Sunbury American. [volume] (Sunbury, Pa.) 1848-1879, 1850-04-13
MESsRs. CLAY's AND WEBSTER'S RE
MARKS UPON THE OCCASION OF MIR.
. CALHOUNiS DEATH

|. CALHOUN's DEATH
Mr. Clay-Mr. President, prompted by my
own feelings of profound regret, wish, on
raising TO second the resolutions which have
just been read, to add to what has been so
well and so justly said by the surviving col
league of the iliustrous deceased, few words
My personal acquaintance with him COM
menced upwards of thiry-eight years ago.
We entered at the same time, and together,
the House of Representatives at the other
end of this building.
The Congress of which we thus became
members, was that among whose delibeIa-
tions and acts was the declaration of war
against the most powerful nation, as it respects
us in the world. During the preliminary dis
cussions which arose in preparation for that
great event, as well as during those which
took place when the resolution was formally
adopted, no member displayed a more lively
and patriotic sensbility OF the wrongs which
led 10 that awful event, than the deceased,
whose death all unitenow in deploring. Ever
active, ardent, able-no one was in advance
of him in advocating the cause Of his country
and in denouncing the injustice which COM
piled that country 10 appeal 10 arms.
Sir, this is not the proper occasion nor am
the proper person, 10 attempt delineaton
of his character, or of the powers of his mind
will only say, in few words, that he pos
sessed a lofty genius--,hat in his powers of
crennra liyatinn of tbose srbiecia Of yrb;,b L;s
mind treated have seen him surpassed by
no man while the charms and captivating
influence Of his colloqual powers have been
felt by all who have ever witnessed them.
am his senior, Mr. President, in years, and
in nothing else. According 10 the course of
nature, I ought to have preceded him. The
Divine Ruler of human events has determin-
ed otherwise. I feel that shall linger but
short time, and shall soon follow him, and
how brief-how rapidly passing-is the Pc
riod Of existence allowed evento the youngest
amongst us.-Sir, ought we not to draw from
ii the conclusion how unwise it is TO indulge
in the acerbity of debate-,how unwise ii is
10 yield ourselves 10 the animositv Of party
feeling-how wrong it is 10 indulge in those
unhappy and hot strifes which too often mis-
lead Us in the discharge of the high duties
which we are called on 10 perform! In con-
clusion, Mr.. President, desire to express
the most coldial sympathy and the sentiments
Of the deepest coincidence for those who
stand in the nearest relations TO him. trust
that we shall all profit by the singular merits
of his character; and learn relying upon our
own judgments and the dictates of our own
conscience, 10 discharge our duties ds he did
according to his best conception Of them
faithfully TO the last.
Mr.. Webster also paid a high tribute to
Mr.. Calhoun's character and personal quail
ties. The conclusion of his remaks is as fol-
lows:
'Mr. President, he had the basis, the in
dspensable basis of high character, and,
that was unspotted integrity, unimpaired
honor and character. If he had aspirations,
they were high, and honorable and noble
there was nothing grovellingor low, or mean.
! ly selfish that came near the head or hear,
of Mr.. Calhoun. Firm in his purpose, per.
! fectly patriotic and honest-as | am quite
sure he was-in the principles that he espous.
ed and in the measures that he defended
aside from that large regard for that specie;
! of distinction which conducted him TO emf
nent station for the benefit Of the Republic
! | Go not believe that he was imbued witt
selfish feelings. However, sir he may have
differed from others Of us, in his politica
principles, those principles and those opinions
will descend to poslerity, under the sanction
OF great name. He has lived long enough
he has done enough, and done so wel-sC
! honorably-as 10 connect himself for all time
with the records of his country. He is nov
an historical character Those of us wht
have known him here, will find that he ha
left upon our minds and hearts an impression
of his person, his character, his performance
that, while we live, will never be obliterated
We shall hereafter, | am sure, indulge in il
as grateful recollection, that we have liveC
in his day, that we have been his contempt
raries, that we have seen him, and hearC
him, and knew him. We shall delight tc
speak of him 10 those who are coming afle
us. When the time shall come when We
ourselves shall so, one after another, in sue
cession to our graves, we shall carry with Vi
a deep impression of his genius and charac
ter-his honor and integrity-h amiable de
portmentin private life, and the purity of hi
exalted patriotism"
MILLIONS OF PIGEONS RoosTING.-Letter
from Indiana complain that some of the pi
| nenn rnnsts cnvar The fnrpsis for rniles hes