The only relief was to return to his work and to the excitement of public
affairs; but the cloud hung over him long after he was once more in his
place in the Senate. Death had made a wound in his life which time healed
but of which the scar remained. Whatever were Mr. Webster's faults, his
affection for those nearest to him, and especially for the wife of his
youth, was deep and strong.
"The very first day of Mr. Webster's arrival and taking his seat in
the Senate," Judge Story writes to Mr. Ticknor, "there was a
process bill on its third reading, filled, as he thought, with
inconvenient and mischievous provisions. He made, in a modest
undertone, some inquiries, and, upon an answer being given, he
expressed in a few words his doubts and fears. Immediately Mr.
Tazewell from Virginia broke out upon him in a speech of two hours.
Mr. Webster then moved an adjournment, and on the next day
delivered a most masterly speech in reply, expounding the whole
operation of the intended act in the clearest manner, so that a
recommitment was carried almost without an effort.
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