The independent press. (Abbeville C.H., S.C.) 1853-1860, 1857-08-21
From the Virginia Sentinel
A Reminisence.-Clay and Calhoun.

| hP'h, hays.
Il note in the Editors Drawer, among
a variety ofinteresting 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, "1he
gentleman has gone over to the enemy :"
he continued, and leave it to time to
disclose has motire," the answer of Mr..
Calhoun, as we remembered it, was "Un-
fortunately for the Senator Of Kentucky,
when ne went over to the enemy, lie did
not leave it TO time to disclose his mo-
tive"
"Thc impulsive speech Of Mr.. Clay, on
receiving this retort, has been omitted 10y
the editor. He said, soto roce but sufii-
cicntly loud for those Immediately about
him, striking his bosom Mt the same time,
"A clear hit, by--!!' 1t was, indeed
one OF the most exquisite of retorts-the
more happy, AS SO prompt, So clean, so en-
,irely within the parliamentary proprietics
nothing coarse, rude, yulgar-Lut
graceful trust of his polished rapic,, casting
oft the cnemy's foil, and following up the
advantage by direct trust into the 10.
SON."
The writer Of these lines, then you'll ,
had the privilege ofhcaring; in 1887, the
debate referred to in the above and it
has ever since been one Of the most vivid
recollections. Too ardent and inexperien-
ced then to realize how men could hold
opinions contrary to those he had been
taught to consider orthodox Henry Clay
was to linn the impcrSonaiion of evil.
And JohnC. Calhoun, just then coming
again to the Democratic party, on the sub
treasury question, he had long since
seen placardcd i'll Blair's paper, the Wash
ington Globe, by which all good Demo.
Gratis were then expected to square their
faith-as John Catalinc Calhoun. Such
were the prcconccivcd rrcjuliccs with
which the writer listened TO that remarka-
bic debate between these two orators. At
ist conclusion his prjudices were gone TO
the winds, and lie felt thrill Of pride that
the councils of his country we're digniied
and guided by such brilliant geniuses and
magnificent men.
The struggle between the two cham
pions was no holyday pastime. The blows
exchanged were such rs 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
left oft, in spcccl, we thought must cvi-
tabIy crush Mr.. Calhoun. lie spoke of the
contest which for years, Mr.. Calhoun and
himself had side by side been waging a.
gainst the "usurpation," Of that cxtraordi-
nary man, General Jackson. lie told how
the "boding fancies," Of "my quondam
friend" could in the various stages of that
struggle, see nothing but gloom in the flu
ture-nothing but tremendous and fast
coming disasters to tile country. The
blows which lie struck were in consequence,
given will, the energy OF dispair, rather
than the animation Of hope. lie, Mr..
Clay, had preferred TO look upon the bright
est side Of things. lie had even sought, in
their many interviews and consultations, to
administer comfort to his gallant comradc
in arms-but like Rachael Of old, he re-
fused to he comforted. Kin,l fortunes,
however. had smiled upon their good cause.
The battle was bravely fought. The vic
tory WAS already won, and was in their
grasp. The patriotic heart was beating
high rcjoicimgs began to swell up all over
the land. The consumma,ion long labored
for had been almost reached. Executive
usurpation was under the frowm Of an in
dignant people--and the country was al
most safe.
Where now was his gallant friend from
South Carolina? Where WAS lie in this
moment Of triumph, when few more brave
efforts would have finished tho work in
which for years he had been toiling? Was
lie exchanging congratulations with his
comrades WAS he cheering on his fol-
lowers2 Alas !no. Instead of the proud
battle cry which lie was wont to utter, sud-
denly lie sounded a retreat In that sus-
picious, that long prayed for, that critical
moment, he called to his legions, and babe
them retreat from the field Aye, more :;
lie bade them follow him to the enemy !!
He,.Mr. Clay, heard the news with deep
alarm. lie we'll knew the commanding
and tue deserved influence Of the gentle
man. lie knew the multitudes that follow
ed him as faithfully, as clan ever followed
clieftan, and lie trembled lest the weaken
ed ranks of the Wing army, should no
longer be able to cope with the disciplined
and strengthened forces Of the Admiaistra-
tion. He had waited therefore with mucl,
anxiety to see the extent of the DETECTION.
The rolling Of the retreat.drum finally
ceased ;-tIieedust raised by the retiring
squadrons cleared away-tl,e company led
of by tue gentleman from South Carolina,
became visible. "He himself, sir, consti-
tuted horse, foot, and dragoon! In the
language of his late principal opponent
but row bis most distinguished ally, eCol
Bentonl "he went over solitary and a.
lone r. lie went oyer, sir, and leftit to
posteriiy to discover his motives" Mr.
Clay, then tooku up Mr.. Calhohn's Edge Hill
letter, wherein he assigned ns reason fov
his chapge 1xpaft5f rslstions ose o,
which Ee1 CT 4 The. adssntages o,
fEsicSySg Viii s2sa si6irss Is sihe
:. kens6t q ethe sAtes >lle. ii.
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