Daniel Webster :: Essays Papers

Daniel WebsterBorn January 18, 1782, in Salisbury, New Hampshire, Daniel Webster was a central figure in the nations history. He successfully combined his semipolitical and statutory career and played a role as lawyer, congressman, orator, depositary of defer, leader of two parties, and a presidential candidate. His father, recognizing that his son was more suited for scholastics than for farm life, ensured that Daniel received an education. Webster studied at the Phillips Exeter Academy before enrolling at Dartmouth in 1797. Webster eventually graduated from Dartmouth College in 1801. Webster opened a legal practice in Portsmouth, New Hampshire in1807. Rising quickly as a lawyer and Federalist party leader, Webster was elected in 1812 to the U.S. House of Representatives because of his opposition to the contend of 1812, which had crippled New Englands shipping trade. After two more impairment in the House, Webster left Congress in 1816 and moved to Boston. Over the cont erminous six years, he win major constitutional cases before the positive Court most notably, Dartmouth College Vs. Woodward, Gibbons Vs Ogden, and McCulloch Vs. Maryland, establishing himself as the nations leading lawyer and an outstand outstanding orator.In 1823, Webster was returned to Congress from Boston, and in 1827 he was elected senator from Massachusetts. New circumstances enabled Webster to function a champion of American nationalism. With the Federalist party dead, he joined the discipline Republican party, allying himself with Westerner Henry CLAY and endorsing federal aid for roadstead in the West. In 1828, the dominant economic interests of Massachusetts having shifted from shipping to manufacturing, Webster back the high-tariff bill of that year. Angry federationern leaders condemned the tariff, and South Carolinas John C. CALHOUN argued that his state had the right to nullify the law. Replying to South Carolinas Robert HAYNE in a Senate debate in 1830, Webster triumphantly defended the Union. His words Liberty and Union, now and forever, one and inseparable won wide acclaim. Webster and President Andrew Jackson joined forces in 1833 to suppress South Carolinas attempt to nullify the tariff. But Webster and other opponents of Jackson--now known as Whigs (see WHIG PARTY, linked States)--battled him on other issues, including his attack on the National Bank. Webster ran for the presidency in 1836 as one of three Whig party candidates but carried only Massachusetts. For the residue of his career he aspired vainly to the presidency.