policy. He also dwelt with fresh vigor on the identification with France
necessitated by the restrictive laws, a reproach which stung Mr. Calhoun
and his followers more than anything else. He then took up the embargo
policy and tore it to pieces,--no very difficult undertaking, but well
performed. The shifty and shifting policy of the government was especially
distasteful to Mr. Webster, with his lofty conception of consistent and
steady statesmanship, a point which is well brought out in the following
passage:--

"In a commercial country, nothing can be more objectionable than
frequent and violent changes. The concerns of private business do
not endure such rude shocks but with extreme inconvenience and
great loss. It would seem, however, that there is a class of
politicians to whose taste all change is suited, to whom whatever
is unnatural seems wise, and all that is violent appears great....
The Embargo Act, the Non-Importation Act, and all the crowd of
additions and supplements, together with all their garniture of
messages, reports, and resolutions, are tumbling undistinguished
into one common grave. But yesterday this policy had a thousand
friends and supporters; to-day it is fallen and prostrate, and few
'so poor as to do it reverence.' Sir, a government which cannot
administer the affairs of a nation without so frequent and such
violent alterations in the ordinary occupations and pursuits of
private life, has, in my opinion, little claim to the regard of the
community."

All this is very characteristic of Mr. Webster's temperament in dealing
with public affairs, and is a very good example of his power of dignified
reproach and condemnation.