The Minnesota pioneer. [volume] (St. Paul, Minn. Territory) 1849-1855, 1850-09-19

er such a mass of crude, undlgested, IN
digestible compilations, overwhelming
the subject matter IN its accidents, so
much useless accumulation, disjolnted
and inconsequent facts, iInpertinent allu-
sions, and loose though labored analo-
gies, one could moi but imagine that he
had made foray into the territory Of
history, and seized upon booty, ofwhich
he neither knew the value, nor cared for
the destination.
Too often, whatever there was of in
vincible logic in his defamation, was lost
in diffusive speech, in useless generai-
ties, unconnected episodes, and dncall-
ed for personalities. His egotism at this
time was almost ferocious; it inter-
penetrated every part of his speech.
and made it sometimes absurd, some
times farcical, and always offensive
But whenever for time he forgot him.
self in his subject, and became who'll
ly absorbed IN its consideration, he was
an antagonist not to be despised He
had read much, he had observed much,
he had boarded much; and all he had
read and observed, or boarded, he held
at moments command. Ifhe could
but bring his facts and illustrations into
line, so as to bear down in compact ar
ray upon the enemy's centre, he pierced
it and secured victory. But it was un-
fortunate for him that his facts, undisci-
plned and irregular, hung back upon the
very point Of engagement, and recoiled,
like elephants in Indian armies, upon
their own friends.
speak of him as he was. Twenty
years have passed since this debate took
place. The closer study of mankind OF
books, and himself. has liberalized his
temper. chastened his style, and subdu-
ed his manner. He commits no such
solecisms ofthought or conduct as form
erly. He arrogates less for his own
position now, comedies more to his oppo-
nent's. His speech is less discursive
and more argumentatiye: it neglects
persons and embraces propositions; is
more suggestive, logical, and final
Still, though his department has more
suavity, his manner more amcnity and
his speech less personality than of old,
he does not roar you now as gently as
'twere any nightingale. He is Boancr-
ges still.
COL. HAYNE.
Hayne dashed into debate, like the
Mameluke cavalry upon a charge. There
was gallant air about him, that could
not but win admiration. He never pro-
vided for retreat; he never imagined it
He had an invincible confidence in him.
self, which arose partly from constitu.
tional temperament, partly from prevl-
Gus success. His was the Napoleonit
warfare; to strike at once for the CAPT
tol of the enemy, needless of danger oil
cost to his own forces. Not doubling tt
overcome all odds, he feared none, how
ever seemingly superior. OF great flu.
ency and no little force of expression
his speech never halted, and seldom ia.
tigued
His oratory was graceful and pursua.
sive. An impassioned manner, some,
what vehement at times, but rarely i
ever extravagant; a voice well modula
ted and clear; a distinct though rapie
enunciation; a confident, but not otter
offensive address: these, accompanying
and illustrating language we'll selected
and periods well turned, made him /
popular and effective speaker.
His forte was, still, rather defamation
than argument; of close, severe rati
ocination, which rejects every thing bu
what leads to conviction, he knew bu
little He had never mastered thu
science of dialectics; but he was no
without certain kind of specious logic
which, with the multitude of listeners
would pass for current coin. 1t had the
form, the impress and superficial ap-
pearance of the pure metal: but it want
ed weight on examination, and had NJ
genuine ring in its sound.
JOHN c. CALHOUN.
The character of this extraordinar,
man has been the theme alike of extray
agant praise and obloquy, as zealou.
friendship or earnest enmity have helt
the pen. His sun has lately sunk be
low the horizon; it went down in all tn,
splendor of noontide, and the effulgenc,
of its setting yet dazzles the mind TOT
much, to justify an impartial opinion
But whatever may be the diversity o
opinion as regards his patriotism. or tht
integrity of his purpose, no one who re
spects himself will deny him the posse s
sion of rare intellectual faculties; of 4;
mind capacious and enlightened; ofpow
ers Of reasoning almost miraculous; o
unequalled prescience; and Of judg
ment, when unwarped by prejudice, mos
express and admirable.
On this, the greatest occasion Of hi
intellectual and political life, he bor'
himself proudly and gloriously. He ap
peared to hold victory at his command
and yet determined, withal, to show tina
he deserved it. There was strength il
his argument that seemed the exhaus
ton of thought, and fervency of ner
vous diction most appropriate for its ex