as the first president of Texas when it was an independent republic and later became its first U.S. senator. Though he hailed from a slave-holding state, he opposed the Kansas-Nebraska Bill, which nullified the Missouri Compromise that had prohibited slavery in the territories that became Kansas and Nebraska. To Houston, the Missouri Compromise was sacrosanct, and he prioritized preserving the Union above all else. Despite being a Southerner by ‘‘birth, residence, loyalty, and philosophy,’’ his foremost allegiance was to his country. He was a bold, outspoken, and independent figure in the Senate—an ambitious and principled man who ultimately sacrificed his political career for his beliefs.

After losing his Senate seat, Houston returned to Texas and became governor. However, when Texas decided to secede, Houston could no longer participate in Texas politics. He resigned, refusing to support Texas's separation from the Union.

Lucius Quintus Cincinnatus Lamar
Lucius Quintus Cincinnatus Lamar from Mississippi was a powerful orator who set aside his animosity for the North in favor of reconciliation and unity. He astonished his fellow congressmen in 1874 when he delivered a heartfelt speech mourning the death of Charles Sumner, a man who had opposed the South, which Lamar deeply cherished. This speech underscored Lamar’s unwavering commitment to healing the rift between the North and South, even though not all his constituents shared his perspective. There were other occasions where Lamar clashed directly with the views of his state, but he remained guided by his conscience and sense of justice rather than public opinion. Ultimately, the people of Mississippi came to respect and support him throughout his lengthy political career. He served as a U.S. senator, chairman of the Senate Democratic Caucus, secretary of the Interior, and as a justice on the United States Supreme Court.

Lamar enjoyed a mostly happy childhood on a plantation, despite the absence of his father, who tragically took his own life when Lamar was still young. From an early age, Lamar demonstrated a keen interest in learning, and his passion for books remained with him throughout his life.

George Norris
George Norris often displayed acts of courage that didn't always result in success, yet he never regretted following his own moral compass. He not only acted boldly in the face of political resistance, but he also showed bravery when making decisions that conflicted with the views of his constituents. Notably, he led a filibuster against President Woodrow Wilson's plan to arm American merchant ships. Although the filibuster was initially successful, Wilson later found he could bypass congressional approval. Despite this, Norris' actions sparked controversy back home in Nebraska. He addressed the public with a compelling speech that eventually won over the state's voters. Norris also supported an unpopular presidential candidate in 1928. Although he seemed to be the sole advocate for Al Smith in Nebraska, he campaigned persistently. Smith, however, lost decisively to Herbert Hoover.

Norris faced challenges in his early life. After his father's death during his youth, he worked to support his mother and ten sisters as a teenager. As an adult, he embarked on careers in teaching and law before venturing into politics. Known for his idealism and independence, Norris was unafraid to stand up for his beliefs. He could, however, be emotional and vindictive, at times resorting to personal attacks rather than focusing on the issues. Nevertheless, he generally conducted himself with professionalism and was recognized for his honesty, gentle demeanor, and preference for staying home to read rather than partake in Washington's social scene.

Edmund G. Ross
Edmund G. Ross joined the U.S. Senate as an undistinguished freshman and left as an outcast. He surprised his fellow party members by thinking independently and voting according to his conscience. Upon becoming a senator, Ross discovered an ongoing conflict between the legislative and executive branches of government. Furthermore, the Radical Republicans, a faction within the Republican Party, were plotting to remove President Johnson through impeachment. They managed to impeach Johnson and proceeded to the conviction stage of the trial, confident they had the votes needed for conviction.

Although Ross had supported the Radical Republican agenda for much of his term, he astonished the party by voting against conviction. He believed Johnson had not received a fair trial and could not, in good conscience, vote for his removal. This vote was crucial, as party leaders had relied on it, and without it, they lacked the necessary votes. Consequently, Johnson completed his term, and Ross' political career ended with the subsequent election.

Two decades later, Ross's reputation was restored when the law used by the Radical Republicans to try and convict Johnson was abolished. At that point, Ross was recognized as a forward-thinking individual and a champion of justice.

Robert A. Taft

Robert A. Taft, the son of President William Taft, had his own aspirations to ascend to the presidency. He was admired for being outspoken and steadfast in his beliefs, even in the face of adversity. Kennedy remarks, "Examples of his candor are endless and startling." A notable instance occurred in 1946, just a month before the elections. The Republican Party, to which Taft belonged, was hopeful about gaining significant seats and anticipated this period with great enthusiasm. Upon learning about the Nuremberg trials, Taft was outraged. Although he did not think the Nazi war criminals were innocent, he believed that the trials themselves—and the severe death penalties imposed for guilty verdicts—were unjust. Taft questioned how the Nazis could have anticipated being judged by the international community, in a trial that could cost them their lives, as these crimes had never been previously acknowledged in international law. Even though Congress had no reason to address this issue, Taft felt compelled to speak out against the trials.

Taft faced criticism from both his constituents and fellow party members for his condemnation of the trials. The Republicans were concerned that this bold stance might negatively impact their chances in the upcoming elections. Meanwhile, the Democrats took advantage of the ensuing scandal, hoping it would influence voter opinion in their favor. Although Taft was disheartened by the severe criticism, when election day arrived, his speech appeared to have little effect on voter behavior. The Republicans ultimately won decisively after the uproar subsided. Despite the repercussions of his actions, Taft did not regret expressing his viewpoint.

Daniel Webster

Daniel Webster, a prominent opponent of slavery, was approached by Henry Clay with a proposal for a compromise between the slave-holding and free states. Both senators understood that this compromise would face criticism from both sides, yet they also recognized it might be the final opportunity to prevent the southern states from seceding. Despite his opposition to slavery, Webster agreed to support Clay and even delivered a controversial speech in favor of what became known as the Missouri Compromise. While his efforts temporarily succeeded in averting secession, they came at a significant personal cost. Webster had to abandon his ambition of ever becoming President of the United States.

Webster was renowned for his eloquence. Kennedy states, "A very slow speaker, hardly averaging a hundred words a minute, Webster combined the musical charm of his deep organ-like voice, a vivid imagination, an ability to crush his opponents with a barrage of facts." Although Kennedy praises Webster's exceptional talent as a public speaker, he also points out that Webster was a flawed individual who saw no issue in accepting money and gifts as political favors. Despite his questionable moral character, Webster, according to Kennedy, played a crucial role in temporarily keeping the United States united during a period when the Union was extremely fragile.