Independent Democrat. [volume] (Canton, Miss.) 1842-1844, 1843-07-22


mention of these men. Their acts, their
words, their thoughts, their very looks,
have become subjects of party controver-
sy. But he whose ambition is of high
er or lower order has no need of such re.
serve. Talent is of no parry exclusively;
( nor is justice.
JOHN RANDOLPH.
Among them, but not of them, in the
fearful and solitary sublimi,y of genius,
stood gentleman from virgnia--whom
1t were supertiuous to designate. Whose
speeches were universally read. Whose
satire was universally feared. Upon
whose accents did this habitually lislless
and christening House hang so frequently
with rapt attention. Whose fame was
identified with that body for so long Pc
riod. Who was more dexterous deba.
tort A ripper scholar? Better versed in
the politics Of our own country2 Or deep
er read in the history of others2 Above
all, who was more thoroughly imbued
with The idiom of the English language
more completely master of its strength,
and beauty, and delicacy? Or more ca
pabIe of breathing thong his of fame in
words OF magic and tones of silver?
JOHN C. CALHOUN.
There was also son of South Carolina,
still in the service of the Republic, then
undoubtedly the most influential me nber
of the House. With q genius eminently
melaph, sica!, he applied 10 politics his
habits of ana ysis, abstraction, and Con.
densation, and thus gave to the problems
OF Government something of that granduer
which the higher mathematics have Dor.
rowed from astronomy. The wings of his
mind were rapid, but capricious, and there
were times when the light which flashed
from them as they passed, glanced, like a
mirror in the sun, only TO dazzle tho be-
holder. Engrossed with his. subject
careless Of his words-his lottiest flight of
e!oquence were sometimes followed by
colloquial or provincial barbarisms. But
though often incorrect, he was always
fascinating. Language with him was
merely the scafoIding Of thought-em.
pIoyed to raise a dome, which, like An.
gelo's, he suspended in the heavens.
HENRY CLAY.
1t is equally impossible to forget, or TO
omit, a gentleman from Kentucky, whom
psriy has since made the fruitful topic ot
unmeasured panegyric and detraction -
OF sanguine temperament and impetuaus
character, his defamation was impas-
stoned, his retorts acrimonious. Deficient
in refinement, rather than in strength, his
style was less elegant and correct than
animated and impressive. But it swept
away your feelings with it, like noun
tain torrent, and the force Of the stream
left you little leisure 10 remark upon its
cIearness. His estimate of human nature
was'probably, not very high. 1t may be
that hs:past associations had not tended
to eSaltif. Unhappiiy, it is perhaps more
likely 10 have been lowered than raised
by his subsequent experience. Yet then,
and ever since, except when that impru.
dence so naturrl to genius prevailed over
his better judgment, he had generally the
good sense, or good taste. to adopt lofty
tone Of sentiment, whether h5 spoke Of
measures or Of men Of friend or adversary.
On many occasions he was noble and
captivating One, can never forget
1t was the fine burst Of indignant elo-
quence with which he replied to the taunt.
ing question, "what have we gained by
the war;"
DANIEL WEBSTER;
Nor may pass over in silence rep
resentative from New Hampshire, who