The independent press. (Abbeville C.H., S.C.) 1853-1860, 1857-08-21

Mr.. Clay spoke at so much length, and
with great dclberation throughout. His
deep sonorous voice rang thorough the
Senate chamber not whisper was lost.
Much Of the time while speak ing he leaned
against tho partition separating the Hall
from the lobby.-and often he would walk
some distance from his desk to help him
self to pinch Of snuff from some senator's
box. When he introduced any printed ex-
tracts into his remarks. he would call up.
on lis colleague, Mr.. Crittenden, TO releave
him 10y reading it. Commanding in his
appearance throughout, his dignity ap.
preached the sublime when describing tile
warfare which had been wagd upon him
self: After giving narrative OF the earli-
or differences, and their adjustment, be-
tween Gen. jackson and himself, he told of
the last final dislike which Gen. Jackson
had conceived Of him, growing chiefly out
of the discovery that he, Mr.. CLAW, could
not be cajoled or used for Gen. J.'s pur.
poses.-"1hem it was" said Mr.. CLAY.
that they let loose their dogs upon me |!
But though for twenty years the war has
been unceasing, Iyct stand here this day,
"nawcd, a" bent, "nterr;fed :" AS lie
pronounced the last three words, it is i'm
possible 10 conceive nobler figure or
prouder bearing than that presented by his
tall, manly form, erect even beyond the
perpendicular and his lofty, defiant crest.
While Mr.. Clay was speaking, Mr.. Cal.
houn was generally in motion,-walking
much Of the time in the lobby in the rear
of the presiding officers chair. lie listen
ed attcntivcly, but did not interrupt the
speaker. When Mr.. Clay concluded tue
Senate adjourned.
Two weeks afterwards Mr.. Calhoun re-
piled. lie had studied and arranged his
argument and his pathway was stream
OF light. lie reviewed his political career !;
showed how the charges Of inconsistency,
brought against him by weak minds,
grew in fact, out Of his very constituency
a consistency which would abandon party
before principle. lie said he had always
been ready to cooperate with those who
would act will, him, in achieving a pub
lie good that such an Object was only
bond of party union which lie recognised :;
that with this view lie had co-operated witt,
the Wings, with the majority Of whom he
disagreed OIL important political questions
for the purpose Of breaking down the dan
gerous usurpations of executive power.
That object was now accomplished, and the
alliance ended with its purpose. Further
cooperation with the Wings, would by
placing them in power, install principles to
which he had ever been opposed, for The
States Rights portion of the Wings, be-
ing the weaker wing, could not expect the
advantages Of victory to inure to the benc.
fit of their principles. This was what lie
meant by that remark in which the Senator,
prompted from within sees longing after
the vile spoils Of Office, instead Of Iauda-
ble patriotic sentiment
MIR. Calhoun next explained his con-
nection with the sub-treasury system. lie
showed that lie had always favored it rs
the true, constitutional expedient that
when Gen jackson had recommended the
system ofdeposites in the State Banks, lie,
with aboutthirty other Congressman, lad
advocated the subtreasury in preference.
The State Banks had since been tried and
the result was such, that The very party
which then advocated that system, and de-
nounced him for opposing it, now renoun-
ced it themselves and recommended tue
sub-treasury scheme as substitute. WINS lie
therefore to abandon measure which, lie
had always advocated !? Was he to reject
the aid now proffered /? Was Ire to quit
his own ground because those who had op.
posed him, have found out their mistake
and come to his side ? Was he thus to
make war against correct principle
Such course might suit the mere unscru.
pulous party man, but it did not become
hi honest statesman. It might conport
with Mr.. Clay's sense Of public duty, but it
did not suit hiw. \
Having concluded Ills defence, he point.
ed it thus: "So, sir, the arrow of calumny
whicl, the Senator has hurled at me, falls
harmless at my feet. i stamp it in the
dust with SC or-n do more. pick it
up. hurl it back What the Senator
charges me with, he himself has been gull
ty OF. lie once "went over" on mem
postcrity to discover his motives"
Mr.. Calhoun, while speaking, maintained
a stern attitude, and stood in the aisle by.
the side of his desk. His gesture was
short 'afdnervous, and chiefly with the
,ight hand. Ills articulation was rapid,
but not so much SO as to baeat all indis-
tinct, as we had tcen led to expect. Ills
pronunciation of solne words. was faulty :;
point" for example, lie pronounced apint."
His keen eye was unwaveringly fastened hp-
on Mr.. Clay, who sat on -.tl,e opposite side
Of the Chamber, and to him rather than TO
the Speaker Of the Senate lie addressed all
bis remarks,
Between Mr.. Calhoun 5 Nervous flashing,
electric oratory, and the, calm ,,,agnifcence
of Mr.. Clay's elocntion. the difference was
as great as that between the low OF Nisss-
'ra anil that of the Amazon {; but eacl, lad
its powerful charm, and no listener could
wish that either was other than what j,
WAS. To Mr.. Clay, one listened with Less
fatigue ;-ie would be delighted indeed
IwitlI magnificent bursts, and charmed VIII
Fthe witchery of voice aud actiop, but nsve,
taxed above l,is strength. He was oonduO-
ted by q path talsio1y Id 20 r5ISSaans prog