Memphis daily appeal. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1847-1886, 1857-08-16
a rsnini..su,.-cIsy and c.lAsua.


A Reminiscsuee-Cisy and Calhoun.
From ne rrgnia sentinel
-BD HEsRY OBSERVATION-DISCLOSURES
correspondent OF the Charleston MsreHry.
speaking Of Harpsr's MagaStHs for April, ssyss
81 note 10 the Editors Drawer; among q
variety Of Interesting anecdotes, ore OF a pas
sage between Mr.. Clay and Calhoun, III witch
a little 7erbzl insecurscy occurs, which s3me-
what lessons the effect Of the latter's ntort.
When Mr.. Clay said, slhe gentleman has gone
over 10 The enemy he Continued, and i leave
1t 10 time to diseloss his motive; ! the aus ger Of
Mr.. Calhoun, as we remember At, was; Umor-
tuuateiy for the Senator OF Kentucky, wlAn he
went over to the enemy, be did not leave y 20
time to diseloss his motive.'
" The impaisiye speech Of Mr.. Clay, bn re-
ceiViHg this retort, bas been omitted By the edi-
tor. He said, sOffo roce, bus sufficiently loud
for those Immediately about him, striking his
bosom at the same tine, A clear bit, "
Il was, mdsSd, one of the most exquisite Of re-
tOrts-the most happy, as so prompt, 50 deaa,
so entirely within the parlIa mentary propTie-
ties-ROthing coarse, rude, vulgar-buts grace
ful thrust OF bis polished rapier, casting of
the enemy's foil, and following up the sdYsn-
tage 81 a direct thrust into the BOSOM
The writer OF these lines, then a youth, bad
the privilege Of hearing, in 1887, the debate
referred to IN the above, and IL has ever since
e kAN - ANE ' A1(NAA $50" -
ardent and inexperienced to realize how men
could hold opinions contrary to those be had
been taught to consider orthodox, Henry Clay
vas to him the impersonatiop Of evil. And
John c. Calhoun, Just then coming again 70 fhe
Democratic party, on the sub-ireasury ques-
ton, he had long since seenpiacarded IN Blair's
paper, the Washington Globe, By whtchsa All
good Democrats were then expected to square
their faith-as John Cafdiine Calhoun. such
were the preconceiyed preiadices with which
the writer listened to that remarkable debate
between these two orators. At bis conclusion
bis prejudices were gone 70 the winds, add be
felt a thrill Of pride that the councils of his
country were dignihed and guided BY such
brilliant g~eniuses and magnificent meg.
The struggle between the two ehambions was
no holiday pastime. The blows exchanged
were such as only giants could give and such
as only giants could Withstand. TAe contesl
was like that described by Milton between the
supeThunan spirits, who plucked Up hills for
missiles, but found even such weapons unsvail-
ing. MIR. Clay led of in a speech that we
thought must inevitably crush Nj. Calhoun.
He spoke Of the contest which for years Mr..
Calhoun and himself had, side by side, been
waging against the .'usurpst ms" Of that eek
tra0rdinaTy man." General Jackson He told
how the "boding ~fancies" OF "my qnondam
friend" could in the various stages Of that
struggle see nothing but gloom in the future
nothing but tremendous and fast coming disas-
ter to the country. The blows which be struck
were, in consequence, given with the energy Of
despair, rather than the animation Of hope.
He, Mr.. Clay, had preftrred to look upon the
brighter side Of things. He had even sought
in their many interviews ard consultations, to
administer comfort to bis gallant comrade in
arms-but, like Rachel OF old, he refused to
be comforted. Kind fortunes, however, had
smiled upon their good cause. The battle was
bravely fought. The victory was already won,
and was in their grasp. The patriotic heart
was beating high; reJoeings began TO swell up
all over the land. The consummation long la
bored for had been slmsst reached. Executive
uBurpation was under the frOwn Of an indig-
nant people-and the ctuntry was almost safe.
Where now was his gallant friend from South
Carolina? Where was be in this moment OF
triumph, whens few mere brave efforts would
have finished the work in which for years be
had been lOiling? Was be Exchanging con-
gratnlations with bis eomrades2 Was be
cheering on his followers2 Alssl ne. In-
stead OF the proud battle-cry which be was
wont to utter, suddenly he sounded a ~retrsatl
In that auspicious, long-prsyed-fOr, that criti-
cal moment, be called 10 his iegions, and bade
them retreat from the field! Aye, more be
babe them follow him 10 the eutmy!
He, Mr.. Clay, heard the nsWs with deep I
alarm. He well knew the Commanding andthe
deserved influence Of the gentlsman- He knew
he multitudes that followed hin as faithfully
as ever clan followed ,bieftain, and be tren-
bled lest the weakened ranks f the Wing army
should no longer be able 10 cope with the dis
cIplined and strengthened forces of the admin
i~stration. He had waited, therefore, with
much anxiety to see the extent Of the detection.
The rolling of the retTeat-&Tam finally ceased
the dust raised by the retiring sqnadrons clear
ed away-the company led of by the gentle
man from South Carolina became visible. she
himself, sir, constituted hors, foot aud dra-
goonsl lathe language ,oi his .iate principal
opponent, but now his most distinguished ally,
(COl Benton he went over soi-i-ta-Ty and
A-LoNE.' He went over, sir, and left It to pos
terity to discover his motives.n
Mr.. Clay then took up Mr.. Cafhoun's Edge
Hill letter. wherein he assigned the reasons for
his change Of party relations one OF which
that none Of the advantages Of victory TO
the Wings would inuTe 70 the benefit of the
States-rights wing Of the alliance. Mr.. CLAW
had thought, be said, that The Senator had been
actuated BY pure patriotism. thar looked only
70 the s%veTting Of great evils to the country.
and not to the spOils OF O-f-f-i-c-el-the
81 fruits Of victory" It had been left to the
gentleman in the face Of all bis lofty pFotssts-
lions to proclaim a motive of which otherwise
be would never have dared to suspect him.
Mr.. Clay spoke al much length and with
great deliherstion throughout His deep sono-
rous voice rang through the Senate chamber
not a whisper vas lost. Much Of the time
while speaking be leaned against the partition
separating the hall from TIE lobby, and often
be Mould walk some diEauce from his desk to
help himself to a pinch Of snuff from some SEN
atoT's box. When he introduced any printed
extract into his remarks, be would call upon
bis colleague, Mr.. CrilteHden, to relieve him
BY reading it.
Commanding in his appearance throughout.
bis dignity approached de sublime when de.
scribing the warfare which had been wsgsd
upon himself. After giving a narrative Of the
early differences, and their adjustment, between
General Jackson and himself, be told Of the
last fiscal dislike which Gen. jackson had con-
ceived Of him, growing chiefly out Of the dis
covery that he, Mr.. Clay, could not be csioled
or used for Gen. Jackson's purposes" Then
il was,' said Mr.. Clay, g that they let loose
their D o-G-s upon mel But though for twenty
years the war has been increasing, I yet stand
here this day, HHawed, ua5eat, GntsrrJfsi! "
As he pronounced the last three WORDS, il is
impossible TO conceive a nobler figure or a
prouder bearing than that presented by his tall,
manly form, erect, even beyond the perpendic-
ular and his lefty, de6aot crest.
While Dir. Clay was speaking, Mr.. Calhoun
was generally in mOtioa-Halking much OF the
time in the lobby, in the rear OF the presiding
officers chair. He listened sttentively, but
did not interrupt the speaker. When Mr.. Clay
concluded, toe Senate adjourned.
Two weeks afterwaTd Mr.. CalhOnn replied.
He had studied and arranged bis argument, and
his pathway was a stream Of light. He re-
viewed his political career showed hoW the
charges Of Inconsistency brought against him
by weak minds grew, in fact, out Of his very
consistency-a consistency which would aban-
don party before principle. He said 1e had
always been ready to Cooperate with those 4
who would act with him. IN achieving a public
good that such an object Rss the only bond
OF party union which he recognized; that with
this view be had eo-0perated with the Wings,
with the majority Of whom be disagreed on
important political questions, for the purpose
Of breaking down the dangerous usurpations
OF exeeutiTe power. Toe object was now &C
compiishsd, and the alliance ended with its
urpose. Further cooperation with the Wigs
would, BY placing them in power, install prin-
einles Il, which he hEd eYtr been opposed for
The Stales-rights portion Of the Wings, being
the weaker wing, could not expect the advsn-
tages of victory 70 pure 70 the beLeht Of their
principles. This Wis what be meant BY that
remark In which the Senator, prompted from
within, sees e longing after The Vile spells OF
oGcs, instead Of a audable, patriotic seBu-
ment.
,,ith the sub-trsssury system. He showed
,b.t he had always favored it as the true, con
stitntionsI s,pedisnt; taat when Gen. Jackson
had recommended DE system Of deposits in
the State Banks, be. wiz scout tniIty other
Cengsessmen, had advocated the snoHIeauy
in preferences. The State Banks had ssoee
besn tried, and the result was such that the
yerysparty which then advocated nat system
and denounced him for opposing it, now re
nounced il themselves a1d recommended the
sub-treasury scheme as a substitute. Was be
therefore, &c aband0a 3 nRasure which be had
ALWAYS advocated ? Was he to reject the aid
now proFered? Wsshe 10 quithis own ground
hseause all those who haS opposed BIN have
found ont their mistake and came to his aid
Was be thus to be made to war az inss a cor
rect principle? Such fOurse might SUD The
mere INSCRIPTIONS party man, but II did not
become an honest Statesman IL might CON-
port with Mr.. Claws shss Sf public duty, bat
it did no. suit bin
Haiyng concluded his defense, be pointed il
so, sir, the arrow OF calemny watch
Senator has hnrled st ne falls harmless a.
feet, l stamp it in lhs dust with 5 'oml
do more. l pick Il I'D. hurlit backl What