The Woodville Republican. [volume] (Woodville, Miss.) 1847-1853, 1850-11-05
AN ADDRESS
Dolireoed By he Hon. DaHief Wooster on
he 0oogSioH Of he deah 9
Senator Calhoun.

said. Ny apology for this presumption Is
the very long acquaintance which has sub
sisted between Mr. Calhoun and myself
We are Of the same age. ! made my hrst
entrance into the House OF Representatives
in Nav, 1913, aud there found Mr. Calhoun.
He had already been in that body for two or
three wears. found him then an active and
efficient member of the assembly to which
he belonged, taking a decided part, and ex-
e~r~iqirv 2 d"oiled influence, m all Its dellb-
e%rations.
From that day to the day Of his death,
amidst all the strifes OF party and politics,
there has subsisted between rs, always, and
without interruption, a great degree OF per-
soma kindness.
Differing widely on many great questions
respecting the institutions aud government
of the country, those differences never inter-
rupted our personal and social intercourse.
/ have been present at most Of the distin-
guished instances of the exhibition Of his
talents in debate. | have always heard him
with pleasure, often with much instruction,
not %unfrequently with the highest degree of
admiration.
Mr.. Calhoun was calculated to be a lead
err in whatsoever association Of political
friends he was thrown. lie was a man of
undoubted genius, aud of commanding tai
ent. All the country and all the world ad-
nit that. His mind was both p%erceptive
and vigorous. 1t was clear, quick, and
strong.
Sir, the eloquence Of Mr. Calhoun, or the
manner of his exhibition Of his sentiments in
public bodies, was part of his intellectual
character. 1t grew out c. the qualities of
his mind. 1t was plain, strong, terse, con-
densed, concise; sometimes impassioned-
still always severe. Rejecting ornament,
not often seeking far for illustration, mis-
power consisted in the pIainness Of his prop
%ositions, in the closeness of his logic, and in
the earnestness and energy of his manner
These are the quail les, "a | think, which
have enabled him through such a long
course of years to sp ak often, and yet al
ways commanded attention. His demeanor
as a Senator is known to us all-is appre-
%venerated by us all. No man was
respectful to others; 10 man carried
with greater decorum, no man with
dignity. Ithink there is not one
of rs but felt when he last addressed us from
his seat in the Senate, his form still erect,
with a voice by no means indicating such a
of physical weakness rs did, in fact,
possess him, with clear tones, and an i'm
pressive, and | may say, an imposing man
ner, who did not feel that he might imagine
that we saw before Us a Senator of Rome,
when Rome survived.
Sir, | have not in public nor in private
life, known a more assiduous person in the
discharge ofhis appropriate duties. ] have
known no man who wasted less of life i'll
what is called recreation, or employed less
of it in any pursuits not connected with the
immediate discharge of his daty. lie SEEM
ed to have no recreation but the pleasure OF
conversat. on with his friends. Out of the
chambers of Congress, he was either devo.
ting himself to the acquisition of knowledge
pertaining to the immediate subject of the
duty before him, or else he was indulging ii
those social interviews in which he so much
delighted.
NY honorable friend from Kentucky ha,
spoken in just terms of his colloquial talents
they certainly were singular and eminent
There was a charm in his conversation no
often found. He delighted, especially, il
conversation and intercourse with youns
men. | suppose that there has been no MAJ
among us who had more winning manners
in such an intercourse and conversation
with men comparatively young, than MI
Calhoun. | believe one great power OF hi
character, in general, was his conversation
talent. | believe it is that, as well as a con
seriousness of his high integrity, and tn
greatest reverence for his intellect and abiI
ity, that has made him so endeared an oh
ject to the people Of the state to which h
belonged.
M President, he had the basis, the dis
pcnsab.e basis, of al high character; an
that was, unspotted Observation-Disclosures
honor and character. Ii he had aspirations
they were high, and honorable, and noble
There was nothing groveling, or low, O
meanly selfish, that came near the head o
the heart of Mr.. Calhoun. Firm in his pun
pose, perfectly patriotic and honest, as | an
sure he was, in the principles that he es
pnused, and in the measures that he defend
ed, aside from that large regard for hat spe
cies OF distinction that conducted him to EN-
inent stations for the benefit of the republic
| do not believe he had IA selfish motive, O
selfish feeling.
However, sir, he may have differed from
Others of US in his political opinions, or hi
political principles, those principles an
those opinions will now descend to p~osterit,
under the sanction ola great name. He ha
lived long enough, he has done enough, an,
he has done it so well, so successfully, ST
honorably, as to connect himself for all tim
with the records Of his country. lie is nov
a historical character. Those of us VIII
have known him here, viii find that he ha
left upon our minds and our hearts a stron!
and lasting impression of his person, hi
character, and his pubic performances
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