Yorkville enquirer. [volume] (Yorkville, S.C.) 1855-2006, 1856-05-22
JOHN G.. CALHOUN.


Calhoun are floating in the public mind. He
was not man Of the people, but his genius
and his habits placed him above the masses,
whom he nevertheless held with fascina-
tion as hard to oexplain as to resist. The fol-
lowing has never been published, and though
it is not one of humor, it is remarkably char
acteristic of Mr.. Calhoun, and deserves to
be repeated:
In the early days of his political career
Mr.. Calhoun had a powerful rival and op-
ponent in the Abbeville District. South Car
olina was at this time in state of high ex-
citement, and party feeling ragged fercely in
a struggle to overthrow an aristocratic feature
of the constitution. The issue was upon
topics that enlisted the Interests and prejudi-
ces of parties, and they waged the contest
with the energy Of 4 civil war. Mr.. Cal
houn and Mr.. Yancy were on opposite sides
the leader of the hostile bands, and the idols
of their respective hosts There was, and
is, for he still lives, man named Marvin,
one of the most violent of Mr.. Yancy's par
ty, warmly attached to him as personal and
political friend, and, following him blindly
as an infallible guide. He was a very &C.
centric man, and his pcculiarities had per-
haps led the people to call him Uncle jacob,
by which name he was better known than
that of Marvin Bitter in his preiudices
and strong in his attachments, he could see
no right in an enemy, no wrong in friend.
On the other hand, Mr.. Yancey was one of
the most amiable and candid men, The
strength of his mind, combined with the
tolerance of his feelings, raised him above
the meanness Of clingiug to error when rea-
son opposed it, In the discussion that en-
sued, Mr.. Calhoun's arguments overpowered
him, and he candidly confessed himself a
convert to his great rivals opinions Great
was the rage Of Uncle Jacob when he heard
that Yancy had struck colors to Calhoun
He swore big oath that he would thrash
Calhoun if the story was true. He soon
found that it was so, and started at once to
pat his threat into execution.
lie found Mr.. Calhoun walking slowly
and calmly back and forth, for exercise, on
the piazza of the hotel where he WAS board
ing. Mr.. Calhoun had been informed of
Marvin's intention, and as soon as he saw him
coming, prepared himself for triumph, not
of force, but of manner and address. Mr.
Marvin took his stand where Mr.. Calhoun
was to pass and awaited the trying moment
Mr.. Calhoun approached spoke kindly, and
passed on with his blandest smile. Again
he passed, and again, each time repeating his
soothing salutation, and expecting the man
to commence his attack. But strange fas-
cination had seized upon Uncle Jacob the
spell which genius throws over those who ap-
proach it unnamed him. At last, he could
stand it no longer, but bursting into tears,
grasped the profered hand of Mr.. Calhoun,
told him frankly the errand on which he had
come, and begged his pardon. Mr.. Calhoun
then began to press his arguments cautiously
but forcibly, and in few minutes Marvin
was one of his converts, and decided friend
From that day onward Mr.. Calhoun had no
more ardent follower than Marvin, and Of all
rabid nullifers, Uncle Jacob was the rabid-
est, and to this day he believes there never
was such man in this world as that same
John G. Calhoun whom he tried to whip, and
who conquered him without raising finger
or saying word.-Harper's Magazine.