Quote by Stephen Vincent Benet
Its a Story they tell in the border country, where Massachusetts joins Vermont and New Hampshire. Yes, Danl Websters deador, at least, they buried him. But every time theres a thunderstorm around Marshfield, they say you can hear his rolling voice in the hollows of the sky. And they say that if you go to his grave and speak loud and clear, Danl WebsterDanl Webster! the groundll begin to shiver and the trees begin to shake. And after a while youll hear a deep voice saying, Neighbor, how stands the Union? Then you better answer the Union stands as she stood, rock-bottomed and copper-sheathed, one and indivisible, or hes liable to rear right out of the ground. At least, thats what I was told when I was a youngster.
Summary
This quote is an excerpt from the story "The Devil and Daniel Webster" by Stephen Vincent Benét. It tells a folkloric tale about Daniel Webster, a famous American politician. According to the story, although Webster is believed to be deceased and buried, there are claims that during thunderstorms in Marshfield (where he was buried), his voice can be heard in the sky. It is said that if one goes to his grave and calls out his name, Webster's spirit will ask about the state of the Union. The listener's response must support the integrity of the Union, or it is suggested that Webster's spirit may rise from the ground.
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