The southern press. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1850-1852, 1850-08-13


Mr.. Jefferson's task was but lucid expo
stion of constitutional truths, the application
Of which 10 the administration was superse-
ded by the contest into which the govern
ment was shortly after plunged with the bell
hgerent powers Of Europe. ao
Mr.. Calhoun revived and practically APP
piled them to the affairs Of government,
changing the course and character Of Con-
gressional legislation in the very face Of the
counter principles Of one great party, and in
opposition to the prejudices and errors Of
another.
Mr.. Jefferson was part Of tie age
which gave birth to the Constituencies
deeply imbued with its spirit and principles.
Mr., Calhoun had to throw of the errone-
Gus habits Of thinking common to his time
TO work through the precedents of CEN
tury's legislation--to discard venerable and
most persuasive authority--to exercise an
intellectual independence, rarely given tc
man, before he could battle in the fountain
head OF constitutional liberty, and was HIM
self free Of the political impurities common
to the statesmen Of his age.
| Irepeat, then, that Mr.. Calhoun may
well contest with Mr.. Jefferson the title to
be considered "the Apostle Of Republican
ISM"
His person and address were very strik-
ing. He was tall, slender, and of most DIS
tinguished and heroic bearing. He held his
head erect, in most impressive majesty His
features were strengths forehead low, but
broad and angular-bis cheek bones were
prominent his chin strong and massive, in
dicative Of an iron energy He had wide
mouth, with thin and compressed lips; while
his eyes were large, piercing, and brilliant.
His whole countenance breathed decision,
frmness, and great mental activity q1
His voice was clear, sonorous, and indica-
tive of earnestness and power of purpose.
His gesture was animated and appropriate,
though rarely made. He stood erect, firm
his posture being natural, and in one sense
full Of severity. His whole person, indeed,
was alive with repressed action, yet fixed and
immoveable as the premises from which he
argued. To sum up all, the stern majesty
of his erect attitude-the severe, yet highly
expressive conference.-the fash Of his bril-
liant eye---the quick, trumpet-like tones Of
his voice-the suppressed passion and en-
ergy Of his whole being, mind and body
the lofty and elevated sentiments which
weled up from his breast as from perennial
fount-the deep conviction Of the truth Of
every word he uttered-all combining to set
before the hearer, in style Of deepest i'm
pressiveness, the most brilliant thoughts and
the profoundest wisdom, rendered Mr.. Cal
houn the most effective orator that ever ad-
dressed the Senate. say the most effec-
tive; and, in using SO strong term Of Gu.
logy, speak with reference to the fact tina
during the last fifteen years of which he was
member Of the Senate, owing to his pecu
liar position in that body as the guardian 0
the Constitution against party views, he was
necessarily much oftener on the floor thar
any other senator; and never failed to com.
mand the most profound attention of that
august body. The same remark cannot
Justly be made as to any other American ora.
tor similarly situated.
Many thousand years ago, in the classic
days Of Greece, prisoner lay stretched upor
the rack ard at the bidding Of noble look
ing old man, with bright eyes and blanchec
Locks, slave Piled the torture. That oil
man was the painter, Appelles, and he wa
torturing an unhappy prisoner given to hin
for the purpose by Alexander, in order t
catch the true expression Of intense agony
that he might transfer it to the canvas OF
which he was painting Titan, chained to the
rock, gnawed BY vultures. a deep groar
escaped the tortured wretch, in which his
very soul cried out in agony. !" Ye Gods ~
exclaimed Appelles, dashing down his pen
oil in despair, g Would that | could paint
that groan." But it was gone--Aeeting as
the air, leaving but the remembrance Of its
heartfelt power and truth upon the ear tina,
heard it. a
Even so DO despair Of conveying tc
your minds eye a correct picture Of that m
tangible, yet impressive eloquence which en-
abled Mr. Calhoun, though always in mi
nority, to impress not only his views, bu
also his personal beariEg-lis action, 81
strongly upon all who heard him in any o
his great eforts.''
| l.- . .... D. #....#