The Lancaster ledger. [volume] (Lancaster, S.C.) 1852-1905, 1856-05-28
IN ADVANCE
n u NJ Err Is.
JOHN c. CALHOUN.

Few anecdotes OF the late Hon. John
@. Calhoun are floating in the public mind.
lie was not man Of the people, but his
genius and his habits placed him above
the masses, whom he nevertheless held
with fascination as hard to explain as to
resist. The following has never been pub
lshed, and though it is not one of humor
it is remarkably characteristic of Mr.. Cal.
houn, and deserves to be repeated
In the early lays Of his political career
Mr.. Calhoun had powerful rival and
opponent in Abbeville District. South
Carolina was at this time in a state Of
high excitement, and party feeling ragel
iiercely in struggle to overthrow All ar
istocratic feature of the constitution. The
issue was upon topics that enlisted tue i'll
terest and prejudices of parties, and they
waged the contest with the energy Of
civil war. Mr.. Calhoun and Mr. Yancy
were on opposite sides, the leader Of the
hostile bands and the idols of their respee-
tive hosts. There was, and is, for he still
lives, man named Marvin, one Of the
most violent of Mr.. Yancy's party warmly
! attached to him as personal and politi-
cal friend, and following him blindly as
an infalible guide. lie was very cccen-
trio man, and his peculiarities had per.
haps led the people to call him uncle ia
cob, by which name he was better known
than that of Marvin. Bitter in his preju-
dices, and strong in his attachments, he
could see no right in an enemy, no wrong
in a friend. On the otherhand, Mr.. Yam
cy WAS one Of the most amiabls and can
did men. The strength Of his mind, COM
hlned with the tolerance Of his feeling,
raised him above the meanness Of clnging
to error when reason opposed it. In the
discussion that cnsued, Mr.. Calhoun's ar
guments oyerpowered him, and he cam
didly confessed himself a convert to his
great rivals opinions. Great was the
rage of uncle Jacob when he heard that
Iaacy had struck colors to Calhoun
He swore a big oath that he would MrGSh
Calhoun if tie story was true. He soon
found that 1t was so, and started at once
to put his threat into execution.
lie found Mr.. Calhoun walking slowly
and calmly back aud forth, for exercise,
on the piazza of the hotel where he was
boarding. Mr.. Calhoun had been in
formed Of Marvin's intention, and soon as
he saw him coming, prepared himself for
a triumph, not Of force, but Of manner
and address. Mr.. Marvin took his stand
where Mr.. Calhoun was to pass, and wal,
ted the trying moment. Mr.. Calhoun ap
preached, spoke kindly, and passed on
with his blandest smile. Again he pass
ed, and again, each time repeating hi'
soothing salutation, and expecting the man
to commence his attack. But strange
fascination had seized upon Uncle Jacob
the spell which genius throws over those
who approach it had unnamed him. A
last he could stand it no longer, but burst
ing into tears, grasped the profered hant
OF Mr.. Calhoun, told him frankly the er
rand on VIII ich be had come, and begged
his pardon. Mr.. Calhoun then began tc
press his arguments cautiously but forci
bic, and in a few minutes NJ arvin was OIL,
of his converts, and a decided friend
From that day onward Mr.. Calhoun hat
no more ardent follower than Marvin, and
Of all rabid nuliiers, Uecle Jacob was tn,
rabbidest, and to this day he believes there
never was such a man in this world g.
that same John G. Calhoun whom he tried
to whip and who conquered him without
raising finger or saying a word.-Har
per's Margarine.