The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1856-08-11

would prove satisfa tory 20 both countries bu. YET
the caus. Of p!aibt were ncmercus and - much
skill was required to reconcile conflict OF opinion AZ
home g that which he existed between .as tive gov
Gus moment stood in the way OF successful nego-
tiation of the Texas treaty. It required only me
assent Of the Presidents Of the two Republics 10 ne
gotiate and the work was all the same as done.
The difficulties arose afterwards and the people had
To nterpose their authority Ia order TO Gro the
measure win snecess, an interposition, the
'Sf u Snh been must Be- permitted TED
reUo,est dsgIee-nay, had been actually guarded
against before the offer OF annexation had been for
nally made 10 Texas, by assurances from the only
reliable quarter that the treaty, when negotiated,
would be ratified by constitutional majority Of the
Senate
Ia order TO secure the measure after the rejection
Of the treaty, Mr.. Calhoun was prompt in his advice
and energetic in his course of action. There was no
division OF opinion at the Cabinet board or hesta-
ton on my own part in the choice between the al
ornate propositions presented by Congress, and the
asst moments OF the administration were made avail
able for the accomplishment or rhe measure. Its
success was as has since appeared, by inadvertance
en- the part of those who controlled the action OF the
Senate on the subject, placed N the power OF the
| then executive and no momee. was lost in making
| 1t available. . -
In other matters of importance, Mr. Cal
boun rendered valuable service ana com
pressed within the short period OF his pre-
q iersbip as much of public benefit as could well
have been accomplished. His great mind could
never lie at rest AMI its perceptions we're oftentmes
so rapid to outrun those OF all Others IN il'usta
ton Of this Ltake leave 10 mention the expression
of who in point of majesty and power OF intellect
| is surpassed by no man living. Many years ago,
and before the existence OF the railroad between
! Fredericksburg and Richmond, Mi. Calhoun Mr..
Tazewell and myself stopped, Oh our return home,
all night at Potoma, creek. The tariff was the de-
batabe question OF that day. and occupied intensely
the mind Of Mr. Calhoun. He had started new
Mr.. Tazewell is his practice, urged objections
to the theory in order to have it developed in all is
bearings. lett them in animated conversation at
IL o'clock They sat up TO a much later hour. The
next day found Mr. Tazewell and myself journeying
to Richmond and Mr.. Calhoun, by another road to
South Carolina. Inquired OF Mr.. Sazewel whether
Mr.. C. had convinced him OF the correctness OF bis
theory "No,r said he, "f have made mp no
opinion about it. Calhoun is always in advance OF
NE by may months" ] could not but exclain, lyon
have paid him in that the highest compliment ever
paid TO any man." His mind required no awaken
ing, 70 in truth it never slept. lie was sometimes
thought to be speculative than practical and
vet he often foresav coming events which had
scarcely cast their shadows before them MI. WEB.
ster sunk into quietude and repose after grea'
effort but il was the repose OF the eagle, winch
wearied by long fight, aliehts upon some lofty
emineDce for necessary rest, and where ne may re-
adjust his plumage for fight thai will bear him
sill, nearer to the sun. His mind was easily aroused,
and when in motion was resisess as the tide OF
the ocean. In debate the style OF the one was pre-
else and ddactic1that OF the o.aer, cop,oas anu .1'a
great Athenian his model. Mr. Webster more
nearly resembled the illustrous Roman. The
one flashing with the inspirations OF genius the
other shaking the Senate chamber with the
thunder of his eloquenCe-such were these two
great intellectual giants, each suited to positions OF
the highest emnence, and each, in the absence OF
his rival, worthy of being regarded as the man o.
his age.
Another name is recorded on the catalogue of
de ,h, which cannot fail to MENTION mean John
c. Spencer, OF New York, man OF extraordinary
Ih of hnGIn nf
most untring industry. Our acquaintance COM
menced in the House of Representatives in 1872
We served on an important committee OF which he
was chairman, the duties OF which were :ecdingy
arduous. had then occasion to note his habits OF
unceasjng labor. His conduct in the War Depart
ment, and afterwards at the head OF the Treasury
caused to be thoroughly satisfied that time had
produced no change in mis- energy or capacity Tor
busin S. The great multitude Of cases which had ac
cumulated in the War Department, many Of which in
volved large sums Of money, melted away before
his seepless industry and he waded through the
weighty labors Of the Treasury Department with the
| same unbroken zeal and speed. His Information
upon all subjects was extensive aud practical, ana
constituted him an able administrative OH ter. hts
Iatve State DO before he became member OF the
cabinet, and after be had returned home, kept him
generally employed in positions, the duties OF which
required bosh ability and industry for their dis
charge. With these qualities he wonld have made
q valuable adjunct TO the Justices OF the Supreme
Court tor which station he twice nomt tel abdt
rejected BY the Senate, more az am bound 10 be
lieve because VI the part he had borne IN the poll
tics Of the tines, than for any otleI rea son
Thus within the period o. thirteen years have passed
cut OF existence six citizens, each OF whom was man
OF mark, and whose names arc destined 10 be record
ed the page Of history along side OF the ablest
executive officers that the country has seen. Their
fidelity and ability attested by the fruits OF their
laiors which are urdying and impershable and by
no fac, conclusiyely than his with their
surviving colleagues they aided in the admins
tr.ton OF the government, that not only was large
reduction made in the public expendi ares but that
during period Of four years but single default
occurred and that scarcely worthy Of mention, for
fifteen dollars on the part OF a deputy Postmaster
SON ew here in the interior OF Kentucky This may
be fairly octied by the fact that whereas there was
an actual Indebtedness of that department OF about
half million, on the ith OF March, ISL, surpius
was left in the treasury, through the!,dmirabc man
agtment of Mr.. WicklIne, OF quarter Of Million
on the llh OF March, ls4J. To which may be added
tho, in the receipts and Disbursements OF more than
5000 600 600, the government, sustained no loss
whateyer-a fact bet1koning more vigilance than
that ,stowedby individual over his private affairs
Augustus Cesar, few moments before his death,
l. said 10 have inquired Of those around him whe
ther he had well acted bis part in the drama Of life,
and upon being answered afiI1natively, exclaimed,
"ihen give the applause aud sunk into the arms
Of death Might no. these, also, have made Q smi
lar inquiry, and closed their lives Win siintlu
exclamation,
M mans epraph shotld he written until his
death. Hence I asod all further mention Of tie
spiuyng members ofthat Cabinet. They, With him
who called them n their high places will soon have
20 follow their comrades TO that silent valley where
the voices Of this world no longer reach The ear or
dstaib tho repose OF the slecpcrs-ut, in the Ian.
guage OF an old and impressive Latin hymn
Tuba mrun slarCcus sonum
Ter scru'chra rcgionutn
Cogci omncs ante thronum,
that Cabinet, with their friend and associates
Who by human institutions, was placed at their head
I'm rosssemhlc before Judgment scat, where hearts
are searched and motives are laid bare. Va the
lapausce of the dying Calhoun, no one OF them
"wll wal against the constitution OF nature.