Bradford reporter. [volume] (Towanda, Pa.) 1844-1884, 1856-03-01
COL. BENTON'S HISTORY.

,yyo lS38-MARTIN VAN BUREN, PRESIDENT.
nabste between MI Clay and Mr. Calhoun, Per-
sonal and Political, and leading to Expositions
and Vindications of Public Conduct which be-
long to History,
For seven years past, Mr. Calhoun, while
discIaimng connection with any party, had
acted on leading measures with the opposition,
headed bv MeSsrs Clay and Webster. Still
GiSclaimng any such connection, he was found
at the extra session cooperating with the ad-
miRStration His cooperation with the Op-
position had giveE it tire victory in many event
fal contests in that long period his co-opera-
lion with the Van Buren, administration might
turn the tide of victory. The loss or gain of
chief who in a nearly-balanced state of par
ties, could carry victory to the side which he
espouscd vas an event not to be viewed with
ont rexatieR by the party which he left. Re
SENTIMENT was as material en- enc side Is gEatlti-
eaten was on the other,
The democratic party had made no re-
proaches-(I speak of the debates in Con-
gress)--1hen 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 to themselves They took
deeply to heart this withdrawal of one of their
leaders, and his appearance on the other side.
1t created a feeling Of personal resentment
against Mr. Calhoun, which had manifested
itself in several small Side-blows at the extra
session and it broke out into systematic at
tack at the regular one Some sharp passages
osok place bctweeep himself and Mr.. Webster,
tst not kind TO lead to anything historical
He fMr. WebSter) was but slightly inclined
towards that kind of speaking which mmgleS
personality with argument, and lessons the
Te9sbt ct the adversary argument by reduc-
ing the weight Of the speakers character
Mr.. Clay had turn that way, and certain
y q great ability for it. Invective, mingled
With sarcasm, was one of the phases of his Or
atory. He was supreme at Philippe (taken
10 the sense of Demosthenes and Cicero,
where the political attack on public mans
measure was TO be enforced and heightened by
apersOnal attack on his conduct. He owed
aach Of his fascinating power over his hearers
10 the exercise Of this taent-always SO cap
lFatng IN a papglar assembly, and in the gal
e'ieS Of the Senate not SO much SO in the
Senate itself and to him it naturally fell to
oeceme the organ of the feelings OF his party
towards Ar Calhoun. And very cOrdla lily,
'a4 carefully, and amply, did he make prepar-
i.on for it,
Ine storm had been gathering since Sentem-
of; 1t burst in February 1t had been evi-
Wally waiting for an occasion and found il.
L 'ae first speech of Mr.. Calhoun, of that
S5Sol, III favor Of Mr.. Van Buren's recon-
eealatlon for an independent treasury and
l7aeFal hard-money currency. This speech
vas delivered the 18th of February, and was
%Ely argumentative aud parliamentary, and
sl0'iy confined to its subject. -Four days
s-sfeatter Mr.. Clay answered it and altho'
.'%ay at an eXtemporaneous speech he had the
-a't when time permitted, of considering
NJ g! g! ooth the matter and the words of what
( ,l'ended to deliver. '-
VA tuls occasion he had ample time for the
FFch Of Mr. Calhoun could not be essential
VI Inherent from the one he delivered on the
e subject at the extra session; and the
s'soaal act which excited his resentment was
ae same date. There had been six months
-, feparation, and fully had preparation been
--s, The whole speech bore the impress OF
Eg,pl elaboration, and especially the last part;
IN consisted of two distinct parts--the first
@ e4elta!ve, and addressed to the measure
-~e The Senate and was in fact, as well as
81 le reply. The second part was an at
: under the name of reply, and was ad-
W Fu 10 the personal conduct of Mr.. Cal
'proaching him with his desertion, las
ssr a. called } and taunting him with the com
9e had got into-taking care to remind
z~. us own former sad account of that
'puy aud then, launching into wider
"e threw up to him all the imputed po-
"''llotlclcs Of his life for near twenty