Webster was a leading American statesman during the nation's
antebellum era. Webster first rose to regional prominence through his
defense of New England shipping interests. His increasingly
nationalistic views and the effectiveness with which he articulated
them led Webster to become one of the most famous orators and
influential Whig leaders of the Second Party System. As an attorney he
served as legal counsel in several cases that established important
constitutional precedents that bolstered the authority of the Federal
government. As Secretary of State, Webster negotiated the
Webster-Ashburton Treaty that established the definitive Eastern
border between the United States and Canada. Primarily recognized for
his Senate tenure, Webster was a key figure in the institution's
"Golden Age". So well known was his skill as a Senator throughout this
period that Webster became a third of what was and still is known
today as the "Great Triumvirate", with his colleagues Henry Clay and
John C. Calhoun. His "Reply to Haynes" (1830) was generally regarded
as "the most eloquent speech ever delivered in Congress." Though
Webster made three bids he never achieved the Presidency, his final
attempt failing in part because of his compromises. Like his attempts
at gaining the White House, Webster's efforts at steering the nation
away from civil war toward a definite peace would ultimately prove
futile.
Read the rest of this article:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Daniel_Webster
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Today's selected anniversaries:
217:
Roman Emperor Caracalla was assassinated at a roadside near Harran.
(
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Caracalla)
1904:
France and the United Kingdom signed the Entente Cordiale.
(
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Entente_Cordiale)
1904:
Aleister Crowley began transcribing The Book of the Law, a Holy Book
in Thelema.
(
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Book_of_the_Law)
1904:
Longacre Square in Midtown Manhattan, New York was renamed Times
Square.
(
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Times_Square)
1929:
Indian independence movement: In response to the British Empire's
Defense of India Act which gave more power to the police, Indian
revolutionary Bhagat Singh with the help of Batukeshwar Dutt bombed
the Central Assembly in Delhi.
(
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bhagat_Singh)
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Wikiquote of the day:
Blessed are the poor in spirit: for theirs is the
kingdom of heaven. Blessed are they that mourn: for they
shall be comforted. Blessed are the meek: for they shall
inherit the earth. Blessed are they which do hunger and thirst after
righteousness: for they shall be filled. Blessed are the
merciful: for they shall obtain mercy. Blessed are the
pure in heart: for they shall see God. Blessed are the
peacemakers: for they shall be called the children of
God. Blessed are they which are persecuted for righteousness'
sake: for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. -- Yeshua
(Jesus Christ)
(
http://en.wikiquote.org/wiki/Jesus)