Weekly national intelligencer. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1841-1869, 1850-04-06

was in our schools learning and Of law that he trained
up for the great contests which awaited him in the forum
the Senate chamber. Nor forget how long and how
intimately be associated in the Executive or detberave
branches Of the Government with more than one OF our own
most cherished statesmen.
The loss of such man. sir creates sensible gap in the
public councils To the which he represented, and the
section of country with which he peculiarly ldenthed
stranger tongue may venture to attempt words OF
consolation But let hope that the event may not DC WIN
out wholesome and healing Influence upon the troubles OF
the times Let heed the voice. which comes to Us both
as individuals and public officers in SO solemn and signal
providence of God Let remember that whatever hap
pens to the Republic must die Let US reflect how vain
are the personal es and partisan contests in which daily
in view the great account which may soon
be called on to render AS Cicero exclaimed in considering
the death Of Crassus falacem homnum spem, fragem
que fortunam, ct names nostras contentones !"
Finally sir, let find fresh bonds Of brotherhood and OF
Union the cherished memories Of those who have gone be-
fore Us and let resolve that far as in US lies the day
shall come when New England may not speak OF
the great names Of the South whether among the dead
among the living Of Americans and fellow countymen
Mr.. VENABLE rose and said: Mr. Speaker in respond
ing the just made by the gentleman from
South Carolina, (Mr HoLaEs,) perform sad and mean-
choly Office. Did consult my feelings alone, would be
silent 10 the other end Of this building we have just heard
the touching eoquence Of two venerable and distinguished
Senator's his contemporaries and compairlots Their names
belong 10 their country well his; and thought while
each speaking Of the valiant warior clothed in amor
who when passing the grave Of one with whom he had broken
iances and crossed weapons dropped tear upon ms dust
whose spirit has fled needs effort Of mine to place bis
on the bright page Of history would any eulogy which
might swell The tide of praises which will flow
perenraly from nations gratitude The great American
statesman who has fallen by the stroke Of death has left The
impress Of his mind upon the generations among whom ne
Eedhas given poser the mines OF his recorded thoughts
reward their labor with intellectual weahas left an e1
ample purity and patriotism which the weared eye may
rest
ssAnd gaze upon the great,
Where neither guilty glory glows,
Nor despcabe state. y .ss.
For more than forty years his name conspicuous
history Born the close Of the revolutionary wal, he was
il full maturity guide the councils of his country in
second contest with England Never unmndfu OF her claims
upon him. he has devoted long life to her servce and has
closed it. like gallant warrior, with his armor buckled
him. Death made conquest Of this conqueror for now
he lives in fame, though in life. The only ane sir
which he covetedan impulse to great and honorable
deeds-a fame which despise who have not re-
nounced the virtues which deserve it. 1t is at least some
lief hearts, heavng with signs at hsdspensaton
of Heaven that he belongs to BRIGHT to enduring hsto-
ry for his Of {" the few immortal names that were
not born die" Of his early history the gentleman who
preceded has spoken Of his llurous life need not
speak it is known to millions ivng and will be ia
n,iar to- the vol Id in aftertimes.
Bot, sir propose - say something OF him IN his last
days. Early in the winter Of ls4s'9 his failing health
gave uneasness his friends attack Of bronchitis
complicated with affection Of the heart disqualified him
for the performance Of his senatorial duties with the punct
atty which always distinguished him. 1t then that
became intimately acquainted with his mind and, above
ALL with bis heart. Watching by his bedside and during
his recovery ceased be astonshed the power which
his mastermind and elevated moral feelings had always
exerted upon those who included within the circle
of bis social intercourse. was tribute paid spontaneous
ly to wisdom, genius, truth. Patriotism, honesty Of pur
poe and purity Of motive rendered active by the energies
such intellect hardly falls any man. gathered
around him sincere admirers and devoted friends That many
have failed appreciate the value of the great truths which
he uttered listen to the warnings which he gave
nohsg in the history of great minds Bacon for
Poerly, and men OF profound sagacy always think IN adj
Of their generation. His body sinking under the
invasion Of disease before formed his acquaintance, and he
was passing from among before honored with his
friendship witnessed with establishment the influence Of
his mighty mind his weak physical structure. Like
powerful engine fal bark, every revolution Of the
wheel tried its capacity for endurance to the utmost But
yet his mind moved and insensbe Of the decay Of
bodily strength, put forth, without stint his unequaed
Of thought and analysis until Nature wellngh sunk
der the imposition His intellect preserved its vgor while
his body sinking TO decay. The menstruum retained all
its powers Of solution while the fa crucbe which contain
ed crumbpg atoms During his late Illness which,
with short ntermsson has continued since the commence
of this session Of Congress- there abatement Of
his intellectual labos They directed well to the
momentous questions agtaing the public mind,
the completion Of work which embodcs his thoughts the
subject of government in general and constitution
particular; thus distinguishing his last days by the greatest
effort of his mind and bequeahng it his richest legacy
posterity
Cheerful in sick chamber, none of tue gloom which
usually attends the progress of disease annoyed him
deceived himself he scorned TO deceive others skfu in ap
preciang the past and impartial in his judgment of the pre-
sent he looked The future dependant existing causes
and eares uterapce to his opinions of its nature and
character the philosopher and the statesman he discarded
expedlents by which " construe the times to their
cesses. He loved the truth for the truths sake and
believed that to emporze is but to increase the evil which
seek The approach of de h brought indication
Of mpa,ence-no cloud upon his intellect. To friend,
who spoke of the time and in which it best to
meet death, he remarked, 81 haze but little about
either; Tdese to die in the discharge Of my duty; have
usshaken reliance upon the providence Of Cod"
saw him four days after his last appearance in the Senate
chamber gradually sinking under the power Of his maady
Without his action always anxious for the
ueres of his country deeply absorbed in the great question
which agiates the public mind, and earnestly desiring its
honorable adjustment unchanged in the opinions which he
had held and uttered for the ardent friend Of the
Union and the Constitution and seeking the perpstuy of
institutions by intoxicating the practice of justice and
the duties Of patriotism.
Aggravated symptoms the day before his death, gave
notice of his approaching end left him late night with
but faint hopes Of amendment and being summoned early
the next morning, found him sinking in the cold embrace
of death. Calm, collected, and conscious of his situation,
but without any symptom Of ALARM his face beamng with
intelligence without indication of suffering of pain
watched his counenance and the luse of that bright eye
remained unchanged until the silver cord broken and
then went out in instantaneous eclipse When removed
my hand from closing his eyes he seemed who had
fallen into sweet and refreshing suber Thus sir closed
the days of JOHN CALDwELL CALHOUN the ustrious Anne
statesman His life and services shall speak of the great
ness of days with undyng testimony Another Jewel
has fallen from nscrutate Providence has re-
moved from among Of the great lights Of the age But
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