DANIEL WEBSTER

 

WRIGHT, Charles Cushing: USA, ca.1852, Bronze, 77 mm
Obv: Bust (r) DANIEL WEBSTER.
Rev: Commemorative column, surmounted by globe; inscription on base reads: I STILL LIVE. In background, Dartmouth College, whole surrounded by a wreath with a shield at the bowpoint. Around: LIBERTY AND UNION, NOW AND FOREVER, ONE AND INSEPARABLE.
Exergue: MEADE BROS. DAG: F.W. GREEN. PUB:
Signed: C.C. WRIGHT. D&F.
Ref: Julian 226/PE-37; Forrer p. 556

Daniel Webster (1782-1852), U.S. statesman who served in the House of Representatives, U. S. Senate and Secretary of State, is considered to be one of the greatest orators of his generation. As a member of the Federalist Party in the House of Representatives, he defended the interests of New England and opposed the War of 1812. Webster attended Dartmouth College and won fame as a lawyer in the Dartmouth College Case (alluded to on the reverse of this medal). As U.S. Senator from Massachusetts, Webster supported the tariff of 1823, and opposed the proponents of States’ Rights and Nullification. In the Webster-Hayne Debate with Robert Hayne, he defended the union, arguing: "Liberty and Union, now and forever, one and inseparable" (the phrase inscribed on the medal). He opposed President Andrew Jackson on the abolition of the Bank of the United States. Webster was a presidential candidate for the Whig Party in 1836, which he lost to Martin Van Buren. Later as secretary of state under presidents William Henry Harrison and John Tyler, he negotiated the Webster-Ashburton Treaty, which fixed the boundary between Maine and Canada. In his second term in the Senate, Webster opposed the extension of slavery but favored the Compromise of 1850. (From O’Brien)

HOME PAGE