~ John F. Kennedy
In 1957, Senator John F. Kennedy published Profiles in Courage which examined the lives of eight U.S. Senators who had served during crucial times in American history. Kennedy's objective was to show how not all those who serve in government are politicians who are only looking out for their own best interest, but dedicated individuals who are willing to sacrifice their own political careers for the sake of the United States. Kennedy's book would bring him national attention, winning the Pulitzer Prize and becoming a best seller. The Profiles in Courage Award was set up by members of the Kennedy family. The award is presented to "a public official... whose actions best demonstrates the qualities of politically courageous leadership in the spirit of Profiles in Courage."
During the winter of 1850, Daniel Webster was nearing the end of a remarkable political career. He had been in the federal government since 1813, serving as a member of the House of Representatives and the Senate, the entire time falling short of his ultimate goal: the presidency. Webster was both admired and reviled by his peers. He had a brilliant mind, and was able to recite his speeches entirely from memory. While not as philosophical as John C. Calhoun, Webster was able to Webster would be approached by his colleague and sometimes foe, Henry Clay from Kentucky for help on some legislation that Clay had been working on.
The Missouri Compromise of 1820 had been able to hold the country together for thirty years, but the nation was being torn apart again. Clay had developed a compromise that he hoped would prevent the Union from breaking. He knew that he would need help getting his legislation passed. He was concerned that members of the Senate would feel that the Compromise would only benefit the South. If he could get the support from a Northern Senator it would make his plan more legitimate.
Webster faced a major moral dilemma. He was one of slavery's harshest critics and was representing a state that was the home to the nation's leading anti-slavery newspapers as well as numerous abolitionist groups. Supporting Clay's plan would alienate his supporters at home and could cost him his law practice in Boston as well as any chance of re-election. Webster agreed to help Clay and would agonize over his decision for the next three months.
In February of 1850, several Southern Senators and Congressmen would meet in Nashville. There, they discussed the possibility of leaving the Union. The Southern politicians felt that the federal government was threatening their way of life. If California was to be admitted as a free state, then the balance of power had now shifted in the Senate in favor of the North.
By the time the Senate hearing on the compromise was set to take place in early March, the anticipation had escalated. Politicians, diplomats, writers, and tourists all descended on Washington to hear Daniel Webster's speak. The Senate Gallery was filled two hours before the hearing was to take place, and many members of the Senate had given up their seats to women.
When Webster began his most famous speech he looked around the Senate Chamber. Some of the most talented men who had ever served where now sitting, waiting to hear him speak. Sam Houston, Henry Clay, Thomas Hart Benton, Stephen Douglas, and Jefferson Davis all sat out in the crowd, anticipating what Webster's speech would be like. Absent was John C. Calhoun, who had been suffering for months various ailments.
In his opening remarks, Webster declared that he was speaking to the Senate "not as a Massachusetts man, but as an American." Suddenly, John C. Calhoun appeared in the Senate Chamber. Dressed in a thick black overcoat, he was helped into his seat by an assistant. In less than two years, Clay, Webster, and Calhoun would all be dead. This was their last moment in history, and all three were personally invested in this issue, many Southern politicians looked at Calhoun's actions during the Nullification Crisis admirably, and a way to justify their own beliefs on slavery. Webster acknowledged the Senator from South Carolina and throughout his speech, Calhoun would look at Webster sphinx like.
Wesbter's speech would go on for 3 hours and 11 minutes, rarely using his notes on his desk. He stressed the importance of preserving the Union at all costs. When his speech was over, the Chamber was silent. For those that witnessed Webster's speech they would go on to say that it was the greatest speech that they had witnessed. The Compromise of 1850 would pass both the House and Senate. The newspapers of the South praised Webster while the papers from the North compared him to Benedict Arnold. Webster would lose the nomination for President months later, northern Whigs refused to cast their vote for him. Back in Boston, many clients left his law firm and he would not be nominated again for the Senate.
Webster sacrificed his personal beliefs for the sake of the Union, a decision that would end up being very costly for him.
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