The republic. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1849-1853, 1850-04-03


heart expanded with philanthropy extensive
as the human race. He Immediately conceived the
project OF collecting them into nation, Of trans.
lerrng them TO the other side Of the great river and
freeing them at once from the temptations and the
cupidity Of the Christian man.
Sir, he did not remain in Office TO accomplish this
| great object But he had laid its foundation 50
deep, he had spread out his plans 80 broad that he
has reared 10 himself ia the establishment of that
people, more enduring ia inument than battles
| e'er gave, and gathered more glorious trophies
than can be plueked upon the plains OF war;
The triumphs of marked by desoated
tow and conha grated fields; his triumphs will be
in the collection of the Indian tribes, consti
tuting a confederation among themselves, in the
school houses, in the valleys in the churches that
rise with their spires from the hill top in the clear
| sunshine Of heaven. The music of that triumph is
not heard in the cangor Of the trumpet. and the
rolling Of the drum, but swells from the clang
of the anvil and the tones Of the water wheel, and
the cadence Of the mill stream that rolls down for
the benefit Of the poor red man.
Sir, he paused not in his of usefulness; he
was transferred, by the votes of grateful people,
10 the chair of the second officer OF the government.
There he presided with irmness, an impartiality,
with gentlcness, with dignity that all admired.
And yet II Is not given unto man 10 pass UNI
scathed the fiery furnace of this world. While
presiding over that body of ambassadors from
sovereign States, while regulating their councils,
the tongue Of calumny assaiied him, and accused
him OF Official corruption IN the Riprap contract.
Indignantly he left the chair, demanded of the Sem
ators an immediate investigation by a committee,
and came out of the fire like gold refined in the
furnace. From that time TO the day that termi-
mated his life dared 10 breathe aught against
the 5potless purity of his character
But while in that chair, MIR. CALHOUN perceived
that there was arising great and mighty nhu-
ence TO oyershadow a portion OF this land. From
a patriotic devotion TO his country, he consented
this floor, in 1876 upon the reduction OF the war
duties, 70 gradual diminuon of the burdens, and
thus saved the manufacturers from humiliation.
But that interest, then mere stripping, weak,
and requiring nurture, fostered by this allment,
soon increased in strength, and became potent,
growing with giants growth, and attained
giants might, and was inclined UNANIMOUSLY to
use 1t as giant. He at resigned his seat,
gave up his dgnifed position, mingled in the
stries of the arena, sounded the tocsin Of alarm,
1 walked up the attention of the South, himself no
less active than those whom he thus aroused,
and at length advised his own State, needless Of
danger, TO throw herself into the breach for the
protection of that sacred Constitution, whose every
precept he had imbibed, whose every condition
| he had admired Sir, although hostile fleets
| Heated In our waters, and armies threatened
our cities he quaied not; and at length the pleas
| ing realization came to him and to the country,
like balm to the wounded feelings, and by gener-
| GUS compromise all parts the people Of the
South were freed from onerous taxation, and the
North yet left TO enjoy the fruits of her industry,
| and to progress in her glorious advancement in
all that is virtuous in industry and elevated In SEN
| timent.
But he limited not his scope our domestic hori-
| Zon. He looked abroad at relations with the
nations He saw our increase of strength. He
measured our RESOURCES, and willing at once
to settle all difficulties with foreign powers
| a permanent basis. With Britain we had causes
of contention, of deep and long standing. He re-
solved, if the powers of his intellect could avail
| aught before he departed hence, that these ques-
tions should be settled for nations honor and
| nations safety. He faltered not. ! know (ior
was presently that when the Ashburton treaty was
about TO be made-when there we're apprehensions
in the cabinet that il would not be sanctioned by
the Senate-a member of that cabinet called to
Mr A KIOIr nd tn / he o. a
II his generous support The reply at that moment
of Mr.. CALHOUN eminently satisfactory, and
its annunciation 70 the cabinet gave assurance to
| the distinguished Secretary of State who so emf
nently had conducted this important negotiation
He at once considered the work finished; for 1t
Is the union Of action in the intellectual in the
physical world that moves the spheres into har
| mony.
When that treaty was before the Senate, il was
considered in secret session; and never shall for
get, that, sitting upon yonder side of the House,
the colleague OF Mr.. CALHoUs-who at that time
was not on social terms with him-my friend, the
Honorable MIR. Preston, whose heart throbbed with
an enthusiastic love of all that is elevated, left his
seat in the Senate and came TO my seat in the
House, saying, must give vent TO my feelings;
| MIR CALIovs hos made n speech which hos settled
the question Of the northeastern boundary. All his
friends-nay, all the Senators-have collected
around TO Congratulate him, and have come out
To express my emotions, and declare that he has
covered himself with mantle of glory.
Sir, after awhile he retired from Congress: but
the unfortunate accident board the Princeton,
which deprived Virginia of two of her most gifted
sons, members Of the Cabinet, Immediately sug-
gestcd the recall Of Mr.. CALHOUN, from his retire
ment in private life and the shades Of his own domi-
Gil, TO aid the country in the great exigency His
nomination as Secretary Of State was sent 20 the
Senate, and without reference 10 a committee, was
unanimously confirmed. Sir, when he arrived
here, he perceived that the southern country
IN imminent peril, and that the arts and intrgues
OF Great Britain were about to wrest from that
imperial territory which IL now the State OF Texas
Hu hfa yaaAI uW.A -. .afA
minisratiye talents, the ntrigues Of Great Britain
were defeated, and that portion Of the sunny South
was soon annexed To this republic.
| With the commencement Of MIR. Folks admins
tration, he retired once more from public life, but
he retired voluntarily. MIR Buchanan (for night
as wei relate the fact) called upon me, took me to
the embrasure Of one Of those windows, and said:
81 am to be Secretary Of State; the President
apprec ates the high talents Of Mr.. CALHOUN, and
considers the country now encircled by danger
upon the Oregon question. Go 10 Mr.. CALHouS,
and tender 10 him the mission 10 the court Of St.
James-spccial or general, he may determine
With transfer Of the Oregon question entirely TO
biz charge"
Never can forget how the rnuscles Of his face
became tense, how his great eye rolled. az he re-
eeived the terms Of the proposal "No, sir-no!''
(he replied.) II the embassies Of all Europe were
clustered into one, would take IL at this tune;
my country IL in danger; here ought 20 be the ne
gotiation, and here will stand - Sir, he retired
70 his farn but the President, in his inaugural, bad
indicated 30 strongly his assertion Of the entirety
OF tne oregon ueaty-had inspirited the people Oi
the West almost 70 madness, and in like manner
had dispirtcd the merchants Of the East, and Of the
North and South, that presentiment Of great dan
gers stole over the hearts Of the people, and war
seemed inevitable with the greatest naval power Of
the earth. Impelled by their approximations, tho
merchants sent message 70 Mr.. CALHOUN, and
begged him again 20 return 10 the councils Of the
nation. HE predecessor generously resigned. lie
came, and when he came, though late, he bcheld
disnay on the cOuntenanccs Of all. There was a
triumphant majority in both parts Of this Capitol
OF the Democratic party, who, with a few eK-
ceptOns, were for carrying out the measures Of Mr.
! Polk. The Wings, finding that they we're too few
70 stem the current refused 10 breast Themselves u
the shock. But when Mr. CALHOUN announced on
the hOOr Of the Senate, the day after his arrival, his
hrm determination 10 resist and save from the mad
Of the hour this great country they immediate
ly rallied, and soon his friends In this House and
in the Senate gathered around him, and the coun-
try was safe. Reason triumpbed, and the republic
/ was relieved Of the calsmities Of war. This wa
the last great work he ever contaminated.
But he saw other evils: he beheld this republic
Z about 10 lose its poise from arrangement Of its
weights and levers; he anxious 10 adjust tho
nd 10 him ne