The Compromise of 1850 was the nation's attemmpt at settling border and slavery disputes using five different bills. Even though the compromise still left the nation very divided on the topics, especially slavery, it was a short term solution for avoiding a civil war and secession. Daniel Webster supported Henry Clay and Stephen Douglas's bill, but was also well aware of John C. Calhoun's plan to give a speech attacking the Compromise of 1850. In response, Webster tried to suppress any ideas of secession and keep the nation unionized by delivering his "Seventh of March Address."
Webster began his speech with the famous words,
"Mr. President, I wish to speak today, not as a Massachusetts man, nor as a northern man, but as an American, and a member of the Senate of the United States .... I speak for the preservation of the Union. Hear me for my cause."
Webster's speech ended up being 3.5 hours long and was met with strong opposition and criticism. While he believed it was pointless to try to either abolish slavery or extend it, he noted that slaveholders were entitled to the protection of their slaves as property. Because Webster openly supported the Fugitive Slave Act, he faced the most intense resistance from Northerners. They called him "a fallen star" and shouted cries of "liberty." It appeared that the senator's speech was a complete failure.
Despite all the Northern critics, Webster did have some support from Southerners and Northern moderates who praised his moral courage. He even counteracted his critics by printing and publishing over 200,000 copies of his revised version of the speech entitled The Constitution and the Union.
In the end, however, Daniel Webster's "Seventh of March Address" was ultimately rejected, and left his political career in ruins. He resigned from the Senate four months later, leaving him only his position as President Filmore's Secretary of State. In 1852, he unsuccessfully attempted to obtain a Whig nomination for president. Later that year, Daniel Webster died from cirrhosis of the liver after his last words, "I stil live." Even on his death bed, Webster still tried to get his moment in the spotlight.
Despite all the Northern critics, Webster did have some support from Southerners and Northern moderates who praised his moral courage. He even counteracted his critics by printing and publishing over 200,000 copies of his revised version of the speech entitled The Constitution and the Union.
In the end, however, Daniel Webster's "Seventh of March Address" was ultimately rejected, and left his political career in ruins. He resigned from the Senate four months later, leaving him only his position as President Filmore's Secretary of State. In 1852, he unsuccessfully attempted to obtain a Whig nomination for president. Later that year, Daniel Webster died from cirrhosis of the liver after his last words, "I stil live." Even on his death bed, Webster still tried to get his moment in the spotlight.
I think this article articulates Daniel Webster's personality very well, and his actions in certain sections of history. I also really liked the amount of detail put into the examples in this article. I think it would be interesting to know how he got to such important positions, and his successes/failures early on in his life, such as his position as the leader of the Federalist party, or President Harrison's secretary of state. In general, I really learned a lot from this article. Well done!
ReplyDeleteYou article did a great job describing the conflicting conclusion to Daniel Webster's life as a "giant" in the US Senate. I think that it is rather ironic that the final speech of a person who never failed to attract countless spectators to his eloquent speeches was one filled with so much controversy. This rejection also fully embodies the fundamental division in ideals that tore at the cohesion of the Union during the time. With neither side willing to back down, even the great "titans" of his era, Henry Clay, John C. Calhoun, and Webster himself, were unable to reach a conclusion regarding the issue of slavery. Considering this point, I believe that Webster was partially right in his statement that slavery could neither be abolished or extended. Never truly being a man fond of war, Webster most likely refused to acknowledge the emerging idea that a war must be fought for these issues to be settled.
ReplyDeleteHi Audrey,
ReplyDeleteI really enjoyed reading your blog post since it outlined exactly what events led to his bad reputation, but also included the views of his few supporters. This helped me see his actions from different perspectives, rather than just the "majority viewpoint". I became curious about his earlier years and how they may have shaped his beliefs. As a young boy, he was taught to read, and entertained his family by reciting readings. He then went on to Dartmouth College, where he studied law and became passionate about public speaking. Webster became the spokesperson of Portsmouth businessmen, where he called the Jefferson administration's embargo unconstitutional and opposed the war against Great Britain in 1812. After representing his city's most successful businessmen, he became one of the most highly paid lawyers in the country. This high position in society gave him an influential voice, which ended up negatively affecting his career due to its unpopularity.
https://www.britannica.com/biography/Daniel-Webster