Such fame brought with it, of course, as it always does in this country, talk of the presidency.

The reply to Hayne made Mr.
Webster a presidential candidate, and from that moment he was never free from the gnawing, haunting ambition to win the grand prize of American public life.

There was a new force in his career, and in all the years to come the influence of that force must be reckoned and remembered.
Mr.Webster was anxious that the party of opposition to General Jackson, which then passed by the name of National Republicans, should be in some way strengthened, solidified, and placed on a broad platform of distinct principles.

He saw with great regret the ruin which was threatened by the anti-masonic schism, and it would seem that he was not indisposed to take advantage of this to stop the nomination of Mr.Clay, who was peculiarly objectionable to the opponents of masonry.

He earnestly desired the nomination himself, but even his own friends in the party told him that this was out of the question, and he acquiesced in their decision.