The Madisonian., 1850-05-02
THlRTY,FIRST CONGRESS.
FIRST SESSION.
MONDAY, April /, 1850.
SENATE,

Mr.. BUTLER rose and said: =.
Mr.. President; | rise to discharge
mournful duty, and one which involves
In it considerations well calculated to
arrest the attention Of this body. 1t is
10 announce the death of my late col
eague--the Hon. John G. Calhoun
He died at his lodgings, in this city,
pn yesterday morning, at half-past Sc
Ven o'clock. He was conscious Of his
approaching end, and met death with
lorlitude and uncommon serenity. He
bad many admonitions ofts approach,
Rnd without doubt he had not been in
lliferent to them. With his usual aver
ion to profession, he said little for ef>
ect on the world, and his last hours
we're an exempliEcation of his life aud
Eharacter--truth and simplicity.
Mr.. Chairman, for some years past,
e had been suffering under pulmo-
barry complaint, and under its effects
lould not have reckoned on long ex-
stance. Such was his own conviction.
he immediate cause Of his death was
b affection of The healt. A few hours
efore he expired, he became sensible
% his situation: and when he was una.
le to speak, his eyes and look evinced
ecognition and Intelligence Of what
as passing. One ofthe last direction;
g gave to a dutifui son, who had been
ttending him, toput away some manu-
cript which had been written shorl
me before under his diclaIion.
Mr. Calhoun was the least despon.
ent man ever knew; and he had in al
mincnt degree the self.sustalnlnq
ower Of intellect. His last days ant
Is last remarks are exempifcations o
hat have just said. Mental deter
pnutlOn sustained him, when all Others
ere in despair. Wn saw him few
ays ago, IN the seat near which he 81
'ag occnpled-we saw the struegl le o
great mind exerling itself to sustain
nd overcome the weakness and mfr
lltles of sinking body. 1t was tn,
Exhibition OF wounded eagle, with hi
yes turned to the heavens in which h
ad scared; but into which his wing
onld never carry him again. .l
Mr. President, Mr.. Calhoun has live
ran evenlful period Of our republic
nd has ecled distinguished part,
AreIy do not venture too much when
ay' that his reputation forms striE
y par: OF glorious history, Sine
oll, unlillh time, he has been res
onslbIy connected with the FEEDER,
IoVernment. As Representative, Sci
Eor' cabinet minister, aud Vice Pres
enl, ne has been identified with tn
ealesf events in the political histor
our country, And l-hope may h
Frmll,ed to say that he has been eau,
al' the duties which were devolve
Pun nlm n the many critical iuncture
winch he was placed. Having
a responsible part, he always acte
uec'ded part. 1t would not become n
venture upon the Judgment which
ats his memory. That will be
story lt.may be that he will hay
. lhe tate, and will have given to hi
Judgment that has been awarded
nathan.
! should do the memory ofmy frien
justice, were ! not to speak Of his III
lhe spirit of history. The dignity
whole character would rsbuke al
ne OF remark which truth and iud
ent would not sanction. SSW'
Mr. Calhoun was a native of Sou,
a1ollnal and was born In Abbeyil
s'I'ct on the 18th March, I7s2, II
a 'ner Patrick Calhoun, was born in Ir
\ ~, andat au early age came to Pen
wanna. thence moved 10 the weste
~ q Virginia, and after BraddocE
l'at moved to South Caroliuain IN,
and his family gave a name to wh
sAown asthe Calhoun settlement
\ Toevllle !, district. The mother Of n
Neaguewas q Miss Caldwell born
"a''o'ts county, Virginia. Thaachl