Profiles in Courage

John Quincy Adams is a senator from Massachusetts, and the son of President John Adams. Born into a prominent Massachusetts political family, John Quincy Adams is destined for political greatness. He is austere and intellectual, yet fiery in his principles and morals. Although deeply accomplished, he carries a persistent feeling of inadequacy. Early in his career, he becomes embroiled in a conflict with his own Federalist Party. In  doing so, he must side with President Thomas Jefferson, a political opponent and longtime foe of his father. The issue regards support of an embargo against England, who has been engaging in piracy against American ships on the Atlantic Ocean. Adams felt that an embargo was the right thing to do, but members of his party punished his decision, as it would hurt their constituents' business. Adams is admonished by his constituents but continues to have success in politics, becoming the US’s sixth president, and, later, a congressman.

Daniel Webster is another senator from Massachusetts. Renowned as a constitutional lawyer, orator, and statesman, by 1850 Daniel Webster is a prominent figure of the Whig party, and an anti-slavery figure. In 1850, the question of slavery has created a political crisis. Several states—free and slave-owning alike—plan to secede.