Richmond daily times. [volume] (Richmond [Va.]) 1850-1853, 1851-01-22
SOUTH CAROLINA AND THE UNION IN
FORMER TIMES.
From the National Iatelligencer Of Saturday.

From The National Iatelligencer Of Saturday.
CONTINUED.
Our own near acquaintance with. Congress
dates from the opening of the first session OF the
Tenth Congress, Gin October, lS07) The re-
presentation of South Carolina in the Senate then
consisted of Thomas Sumpter and John Gaillard;
the former man venerable in years and dsiln-
guished for his revolutionary services, and the
other genuine representative of his race, con-
scientous, courteous, and conservative, who SER
we'd as Senator for two and twenty successive
wears. and until he was called by his Maker TO
better world. Tothe House of Representatives
were elected in that Congress, William Butler,
Gather of the present distinguished Senator
from the same StateO Thomas Moore, Richard
Vim, Robert Marion, David r. Williams, Lem
uel J. Aston, Joseph Calhoun, and John Taylor.
AS we w.ite down their names, memory recalls
to mind the features and the figures of every one
of them, from the soldier-like and erect form of
the first named among tsem, to the stout but ac-
tive proportions, the kindly heart, and the sturdy
independence of the last. Having at that time
every opportunity Of scanning the actions of
those who served in Congress, we pronounce,
without hesitation, that up to that day 10 senti-
ment of discomfort with the Union, or with their
condition under it, entered into the mind of any
one of the Representatives of South Carolina in
either House.
No body ofmen could be more true than they
were to the Union and to the party of which Pre-
sident Jefferson was the head and front: so much
so that when the Presidents few weeks after the
commencement of that Session, recommended the
laying an Embargo without limitation, every Rep
resentative of South Carolina, with almost every
other Southerner, Certain Georgans and two or
three Virgnians eXcepted,) voted in favor of
measure which effectively cut up commerce by
the roots on the plea ofkeeping it out of harms
way. In doing so, they placed implicit conf
dence in the wisdom of Mr.. Jefferson. And with
the same steadness South Carolina sustained the
Jefferson and Madison Administrations during the
whole ofthat and the next Congress.
The elections for the Twelfth Congress brought
into the House of Representatives from South
Carolina three individuals of new race of men,
who, if stature could be measured by intellectual
ability, might have sprung from race of giants
We need hardly name, in their alphabetical order,
the names of John e. Calhoun, Langdon Cheves,
and William Lowndes, all in the prime of life and
yet untrled in the General Government. To what
deserved eminence, during their service in Con-
gress, they in the estimation OF their peers
and their countrymen, we need not undertake to
instruct our readers. These gentlemen, though
friends to the Administration, and ranking, with
Mr. Speaker Clay and his compatrots, amongst
Its most efficient supporters in speech and action,
came into public life with thorough dislike and
aversion to the Embargo policy which had receiv.
ed the support of their predecessors, and deci-
dedly preferring to it the alternative of war
The triumphant speech of Mr.. Cheves upon the
question OF releasing the merchants from the pen
alties OF their bonds given under this restrictive
system, in which he bore down with unsparing
severity upon that system, drew forth universal
admiration by its boldness and its brilliancy-
Equally admired, in different but quite as effec-
tive style, were the speeches of Mr.. Lowndes, in
support of an enlarged policy in regard to the Ma
Wy and liberal expenditures for other institutions
essential to the National defence, at that time be-
come the most important object of the care of
Congress. Mr.. Calhoun scared perhaps still
higher in flights of lofty aspiration and daring in
dependence, of which, the inevitable war having
broken out, he gave even stronger evidence than
his denunciation OF the restrictive policy
Ofthe war of 1912, which succeeded the re-.
srictve system, in the legislative support of which
these gentlemen bore, with other leading members
OF the republican party, so conspicuous part,
we shall not stop here to recount the history al
ready familiar to our readers.
Mr. Cheves, who had with distinguished ability filled
the Chair of Speaker of the House of Represepaty
after Mr.. Claws departure the mission to Client.
retired from Congress Immediately after the termination
OF the war, Mr. Calhoun remaining in service through
years afterwards
The Congress following the war was one OF buoyant
hope, OF cheeru!ness, and OF tolerance in regard to
political differences, so great that there may be said
have then began that fusion OF party which afterwards
characterized the Administration OF Mr.. Monroe.-
Great questions Of national policy were discussed in
liberal spirit as we'll by those old members who had rode
out the storm OF and brought the ship OF State into
safe harbor as by those gifted and distinguished gentle
men who came into the House of Representatives upon
the flood tide OF oppos on to the having been elect
ed whilst the still raging and heavy clouds low
erin over its prospects, liz this Congress Mr. Calhoun
particularly distinguished himself by the patriotic and
liberal spirit in which he advocated the retention for the
protection OF manufactures of the duties upon Imports
ald tor revenue during the war; by his agency in the es
adjustment OF the Bank of the United States; by is
efforts in favor OF the principle of Internal improvement
by ths General Government; and by corresponding
beraity upon other questions in which he took an ac-
tive part. It was at the close OF celebrated speech of
his of these subjects that Mr. Grosvenor OF New
ork, himself one OF the ablest oh-handed debaers
that ever appeared in Congress- opposed in his party
sociatons to Mr. Calhoun--wh whom he had not
long before had serious personal difference not with
out difficulty adjusted through the interpretation Of friends
-rose and, with generosity which did him honor.
complimented Mr.. Calhoun on his independent course,
and closed his remarks with these memorable words
Let the honorable gentleman continue with the same
manly independence, aioof from party views and local
preudices to pursue the great interests OF his country
and fulfil he high destiny for ohich it is manifest he
oas born The buzz OF popular applause may not cheer
him on the way, but he will inevitably arrive at high
and happy elevation in the view Of his country and the
WORLDS
With this prophecy yet ringing in his ears, Mr.. CAL
houn had but just returned home from Congress when
he called by President Monroe into his cabinet to
assume the duties OF Secretary of War; position which
placed him In communication with all the leading men
of the day, and most nearly, of course, with the
gallant spirits OF the army OF about his own
age, who had seen service and gained honor in it,
The devotion of so large circle of friends as Mr. Cal
houn had made in Congress- with those others who
came TO him in troops after he entered into the Admin
istration, could not have failed to awaken in his bo-
som ambition of higher emnence though Mr. Gros-
vernon had not predicted his elevation to it. And that
em'1ence we have never doubted that Mr. Calhoun
would 10 due time have attained had not the march OF
events been anticipated by his eageness for il and bv
such accident would have defeated the wisest and
best-lad plans which placed finally beyond his reach
Upon the public duties Of Mr. Calhoun, this ambition
ID llsel not unreasonable or unbecoming. had not
whilst he remained in the station which he Then occn
pied, so far we know, any other than sautarv in
fuence. Nor would it have been within our nroynce