Hannibal journal. (Hannibal, Mo.) 1852-1853, 1852-11-04
Reported for the Intelgsncer, by E. F. Underhll.

Reported for the Intellgencer, by E. F. Underhill
Gentlemen, am older than most Of you, and
.ome facts have come to my knowledge, which
NAV have escaped general observation. For
good many years Mr.. Calhoun was Secretary
of War. and 1t that time he was at the head of
the entire system Of Internal Improvements in
the United States; and SO eager for them was he
that he took the entire superintendent and
control. He went TO the Allegheny mountains
with a brigade Of engineers, TO make reconnols-
sances for the Chesapeake canal lie there
met with party Of Indians, believe under the
charge Of Capt. Geo. II. kennerly, who was
taking them 10 their new homes, and who
introduced them 10 Mr.. Calhoun as one of their
"Great Fathers;" and upon their asking him his
business, Mr.. Calhoun said: My children, |
have come UPON strange mission. am look
ing for good place to make the river run over
the unonntains.' The Indians hung their heads
and were very melancholy; and upon being ask
ed the reason, said ''that they knew that most
of the white men were double-tongued and
would le but they had not thought that the
tongue of one of their Great Fathers "as fork
eds This circumstance was told at Washing
ton straiphtwaV, and it was resolved TO send
them through New York by way OF the Erie
canal TO let them see how rivers ran over the
mountains; and when at one point on the Erie
canal forget the name OF the place-they
sailed for some miles upon high emhankment,
and saw fields and villages on either side of
them below, the old Chief said: ''You may talk
to me as YOU will hereafter-l will believe it
all. thought our Father was lying TO us, but
find he was telling the truth, and will be-
lieve everything he says"
mention this incident simply in connection
with the fact that Mr.. Calhoun was engaged in
carving on internal improvements through the
power Of Congress under the Constitution el the
United States. | will mention another fact -
At that day, when Mr.. Calhoun stlli looked
with a fixed eve at the Presidency, Mr.. Nc
Duf6s Of Georgia, was his right hand man in
a.. UouSe Of Representatives. McDuihe at
E%ot t;~,. made i;To speeches, now on record in
voIum. lst Of Gales & Seaton's Reporter, which
-or. onro.ed 10 some measures of Internal I'm
movements, to which he objected because they
were then planning q general system OF internal
improvements, intended to radiate from the CITY
Of Washington, consisting of canals and roads
That WAS not the end OF the story. At that
tins Very eccentric man, one Judge Smith,
was in the Senate of the United States from
South Carolina He was a bold and resolute
man. of undoubted honesty OF purpsse, strictly
inst. without mercy. He was called radical
"a follower of Mr.. Crawford, of Georgia, the
bitter enemy of Mr.. Calhoun. As there was
NOT TO be two candidates, through the influence
OF Col. Hayns, Judge Smith was left out OF the
Senate, He was a nan Of indomtable perse-
yerance, and he returned 10 his State and was
returned as q senator in the Legislature, where
he set his plans to effect the defeat of Mr.. Cali
houn. Knowing the popularity of internal I'M
provements in the North and West, Mr.. CAL
houn commenced the advocacy of that line OF
pslicy, and believing that no man could be oho,
sen to the Presidency, who was not supported
bv hi. own State, he determined TO carry his
orinciples through the South Carolina Leg'sla-
ture. Mr.. McDuffie's two speeches were Put
in pamphlet form, and copy placed upon Ihe
table of the South Carolina Legislature. But
there was Smith, sleepless, Vignant indomi'a-
BILE, and without bowels. Resolutions were put
in the Legislature declaring the existence Oi the
power OF the General Government under the
Constitution to make internal Improvements -
Judge S. introduced counter resolutions, deny
ing that power. And such was the influence
that he possassed, that his resolutions were car
ried, and South Carolina was pledged to doc
trine In opposition TO that advocated by Mr.
CalhOun. A man Of ordinary resources woul'
not have been able to rise again after thai De