Changes

Although Webster's diplomatic record was good, his 29 years in Congress produced not one significant piece of legislation. [[Henry Clay]] and [[Stephen Douglas]] were the leaders in legislation, and he never tried to rival them.  There is also evidence that Webster took bribes while in public office and sold diplomatic appointments for private gain, both taboos even by 19th standards of probity.

Although Webster's diplomatic record was good, his 29 years in Congress produced not one significant piece of legislation. [[Henry Clay]] and [[Stephen Douglas]] were the leaders in legislation, and he never tried to rival them.  There is also evidence that Webster took bribes while in public office and sold diplomatic appointments for private gain, both taboos even by 19th standards of probity.

Webster indulged his extravagant tastes (he spent enormous sums on wine, boats, and improvements to his Marshfield estate). A poor money manager, he relied on wealthy friends for indefinite "loans" to sustain his spendthrift lifestyle, a phenomenon that led his enemies to call him "Black Dan." Historians have not found any positions that he adjusted to curry favor with his rich friends, who saw it their duty to see what they considered the greatest man of the era be able to stay in office--they called him "Godlike Dan."  "Black Dan" had several mistresses, and drank excessively, but did not dramatically differ from other Senators in these regards.  

Webster indulged his extravagant tastes (he spent enormous sums on wine, boats, and improvements to his Marshfield estate). A poor money manager, he relied on wealthy friends for indefinite "loans" to sustain his spendthrift lifestyle, a phenomenon that led his enemies to call him "Black Dan." Historians have not found any positions that he adjusted to curry favor with his rich friends, who saw it their duty to see what they considered the greatest man of the era be able to stay in office--they called him "Godlike Dan."  "Black Dan" had several mistresses, and drank excessively, but did not dramatically differ from other Senators in these regards.  

==Oratory==

==Rhetoric==

Webster's "Reply to Hayne" in 1830 was generally regarded as "the most eloquent speech ever delivered in Congress," and was a stock exercise for oratory students for 75 years.<ref> Allan Nevins, ''Ordeal of the Union" (1947) 1:288</ref>

Webster's "Reply to Hayne" in 1830 was generally regarded as "the most eloquent speech ever delivered in Congress," and was a stock exercise for oratory students for 75 years.<ref> Allan Nevins, ''Ordeal of the Union" (1947) 1:288</ref>