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About this Episode
Washington, District of Columbia
March 7, 1850
Daniel Webster — the most celebrated orator in American history — rose in a packed Senate chamber to deliver the speech that would save the Union and destroy his reputation. With the nation tearing itself apart over slavery, and a dying John C. Calhoun having just issued an ultimatum for Southern secession three days earlier, Webster endorsed Henry Clay's Compromise of 1850 in its entirety, including the despised Fugitive Slave Law. The speech bought the country a decade of peace. It also turned Webster from "Godlike Daniel" into a pariah overnight. Emerson compared him to a courtesan. Whittier wrote his poetic obituary while he was still breathing. Not a single New England colleague would publicly support him. Was it the greatest act of political courage in Senate history, or the most consequential moral surrender? The answer depends on which side of the Fugitive Slave Law you were standing on.
Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/true-crime-historian--2909311/support.
You can pay more if you want to, but rent at the Safe House is still just a buck a week, and you can get access to over 400 ad-free episodes from the dusty vault, Safe House Exclusives, direct access to the Boss, and whatever personal services you require.
We invite you to our other PULPULAR MEDIA podcasts:
If disaster is more your jam, check out CATASTROPHIC CALAMITIES, telling the stories of famous and forgotten tragedies of the 19th and 20th centuries. What could go wrong? Everything!
For brand-new tales in the old clothes from the golden era of popular literature, give your ears a treat with PULP MAGAZINES with two new stories every week.
This episode includes AI-generated content.
March 7, 1850
Daniel Webster — the most celebrated orator in American history — rose in a packed Senate chamber to deliver the speech that would save the Union and destroy his reputation. With the nation tearing itself apart over slavery, and a dying John C. Calhoun having just issued an ultimatum for Southern secession three days earlier, Webster endorsed Henry Clay's Compromise of 1850 in its entirety, including the despised Fugitive Slave Law. The speech bought the country a decade of peace. It also turned Webster from "Godlike Daniel" into a pariah overnight. Emerson compared him to a courtesan. Whittier wrote his poetic obituary while he was still breathing. Not a single New England colleague would publicly support him. Was it the greatest act of political courage in Senate history, or the most consequential moral surrender? The answer depends on which side of the Fugitive Slave Law you were standing on.
Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/true-crime-historian--2909311/support.
You can pay more if you want to, but rent at the Safe House is still just a buck a week, and you can get access to over 400 ad-free episodes from the dusty vault, Safe House Exclusives, direct access to the Boss, and whatever personal services you require.
We invite you to our other PULPULAR MEDIA podcasts:
If disaster is more your jam, check out CATASTROPHIC CALAMITIES, telling the stories of famous and forgotten tragedies of the 19th and 20th centuries. What could go wrong? Everything!
For brand-new tales in the old clothes from the golden era of popular literature, give your ears a treat with PULP MAGAZINES with two new stories every week.
This episode includes AI-generated content.
Hosts & Guests
No transcript available for this episode.
