The republic., 1851-02-22
From the Ne,c Orleans Picayine.
Mr.. Calhoun.

"For the last quarter of a century Quitman has
been to MississpPi what Calhoun was 70 the South
pimus inter pdres-the prominent one among the
intellectual and moral peers Of the Republic
[CorTe.pondence Of the Free Trader.
II is unfortunate for Mr.. Calhoun's present fame
that he has left 1t is the fate Of mind
like his to have no heir. When he faded from this
life his mantle fell one. OF those who aspire
10 fill the vacancy produced by his DEATH and their
name is legion, there is mono in whom the country
will recognise representative They have divided
his garments amongst them; but upon any one of
them tho fragment looks like "ncw cloth in an old
garment" whereby ''the rent is made worse"
He was q man of intellect merely; a statesman
who fashioned his policy upon the reason that was
in him. His genius fed upon the aliment created
BY itself. He elaborated his principles, like the
elk worm, by processes unseen of men. He was
man without recreations pastimes, and SO had
less sympathy with the world around him than
belts political leader. He spent his days in
constructing theories which one could defend
like himself And when he perished from amongst
men the better part of his teachings perishcd with
him.
we are left to the instruction Of those who pre-
sumo to speak in his name, what legacy Of his ge-
MUS have we but discomfort, disorganization and
disunion Yet who was more prompt than he to
repel any suspicion of purpose disoyal to the
Confedcracy? Love for the Union was ever warm
upon his lips. To the last hour of his existence he
maintained that his end and aim was 10 cement
the Union of these States by enforcing a recogni-
tion Of the compromises of the Constitution. He
almost lived TO see the object Of his life accom-
plished; for the Compromise measures of the last
session OF Congress nearly answered the cxigcn-
cies Of his argument, that no one who calmly sur
veys his course can imagine that he would have
countenAnced civil commotion for the difference.
II 10 true, he contcnded for more; but was he the
man to hazard the peace of the nation when enough
for the security of the South was obtained though
something less than he deemed might be rightfully
claimed?
The plague Of his latter days was distrust Of the
sincerity Of the northern States in their support Of
any measure Of compromise and Of peace. Thii
suspicion had almost become ingram OF his nature
II hung like mist over the future, discoloring
every object which his vision rested upon. Il
broodcd in him, opprcssing his spirit with forcbod
ings Of evil. This danger which he prophccicd hal
been caught up by followers who aspire to lead a,
the divner inspirations of tho oracle. They com
prehend the evil which he dreaded, and pursue il
~ good which he forctold. They think they art
acting in the spirit Of his teachings, when they
only preciptatng what he strovo to avert; and
pride themselves as communing with his mine
when they merely hold parley with his fears.
Assuming that Mr.. Calhoun was sincere in hi
reiterated declarations of 4 love for the Union
ascrbng to his labors in behalf OF southern right
apurpose which he constantly claimed for thom--
preservation Of the Confcdcracy; and what woulc
probably be his course now, was 1t permitted thu
mighty dead to revisit the scenes of their triumphs
Imagine tho Consideration of the great founder o
political school where he returned TO his disciples
radiant with genius and glowing with patriotism, a
finding them selecting the vaticinatons Of hi
sombre words as the basis of scheme of practca
politics. His nvocatons TO the spirit which guidct
the trainers Of the Constitution in the labor of or
ganzing republic, are forgotten in the zeal will
which his dcnunciations of those who cndangcre,
the work of their. hands arc dissccted for text
his panegyrics Of the Constitution as the perfccto,
Of human wisdom, dcrided by preparations 70
Withdrawing his native State from the Con nfedcrac,
which 1t created. There is glimmer of Mr. Cal
houn's greatness in the collection of his self az
sumed SUCCESSORS; no glimpse Of his ststesnan anship