Mr.Webster opposed the bill briefly, and then introduced a series of resolutions combating the proposed measure on economical principles and on those of justice, and especially assailing the readiness to abandon the rightful powers of Congress and yield them up to any form of resistance.

Before, however, he could speak in support of his resolutions, the "Force Bill" came up, and Mr.Calhoun made his celebrated argument in support of nullification.

This Mr.Webster was obliged to answer, and he replied with the great speech known in his works as "The Constitution not a compact between sovereign States." In a general way the same criticism is applicable to this debate as to that with Hayne, but there were some important differences.

Mr.Calhoun's argument was superior to that of his follower.

It was dry and hard, but it was a splendid specimen of close and ingenious reasoning, and, as was to be expected, the originator and master surpassed the imitator and pupil.