The difficult task of advocating this measure devolved upon Mr.Calhoun, who sustained his cause more ingeniously than ingenuously.

He frankly admitted that restriction was a failure as a war measure, but he defended the repeal on the ground that the condition of affairs in Europe had changed since the restrictive policy was adopted.

It had indeed changed since the embargo of 1807, but not since the imposition of that of 1813, which was the one under discussion.
Mr.Calhoun laid himself open to most unmerciful retorts, which was his misfortune, not his fault, for the embargo had been utterly and hopelessly wrong from the beginning.

Mr.Webster, however, took full advantage of the opportunity thus presented.

His opening congratulations are in his best vein of stately sarcasm, and are admirably put.