Keowee courier. [volume] (Pickens Court House, S.C.) 1849-current, 1851-03-15
John g Calholunn.

hIfl. Ills genus led upon the ali
ment created by itself. He elabora-
ted his principles like the silk worm,
by processes unseen of men. He
was man without recr ations and
pastimes, and so had less sympathy
with the world around him than be-
flls political leader. He spent his
days in constructing theories which
no ono could defend like himself; and
when he perish from amongst men,
the better part of his teachings per-
isEe1 with him.
"lf we are left to the instruction of
those WHO presume TO speak in his
name, what legacy and genius have
we but discomfort, disorganlzation,
and disunion.
Such is the language which the
Rcayune employs i'll reference to the
most practical and successful states
man who has impressed his charac-
ter upon the last half century. Never
was more unfounded or erroneous
estimate maze of any man. John
O.. Caihoun's characteristic quality
was the practical, real, and tangible
nature of his ideas and theories
Eone of our statesmen were as sue
cessiul as he III carrying their princi-
pies into practical operation none
have left behind them such rich lega.
aeles of wisdom md useful legisla-
lion. 1t is true he was "a man with
cut recreation and pastmes that
is, who did not dissipate his mind and
strength III the pleasures of sense and
the frivolities of the Worldwide did
not gamble or drink, or attend races,
or hobnob with demagogues. But
slll he had his recreations in the bos-
ojn of a happy family, in the circle of
devoted friends, in the pure, innocent
and eIevating delights of rural life.
What did he not accomplish p
Starting in public life at an evenful
period, he was t! 3 leading spirit Of
tie most brilliant era in our history
since the administration of Jefferson.
He was the life and spirit of the war
of 1912, which he contributed pow
crGully TO conduct to Il successful ter
mination. When the war had closed,
Slad tbeAabgence of a circulating me-
dunn and the eXigencieS of the times
required it, he was the framer of the
Bank of the United States, and SO
organized that institution as to i'm
part 10 it great efficiency, and res
train IFS evil tendency. In Congress
he was ever the leader in all the meas
ures calculated TO advance the pros
perlty of the nation, without violating
the republican features of the Con-
stilution. AS chairman of the com
mittee of ways and means in the
House Of Representatives, no one
who ever filed that office was more
prompt and practical. Transferred
from Legislative position to an Ex-
ecuIive Bereau, ne evinced thc most
admirable capacity for the practical
details OF new and complicated du-
ties. AS Secretary of War he has
ever been regarded as the model of
Executive officers. The rules and
regulations established by him have
become regular precedents in all the
departments. From Secretary of
War he became Vice President of
the United States. Who ever pre-
sided over the Conscript Fathers of
the nation with more dignity, with a
nicer regard for parliamentary law,
or a more prompt knowledge of the
details of Legislation?
Transferred by his sense of duty
to his State from the chair to the
floor Of the Senate, we find him bat
Ting with unconquerabIe heroism in
behalf Of the rights Of the States, re-
Sisting monopolies and oppression of
one portion of the Union by another.
And was he here mere theorist q
No; he succeeded in awesling the
evils he resisted, he overcame the
principle of protective tariff S estab-
liohed the doctrine of revenue dutieS
as preparatory TO free trade, and main
tanned the stric, construction of the
Constitution. 1t was in vain Web
ster, Adams, and Clay, those bea,lr
idedl of the Picayuoe's practical
state men, endeavored to foist upon
the nation their high tariffs, their
| American systems, and their grand
schemes of internal improvements
They all fell before the battle axe of
The great heori$t of Soutb Carolina.
What Of them now remains!
Then, too, TO crown his career Of
victory over theories and demagogue-
ism, he aided powerfully in eStin-
gushing the great banking system,
which had become a Upas tree Of
corruption and evil 10 the nations