In that speech Mr.
Webster failed quite as much by omissions as by the opinions which he actually announced.

He was silent when he should have spoken, and he spoke when he should have held his peace.

The speech, if exactly defined, is, in reality, a powerful effort, not for compromise or for the Fugitive Slave Law, or any other one thing, but to arrest the whole anti-slavery movement, and in that way put an end to the dangers which threatened the Union and restore lasting harmony between the jarring sections.

It was a mad project.
Mr.Webster might as well have attempted to stay the incoming tide at Marshfield with a rampart of sand as to seek to check the anti-slavery movement by a speech.

Nevertheless, he produced a great effect.