Weekly national intelligencer. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1841-1869, 1850-04-06
PROCEEDINGS IN CONGRESS ON MONDAY
IN SENATE.


IN SENATE.
On the motion of Mr. KING the reading of the Journa
Of the last days sitting dispensed with.
Mr.. BUTLER and said Mr. President, rise to dis
charge mourul duty, and which involves in it
sderaons well calculated arrest the attention of this body
1t to the death Of my late colleague the Hon.
JoHs CALDWELL CALHOUN. He died at his lodgings, in
this city, yesterday morning, at half past o'clock
He conscious ofhis approaching end and death with
ioritude and uncommon serenity He had many admoni-
tons OF its approach and without doubt he had not been in
different to them. With his usual aversion profession, he
said little for effect the world and his last hours were an
exempicaton of his life and character, truth and simplicity
Mr.. CALHOUN, for years past had been suffering
under pulmonary complaint and under its effects could not
have reckoned long existence Such was his own con-
vicion. The immediate of his death affection
Of the heart few hours before he expired he became
sble Of his situation and when he unable 10 speak, his
eye and look evnced recognition and intelligence OF what
passing One Of the last directions be was to dusul
son, who had been attending him, put away
scripts which had been written short time before under his
diciation. a
Mr.CALHocy the least respondent man ever knew;
and he had eminent degree the self sustaining Of
intellect His last days his last remarks exempca-
tons OF what have just said Mental determination sustain
ed him. when all others were in despair We saw him few
days ago. in the seat which he long occupied
the struggle Of great mind exerng itself to sustain
and the weakness and nrmites of sinking body
1t 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 eventul pc
Rod of our Republic, and has acted distinguished part
surely do not venture too much when say that his repua
ton forms striking part of glorious history. Since 1911
until this time, he has been responsibility connected with the
Federal Government As Representative, Senator, Cabinet
Minister and Vice President he has been identified with the
greatest events in the political history of country And
hope be permitted say that he has been equal all
tho dues which devolved upon him in the many ci-
cal junctures in which he placed Having to act
sponsble part he always acted decided part would
s,,Iz
memory. That will be formed by posery before the impair
tal tribunal Of history may 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 moi
to speak OF bis life in the spirit of history The dignity
his whole character would rebuke any of remark which
truth and judgment would not sanction.
Mr.. CALHOUN native of South Carolina, and was
born in Abbevle district the 18th March, 1882. He
Of Irish family. His father Patrick Calhoun, was
born in Ireland, and at early age to Pennsylvania,
thence moved to the western part Virginia and after Brad
docks defeat moved to South Carolina in 1856 He and his
family gave name to what is known the Calhoun settle.
men in Abbevie district The mother Of my colleague was
Miss Caldwell, born in Charlotte county, Virginia The
character of his parents had doubt sensible influence
the destiny Of their distinguished His father had
gy and enterprise combined with and great
tai determination. His mother belonged to family Of
luonay heroes Two of her brothers distinguished
the revolution Their and achievements left
TO tradition, but constitute part of the history of the times
Mr. CALHOUN born in the revolution, and in his child
hood felt the influence of its exciting traditions. He derived
from the paernal stock intellect and sereance, and from
the Cadwelrs enthusiasm and impulse. The traditions
the revolution had sensible influence his temper and
character.
Mr. CALHOUN in bis childhood had but limited advantages
of what is termed literary tuition His parents lived
Dewyseted country and among sparse population. This
population had but slight connection with the lower country
OF South Carolina and sustained by emigans from
Virginia and Pennsylvania. There of course but limited
Of instruction children They mbbed Of their
lessons from the conversation of their parents Mr. CALHOUN
has always expressed himself deeply sensible Of that influence
he age Of thirteen he put under the charge of his
brother in-law, Dr. Wadde, in Columbia county, Georgia
Scarcely had he commenced his literary before his
father and sister died. His brohen-law DR.. Waddel de-
voted himself about this time to his clerical duties and
great deal absent from home
On his second marriage resumed the duties Of his acad
envy aud in his nineteenth year Mr. CALHOUN put himself
under the charge Of this distinguished Il not
he supposed that his mind before this had been unemployed
lie had awaited himself of the advantages of small library
and had been deeply inspired by bis reading Of history 1t
was under such influences that he entered the academy his
Precepto HIS progress was rapid He looked forward to
higher arena with eagerness and purpose.
He became student in Yale College in 1902, and grad.
usted two afterwards with dsnction-as young man
ofgreat ability and with the respect and confidence of his
precepors and fellows What they have said and thought
OF him would have given any man high reputation II is
the pure fountain OF clear reputation If the stream has
met with distinctions, they such have only shown
beauty and majesty. ..
After he had graduated, Mr.. Calhoun studied law and
Cor few praclsed in the of South Carolina with
reputation that has descended the profession He was
then remarkable for traits that have since characterized
him. He clear in bis propositions aud candid in his in
with bis brethren The truth and Justice Of the law
incucated themselves his mind, and when armed with
these be was great advocste.
His forensic was, however, too limited 10 make
prominent par, the history of his life He served for some
years the Legislature Of his native State his grea,
mind made impression her statutes, OF which
have had great practical operation the Of
ty From the Legislature Of his State he transferred
Congress and from this time his has been part Of
the history Of The Federal Government.
Mr. CALHous into Congress at time Of deep and
exc ng inieres-at crisis Of great magnitude 1t
crisis Of peril those who had to act it, but of subsequent
glory and the history Of the country
The nvncibty Of Great Britain had become proverba
expression, aud with her full Of terrific issues
Mr.. CALHoUS found himself in situation of high
responsiby-one thai required than speaking qualities
and eoquence fulfil il The spirit of the people required
direction the energy and ardor Of youth 10 be employ
ed in affairs requiring the maorer qualities Of statesman.
The part which Mr. CALHOUN acted at this time has been
proved and appauded by contemporaries, and forms
part Of the glorious history Of those times.
The names Of CLAr, calhoun, CHEyEs, and LowSDEs,