The daily union. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1845-1857, 1850-04-24


We seize the opportunity OF laying before reader
the following beautiful tribute 10 the memory Of Mr.
Calhoun. Aeorespondent informs US that sits author il
one Of the most distinguished men in the republicons
who, though he differed. as myself have, from Mr. CAL
houn some subjects. yet shows how fully compe
tent he wss TO the appreciation Of his real merits The
producoais indeed generous Offering from one noble
spirit to the memoryoi another" But whyshould we
shroud the name Of the author in mystery His compo-
son does honor to the living and to the dead We have
no hesitation in saying that il emanaes from the pen Of
Richard Rush, esq. Of Philadelphia, late minister to
Paris, whose name is identified both with the politics
and the literature Of his country
short Notice OF tine Death ana Character OF mr.
7 W Calhoun. seH Nt
m could have bu one hour speak in the Senate could
do more good han on any previous occasion OF my iie
These were among the last words OF The lamented
Calhoun How appropriate to patriot and statesman a.
the lamp Of lie was going out .Saye my, country.
Heaven We're the dying words OF Pitt We cannot
know precisely what Mr. Calhoun would have said in
that last hour he wished for but he would
have spoken with sincerity what he thought and with
the deepest love OF country In his heart This great
souherner, and great American, too has passed away
and Perhaps since the death Of Washington, death
in our country has awakened sensation 80 nearly akin,
in some Of It's striking characteristics to that which was
then produced. We have lost men whilst they were
welding, OF who had in their day welded. political
power; but not one to whose sheer intellectual and
moral pre- emnence such general tributes seem to have
been paid Washington did not atter the people; nor
did Calhoun. Both loved republcansm but both knew
that individually are prone to error from ignorance.
speaking and acting through their majorities, must
often be in error too, and fall into delusons. Calhoun
was never afraid g express this sentiment act uponit
II Washington had not put himself against popular delu
sions the subject Of the militia and short enstmens,
i may be doubted whether he could have carried us
though the revolution, incompatible as were his quail
~
revolution was finished his mighty fame overshadowed
all compositions but he could hardly be prevailed upon
to accept the chief magstracy He yielded Al last only
grateful country AS Presidents party was abashed in
his presence Il stood off, and dared not approach him
Calhoun though belonging e party. rose above i i
dent unless be pandered to the public Bacon said,
"Great heights were only 10 be reached by winding
stairs" Calhoun's mind prophetic, as well as fruit
edge "Her ample page, rich with the spoils Of tme''
was before him, and lie knew how to read it.
OF all Americans. he was almost the only one not
citizens should have given the French republic cordial
first welcome, in order TO trial. il nothing more, and
that both houses Of Congress should have done the
Obligation But IN The eye su IF he nation his place
the Senate in the midst Of enthusiasm for France
Grated az was supposed, Calhoun paused He invoked
ed. He did not believe that BY suddenly procaimings
republics they were to be made He knew that all pro.
gress not for the better, and when too rapid could
nature Of man. He knew all excellence TO be OF slow
growth with nations persons; that il comes OF pa
tence. education, long preparation and trainings and
full Of light inferred that such quick convusive
ments in the other hemisphere must be the work, with
exceptions the rarest, Of a few selfish men in some
iy Of circulating revoutonists" in others The real
masses, he believed, would be thrown into worse
condition than before. He saw, also, that these sud
10
from ours His profound study and knowledge Of the
constitution OF the United Staes and OF everything ante
ror that had led TO the establishment OF repub
lie, taught him this He believed that the inherent ten
denotes OF these republics disorder even
communism and he feared their deterioratng influences
upon More especially did he fear il under our preds
positions snmmarly TO applaud all movements against
existing authority in Europe no matter what their
or who their Instruments and still the especially,
when numerous presses-hose oligarchica engines in
thought to instruct and direct the public mind Of great
nation yet apt to decide in haste and with fright
full certainty where angels fear TO tread" upon all ques
much the immense value of republic to behold with
out grief the disparagement of the abroad
without dread the reco upon the very principle OF equal
committed abroad under the cloak OF democracy.
Mr.. Calhouns ambition was OF the noblest, most in
sprtng kind !, axeys sought great PUBLIC ends through
noble means Beautifully, most beautifully, did his col
league say, in announcing his death to the Senate, We
him few days ago in the seat me, he had
long occupied; we the struggle Of great mind TO
overcome the inhrmhes of sinking body; IT WAS
THE EXHIBITION OF A WOUNDED EAGLE WITH HIS EYES
TURNED TO THE HEAVENS IN WHICH HE HAD SCARED, BUT
INTO WHICH HIS WINGS COULD NEVER CARRY HIM
AGAIN"
The figure was as happy % touching No man was
more pure; rarely public pure. He had the self
reliance Of genius fertzng in its own thoughts, and
arrogance or presumption. When, democrat Of the
Jefferson school, he entered Congress before the war OF
1872 he soon opposed himself to embargoea and nom
intercourse, as weapons unsuled to brave people in
avenging wrongs and insults Yet they had been the
policy OF his party To arragn il was dangerous at first
holiness wisdom; he, young man. but then, as al
ways, frank in all that hgh-mnded, and chivarous
under all circumstances He for drawing the sword
against the gigantic mistress Of the He was for
throwing ourselves at upon our courage and exer
tons: The step was perilous although one which his
ghtened estimate OF national interests it impe-
riousy demanded by outrages upon oar national honor
the persevering, shocking outrage OF impressment
. He would have no more embargoes, no more nom
trading to stop isa TO react upon that enormity His
speeches In support OF the lifted up the feelings and
and originality. with the impressive eloquence Of logic
and discipline
His mind was formed to lead In great aairsto 20 to
the top. al the top always that he found his ma
tual element His erect form at that day, his fine eye
his constant energy, and buoyant spirit blended with a
tve-who th-' asssed all this In him (and there are
those OF US who did) forget it, or fail now that
his spirit fed TO exalt 20 the proper height his manly
bearing, devoted patriotism, and whole bright galaxy Of
his meritss He did honor to Carolina. He.was one OF
the props Of the Union The times were dAfk Britain
was our foe her formidable armies upon our shores lust
fresh from victory over Napoeon's troops in Spain
Some friends quaed, and there hosts of