Carroll free press. [volume] (Carrollton [Ohio]) 1834-1861, 1849-05-25
HaVne and Webster,

ave refer to the great South Carolina debate
which took place in the Senate Chamber, on the
Tariff question of 1888. We were in the gal.
ery. The notification fever had risen almost
frenzy high. Members of both parties had de.
serted the lower House to witness the splinter
ing of lances between Robert Y. IHayne of S.
Carolina, and Daniel Webster.
When we entered the hall, General Havne
was speaking. He was a man of general youth
ful appearance, with his collar turned down over
his cravat and hair smoothly brushed across his
forehead. He was of middle stature and well
made. He was speaking energetcally; his
eyes were peculiarly brilliant and his face was
extremely pale; he moved up and down the aisle
between the desks, with rapid and agated step;
his gestures were vehement, and he appeared
to be under high state of excitement. We
were peculiarly struck with his whole appear
ance. and the tone Of feeling evident in the
| Chamber. Mr.. Calhoun. then Vice President
was in the Chair. With his large, steady and
vigant eyes witnessing the first great battle OF
his doctrine, he seemed the very spirit Of en-
bodied interest; not word, not a gesture oI
General Hayne escaped his lion look. The
Senate was deeply interested, as matter Of
course. The language of General Hayne was
rich and vigorous; and his powerful sketch OF
the effect Of the mpost laws on the'South-the
description he gave of her peope-hs own bold
and hazardous elocution aud mpetuous bearing
were evidently making strong impression on
the body.
"From time TO time attention would be direc-
ted from him to the gentleman who was eXpec-
ted to answer him, and whom General Hayne
attacked under cover of a terrible and CALLING
fire.
"Cold, severe, dark, and melancholy, that
man thus assaiIed. sat apart bleak and frownng
as mountain rock; he evidently felt the gigan-
tic influences that were at work around him, but
his profound mind was strengthening itself for
the contest. And how deeply solemn was that
hour, that moment how grand that scene! and
what were the meditations and spirit rallyngs Of
| that dark man? His countenance wavered not
during the whole of that tremendous speech; as
sault alter assault was made upon him, but yet
he turned neither TO the right nor TO the left, but
calmly and galantly, like u soldier waiting his
signal, he bded his hour. The time of retail
ation came swift as thoughts Of vengeance to
Daniel Webster! Who will forget The exordi-
um of that remarkable effort, the lashing sar-
casm, the witherng tones of that voice, and the
temper of his language. Gen. Hayne, we ro-
member distinctly, changed color and appeared
much disconcened. But who, that heard him
will permit the peroration to be forgotten? those
closing passages of grandeur-that majestic al
lusion 10 the flag Of freedom and our country.
Looking with his dark and lustrous eye, thro'
the glass dome of the chamber, over which he
could see that banner flowing. he delivered an
aposrophe which has never been surpassed and
seldom equaiIed. 1t composed figure of most
thrilling interest-a burst of solemn and pathet-
ic feeling; and coming from such a source, ia
man generally esteemed phlegmatic,) it was e.
Iectrlc. twas like the beam Of sunset or the
CLEAN of summer lightning irradiOting The brow
of the cliff TO which we have above alluded.
"But those scenes are past, and the country
has the benefit Of these speeches; but the men,
ory Of them and the incidents that attended
Them, are lorcby Impressed on our mind"
] National Magazine.