The Lancaster ledger. [volume] (Lancaster, S.C.) 1852-1905, 1853-06-01
Biagrapbnal gkrtrb,
John c. Calhoun


apart from his public character, for he was
venerated and adored, and VIC have al
ways replied that the secret consisted in
his intercourse with young men. Ma
poleon talked familiarly with the soldier,
treating the officer with contempt; Cal
houn flattered the boy, knowing that the
by would one day become man, and
was as careful to cultivate his friendship
as the farmer is to foster the nursing that
was planted by his hands, and fostered by
his diligence; and like the farmer, Calhoun
reaped the benefit in plentiful crop of
honor, devotion, respect and veneration.
When the writer of this sketch was quite
a lad, he wrote to Mr.. Calhoun for en-
phantom on certain point connected
with the political history of the country,
and at the same time he addressed let
ter on the same subject to very dlstin-
guished Senator. The Vice President
replied instantly, and fully explained the
difficulty that had puzzled us; the Senator
took no notice whatever of his correspon-
dent. The boy never forgot this, and as
it has been well said by Wordsworth,
that "the boy is the father of the man."
we would impress it upon the minds of
our statesmen to be ca eiul in cutivating
the affection of the rising generation, for
seed planted in generous soil-and
youth is generous-wi enrich the cof-
fers of the industrious farmer.
We met Mr.. Calhoun frequently. A
few Years subsequent to our meeting him
in Columbia, we vised Washington, and
being invited to the floor of the Senate by
Preston, witnessed one OF those charac-
teristic scenes that leave seal on the
mind. Robert J. Walker, of Missssip-
pi, was speaking on some currency q, es-
ton; Webster was standing at the clerks
desk with n manusc ipt in his hands, and
which he would occasionally consult and
then look at Walker, as if he was trying
to catch his argument. The appearance
Of Webster was very thouhgtful and
dignifed; you would have taken him for
a southern planter instead Of a northern
lawyer, his complexion being very dark,
and his person indicative of good living,
instead of bad practice. A few steps
from Webster, with his hands crossed
le'iind him, and learning against one of
the columns OF the chamber to the left of
the President was Henry Clay. lie
seemed to be totally unconcerned about
amy thing, and was gazing placidly
around in perfect good humor with him
self and all the world. just then, Cal
houn stepped from behind the column,
and turning to Clay, addressed him in
his rapid style. Clay did not change his
position, but at the conclusion of every
sentence would nod affirmatively to the
argument of Calhoun. We have never
seen n more striking picture. In fact,
wherever we looked, there was something
to interest us. Benton, to whom Walker
was replying busted himself in peeping
into large printed document, but oc-
casionally stopped and looked at Walker,
particularly when the Mississippian be-
came caustic. Van Buren, the presiding
officer, who had been writing letters, now
looked over his spectacles, and beckoning
to Hubbard, placed him in the chair, and
strolled about the chamber with all the
glee of a school boy, stretched his legs,
smiled, and ii ,al'y dropped into a seat
near Preston. We could not help smil-
ing to see the cautious approach of Van
Buren, towards conversation with the
Demosthenes who was daily huring the
lightning Of his unrivalled eloduence
against the Throne, and the wary vig-
ilance with which Preston watched the ap-
praches oftbe old fox. Oh, it was rich.
That evening it was, we think, that
Preston made his superb speech on the
admission of Michigan. But let us return
to Calhoun. The last time We met him
was ih Dallas county, Alabama, when on
his return to Carolina fron tho Memphis
Conventions But what cllangel In
place ofthe flashing eye, the rapid talk
the enthusiastic electrict manner that had
distinguished him, there was lassitude and
langor. He did not speak unless when
spoken to, and then his answers we're brief,
as if conversation caused him pain Mrs.
Calhoun was with him, appeared very
anxious to amuse him by frequently play
ing on the piano, but he took little notice
of the music, and only seemed to listen
when his wife explained to us different
passages in difficult piece of music called
.the Bastile," which she had learned
when girl; s'for you must know" said
this noble lady, THAT when l was sclorl
girl, was the organist in the Episcopal
church at Newport" THE Key of the
Bastle was sent to Washington by La
fayette," we remarked. YES" replied
Mrs. Calhoun, shave seen it," Her re-
ply had something in it so comicaI. that
for the FIRST time that evening Mr.. Cal
houn smiled aud his eye flashed with its
old glory.
Calhoun's style Of speaking was rapid
but argumentiyc, each sentence being an
axiom. When he got into the heart of
his subject, and would be uttering those
words ofsnnshine" that came like flashes
Of flightning from his teeming brain, he
would frequently pause, and say. "Do you
sect perhaps | am too fast for you! l will
repeat'-here he would recapitulate his
proposition in breath, and then say
you perceived nothing can be clearern
and then taking up the thread Of his dis
course, he would disentapgle tho knotiest
propositions, stepping about at the same
time, and using just sufficient action TO
impress his IDEAS on the audience. He