" Daniel Webster, Where Are You?"

"I shall stand by the Union..with absolute disregard of personal consequences. What are personal consequences..in comparison with the good and evil which may befall a great country in a crisis like this?.. Let the consequences be what they will..No man can suffer too much, no man can fall too soon, if he suffer or if he fall in defense of the liberties and constitution of his country." These inspiring words are from Daniel Webster. Some of you may ask, who is that guy?

Daniel Webster was born January 18, 1782 in New England, way back when America was a young nation still in its adolescence, stretching its muscles and relishing in the freedom of the new republic. Patriotism was the order of the day, and the term lobbyist was not heard or seen in the public forum. Webster served our nation as a Congressman, Senator, and Secretary of State; all of these offices were held with great dignity, honor, and patriotism. He was revered for his honesty and ability. His devotion to the Union was and is still unmatched to this day.

When examining his life one cannot help seeing the selflessness he exhibited in his service, and the genuine love of country that seemed to go to the marrow of his bones.

We could certainly use a man like Daniel Webster today; both political parties have real character issues, and such deep partisan division that it seems as if love of the Union is secondary and personal agenda is primary. Webster was honored in 1957 by the United States Senate as one of its' five most outstanding members; quite a tribute for someone who died in 1852, and yet is still held in such regard by those who claim to be his peers.

We need people of integrity as our representatives in government, men who care more for our Constitution and our Union than any personal pursuit.

An excerpt from " The Devil and Daniel Webster" by Steven Vincent Benet says something very telling that it would behoove us all to listen to..."Yes Dan'l Webster's dead..or, at least, they buried him. But every time there is a thunderstorm around Marshfield they say you can hear his rolling voice in the hollows of the sky. And they say that if you go to his grave and speak loud and clear, "Dan'l, Dan'l Webster!", the ground'll begin to shiver and the trees begin to shake. And after a while you'll hear a deep voice saying, " Neighbor, how stands the Union?" Then you better answer the Union stands as she stood, rock-bottomed and copper sheathed, one and indivisible, or he's liable to rear right out of the ground. at least that's what I was told when I was a youngster."

I know this is a line from a work of literature yet, how wonderful to have a reputation that it could inspire an author to attribute these words to this great patriot. I long for public servants and citizens alike to aspire to become more like Webster and less like ourselves. America would be what it purports itself to be.