Southern reveille. (Port Gibson, Miss.) 1851-185?, 1852-12-15
From the Charleston Mercury.
Calhoun, Clay, Webster.


Tn that war Of giants IN the session Of 1850
tile death warrant Of the Great Three-the
contrast and and antagonism Of these three
great rivals, and their assimilation 70 the
three great Englishmen, was most strikingly
exhibited. Il was their last and greatest
rladiatorinl scene, aud the spectators can
scarcely hope 70 look upon is like again 10 this
renerafion. Il indeed was study 10 watch
the different manifestations Of the different
men-the calm, self-concentraled energy Of
Calhoun, mistaken in every emergency the
ponderous strength and sullen self-reliance
Of Webster and the restless, eager excitabil-
ity Of Clay--all we're exhibited in contrast
and collision in that great theatre. But be-
fore that conflict was more than well com.
menced, one chair was vacant for long weeks;
then, like one risen from the dead van.
ghastly, with a voice as sepulchral as though
il came from the tomb. the almost spectral
presence Of Calhoun appeared in that cham
Der, aud his hollow voice for the last time
rose in solemn warning TO that Senate. And
slowly Daniel Webster reared bis heavy form
and massive brow, and responded earnestly
bnt respectfully aud again the hollow tones
Of Calhoun rung back in response, until ex-
hausted he was borne from that chamber
But Henry Clay did not speak Another
long interval from that seat towards which the
face Of Webster was USUALLY turned in musing
mood, and again more wan and ghasily than
bsfJre, like Samuel summoned BY Saul, sat
in that chair what remained Of the mortal
frame Of John @. Calhoun, a skeleton irIadi-
ated wondrously by the naptha.lanp Of an in
domitable soul, able 10 scOrn and trample on
lodily infrmity On this occasion, bis eye
only spoke h. was too feeble even 70 read
his speech but while Senator Mason read
it. bis eagle eye, glowing with full vitality,
rested chiefly on the sallOw face Of Webster.
intently obseryant and attentive 10 every
word, and sadder. grayer in is hue than usu-
al, as though the shadow resting on his great
rival was ref ected upon himself
On thai occasion, the spectator saw but two
men, Calhoun and Webster-Clay was OBJ
scured partly in their blaze. Yet a short
time later, and two Of the three sat IN that
chamber draped in black. while the chair Of
the third, vacant still, was draped in the same
sombre covering and. preparatory 70 the
fual parting, each said some sad and solemn
words in praise Of the departed, aud with slow
steps followed his remains from the scene Of
their unusual triumphs 10 that bourne whith-
er their own were 30 soon 70 BE- followed
For il may have been fancy, but after the
death Of Calhoun, It seemed 10 the observer
that The step Of Clay lost is elastic tread, aud
the solemn continuance Of Webster caught
an additional glow Of gloom. That removal
was warming they conld not mistake. or re-
fuse u heed. So strongly have these scenes
impressed themselves on the memory Of the
writer-so thoroughly had the three elns BE-
come identified in bis mind, aud their faces
seemed linked together, that never after the
death one and withdrawal Of the other, did the
third seem in place or surrounded By his
proper environment. The spell seemed bro
ken when Calhoun's body passed out Of that
doyr, which bound the three 10 the service Of
the country. Repuiescat az pace
They were great men, and patriotic men
and If two Of them sinned, they s0rrowed and
suffered IN atonement: and the sorrows and
sufeIings Of such natures arc acute in pro-
portion 70 the depth aud intensity Of the na-
ture from whence they spring. Dep suffer-
ing had left its traces on the face Of Webster,
care had furrowed the face Of Clay, so care
less in its early grace, and Callioun's face was
craven deep with wearing thoughts Look.
ing back on the scenes in which they bore 50
conspicuous part but short time since. and
tnon, like panoramic picture seeing both
them and it fade away into blank yacuity, the
reflection will force itself into expression
" What shadows we are and what shadows we
pursue %