The spirit of democracy. [volume] (Woodsfield, Ohio) 1844-1994, 1856-04-02
C. OonlulunlCations. 0
For the q" Spirit. "
I OF VIC y opIrit
John C. Calhoun and the Spirits
Correspondent "A.'s


pleasure, and, [ trust not a little profit, a
series Of articles Published in your paper
over the signature GA" They manifest
a degree of sound sense and learning be-
yond the majority of newspaper commu-
nications; and are characterized by great
candor and fairness To this last men
toned virtue, however there is one i'm
portant exception In late article the
writer goes entirely out of his way to
make thrust at the reputation Of JOHN
G. CALHOUN. The remark is kind Of
parenthctical digression for the sole pur-
pose of making the thrust, ss it has no
bearing whatever on anything that pre-
cedes or follows it; it adds nothing to the
strength or beauty of his subject, and GER
tainly nothing to the writer's reputation
for generosity and liberality
Mr.. "a" in the article referred TO-,
says of Mr.. CALHOUN, that he is ga man
actose memory 9essrres neither lovc nor
respect"
Now, am not so much an admrer of
| Mr.. CALHOUN as to be blind to his errors,
or palliate bis faults; but presume it is
true of him, as of other great men, that
his errors are over-estimated because they
are accompanied. great power, aud are
for this reason much more feared Had
his erroneous political views been enter
tanned by man of mediocre abilities,
trifing. But erratic as some of his acts
may be regarded, he had virtues which
would redeem far worse character than
his. To prove the truth Of this state
ment we have but to take the testimony
of his most eminent contemporaries. TIC
avoid any imputation Of uufairness will
take for the most part, tire opinions o'
those who were his rivals and opponents
in, the department in which he became SC
distinguished.
Mr. CLAY, who was an actor with him
in public life for nearly forty years, pays
him this tribute:
"Eyer active, ardent, able, no one was
in advance of him in advocating the cause
of his country, and denouncing the foreign
injustice which compelled us to appeal to
arms. Ofall Congresses with which have
had any acquaintance since my entry into
the Federal Government, in none, in my
opinion, has been assembled such galaxy
of eminent and able men as we're in the
House of Representatives of that Con
greSs which declared the war, and in that
Immediately following the peace; and
among that splendid assemblage none
shoRe more bright and brilliant than the
star which is now set."
Mr.. WEBSTER says:
"EIe had the basis the indispensable
basis of all high character; and that was
inspected integrity-u -unimpeached honor
and character. If he had aspirations
they were high, and honorable, and noble
There Nas nothing grovelling, or low, oil
nieanly selfish, that came near the heaC
or heart of Mr.. CALHOUN. WI
shall always carry with US a deep sense
of his genius and character, his honor
and integrity, his amiable department ir
private life, and the purity of his exalted
patriotism"
Mr.. CLEMENS, U. S. Senator from
Alabama, who was acquainted with hin
from his boyhood, says:
"His acts are craven on the hearts 0
his countrymen, and time has no power t.
obliterate the character. Throughoutthi
broad land the meanest rill, the mighties
river, rolls mingling with his fame forever.
Mr.. BUTLER, who was for many year
his colleague in the q. S. Senate, says:
"I will venture to say that no one il
his private relations could ever say tha
S Mr.. Calhoun treated him with injustice
or that he deceived him by professions
r His private life was characterized by
beautiful proprlety, and was the exempli
1 fcation of truth, Justice, temperance, an,
fidelity to his engagements"
Hon. r. c WINTHROP. latcly speakc
,, of the lower House of Congress says:
"There was an unsulled purity in hi
+ private life; there was an 'index intes
t rity in his public conduct; there was
e Roman dignity in his whole Senatoria
e deportment; which, together, made up
/ character which cannot fail to BE coaten'
plated and admired to tie latest posterity
i Testimonials might be added suifcien
4 to fill Volumes for they are as numerou.
!, almost, as the persons who spoke of him
but these are deemed enough to satisf
the most unreasonable.
: 1t is true that Mr.. CALHOUN had enc
{ mies-those who would detract from hi
we'll merited fame. But the shafts c
malice and the darts of detraction ca
Eneyer reach him thew may be proiecte