The Council Bluffs nonpareil. [volume] (Council Bluffs [Iowa]) 1857-1867, 1857-09-12

COUN
From ne virginia ssntinsl,
I REMINIsCENcE-cLAx AND CALHOUN
|-D1D HxNRY CLAY SwEAR IA New York
correspondent Of tho Charleston Mercnry,
speaking Of Hafper's Magazine for April,
says:
ii note in the Editors Drawer,' among
. variety of interesting anecdotes, one Of .
passage between Mr.. Clay and Calhoun, in
which . little verbal inaccuracy occurs which
somewhat lessons the effect Of the latter's
retort. When Mr.. Clay said, The gentle
man has gone over to the enemy, he continu-
cd, sand Ileayeit to time to disclose his mo-
the; the answerof Mr.. Calhoun, as We re-
member it, was: Unfortunately for the Sena-
tor Of Kentucky, when he went over to the
enemy, he did not leaveit to time todisclose
his motive.'
"The impulsive speech Of MIR. Clay, on
receiving this retort, has been omitted BY
the editor. He said, soto voce, but suffi-
ciently loud for those Immediately about
him, striking his bosom at the Same time,
"A clear hit, byp ? 1t was indeed, one
happy. as 90 prompt, SO clean, SO entirely
within the parliamentary proprieties moth
ing coarse, rude, vulgar-but . graceful
thrust of his polished rapier, casting of the
enemy's foil, and following up the advantage
BY direct thrust into the bosom. =
The writer of these lines then youth,
had the privilege Of hearing, in 1887, the
debate referred to in the above, and it has
ever since been one Of his most vivid recol-
lections. Too ardent and inexperienced to
realize then how men could hold opinions
contrary to thosehe had been taught to con-
slider orthodox, Henry Clay was to him the
impersonation of evil. And John z. Cal
houn, just then coming again to the Demo-
cratic party, on the sub treasury question,
he had long since been placarded In Biair's
paper, the Washington Globe, by which all
good Democrats were expected to square
their faith-as John Catdline Calhoun
Such were the preconceived prejudices with
| which the writer listened to that remarkable
debate between those two orators. AT its
conclusion his prejudices were gone to the
winds, and he felt thrill of pride that the
councils Of his country were dignifed, and
guided by such brilliant geniuses and mag
ni6cent men.
The struggle between the champions was
no holiday pastime. The blows exchanged
were such as only giants could give, and such
as only giants could withstand. The contest
was like that described by Milton between
the superhuman spirits, who plucked up hills
for missiles, but found even such weapons
unavailing. Mr.. Clay led off in speech
that we thought must inevitably crush Mr..
Calhoun. Hespoke Of the contest which for
years MIR. Calhoun and himself had, side by
side, been waging against the susurpatlons'
of that extraordinary man, General Jack
son. He told how the "boding fancies" OF
ssmy quondam friend'' could in the various
stages of that struggle see nothing but gloom
in the future-nothing but tremendous and
fast coming disaster to the country. The
blows which he struck were, in consequence
given with the energy of despair, rather than
1.-THE animation of hope. He, Mr.. Clay, had
preferred to look upon the brighter side OF
things. He had even sought in their many
interviews and consultations, to administer
comfort to his gallant comrade in arms-but
like Rachel of old, he refused to be comfor-
ted. Kind fortunes, however, had smiled
upon their good cause. The battle was brave
" fought. The victory was already won,
and was in their grasp. The patriotic hear, r,
was beating high; rejoicings began to swell
up all over the land. The consumation long
labored for had been almost reached. Ex-
ecutiye usurpation was under the trown oi
an indignant people-and the country was
almost safe.
/ Where now was his gallant friend from
South Carolina2 Where is he in this moment
of triumph, when few more brave efforts
would have finished the work in which fol-
years he had been toiling! Was he exchang-
ing congratulations with his comrades?-
Was he cheering on his followers? Alas no.
Instead of the proud battle-cry which he was
wont to utter, suddenly he should retreat
In that auspicious, long -prayed-for, that crl-
tical moment, he called to his legions, and
bade them retreat from the field! Aye, more;
he babe them follow him to the enemy!
lie, Mr.. Clay, heard the news with deep
alarm. He well knew the commanding and
the deserved influence of the gentleman
He knew the multitudes that followed him
as faithfully as ever clan followed chieftain.
and he trembled lest the weakened ranks Of
the Wing army should no longer be able to
cope with the disciplined and strengthened
forces of the administration. He had waited
tent Of the detection. The rolling Of the re-
treat-drum finally ceased; the dust raised by
the retiring squadrons cleared away-tht
company led of by the gentleman from South
Carolina became visible. 'sHe himself, sir.
constituted horse, foot and dragons! lr
the language of his late principal opponent.
but now his most distinguished ally, Colo
mel Benton.) She went over SOLITARY ano
Alone lie went over, sir, and left lit pos
terity to discover his motives"
Mr.. Clay then took up Mr.. Calhoun's Edge
Hill letter, wherein he assigned the reason
for his change of party relations; one Of
which was that none Of the advantages OF
victory to the Wings would inure to the bene.
fit of the States-rights wing Of the alliance
MIR. Clay had thought, he said, that the Sen
ator had been actuated by pure patriotism
that looked only to the averting Of great evil
to the country, and not to the spoils Of of
f-i-c-e the ssfruits Of victory" 1t hat
been left to the gentleman in the face of al
his lofty protestations to proclaim motive
of which otherwise he would never have dar.
ed to suspect him. :,
Mr.. Clay spoke at some length and will
great deliberation throughout. His deel
sonorous voice rang through the Senate
chamber; not whisper was lost. Much O
the time while speaking he leaned agains
the partition separating the hall from thu
lobby, and often he would walk some dis
tance from his desk to help himself to o pincl
of snuff from some Senator's box. Whel
he introduced any printed extract into hisre
marks, he would call upon his colleague
Mr.. Crittenden, to relieve him by reading it
Commanding in his appearance throughout
his dignity approached the sublime when des
cribing the warfare which had been waget
upon himself. After giving a narrative Q
the early differences, and their adjustment
between General jackson and himself, h
told of the last fiscal dislike which Genera
jackson had conceived of him growing chief
ly out of the discovery that he, Mr.. Clay
could not be cajoled or used for General ~
purposes" Then it was" said Mr.. Clay
ssthat they let loose their D-o-G-s upon me
But though for twenty years the war has beel
umceasing, yet stand here this day, as1awe'
unbent, nnterrifedl'' As he pronounce'
the last three words, it is impossible to con
n Il h .svR