Semi-weekly Camden journal. [volume] (Camden, South-Carolina) 1851-1852, 1851-03-11
JOHN C. CALHOUN.

man VINO fashioned E,s pohcy ul'oh VIC .S""
that WAS in him. His genius fed upon the hit'
mcnt created bv itself He celebrated his prlns
ciplrs like the silk worm, by process unseen OF
men. He WAS man without recreatlonS or
pastimes, and so had less sympathy with the
world around Lin than BELTS political leader.
He spent his days in constructing theories
which no one could defend like himself; and
when he persisted from amongst men, the bet
ter part of his teaclings perisied with him.
"lf we are left to the instruction of those
who presume to speak in bis name' what iesa'
scy and genius have we but discomfort, dlsor-
ganization, aud diSunion."
Such isale language which the picayune EN-:
ploys in reference to the most practical ana
successful statesman who has impressed his
character UPON the last half century. Never
was more unfounlcd or erroneous estimate
made of anv nan. John G. Cnlhoun's charlie
taristic uuaitv was the practical, real. and tan
pible nature of his ideas and theories. None
of our statesmen were rs successful as he in
carrying their prncip pies into practical OPERA
ton: uone have left behind such rich legacics
!. of wisdom and useful legislation 1t is true he
: was "a man without recreation or pastpes -
that is, who did not dissipate his mind and
strength in the pleasures of sense and the rlvol'
tiles of the world-who did not gamble or
drink. or attend races, or hobnob with dema-
gogues. But still he had his recreations IN the
bosom of happy family, in the circle OF devo'
ted friends, in the pure, innocent, and elevatlns
delights of rural life
What did he not accomplish Starting in
pubic life at an eventful period, he was the
leading spirit of the most brilliant era in our
history since the administration Of Jetterson.-
He was the life and spirit of the war of 1917,
which he contributed powerfully to conduct to
a successful termination. When the war had
closed, aud the absence of circulating nedl'
Nun 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
impart to il great efficiency, and restrain its evil
tendency. In Congress he was ever the lead
er in all the measures calculated to advance the
prosperity of the nation, without violating the
republican features of the Constitution. AS
chairman 0fthe Committee sofWays and Means
in the House Of Representatives, no one who
ever filed thSk Office was more prompt and
practical. Transferred from Legislative po-
sitiou to an Executive Bureau, he evinces the
most admirable capacity for the practical details
Of new and complicated duties, As Secretary
of War hesf,as ever been regarded as the model
of EXECUTIVE officers. The lules and regnla-
tons established, by him have become, regular
preoSaents insa all the departments. From Sec
retafy Of War lie became Vice President OF the
United States. WHO ever presided over the
ConscJipt Fathers OF the nation with more dig
uits,s With, nicer regard for parliamentary
law, or more prompt knowledge OF the de-
tails of legislation
Transferredby his sense Of duty to his State,
from the chair to the floor of the Senate, we
find him battling with unconquerable heroism
il behalf of the rights Of the States resisting
monopoiies and oppressionof one eportion of the
Union byanother. Andwashe here mere the
orist? No; he succeeded in arresting the evils
he resisted, he overcamc the principle ofprotec.
tive tariffs. established the doctrine Of revenue
duties as preparatory to free trade, and mal'l'
tained the strict construction Of the Constltu-
ton. It was in vain Webster, Adams, and
Clay, those beaur IDEAL of the Picayune's prac-
tical statesmen, endeavored to fOist upon the
nation their high tariffs, their American sys-
tens and their grand schemes of internal im-
provements. They all fell before the battle
axe Ol the Sreat b"" CO.. W N""''" o"'
What of them now remains!
Then, TOO, to crown bis career of victory
vertheories and demagogucism, he aided pow
fully in extingujshins the great banking sys-
tenn, which had become a Upas tree OF c"rrup.
ton and evil to the nation. Did he not succeed
in ths9 Who was the great the eloquent, the
invincible advocate OF tine principle OF separ;'-
ting the banks and the Governmental the SUBJ
Treasdry systeu,2 Isnot this an existing prac'
tic;l a,easure! 10 whom. do we owe it but to
the great theorist Of Soath Carolina! As Sec.
retary of State, tosphich he WAS called by the
unanimous voice of the people, he arranged "a, ana
consummated the annexation OF Texas That
surely was a practical measure. Why-every
thing he ever advocated may be now found and
acknowledged truth or real face He was
the practical statesman par excellence OF the
nation. True, he reflected an elaborated well
his IDEAS before he put them into form; he was
a theorist in the high, the exalted, the Baconl-
an sense, the man who reasoned posferior',
who collected within the Powerful crucbe OF
his intellect, all the facts and ideas bearing up
on question or principle, and having them SUBJ
iected to a powerful test, brought forth pure
gold of truth and wisdom. 1t was this re-
markable talent of reflection, of deep thought
of careful examination, which, united with Il
great contempt for the arts of the demaS"g"e,
Obtained for John G.. Calhoun the character OF
IL, .,, or thoory and intellect among