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Daniel Webster Quotes

Former United States Senator

Daniel Webster, a former United States Senator, was born on January 18, 1782, and passed away on October 24, 1852. He was a renowned lawyer, orator, and politician in American history, known for his eloquent speeches and steadfast convictions.

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Famous Daniel Webster Quotes

“The hand that destroys the Constitution rends our Union asunder forever.”

Hands Forever Constitution Unions

Book:The Union Text Book: Containing Selections from the Writings of Daniel Webster, The Declaration of Independence, the Constitution of the United States, and Washington's Farewell Address

Source: The Union Text Book: Containing Selections from the Writings of Daniel Webster, The Declaration of Independence, the Constitution of the United States, and Washington's Farewell Address

“We may be tossed upon an ocean where we can see no land - nor, perhaps, the sun or stars. But there is a chart and a compass for us to study, to consult, and to obey. That chart is the Constitution.”

May Stars Sun Study Land Ocean Constitution Compass Consulting

Book:Writings and speeches hitherto uncollected, v. 1. Addresses on various occasions

Source: Writings and speeches hitherto uncollected, v. 1. Addresses on various occasions

“..if the Northern states refuse, willfully and deliberately, to carry into effect that part of the Constitution which respects the restoration of fugitive slaves, and Congress provide no remedy, the South would no longer be bound to observe the compact. A bargain can not be broken on one side, and still bind the other side.”

Source: The Wanderer Case: The Speech of Hon. Henry R. Jackson of Savannah, Ga

“Good intentions will always be pleaded, for every assumption of power; but they cannot justify it ... It is hardly too strong to say, that the Constitution was made to guard the people against the dangers of good intention, real or pretended.”

Source: The speeches of Daniel Webster and his master-pieces

“If an angel should be winged from Heaven, on an errand of mercy to our country, the first accents that would glow on his lips would be, Beware! Be cautious! You have everything to lose; nothing to gain. We live under the only government that ever existed which was framed by the unrestrained and deliberate consultations of the people. Miracles do not cluster. That which has happened but once in six thousand years cannot be expected to happen often. Such a government, once gone, might leave a void, to be filled, for ages, with revolution and tumult, riot and despotism.”

“No man can suffer too much, and no man can fall too soon, if he suffer or if he fall in defense of the liberties and Constitution of his country.”

Ifs Men Country Suffering Fall Liberty Too Much Constitution Defense

Book:The Union Text Book: Containing Selections from the Writings of Daniel Webster, The Declaration of Independence, the Constitution of the United States, and Washington's Farewell Address

Source: The Union Text Book: Containing Selections from the Writings of Daniel Webster, The Declaration of Independence, the Constitution of the United States, and Washington's Farewell Address

“I am committed against every thing which in my judgment, may weaken, endanger, or destroy (the Constitution) ... and especially against all extension of Executive power; and I am committed against any attempt to rule the free people of this country by the power and the patronage of the Government itself.”

People May Country Government Judgment Constitution Committed Executives Extensions Patronage Executive Power

Book:The works

Source: The works

“No power but Congress can declare war; but what is the value of this constitutional provision, if the President of his own authority may make such military movements as must bring on war? ... [T]hese remarks originate purely in a desire to maintain the powers of government as they are established by the Constitution between the different departments, and hope that, whether we have conquests or no conquests, war or no war, peace or no peace, we shall yet preserve, in its integrity and strength, the Constitution of the United States.”