Yorkville enquirer. [volume] (Yorkville, S.C.) 1855-2006, 1856-10-16

stage from 1913 to this tlme-General lay
lor, Scott, Clay, Webster, Everett, Marcy,
Pierce, Crittcnden, Douglas, Cass, and a
number of others-in America, and many
of the celebrities of Europe. Of all these
Calhoun is the only one in whom was reali-
zed the ideal before formed by the mind
Actual contact only dignifcd him. There
was no frivolity-no littlencss-no carthlncss
about the man. Admiration and awe in
creased with every interview.
Even in regard to Mr.. Clay, actual ac-
quaintance diminished the respect which dis
tance had given to the mind. So also with
Mr. Webster. Calhoun was IN exception
to all other men in this particular, realizing
our idea of an intellectual and moral hero
completely, and sustaining that ideal which
we all form of great men before seeing them.
| will refrain from notice of the California
struggle in 1S50-of Calhoun's opposition
of his last, sad, solemn, heart broken ap-
peal to his beloved South. Party men, par
ty presses and party cxigencies same
causes which drowned his voice then, con-
spirc to shut out tribute to his political
rectitude now. We have only to do with
the dead
The approaching dissolution of the great
man was anticipated. Partisans at the South
tried to take the people by the throat, and
force them into party ranks. The people,
however, continued to wait for every breath
Of news from Washington. "Calhoun is
dying" sighed like the wall of universal
sorrow over the land. "Calhoun is dying"
came like the news Of death in a household
upon the hearts of the true men of the
South. "Calhoun is DYING" was echoed
through the pine and magnolia glades of
South Carolina-from plantation to planta-
tion, from city to city, from house to house,
from heart to heart, until the cry, "Cahoun
is dead" fell at last on the Southern car,
telling Of hopes lost, of honor undcfeuded,
of future gloomy as it was awfully cer-
tain.
Calhoun met death as only a good and
great man can meet it. His intellect was
clear to the last. Love for his country-lovc
for his kind-lovc for the Constitution Of
the Union, breathcd in his last words. "Let
the equilibrium of the Senate be preserved" }"
he almost gaspcd in his last hours. In that
moment of departure from life, his mind, lit
by inspiration, asked for only few hours
"One more effort for my country"-aud his
lips closed forever.
In vain, great soul, were your aspirations!
Tnsultcd, vilifed and sandered in life, your
spotless character could not save your motives
from the blight of party distortion. In death
there are those yet-a few honest, devoted
fricnds-who cherish your memory, and up
hold inviolate your principles.
Thus, in the midst of the fury of the
storm of 1850, died Calhoun.
The morning after his death, his friends
and the "curious public were admitted to
gaze for the last time on his face. His coun-
tenance was as calm as that of sleeping
child. The care worn look was gone, and
the dead face looked twenty years younger
than when in life. The lines about the
brow, cheek and mouth were calmed down,
or relaxed. His followers stood around him
with that desperate sorrow, associated in old
times with those who stood by to guard the
body of their chief
His enemies in life dared to doubt his
motives \ man who in purity of moral
character, in spotlessness of private conduct,
i'll earncstncss and consistency of Christian
faith, was an excmplar of every noble good
and honest quality. His enemies dared to
question his patriotism ! ~ man whose life
was devoted to his country and who died for
her! They dared to dcnounce principles
which never had been and never can be sue
cessfully rcfuted-dared to oppose their mud
dy minds and limited vision against an intel
lect as clear as a ray of light and stored
with learning, observation and experience.
lie was held up to the South as vsiona-
ry, objcc,css, dangerous schemer. He was
denounced in the South as a traitor, and
those who denounced him obtained their
party reward. He was arraigned before the
Southern Statesby a Southern partisan press,
by the edct of party managers, because he
defended the Constitution in its integrity
upheld the equality of the States, and de-
clared for "equality in the Union or indie
pendence out of it." Great Heavens -
What tribunal, what a culprit, what a
crime! B.
HEROISM OF A MOTHER.
Tho Milwoukia American Tins Describes