This highlights a claim made by Kennedy in the Introduction, which argues that compromise is an unavoidable part of politics-particularly American politics-while at the same time providing the caveat that the value and rightness of compromise cannot be easily or safely predicted. For each of these senators, Kennedy makes clear the immense sacrifice in their political careers and ambitions and challenging their own deeply-held convictions in the name of national interest.
Kennedy details and applauds these senators-abolitionists and slaveowners alike-in their attempt to preserve the Union by reaching compromise. Kennedy focuses on three Senators: Daniel Webster of Massachusetts, Thomas Benton of Missouri, and Samuel Houston of Texas. Kennedy next investigates the Compromise of 1850, and the intensifying conflict between North and South. Supporting the embargo, he loses much of his support, and is branded a "traitor." However, John Quincy Adams' independent and exacting character helps him return to the House of Representatives later, he becomes the US’s ninth president. While an embargo would place great strain on his constituents' businesses, Adams believes that national defense trumps these concerns. Considering an embargo against Britain over its aggression on American shipping, John Quincy Adams falls out of favor with his own Federalist Party.
The first of these Senators is John Quincy Adams, the son of President John Adams.
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