The North-Carolina standard., 1843-04-26
JOHN G.. CALHOUN.

The life of this eminent statesman has recently
been published in pamphlet form by Messrs. Har-
per. We copy from it brief sketch of his per-
sonal appearance and character:
SIN his person, Mr.. Calhoun is slender and
tall His countenance, at rest, is strkingly mark
ed with decision and firnness. In conversation,
it is highly animated, expressive, and indicative of
genius. His eyes are large, dark, brilliant, and
penetrating; and leave no doubt, at first view, of
a high order of intellect His manners are easy,
natural, and unassuming, and as frank as they are
cordial and kind. In all his domestic relations,
his life is without blemish. He has none of the
cautious reserve and mystery of common politicians
for he has nothing to conceal or disguise. He
is accessible to ALL agreeable, animated, instructive
and eloquent in conversation, and communicates
his opinions with the utmost freedom. Some po
liticians seek popularity by carefully avoiding res
possibility. Whatever popularity Mr.. Calhoun
possesses, has, on the contrary, been acquired by
bold and fearless assumption of responsibility on
all critical and trying occasions. His judgment
is so clear and discriminating, that he seems to
possess sort of prophetic vision of future events:
hesitate, he decides with confidence, follows UP
his decision with undoubting frmness, and has
never failed, in the end, to be justified by time the
arbiter of all things.
"Few men have been called upon to passthrough h
scenes of higher political excitement, and to en-
counter more vigorous and unrelenting opposition
than Mr.. Calhoun; yet, amid all the prejudices
which party feeling engenders andallt the jealousy
of political rivals, and all the anmosity of polt-
cal opponents, no one has ventured to hazard his
own reputation for judgment or sincerity so far as
to doubt one moment his great and commanding
talents
GAS an orator, MIR. Calhoun stands in the fore
most rank of parliamentary speakers. On first RI
sing in debate, he always felt the anxiety of diff
dence, arising from sensibility which is almost
always the companion of true genius. His man.
ner of speaking is energetic, ardent, rapid; and
marked by solemn earnestness which leaves no
doubt of his sincerity and deep conviction. His
style is pure, forcible, logical, and condensed
often figurative for illustration-never for orna-
ment His mind is we'll stored with the fruits of
learning. but still better with those of observation
and reflection. Hence, depth, originality, and
force characterize all his speeches. He lays his
premises on foundation too broad, solid, deep,
to be shaken; his deductions are clear and irre-
sistible; the strong power Of genius-to adopt the
language Of the eloquent Pinkney, in referring to
Mr. Calhoun's splendid speech on the treaty
making power--'from higher region than that
of argument, throws on his subjects all the Light
with which it is the prerogative of genius to in
vest and illustrate everything And his speeches
full of the most elevated and patriotic sentiments
after conquering the understanding, take the
heart entirely captive and carry along his hearers
often unconsciously, and sometimes against their
will, to the point he desires.
"Mr. Calhoun had attained SO high reputa-
tion as member of Congress, that it was thought
by many that he was leaving his appropriate field
when he accepted the appointment of Secretary
of War. On the contrary his new situation only
presented another theatre for the exercise of his
great and diversified talents. The Distinguishing
feature of his mind-the power Of analysis-was
now to be exercised in the practical business of
Government; and at once, as if by enchant-
ment, order, efficiency, and perfect accountable
ty, sprang from the chaos in which he found the
department, and demonstrated that his energy in
execution was equal 10 his wisdom IN organizing,