Daniel Webster (Moses Wayne)

1. Daniel Webster (Moses Wayne) Daniel Webster was born on January 18, 1782 in New Hampshire and died on October 24, 1852. Webster served as a Representative and later a Senator in Congress for the state of Massachusetts; he also served as the Secretary of State under William Henry Harrison and Millard Fillmore. Webster was originally a lawyer; he argued numerous cases in front of the Supreme Court such as McCulloch v. Maryland and Gibbons v. Ogden. Webster was a strict constructionist and opposed Jackson throughout much of his term in office; Webster and Henry Clay led the movement to have the National Bank renew its charter, but Jackson managed to win the “Bank Wars”. He was a strong nationalist and highly opposed South Carolina’s nullification and threatened secession, agreeing with Jackson’s use of force to quell the situation.

2. Daniel Webster (Moses Wayne) "Liberty and Union, now and for ever, one and inseparable!“ – Daniel Webster during his “Reply to Hayne”. This quote was about the Nullification Crisis. Webster was highly influential in Congress and is often called one of the greatest Senators in American history. Webster was a central figure to the Whig Party and was integral in the opposition to Jackson during his term. As a large supporter of the American System and a very strong nationalist, Webster was very important in the passing and defense of much of the legislation that resulted from the American System, such as the Tariff of 1828. Webster was a great orator and his nationalism influenced many later speeches, such as Lincoln’s Gettysburg Address.