the honor of your invitation to be present at the dedication of the statue of Daniel Webster, so generously presented to the state by Mr. Cheney, but the present infirm state of my health forbids my going. Mr. Webster had no more sincere admirer than his contemporary and friend, General Miller, or grandson of whom Col. E. H. Ropes, of New Jersey, will be in Concord on the 17th. Very respectfully, REBECCA MILLER. FROM HORACE FAIRBANKS. ST. JOHNSBURY, VT., June 14, 1886. HON. GILMAN MARSTON, Chairman of Legislative Committee: Thanking you for your courtesy, I am HORACE FAIRBANKS. WorM FROM SAMUEL J. RANDALL. HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES, WASHINGTON, D. C., May 31, 1886. MESSRS. GEORGE W. NESMITH, JOHN M. HILL, AND JOHN H. GEORGE, Committee of Invitation: Dear Sirs, — I acknowledge your kind invitation for the 17th proximo. It would afford me real gratification to witness the ceremonies of unveiling the statue of Daniel Webster at your state capital, but I fear my public duties will not allow me to absent myself from this city at that time. Daniel Webster was a great man, and the memory of his splendid career is enough to enrich not only one state but the whole Union, whose noblest advocate he was. He was essentially a teacher, and his works are full of lessons of wisdom, which those who would preserve our free government will do well to cherish. And one of the ways of doing so is to keep his memory green in the land he loved and honored. I shall join heartily with you in the spirit of the occasion. Thanking you for your courtesy, I am Very truly yours, SAMUEL J. RANDALL. FROM JOHN LOWELL. HON. GILMAN MARSTON: 3 PEMBERTON SQUARE, BOSTON, June 10, 1886. My dear Sir,-I was much gratified to receive, through your hands, the invitation of the state to attend the exercises at Concord, on the 17th. I should be much pleased to testify, by my presence, an appreciation of Mr. Cheney's munificent gift, as well as the admiration and respect that we all feel, and which our posterity will feel, for the great defender of the Union, whose words did more than any other influence to consolidate the opinion of the North, and to render the victory of union over secession possible. It unfortunately happens that an engagement of long standing which calls me away will prevent my joining with you on that day. Yours very truly, JOHN LOWELL. |