Columbus Democrat. [volume] (Columbus, Miss.) 18??-18??, 1838-05-26
SPEECH OF MIR. CALHOUN
h rspls to Mr.. TTebsters Rejoinder, delirered
in the Senate, March %, 1888.

Ia rsplg to Mr.. Webster's Rgoiader, delirered
in the Senate, March 22 1888.
Ma. CALHouN again rose and said, am not
ot ali surprised, Mr.. President, that the Senator
from Massachusetts should show such solicltudo
to free himself from the responsibility OF convert
ing this discussion into mere personal alterca-
,on so unworthy of the place and the occasion.
But il is not little unjust in him TO attempt TO
transfer the responsibility from himself to me,
having acted throughout, as have, wholly on
the defensive, and done every thing could to
avoid personalities. have, in truth, deep and
unlegned aversion to personal alterations in
any case; especially here, in my official charac-
ter, where duty and sef-respect, as well as the
4 dignity of the body, forbid its Introduction. On
the present occasion, had every reason to avoid
IL The subject is one unsurpassed IN magn-
tude and Importance, and which requires the calm
est and most deliberate consideration. | have
had entire confidence in the strength and truth of
the side support; and of course felt deep solicit
ulde to limit the discussion strictly TO the merits
Of the question:
But the Senator, in order to throw the blame
on me, denies TINT he drew comparison be-
tween US. Does he consider it no comparison
to claim for himself the most universal and ar
dent patriotism; and to attribute to me tho oPpo
site qualities, of being sectional, and entertain
inn feelings far from friendly 10 the Union! And
this, too, without any thing in the question: or my
previous remarks thai could, by possibility justify
il Does he really think that ought to have sat
in silence without attempting TO show, as have
done, how perfectly unfounded are his claims to
superior patriotism, and how unjust his charges
against me!
Butin order to justify HIMSELF he accuses me
Of having first attempted to fix on himself and
friends the charge Of inconsistency, in supporting
the substitute Of the Senator from Virginia, Nlr
Ryes). Inlde No such charge. simply avail
ed myself of the opinion which he and they en-
tertained and expressed, in relation to similar
measure in lS3i-acquthng them expressly OF
all inconsistency s. far from charge Of the
kind, placed my argument on the assumption,
that their opnoA remained unchanged; and yet
this he calls charge OF lnconsisency-throw-
ng Of The first stone; aud on which he rests the
Justification of his unproyoked personalities
The Senator next attributes to me the asser-
ton, that | intended TO draw a comparison be-
tween his course and mine during the late war, il
tune had permitted, accusing me at the same
time, Of making "rdiling accusation against
hun. My answer is, that | said nothing like it
and made M accusation whatever, either "ral
ing" or specific | said not a word Of " timt
permlttmg me-" What | really said was entirely
different; and bears no analogy whatever TO wha
ne attributes to me, as the senate must remem
oer confined myself to an inquiry into The
Il truth OF the picture he had drawn Of his patriot
"A Ism and his comparison between his public con
auct aud nine. demonstrated what little claims
ne had to the high qualities he arogated to him
sell; and how unfoundod his assumption was t
Il more universal and ardent patriotism. illus
uated all this by a reference to his course in re
TALON to abolition and the tariff; and declined 90
ing INTO comparison between our courses durin!
Inc late war-not for want Of time, as he states
out expressly on the ground that the events o
that day were by-gone, and belonged to history
where was willing TO leave il, and where
should leave 1t, unless provoked TO go into tn
COMPARISON, by some future attack from the Sc
major. added not word of accusation what
11'eF' either "railing" or otherwise. 1t is true
sad that at one time, intended to 20 into tn
Il COMPARISON. certainly had no reason, person
u,y to decline it /; but | felt strong repugnance
"hch coudnot overcome, 10 recurring back L
such distant events, that have passed out of tn
e"c'e oil the politics of the day. ACTIN
III "AuOHOSS ihiilleu IGiIdIhs, !
,c'eFence TO the Senator and myself TO tn
s,ea' and living questions Of the day, which ar
sui unsettled, and are destined to exercise Al
Important control over the future destiny Of tn
country.
pai' 1t should be forced into the compar son
h.l not confne myself simply to what tn
"49r d'd at that important period Of our his
f ny would take far wider range lie claim
~ himself an exalted patriotism, far above 9th
,. s' and myself in particular; and that too, i
80, ~ as well as peace and he would have n
~ 10 complain, il held responsible not only 70
r raI' ne d'd, but for whit he did not no, onl
!. !, aus opa acts, but also for his political assoc
es ana party, which passed without his censu,
rsouSs have no wish, for the reasons
a ~ stated to enter on the COMPARISON: but
~ ~ oeste it, will read statement of some doz
=. y hiIeen of his votes, which | laid nv han
vii I S, y nc commenced his reply and whic
N a.. ,.'Asn some index OF his course during tina
eenod. Nj. WEBSTER indicating no desir
nus 1le reading, Mr.. CALHouN proceeded)
II cropping, then, the Senator's course durin
var shall proceed 10 notice some remark