Profiles in Courage

John Quincy Adams’ courageous act was braking away from the Federalist Party. The Federalist had elected him as a Federalist to the Massachusetts Legislature and then to the United States Senate. The Federalists then deserted John Quincy Adams. The Federalist opposed John Quincy actions, making him a man without a party. John Quincy Adams once stated that his whole life was a succession of disappointments. John Quincy Adams was criticized by the majority of his fellow citizens as well as the party leaders. John Quincy Adams resigned his seat in the Senate to defend the policies of the man who had driven his own father from the Presidency.

Daniel Webster’s courageous act was speaking in favor of the Compromise of 1850. Daniel Webster wanted to hold the Union together. Daniel Webster chose to speak the truth instead of pleasing people. Daniel Webster pleaded the for the Union’s cause. Daniel Webster was trying anything and to keep the United States of America together with as much cause as possible. When Daniel Webster finished his famous speech in Senate and the results were in, not a single Southern Whig supported him. Daniel Webster took on a great responsibility that not all men would be willing to do. Daniel Webster did his best to keep peace and safety in the country that he loved.

Thomas Hart Benton was willing to sacrifice his own political career for the common good of his country. Thomas Hart Benton took the motion to move the indefinite unmanageable mass of incongruous bills, each an obstacle to the other that they may be taken up one by one to receive the decision which their respective worth required. Thomas Hart Benton announced that the Senate was not successful in protecting him from false and cowardly attacks and that he intended to take care of it himself.

Sam Houston’s courageous act was speaking against the Kansas-Nebraska Act of 1854. Sam Houston once claimed that he did not know the North or the South but only the Union. Sam Houston called some of his friends of the Union to come forward just like him. When Sam Houston voted against the Kansas-Nebraska Bill, that was his last straw. Sam Houston had had enough. Sam Houston ran for Governor of Texas in the 1857 election, but did not run with a party. A majority of people were against Sam Houston, but Sam Houston ran anyway because he knew that he must take a stand in what he believed.

Edmund G. Ross’ courageous act was for voting against the impeachment of Andrew Johnson and saving Johnson’s presidency. Edmund G. Ross can be remembered as a man who saved a President. The Republicans were not planning on giving Andrew Johnson a fair trial. Edmund G. Ross had other ideas. Edmund G. Ross declared Andrew Johnson not guilty. By Edmund G. Ross’ courageous act, the country was saved from disaster greater than war. In standing up for Andrew Johnson, as a result it meant political death for Edmund G. Ross.

Lucius Cinncinnatus’ courageous act was for praising Charles Sumner on the Senate Floor, to mend ties between the North and South during Reconstruction, and for the Bland-Allison Act to permit free coinage of silver. Lucius Cinncinnatus had a devotion to the national interest and to the truth. Lucius Cinncinnatus was sometimes considered the biggest brain in Washington D.C. Lucius Cinncinnatus would tell stories from when he lived in the South. Robert Lee once told Lucius Cinncinnatus to share what he truly believed the fate of the states that he himself represented. Charles Sumner showed Lucius Cinncinnatus how to demonstrate a new kind of statesmanship with the South. Lucius Cinncinnatus, at realizing the truth, came to understand the real hope for the South and to put pursue the quarrels with the North but came up with a better way to resolve issues. Lucius Cinncinnatus came up with a way to provide a solution to everyone’s problems of falling farm prices, heavy debts, and everything else that was going on. Lucius Cinncinnatus’ enemies promised to forget that day between Sumner, the Senate, and himself. Voters remember Lucius Cinncinnatus’ courage and re-elected him to the Senate.

George Norris’ courageous act was for supporting the Presidential Campaign of Democrat Al Smith. George Norris believed that he should do what he thought was right for his people. George Norris was not willing to represent Nebraska, if the people did not want him. George Norris came out and said that he had come to tell the truth to the Senate and a burst of applause came from everywhere in the audience. George Norris believed that all believers of their own faith could unit and go on in the political work force to bring the most abundant amount of happiness possible.

Robert Taft’s courageous act was for criticizing the Nuremberg Trials for trying Nazi war criminals under what Taft considered ex post facto laws. Robert Taft did not like the solution that been proposed on how the U.S. should handle the German people because it would be a huge blot on the American record, that Americans would soon later regret had happen in our nation’s history. Robert Taft view on this was due to justice being at sate. Robert Taft lived his life in the affect to provide an atmosphere in America that Americans could be proud of and not be ashamed of our nation’s past.

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