A first book in American history with European beginnings . government. South Carolina even went sofar as to say that the law would not be obeyed and that,if force was used, she would withdraw from the Union. In January, 1830, Senator Hayne of South Carolinamade a bitter attack on Massachusetts and on Webster,and in the Senate of the United States declared this south-ern doctrine—that any state has the right to disobey thenations laws. Webster, who was now Senator from Massachusetts,agreed that on the next day he would reply to was some doubt felt as to whether Webster couldanswer
A first book in American history with European beginnings . government. South Carolina even went sofar as to say that the law would not be obeyed and that,if force was used, she would withdraw from the Union. In January, 1830, Senator Hayne of South Carolinamade a bitter attack on Massachusetts and on Webster,and in the Senate of the United States declared this south-ern doctrine—that any state has the right to disobey thenations laws. Webster, who was now Senator from Massachusetts,agreed that on the next day he would reply to was some doubt felt as to whether Webster couldanswer Haynes arguments. He had only one night inwhich to prepare what he had to say. But none knew the 312 CLAY AND WEBSTER Constitution better than he, for had he not been a closestudent of it ever since his childhood days? By the opening hour of the next day the crowd thathad come to hear him packed the Senate Chamber. It is a critical moment, said a friend; and it istime, it is high time that the people of this country shouldknow what this Constitution The House of Representatives in the Days of Webster and Clay Then, answered Webster, by the blessing ofHeaven, they shall learn this clay before the sun goes downwhat I understand it to be. His theme was Nationality. His sole purpose wasto strengthen the claims of the Union; to put the Unionfirst and the State second. For four hours he held thatvast throng spellbound, while he set forth the meaningof the Constitution. His whole life had been a prepara-tion for this moment. And his closing words, Libertyand union, now and forever, one and inseparable, in- 313 A FIRST BOOK IN AMERICAN HISTORY spired all loyal Americans with deeper devotion to theUnion. In his Reply to Hayne Daniel Webster reached hishighest point as a public speaker. More than his elo-quence was the influence of the man himself. Nature hadbeen most lavish with her gifts to him. His voice, face,and form were perfectly suited to an orator. He lackedbut little of
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