Vermont phÅ“nix. [volume] (Brattleboro, Vt.) 1834-1955, 1856-02-02

For seven years past, Mr. Calhoun, while
disclaiming connection with any party, had act
ed on leading measures with the opposition
headed by Messrs Clay and Webster. Still
dsclaiming any such connection, he was found
at the extra session cooperating with the ad-
ministraiion. His cooperation with The oppo-
siton had given it the victory in many even,iul
contests in that long period his corporation
with the Van Buren, administration might turn
the tide of victory. The loss or gain Of a
chief who, in neaTly-balanced state of parties,
could carry victory to the side which he es-
poused, was an event not TO be viewed without
yexaiion by the party which he left. Resent
ment was as natural on one side as qualification
was on the other The democratic party had
made no Teproaches-Q speak Of the debates
in Congress when Mr. Calhoun left them ;
they debated questions with him as if there
had been no cause for personal complaint.
Not so with the opposition now, when the
course of his transit was reversed, and the
same event occurred 10 themselves. They took
deeply to heart this withdrawal of one OF their
leaders, and his appearance on the other side.
1t created feeling Of personal resentment
against Mr. Calhoun, which had manifested it.
self in several small slde-blows at the extra
session and it broke out into systematic attack
at the regular one. Some sharp passages took
place between himself and Mr. Webster, but
not of kind to lead TO anything historical
lie (Mr Webster) was but slightly inclined
towards that kind OF speaking which mingles
personality with Argument, aud lessons the
weight of the adversary argument by reducing
The weight of the speakers character.
Mr. Clay had turn that way and, certain
/ ly, great ability for il. lnveclive, mingled
with sarcasm, was one of the phases of his or
atory. lie was supreme at philipic (taker
| in the sense of Demosthenes and Cicero,) where
the political attack on public mans measure
was to be enforced and heightened by person
al attack on his conduct. He owed much O
his fascinating power oven his hearers TO The
exercise of this ialent--always so captivating
in a popular assembly, and in the galleries o
the Senate; not so much SO in the Senate it
self and TO him il naturally fell to become the
organ Of the feelings of his party towards M
Calhoun. And very cordially, and carefully
and amply, did he make preparation for II.
The storm had been gathering since Septem
Der il burst in February. 1t had been evi
denlly waiting for an occasion aud found 1t il
the first speech of Mr. Calhoun, of that session
in favor of Mr. Van Buren's Recommendation
for an independent treasury and federal hard
money currency. This speech was delivered
the 18th Of February aud was strictly argu
menlatiye and parliamentary, and wholly con
fined to lis subject. -Four days thereafter NJ
Clay answered il; and although ready at a
extemporaneous speech, he had the merit, whe
time permitted of considering well both tn
matter and the words of what he intended t
deliver.
On this occasion he had had ample time 70
the speech of Mr. Calhoun could not be essen
tally different from the one he delivered on III
sam1 subject at the extra session and the per
sonal act which excited his resentment was
the same date. There had been six month
for preparation, and fully had preparaiio
been made The whole speech bore tn