Independent Democrat. [volume] (Canton, Miss.) 1842-1844, 1842-10-22

of which this or any country ever boosted.
Public excitement was strong, the house
crowded, and the orator, rising with the
greatness of the occasion, delivered a
speech, which, for lofty patriotism, cogent
reasoning, and soul-stirring cloquence, has
seldom been equalled. 1t met unbounded
and universal applause. He was compar-
ed to "one of the old sages Of the old Con-
gress, with the graces of YOUTH and the
'young Carolinian" was hailed as zone of
the master spirits, who stamp their name
upon the age in which they live"
Early in The Session, General Porter re.
tired from Congress, and Mr.. Calhoun was
placed at the head of the committee on for
eign relations, which committee, in addition
to their appropriate duties, were called upon
TO report bills to carry into effect the militia
ry preparations they had recommended.
Thus by circumstances, as well as by pre-
eminent ability, was he at this early period
at the head of the party in the House Of
Representatives, which sustained the war
with England.
1t was at this momentous period he delv
cred one Of his best speeches, from which
a short passage may be here extracted, as
well because it cvinced his profound and
philosophical character Of mind, as the in
dependence OF spirit, which could not in all
cases submit TO the trammcIs of party, and
led him to differ in common with his able
and virtuous colleague. Lowndcs, from the
administration, on the subject Of the re-
strictiye system and the Navy. In speak
ing of the embargo, he says,-'I object to
the restrictive system, because it does not
suit the genius Of the people, nor that of
the government, nor the geographical char
actor of our country. We are a people
essentially active, may say we ale pune
tually so, no passive system can suit such
a people; in action superior to all others;
in patient endurance inferior TO none. Nor
does it suit the genius Of our government Our
government is founded on freedom, and
hates coercion. To make the restrictive
system effective, requires the most arbitra-
ry laws. England, with the severest stat
utes, has not been able to exclude prohibit
ed articles; and Napoleon, with all his pow
err and vigilance, was obliged to resort to
the most barbarous laws to enforce his con-
tnental system. This nation ought to be
taught to rely on lis own courage, its fOrti-
tude, its skill, and virtue for protection.
These are the only safeguards in the hour
of danger. Man was endowed with these
great qualities for his defence. There is
nothing about him that indicates that he is
to conquer by endurance; he is not encrus-
ted in a shell; he is not taught to rely upon
his insensibity, his passive suffering, for
defence. No, sir, it is on the invincible
mind, on mognanimous nature, he ought
to rely. Herein is the superiority of our
kind; it is these that render man the lord
of the world. 1t is the destiny of his con-
diton that nations rise above nations, as
they are endowed in greater degree with
these brilliant qualities"
To trace Mr.. Calhoun's course or to re-
count his services during the war, would
fill volume. 1t is sufficient to say, that
in the leading position of chairman of the
committee of foreign relations, in a COM
pcation of adverse circumstances, during
the gloom of that contest, calculated 10
overwhem the feeble and appal the stout
est, against weight and ardor of oppos-
ton unknown to the Congress of the revo-
luton, he never faltered, never doubted,
never despaired Of the Republic; by his
genius and wisdom, patriotism and unshak-
en- frmness, he rose conspicuous in the
constellation of talents which distinguished
both sides, and arousing his countrymen to
action by the animatEg strains of elo-
ouence, made himself the chief supporter
of the second war of independence" and
finally triumphed in the sunshine of glory
which burst upon the country at its ermin-
alton.
At this period, the army, the navy, and
the revenue had grown beyond the wants of
peace, and the currency was deranged be-
vond all former example, except at the
close of the revolution. These subjects
give birth TO momcntous questions. OF
these the first was the military peace estab,
tishment about which there was great d.
verSity of opinion. Mr.. Calhoun coDtended
that small peace establishment, was most
congenia with the institutions of the coun-
try, and that the great point was to have 1t
permanent and well organized, an object
which he afterwards cfIectually accomplish
ed while Secretary of War.
The other important subjects were de-
rerred till the following session, when Mr..
Calhoun was placed at the head of the COM
mittee on currency Events which took
place at the preceding session, had designa-
led him for the place, as he had then sue
ccssfuIly resisted the project ola non-sPecie
paying bank, devised principally with
view to enable government to RAISE loans
for the prosecution of the war; under the