The great speeches and orations of Daniel Webster, with an essay on Daniel Webster as a master of English style

by Daniel Webster, Edwin Percy Whipple

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782 pages, Paperback

First published February 1, 1993

About the author

Daniel Webster, was a leading American statesman during the nation's Antebellum Period. He first rose to regional prominence through his defense of New England shipping interests. His increasingly nationalistic views and the effectiveness with which he articulated them led Webster to become one of the most famous orators and influential Whig leaders of the Second Party System.

Daniel Webster was an attorney, and served as legal counsel in several cases that established important constitutional precedents that bolstered the authority of the Federal government. As Secretary of State, he negotiated the Webster-Ashburton Treaty that established the definitive eastern border between the United States and Canada. Primarily recognized for his Senate tenure, Webster was a key figure in the institution's "Golden days". So well-known was his skill as a Senator throughout this period that Webster became a third and northern counterpart of what was and still is known today as the "Great Triumvirate," with his colleagues Henry Clay from the west and John C. Calhoun from the south. His "Reply to Hayne" in 1830 was generally regarded as "the most eloquent speech ever delivered in Congress."

As with Henry Clay, Webster's desire to see the Union preserved and conflict averted led him to search out compromises designed to stave off the sectionalism that threatened war between the North and South. Webster tried three times to achieve the Presidency; all three bids failed, the final one in part because of his compromises. Similarly, Webster's efforts to steer the nation away from civil war toward a definite peace ultimately proved futile. Despite this, Webster came to be esteemed for these efforts and was officially named by the Senate in 1957 as one of its five most outstanding members.

Reviews

[Matt · Rating 4 out of 5]

Bygone rhetorical style. I really liked his commemorative speech given in 1820 on the bicentennial of the Plymouth landing. Interesting remarks on the great chain of being.

[Jessica Roberts · Rating 4 out of 5]

Ok, this one needs to be judged by two standards

The first: historical. The second: oratorical. From a history view point you'd be wise to bone up on your John C Calhoun before reading Webster's speech on why individual States are not sovereign. John C Calhoun and Webster were dueling orators, so seeing both sides of the Debate adds to the experience. I honestly believe that on some level Webster caused Calhoun fits. Calhoun liked to come up with a theory, and Webster unassailably shot it down. Permanently. As an political orator he is a logician. His Senatorial Snark is superb. He doesn't have the passion of Burke, or the soulfulness of Douglass, but he is formidable nonetheless. Enjoy!

[Miles Garrett · Rating 2 out of 5]

"Great" speeches from a divisive politician.