of educating the children of both rich and poor, it deserved some representation for this valuable aid to government.  It is impossible, in a few lines,[1] to do justice to Mr. Webster’s argument.  It exhibited a great deal of tact and ingenuity, especially in the distinction so finely drawn between property as an element of personal power and property in a general sense, and so distributed as to be a bulwark of liberty.  The speech is, on this account, an interesting one, for Mr. Webster was rarely ingenious, and hardly ever got over difficulties by fine-spun distinctions.  In this instance adroitness was very necessary, and he did not hesitate to employ it.  By his skilful treatment, by his illustrations drawn from England and France, which show the accuracy and range of his mental vision in matters of politics and public economy, both at home and abroad, and with the powerful support of Judge Story, Mr. Webster carried his point.  The element of property representation in the Senate was retained, but so wholly by the ability of its advocate, that it was not long afterwards removed.

[Footnote 1:  My brief statement is merely a further condensation of the excellent abstract of this speech made by Mr Curtis.]

Mr. Webster’s other important speech related to the judiciary.  The Constitution provided that the judges, who held office during good behavior, should be removable by the Governor on an address from the Legislature.  This was considered to meet cases of incompetency or of personal misconduct, which could not be reached by impeachment.  Mr. Webster desired to amend the clause so as to require a two thirds vote for the passage of the address, and that reasons should be assigned, and a hearing assured to the judge who was the subject of the proceedings.  These changes were all directed to the further protection of the bench, and it was in this connection that Mr. Webster made a most admirable and effective speech on the well-worn but noble theme of judicial independence.  He failed to carry conviction, however, and his amendments were all lost.  The perils which he anticipated have never arisen, and the good sense of the people of Massachusetts has prevented the slightest abuse of what Mr. Webster rightly esteemed a dangerous power.

Mr. Webster’s continual and active exertion throughout the session of this convention brought him great applause and admiration, and showed his powers in a new light.  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