Judge Story, with generous enthusiasm, wrote to Mr. Mason,
after the convention adjourned:--
"Our friend Webster has gained a noble reputation. He was before
known as a lawyer; but he has now secured the title of an eminent
and enlightened statesman. It was a glorious field for him, and he
has had an ample harvest. The whole force of his great mind was
brought out, and, in several speeches, he commanded universal
admiration. He always led the van, and was most skilful and
instantaneous in attack and retreat. He fought, as I have told him,
in the 'imminent deadly breach;' and all I could do was to
skirmish, in aid of him, upon some of the enemy's outposts. On the
whole, I never was more proud of any display than his in my life,
and I am much deceived if the well-earned popularity, so justly and
so boldly acquired by him on this occasion, does not carry him, if
he lives, to the presidency."
While this convention, so memorable in the career of Mr. Webster and so
filled with the most absorbing labors, was in session, he achieved a still
wider renown in a very different field.
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