Daniel Webster (1782–1852) was an American Federalist- and later Whig-party politician, lawyer, and orator who served as his country’s secretary of state.
Born in Salisbury, New Hampshire, Webster graduated from Dartmouth in 1801, entered the bar in 1805, and practiced law in Portsmouth, New Hampshire. A renowned orator, he represented New Hampshire 1813–17 and then Massachusetts 1823–27 in the U.S. House of Representatives, as well as Massachusetts in the U.S. Senate 1827–41 and 1845–50.
Webster supported protective tariffs, was a strong pro-Union advocate, and supported the Compromise of 1850 to preserve the Union. A leader of the Whig Party, Webster unsuccessfully ran for president in 1836.
Webster later served as President W. H. Harrison’s secretary of state 1841–43 and negotiated the Webster-Ashburton Treaty, which settled boundary disputes with Canada and improved relations with Great Britain. He also developed America’s policy toward Asia by formulating a statement on Hawaii in 1842 and inaugurating the first diplomatic mission to China in 1843.
More: Wikipedia • READ: Works by Daniel Webster
The most important thought I ever had was that of my individual responsibility to God.
—Daniel Webster
Topics: God, Responsibility
I have read the Bible through many times, and now make it a practice to read it through once every year. — It is a book of all others for lawyers, as well as divines; and I pity the man who cannot find in it a rich supply of thought and of rules for conduct.
—Daniel Webster
Failure is more frequently from want of energy than want of capital.
—Daniel Webster
Topics: Failures, Mistakes, Failure
This is a Senate of equals, of men of individual honor and personal character, and of absolute independence. We know no masters, we acknowledge no dictators. This is a hall for mutual consultation and discussion; not an arena for the exhibition of champions.
—Daniel Webster
A solemn and religious regard to spiritual and eternal things is an indispensable element of all true greatness.
—Daniel Webster
Topics: Greatness
Educate your children to self-control, to the habit of holding passion and prejudice and evil tendencies subject to an upright and reasoning will, and you have done much to abolish misery from their future lives and crimes from society.
—Daniel Webster
The past is at least secure.
—Daniel Webster
Topics: The Past, Past
Labor is the great producer of wealth; it moves all other causes.
—Daniel Webster
There is no evil we cannot face or fly from, but the consciousness of duty disregarded.
—Daniel Webster
Topics: Duty
The contest, for ages, has been to rescue liberty from the grasp of executive power.
—Daniel Webster
Topics: Freedom, Liberty
Wisdom begins at the end.
—Daniel Webster
Topics: Wisdom
If all my possessions were taken from me with one exception, I would choose to keep the power of communication, for by it I would soon regain all the rest.
—Daniel Webster
Knowledge does not comprise all which is contained in the large term of education. The feelings are to be disciplined; the passions are to be restrained; true and worthy motives are to be inspired; a profound religious feeling is to be instilled, and pure morality inculcated under all circumstances. All this is comprised in education.
—Daniel Webster
Topics: Education
Wondering Whom to Read Next?
John Quincy Adams American Head of State
Henry Clay American Politician
John F. Kennedy American Head of State
Horace Mann American Educator
William Ellery Channing American Theologian, Poet
John Kerry American Politician
John C. Calhoun American Head of State
Maria Mitchell American Astronomer
Louis Agassiz Swiss-American Scientist
Daniel C. Dennett American Philosopher, Atheist