In this 1830 speech , Webster had also described the Federal Government as `` made for the people , made by the people , and answerable to the people '' . This expression was very similar to Lincoln 's `` government of the people , by the people , for the people . '' Specifically , in this January 26 , 1830 speech before the United States Senate , Webster described the federal government as : `` made for the people , made by the people , and answerable to the people , '' foreshadowing Lincoln 's `` government of the people , by the people , for the people . ''