Wheeling times and advertiser. [volume] (Wheeling, Va. [W. Va.]) 1839-1849, 1845-12-02
CORRESPONDENCE # rHE TIMES.

~" wv ""hs Ni''iVhsr' -looNlnS Columns VI
the Memphis papers-coilcd. (hy courtesy. re-
ports OF the procccding,in Convention. You
must know, in the first place. that a Convtn-
,ion OF delegates from fifteen States is a very
sublime affair OF course. but Us an instrument
To BE- used in making roads and canals, il isan
itea worthy ot this southern cliinitc where
all manner OF winivork is 80 well done that
II is ount unnecessary To do any thing but
wind-work. Ii Improvements arc at last TO
be made BY private enterpriIr. the preparation,
pomp. circnms,ancc AMI expensive formal
~ oia Convention oi politicians. editors aud
lawyers don't seem to b. the right SORT of be-
ginning. Aud il the object is TO surge the
General Government TO do the work then tits
still more singular that this should b. attempt
ed under the lead of politicians and editors
who have, to say the least, not been the most
liberal in admitting the poIrer of the General
Government TO make internal improvements.
But 90 every view il seemed 10 me that a part
OF the proper business OF the Convention was
t~dkiHg-thc expression and diffusion of those
sentiments which the Convention was design
ed to promote. But, strange 10 tell, this was
wholly overlooked and the members went Sc
riously TO work with motions and resolutions
and amendments and all that sort Of thing, as
II every vote made d mile OF rail road and
every resolution hoi,tcd a snag from the Miss.
isSipi. A rul: was adopted ,ha;no one should
speak morc than five minutes i'm order tina,
the time might be devoted TO motions, ques.
tons OF order, amendments and substitutes.
ending generally by a motion TO lay on the
taoie-whiie III the house silently sat some
twenty or more of the first men of the South.
Hence, the general Characteristic of the body
was dulness-although it comprised much in.
telligence and talent of a political character.
and some perhaps of The more practical cast
which is serviceable in concoctin OF PROJECTING
internal improvements.
MIR. Calhoun made two speeches. The
first did not hear, but ! am told that the re-
port III the Memphis Enquirer is, in the main.
accurate, though not full. His second | heard
ana 1t was in explanation of one of his posi-
tons. 1t was short but it was not a bad spe-
cimen OF his adroit and s~pecious logic. I'm
provements OF certain kinds had been spoken
OF as a nationality which it was meant
suppose that their utility was not confined 10
a single spot but extended TO the great body OF
the people constituting this nation. Mr..
Calhoun rose to explain that there is nothing
national but what is constitutional-that the
constitution alone makes us a nation and tina;
whatever work Congress has, by the c~omstitu-
ton, a specific power 10 undertake, that is a
rational work and none othcr-so that '.what
Is constitutional is national, and what is not
constitutional is not national" Now TO a
plain man this seem to be a mere matter O,
words, and not to need so grave an c~xplana.
lion. But being delivered with Mr.. Calhoun's
EN- hasis, itelicted applause. AMI this much
being granted, he glided Oh into a waninq
against Capitalization and an eulogy upon the
Jederotice character OF our government. This
again was applauded, yet it seemed to me tina
the criticism upon the term national wa,
~uncailed for aud betrayed too little regard fo,
the sentiment of nationalitv-a sentiment
which ought TO be uppermost in the mind o
ever American, and which ought not TO h,
lrlttered away by verbal subtlctics.
Mr.. Calhoun's name is frank. dicnidcd
animated and impressive. His countenanc,
Is bright and expressive of great intelligenc,
and decision. His person is rather tall an,
weIi-iormed. HIS action and guesture Will,
speaking are not ungraccful but monotooon
and add nothing TO the effect of his speech
HIS voice is strong and agreeable but not mn
steal nor eloquent. His enunciation is dis
unct, quick and possessing little variety. Yo,
will see from this hat while Mr.. Calhom
lobors under no physical disadvantage as a,
orator;yet the chief attraction Of hiselooucnc,
consists IN the weight and substance of hi
speeches OF the power and subtlety of his in
, teilect 1t IS needless to speak. His CONVEX
satlon is delightful and fascinating.
Besides the speeches of MIR. Callioup ~. IN.
two others. The first was from Gen. G,nc,
who expomded his plans Of national dclenc
at some length. The other as from u,
overton OF Tennessee. On Saturday cvcnin,
Mr.. Calhoun vacated the chair, and GOV. Cha,
who had been selected to acta as President mr.,
tenn not being in the house, il was suggested
whether in love or malice | know not, tina.
DIR. D. should take the chair and also mike ;
speech. lie went forward anj addressed tn,
Convention-'Gcntlemcn | believe | have
night to this chair as first Vice President. an,
III take IT. feel highly honorcd. This i
TIE most enlightened assembly il has eve
been my lot to witness on earth, applause.
Yes, when ] look over this Convention. / be
$ lieve this is the wisast and the most iutelli
gent body that ever met on earth (incr, use,
applause defy Queen Vic. il TALL her realms
10 collect such an enli 5htcncd ass-lthe thun
der OF applause cut the word in two) emily
] feel that am more highly h9norcd than an,
man IN the world. (Uproarous applause an,
lanShtcr) am presiding over a NOR, AUG