the administration of Jackson and Van Buren he continued in the great debates his defence of the Union.

His work during these years in and out of the Senate was of vast extent and power. In 1830 he made the marvellous plea in the White murder case. In 1832 he set forth at the centennial the matchless character of Washington. In 1833 he vigorously maintained that the Constitution is not a compact, but a government. During this year and the next he delivered. innumerable speeches upon the removal of the United States Bank. In 1834 he pleaded for constitutional liberty in a speech on the president's protest. In 1837 he took time for a tour of the West, and in 1839 he enjoyed to the full a friendly visit to England. In 1837, too, he had made his greatest political speech in New York against Jackson and his measures, forseeing the great panic, which soon came. Later, he presented his theories of finance to thousands in campaign speeches throughout the country, contributing to the election of Harrison in 1840.

Webster became the Secretary of State in 1841, and continued in office for two years amid constant difficulties, but with important results. Harrison died within a month, and Tyler became president. The dominant party quarrelled with the executive

Cabinet secretaries resigned, and Webster had to endure reproach to remain at his post. He did remain, however; effected important measures; brought his learning and intellectual powers to bear upon his work; and, amid almost insurmountable difficulties, which did not end when his real work was accomplished, carried through the Ashburton Treaty with England, arranging the northeast boundary. When all was done, he, with great selfrespect, left his office to rejoin his party.

The next two years he was out of public office. At Marshfield he took pleasure in the enrichment of his beloved estate by the sea. He devoted himself with earnestness to his professional duties. At Bunker Hill, in 1843, he delivered another of his great occasional addresses upon the completion of the monument. In the plea on the Girard case, he made a notable defence of the Christian religion. In 1844 he supported Clay for the presidency with vigorous speeches, as he had supported Harrison four years before.

In 1845 he was returned to the United States Senate for his last term. He was in the thick of the fight upon questions arising from the admission of Texas, the Mexican War, and the Oregon question. The way the territory of the United States was ex

tended was to him a source of great disappointment. After the election of General Taylor, the strife over the disposal of the new territory almost threatened disruption. Finally, Clay secured the approval of Webster in 1850 to a great compromise. Webster attempted in his 7th of March speech to present a basis upon which the North and the South could remain united. For this speech he was made the subject of scorn as recreant to duty by many leading men in the North, but calm consideration leaves little doubt that, however it clashed with his previously expressed views in regard to slavery, it was in accordance with the underlying principle of his entire life, the giving of the first importance to the preservation of the Union.

With the accession of Fillmore in 1850 to the presidency, Webster became for the second time Secretary of State. Though engaged in important and difficult. measures, no such great opportunity came to him as when he was Secretary before. At the laying of the corner stone of the addition to the Capitol, on July 4, 1851, he gave the last of his great occasional addresses. He sought but failed to secure the nomination for president in the spring of 1852, as he had failed in 1848 and 1844. Ill health came upon him.

but the president refused to accept his resignation. In July the people of Boston sought to do him honor. On October 23, 1852, the great orator and statesman passed away with the last words upon his lips, "I still live."

III

WASHINGTON AND WEBSTER

THE appropriateness of bringing together in the same volume the writings of Washington and Webster is shown by a comparison of their lives and work. Washington and Webster were alike in majesty of person and in loyalty and devotion to the Constitution and the Union.

Washington was a large, stalwart man, standing six feet two inches high. His hair was chestnut brown, until it became gray in later years. His forehead was square and commanding. His eyes were of a bluish gray, not large, but set far apart. His nose was large and thick, with dilated nostrils and prominent ridge. His cheeks were high and his face broad. His lips were compressed, his mouth was

strong, and his jaw was massive. Though his eyes told of calmness and of benevolence, except when they flashed in moments of valor or of terrible indignation, his face, as a whole, gave the impression of self-possessed but resolute force. His limbs were large and strong. His hands and feet were of unusual size, so that gloves had to be made especially for him, and boots of the highest number were required. He had powerful muscle; he was a practical carpenter and smith; he could surpass those about him in deeds of strength. Strong of foot, he had great endurance in walking; masterful in the saddle, he could ride any steed anywhere. His personal bearing was commanding, his figure full of dignity and force. When on horseback, in stately Continental uniform, he was heroic; when standing in public receptions as president, with one hand upon his sword and the other behind him, he had the dignity and bearing of a king.

Webster, too, was a large, strong man, and though he was not of unusual height, yet when he stood forth to speak he seemed to those who looked upon him like a giant. His hair was full and raven black. His brow was a prominent feature, massive, craggy. He had large black eyes, so large that when he was sickly