The daily union. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1845-1857, 1850-04-02

II MI. bU LEN rose ana SAID
Mr. President rise TO discharge mournfnl duty,
and one which involves in IT considerations well calcu-
lated to arrest the attention OF this body Il Is to an
lnounce the death OF my late colleague-the Hon. JOHN
4CALDwELL CALHOUN. He died at his lodgings, in this
lofty, yesterday morning. at halfpast seven o'clock
He conscious OF his approaching end and met death
with forttude and uncommon serenity he had many
admonons OF its approach and without doubt he had
not been Indifferent TO them With his usual aversion to
profession he said little for effect the world, and his
last hours were an exemp6caton OF his life and charac
ter-truth and simplicity.
Mr.. CALHOUN for years past had been suffering
under pulmonary complaint and under its effects could
own conviction The immediate cause OF his death was
an affection OF the heart few hours before he expired,
he became sensible OF his situation; and when he
unable TO speak, his eye and look evinced recognition
and intelligence Of what was passing. One Of The last
directions he gave was TO adutifu son, who had been
attending him. TO put away some manuscripts which had
been written short time before under his dictaton
Mr.. CALHOUN was the least despondent man ever
knew and he had in eminent degree the self sustain
ing power Of intellect His last days and his last remarks
are exemplihcations Of what have Just said. Mental
determination sustained him, when all others in de-
SPAR We saw him few days ago, in the seat near me
which he so long occupedwe the struggle OF agreat
ness and infrmes. Of sinking body. It was the
exhibition of wounded eagle, with his eyes turned to the
heavens in which he had SCARED, but into which his
wings could never carry him again.
Mr.. President Mr.. CALHOUN has lived in eventful
period OF our republic and has acted distinguished part
surely do not venture too much when say, that his
Since 1911, until this tme he has been responsiby con-
nected with the federal government As representative
senator cabinet minister, and Vice President he has
history OF our country. And hope may be permitted
to say that he has been equal to all the duties which
devolyed upon him in the many critical juncures in
which he was placed Having to act responsible
part, he always acted decided part II would not be-
come me to venture upon the judgment which awaits his
memory That will be formed by posteriy before the
impartial tribunal OF history tmay be that he will have
had the fate, and will have given TO him the judgment
that has been awarded to Chatham.
should do the memory Of my friend injustice were
not TO speak OF his life in the spirit OF history The dig
nifty OF his whole character woula rehuke any tone oil
remark which truth and judgment would not sanction.
Mr CALHOUN was a native OF South Carolina, and
was born in Abbeve district, the 18th March, 1852
He was OF an Irish family. His father, Patrick Cal
houn, was born in Ireland, and at early age u
Pennsylvania thence moved to the western part Of Vr-
gna and after Braddocks defeat moved to South Caro-
lima, IN 1856. He and his family gave name to what
is known the Calhoun settlement in Abbeve district
me mother OF my colleague was Miss Caldwell, born
in Charlotte county, Virginia The character Of his pa
rents had no doubt sensible influence the destiny of
their distinguished His father had energy and en-
erprse combined with and great mental de.
Termination. His mother belonged TO family of reyo-
luuonary heroes. Two OF her brothers were dlstn-
guished in the revolution Their names and achieve
ments are not left to radon but constitute part OF the
history OF the times.
Mr. CALHOUN was born in the revolution, and in his
childhood felt the influence OF its exciting traditions He
derived from the paterna stock intellect and self reliance
and from the Caldwells enthusiasm and impulse The
traditions OF the revolution had sensible influence on
his temper and character,
Mr.. CALHOUN in his childhood, had but limited advan.
tages OF what is termed literary tuition His parents
lived in newly country, and among sparse pop
uaiion This population had but slight connexon with
the lower country OF South Carolina. and were sustained
by emgrants from Virginia and Pennsylvania. There
was OF course but limited means OF instruction to
children They mbbed most Of their lessons from the
conversation OF their parents Mr. CALHOUN has always
expressed himself deeply sensible OF that influence AT
the age OF thirteen he was put under the charge Of his
brother in law, DR.. Wadde, in Columbia county, Geor-
fore his father and sister died His brother-in-law Dr.
Waddel, devoted himself about this time 10 his cleri.
cal duties, and was great deal absent from home.
On his second marriage he resumed the duties OF his
academy and IN his nineteenth year Mr. CALHOUN put
himself under the charge OF this distinguished teacher
L must not be supposed that his mind before this had
been unemployed He had availed himself Of the ad
yanages oil small library, and had been deeply inspired
by has reading OF history II was under such influences
That he entered the academy OF his preceptor His pro.
Igress was rapid. He looked forward TO higher
with eagerness and purpose.
He became student in Yale College in lsO2 and grad
uated two years afterwards with dstncton-as young
man OF great ability and with the respect and confidence
bis preceptos and fellows What they have said and
Thought OF him would have given any man high repu-
talion. il is the pure fountain of clear reputation
II the stream has met with distractions, they were
such as have only shown its beauty and majesty
After he had graduated, Mr. CALHOUN studied law,
and for few years practsed in The courts Of South Caro-
Ina with reputation that has descended 10 the profession
He then remarkable for traits that have since
characterized him He was clear in his propositions and
candd in his intercourse with his brethren The truth
and justice OF the law incucated themselves his mind,
and when armed with these he was great ad vocaie.
His forensic was. however too limited 10 make
prominent part in the history OF his life He served for
years in the legislature OF his native State and his
great mind made an impression her statutes OF
which have had great practical operation on the con-
of society. From the legislature OF his own Stale
transferred 10 Congress; and from this time his
has been part OF the history of the federal gov
ernment
Mr.. CALHOUN came into Congress at a time Of deep
and exciting interestat crisis of great magnitude II
crisis OF peril TO those who had to act In it, but OF
subsequent glory the and the common history Of
The country The nyincibily OF Great Britain had
become proverbal expression aHd with her was
full OF terrific issues. Mr.. CALHOUN found himself al
once in situation Of high responsibility that re-.
CURED more than speaking qualities and eloquence to
fulfil IT. The spirit OF the people required direction; the
energy and srdor OF youth were TO be employed in az
part which MIR CALHOUN acted at this time has been
approved and applauded by contemporaries, and now
forms part OF the glorious history OF those times
The names OF CLAY CALHOUN, CHEEyEs, and IowNDrs.
|GRUSDY, PORTER and others, carried associations with
them that reached the heart Of The naton Their clarion
notes penetrated the amy they animated the people, and
sustained the administration Of the government. With
Ihsory-to say that Mr.. CALHOUN did not play second
part IS no common praise In debate he was equal with
Randolph and in council he commanded the respect and
Iconhdence OF Madison AT this period OF his life he
had the quality of Themistocles-fo inspire copfdence
which. after all is the highest Of earthly qualities il il
mystical something which is felt but cannot be desc
THE events OF the were brilliant and honorable 10
Tread with enthusiasm and delight The war terminated
huf he Uhir m he