But when the weight of interest in New England shifted from free trade to protection Mr.Webster followed it.

His constituents were by no means unanimous in support of the tariff in 1828, but the majority favored it, and Mr.Webster went with the majority.

At a public dinner given to him in Boston at the close of the session, he explained to the dissentient minority the reasons for his vote, which were very simple.

He thought that good predominated over evil in the bill, and that the majority throughout the whole State of which he was the representative favored the tariff, and therefore he had voted in the affirmative.
Much fault has been found, as has been said, both at the time and since, with Mr.Webster's change of position on this question.

It has been held up as a monument of inconsistency, and as indicating a total absence of deep conviction.