"Words
are things, and a small drop of ink, falling like dew upon a thought,
produces that which makes thousands, perhaps millions, think." -Lord
Byron.
Between December 1829 and May 1830, there were
plenty of words being spoken in our Nation's Capitol. One historian I
read noted there were no less than 65 speeches given in the Houses of
Congress during that winter and spring. But one particular collection
of words, one certain speech given by Daniel Webster, stands out.
The
reason for the many speeches was the turbulent state of the union.
Slavery, states rights, partisanship and presidential powers were all
content being argued in the vast rhetoric.
South Carolina
Senator Hayne gave one of the many speeches on January 19, 1830. The
Charleston politician laid out a states' rights manifesto, which hinted
toward nullification and ultimately suggested succession.
While
Senator Hayne was in the Senate Chamber preparing to speak, Senator and
lawyer Daniel Webster was downstairs in the Supreme Court arguing a
case. After he finished, he went upstairs to the Senate floor just in
time to hear Senator Hayne offering his speech.
Webster was
deeply troubled by Hayne's premise. Webster loved the Union and was
determined to protect it. After deliberation, days later Senator
Webster responded to Senator Hayne on the floor of Congress. On that
day, Daniel Webster gave one of his greatest speeches--an oration and
defense of nationalism and federalism.
In his moving speech, he
compared the union of our United States to a "happy constellation" and
grieved the prospect of it being broken and its glorious light being
dimmed. Webster was intense and sincere. Passion darkened his already
piercing dark eyes. His oration was moving and fiery, tender and
thoughtful.
On that bitterly cold January day, Daniel
Webster, clad in a revolutionary blue coat, stood before the Senate and
finished his most important speech. "Liberty and union, now and
forever; one and inseparable." Webster's haunting words echoed through
the halls of Congress and in the hearts of all who heard them. The
story goes that after Webster sat down, a colleague responded, "Mr.
Webster, I think you had better die now and rest your fame on that
speech." But poignantly, his rival Senator Hayne retorted, "You ought
not to die." He reverently conceded, "A man who can make such speeches
as that ought never to die."
Daniel Webster was a
distinguished member of the Supreme Court bar, a statesman, a writer
and an orator who did die on October 24, 1852. He inserted his
thoughts into history and the reason they remain prominent to this day
is because they were crafted, not just spoken. He may have died, but
his words have not.
I want to speak words that outlive me, don't you?
As Webster's rival said, "A man who can make speeches as that ought
never to die." I contend that the speaker who crafts thoughtful, wise
words does not die, for his message can live in our memories, in the
fitly written script he leaves behind, and in the influence his
once-spoken words realize.
Words may be quickly spoken, but their echoes are heard for generations. For that reason, we must not merely count each word we speak; we must weigh them.
For each word carries an intent and a consequence that outlasts the
intonation that escapes our lips. William Shakespeare once penned,
"Words without thoughts never to heaven go." His eloquence reveals
the potential eternal nature of the words we utter. So, once again I
pray with the Psalmist; "Let the words of my mouth and the meditations
of my heart be acceptable in Your sight Oh Lord, my Rock and my
Redeemer."
Well, that's what's been percolating in me lately!
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