When Webster took his seat in the Senate, Henry Clay was the Secretary of State and the director of the policy of the party with which Webster must work, the incipient Whig party, the party of protection to American industries, of wide-flung schemes of internal improvements and of expanding the powers of the national government. The New Englander quickly fell into line. In 1828 be made his first important speech in favor of the 'American System,' so ably condemned four years before, and Calhoun prepared to thwart that very tar W policy which he had done so much to set up in 1816. Nulli fication was about to be tried and Webster from opposing the national power, as he had done all his life, now prepared to champion that cause. The greatest speech of his life was delivered in February of 1830 when western influences in Congress opposed to the leadership of Henry Clay were being aligned with the southern in fluences and interests voiced by Calhoun and Robert Young Hayne. These leaders of the three great sections of the country were com pelled to work out a national policy which it was hoped that a majority of the people might support.
Thomas H. Benton had pressed for six years his bill for a freer distribution of the public lands in the hope of building up the West bt the expense of the East. Webster opposed the Benton plan. The Southerners were di vided; but, after long and doubtful negotiations, they bad made up their minds to support the western claims in exchange for support of their free trade policy. Jackson was made President upon this combination. Webster did not like the combination. It meant disaster for New England. Bat Jackson did not like the power and influence of Calhoun in the combination which lay behind his own presidency. When, therefore, Calhoun prepared to launch his nulli fication program, expecting that Jackson would remain quiescent,ere were signs that the President would revolt. It was the primary interest of New England that Jackson and Cal houn should break, that the West and the South should not continue their coalition, or alliance.
Soloman Foot of Connecticut made the first move in his resolutions of early January 1830. in which it was proposed to withdraw the public lands from sale. Benton was quick to denounce the resolution as indicative of the selfish and provincial policy of New England. The South erners came to the support of Benton. The great debate was begun. }Jayne of South Caro lina made an elaborate attack upon New Eng land, which mused Webster's ire; but Hayne also publicly announced that the South would support the West in its land program which made him uneasy. To this Hayne also added
a long and thoughtful argument against the growing powers of the Federal government. The nation was only a confederation. It was only what the Conwtution provided, but not a power of originaljurisdiction over the people. Webster replied. • He defended New England; said nothing about the subject of the public lands; and closed in a magnificent appeal to the people of the country on behalf of the govern ment as a government of real powers. 'The Union, one and inseparable, now and forever.' It was strange doctrine from New England. But New England had changed its interest and its attitude. Chief Justice Marshall and the Federal courts had long been workirg to the same end with New England and the East as a whole. Webster stirred in men a devotion, as yet but half-aroused anywhere, to the ideal of a great national government supreme over all States, all sections and all American citizens. It was to be one of the classics of American oratory. There can be no doubt that it proved to be a powerful influence during the next 30 years. No President, duly kogntresrit of the meaning of his own office, could remain deaf to an appeal like Webstees. Jackson made it known in April following that he agreed with his New England When Calhoun's friends would have had him talk of States' rights at a Jefferson dinner, he boldly an nounced that he drank to the Union. sit shall be preserved.' If that were so the alliance of South and West was dissolved and David Webster had done mach to dissolve it.
From 1830 to 1850 Webster remained almost uninterruptedly in the Senate. He supported the United States Bank in the long war it geode upon the President and the nation he talked of in the great oration. He played • great ?art in the campaign of 1840 which resulted in the election of William Henry Harrison to the pres idency and was under Secretary of Stitt. When Vice-President Tyler succeeded is May 1841 to the office made vacant by the death of Harrison and when Henry Clay under took to manage Tyler as a modern boss gener ally manages a governor of his own nommation. Webster revolted against the counsels of his chief. Clay, and retained his seat in the Tyler Cabinet. As Secretary of State under Tyler. Webster negotiated a treaty with the Bntidi Minister, Lord Ashburton, which was long known bv the names of the two negotiators.
But Webster retired in May 1843. Aheady the nomination and election of Henry Clay sonnol to be foregone conclusions. Webster.