The southern press., 1851-04-03

Of the States and their perfect equality IN tie
/ Union he has been pursued with the cry Of
l"disunion." 1t originated with the North, but
has been largely taken up even here at the South.
A more dexterous play upon the affections Of
people, for the purpose Of keeping them quiet
under tho hand Of their oppressor, never was
devised
The character of no other public man in the
United States has been subjected to the test Of
such severe ordeals, as has that Of Mr. Calhoun.
Burr--a man OF the most brilliant genius-va-
ried requirements and great popularity-wise
in council, eloquent in debate, and firm in pur-
pose, was crushed beneath the displeasure Of
Mr.. Jefferson and one act Of bad faith to his
party Mr. Jackson was far more powerful
man than the philosophic statesman of 1900
stronger, whether considered with reference to
the extent and intensity Of his popularity-the
power OF his will-the antagonism Of his ma
ture--or the devotion of his party to his pur-
poses. Yet Mr. Calhoun not only stood unap-
palled and erect against the tremendous force
Of Gen. Jackson's popularity, aided by an alli-
ance with the entire oppositon--not only came
forth unscathed from the odium which had been
almost universally excited against him; but az
if to stamp, in the most singular manner, the
vitality Of his own high nature. at memorable
period in the history of both parties he rescued
from inevitable destruction his defeated, though
not despairing, foe whom even the old hero Of
the Hermitage was impotcnt to save; and rolled
back the exultant cohorts of the opposition that
had rallied to, what they had fondIy anticipated,
an easy victory.
There is another very striking and peculiar
feature in the influence exerted by Mr. Calhoun
over the mind and morals Of the age-that
abiding Impress of her own character, which he
stampt on that Of all young men with whom he
| mada n nprsnuoll ncn uainfnpca In n,apv o,, Il,
stance, single interview of few hours Of un-
reserved Intercourse with MIR. Calhoun has served
to Undue young men so thoroughly with his
own spirit that their future career received from
it a strong bias in favor Of the great principles
which lie maintained eminently. 1t was no
uncommon event Of his life that young men
have made his acquaintance and been admitted
to his friendship, whose political connections
and bias were all antagonistic to those of Mr..
Calhoun yet they nave left his society, his most
ardent admirers, and through after life, in emf
nent stations, have given unmistakeablc evidence
Of the fount from which they have drawn their
principles: and in this manner has the stream
Of Mr.. Cahoun's moral and intellectual influence
been silently though most efiectualy brought to
bear upon the politics of the day
| Mr.. Webster, who had such excellent oppor-
tunities Of knowing Mr.. Calhoun well, thus re-
marked upon this feature in his character: lie
! delighted especially in conversation and inter-
course with young men, | suppose there has
been no man among US who had more winning
manners in such an intercourse and conversation
with men comparatively young, than Mr.. Cal
houn. believe one great power in his charac-
ter, in general, was his conversational talent"
This is very true, but does not account for that
marked and powerful influence, which emanating
from Mr.. Calhoun, pervaded the young mind Of
| tlo ptru fruitu 10 lo,o Is i'll
than OF physics. 1t was this affinity, in high
moral purity, which attracted the young to Mr..
Calhoun, and which made their society so de-
ghtful to the veteran statesman. He preserved
to the latest moment of his life, the freshness of
feeling which belong to the young. Holding
himself aloof from those personal struggles
which tend so much to excite groveing and un-
worthy passions, and to harden the heart-livinr
a life of self-denial, his mind and heart remained
the seat of the most elevated sentiments.
AS public man, he was full of candor and
truth-as private man, he was atfectionate,
just and affable. He possessed that beautiful
simplicity of manner-that artessness of mind
that true benevolence--that perfect absence
of egotism, which in vain sought for congenial
intercourse with the great compeers of his day,
but which found it in the young men Of genius
and high moral worth, who, sympatheticalIy at
tracted, sought communion with such spirit
| When once within the sphere of his influence,
every educated youth recognized, in the prnci-
| pies which he maintained to be the true policy
of government, the great fundamental truths
taught them in the elementary works on politi-
cal economy and ethics, as the basis of their fu-
ture self-education. An after acquaintance with
politics assured them Of the beautiful truth and
consistency of Mr.. Caboun's views with these
vital principles-and tended to perpetuate in
| th.fr III, L g.
characteristics had first planted there.
Mr.. Calhoun was singularly independent and
self-relian.; more so than any public man known
to our history. He looked within for judg-
ment as to what was his duty, and he fearlessly
and hopeessy relied upon his own inexhausti-
BILE resources to sustain him in whatever con-
6ict his course might bring him. 1t has often
been said to his prejudice, that he sought to die
tate to the South-to lead. Never was there
greater error. He consulted with but few
rarely ever with any one And in such consulta-
ton, if there was difference between HIM
self and his friends, while he yielded no well
considered opinion, he never expected one to be
| yielded to him.
Mr.. Calhoun's style as debater was remarka-
Bile for sententiousness-th simplicity and clear
ness of its statements-thc logic of its deduc-
tons--and its compressed energy. There was
beautiful harmony between his intellect and
manner. One was but the reflection OF the other
so truthful, natural and unaffected were they
Mr.. Webster very justly observed F" The elo-
quence of Mr.. Calhoun, or the manner Of his ex-
hibition of his sentiments in public bodies, was
part of his intellectual character. 1t grew out
of the qualities of his mind" And may add
that his manner partook Of all the qualities Of
his mind II was lofty elevated, earnest, lar-
monizng with the great aims Of his intellect.
The heart was led captive by the one, while the
other convinced the understanding.
| Mr. CaIhoun's speeches exhibit, even in the
reading, in marked degree, all the character
istlcs OF his mind and of the manner Of its ex-
hlbition in debate; and in reading the most
striking and characteristic passages, one who has
often heard him can almost fancy that he hears
the tones of his voice and sees the majestic bear
ing of the orator. Those who have not had
| such an oppOrtnnitY, however, can hardly eyer