His power in debate was only equalled by his wisdom in council.

The constructive statesman, the framer of the Constitution and statutes, the financier, the debater, the lawyer, the man of business, the diplomatist, the reformer, the orator, are all there, and all are there at their best.

It is enough, and not too much, to say of my colleague that, as he lays down his office, the State that has been proud of them is proud of him.

His qualities have not been those for which the people manifested their regard by shouting or clapping of hands, or stamping of feet in public meetings; he has had no following of ambitious politicians whom he has sought to repay for their…

Edward Everett preached a sermon when he was twenty-four years old before a large audience in the Representatives Chamber at Washington which was heard with breathless silence.

Webster said of England, 'that her morning drum-beat circles the earth with an unbroken strain of her martial airs,' we can at least say that before the sun sets upon Alaska he has risen upon Maine.

A man who had been so long exposed to the wickedness and temptations of Washington, and had committed only the sin of staying a little too long when he called on his minister might safely be trusted anywhere.

But his behaviour when he was ordered to supersede General Thomas, just before the battle at Nashville and Franklin, is a noble instance of magnanimity.

His generous nature disdained to profit by the mistake at headquarters and to get glory for himself at the expense of a brave soldier.

That one act of magnanimous self-denial gave to American history two of its brightest names,--the name of Thomas and the name of Logan.

But he is entitled to honorable memory as the originator and father of the reform of the civil service in this country.

Few questionable claims against the Government could escape his vigilance, or prevail over his formidable opposition.

I think he has had a good deal of influence in some perilous times in deciding whether the ship should keep safely on, or should run upon a rock and go to the bottom.

His titles to a place in the grateful memory of his countrymen are not likely to be overlooked.

He saw very early the importance of devoting every resource of the country to the reduction of the National debt.

He saw that it was important that the people should not get accustomed, as the English people are, to consider a National debt as something that was to continue always.

Many persons can remember in what dangerous forms this temptation came, and how many men, who otherwise deserve to be held in high esteem, yielded to it wholly or partly.

Boutwell's powerful influence was a very important factor in attaining the result in which we all now take so much satisfaction, and keeping the American people in the path of duty and honor.

He suggested what is known as the Wheeler compromise, the acceptance of which by both sides was due to his influence and capacity for conciliation.

Congress and the President could only act under the restraint of a written Constitution.

Everything done by either must pass the ordeal of the Supreme Court, a majority of whose members then had no sympathy with a liberal interpretation of the National powers.

The strength of the Nation had been tried and not found wanting.

The burden of slavery, which had hung like a millstone about the neck of the Republic, had been thrown off.

So the dominant party addressed itself without fear to the great work before it.

He has fallen at the very gate of an honorable and eminent career, and a thousand hopes are buried in his grave.