He loved the Union as intensely then as at any period of his life, but he was still far distant from the frame of mind which induced him to think that his devotion to the Union would be best expressed and the cause of the Union best served by mildness toward the South and rebuke to the North.

He believed in 1826 that dignified courage and firm language were the surest means of keeping the peace.

He was quite right then, and he would have been always right if he had adhered to the plain words and determined manner to which he treated Mr.Forsyth and his friends.
This session was crowded with work of varying importance, but the close of Mr.Webster's career in the lower House was near at hand.

The failing health of Mr.E.H.Mills made it certain that Massachusetts would soon have a vacant seat in the Senate, and every one turned to Mr.Webster as the person above all others entitled to this high office.

He himself was by no means so quick in determining to accept the position.