Cobb of Georgia in 1852, Allen of Pennsylvania in 1853, and by
Stephens's mature judgment of "the profound sensation upon the
public mind throughout the Union made by Webster's 7th of March
speech. The friends of the Union under the Constitution were
strengthened in their hopes and inspired with,renewed
energies."[104] In 1866 Foote wrote, "The speech produced
beneficial effects everywhere." "His statement of facts was
generally looked upon as unanswerable; his argumentative
conclusions appeared to be inevitable; his conciliatory tone . .
. softened the sensibilities of all patriots."[105] "He seems to
have gauged more accurately [than most] the grave dangers which
threatened the republic and . . . the fearful consequences which
must follow its disruption", was Henry Wilson's later and wiser
judgment.[106] "The general judgment," said Senator Hoar in 1899,
"seems to be coming to the conclusion that Webster differed from
the friends of freedom of his time not in a weaker moral sense,
but only in a larger, and profounder prophetic vision." "He saw
what no other man saw, the certainty of civil war. I was one of
those who . . . judged him severely, but I have learned better."
"I think of him now . . . as the orator who bound fast with
indissoluble strength the bonds of union."[107]

[104] War between the States, II. 211.

[105] War of the Rebellion (1866), pp. 130-131.

[106] Slave Power, II. 246.

[107] Scribner's Magazine XXVI. 84.