Mountain Democrat. [volume] (Placerville, El Dorado Co., Cal.) 1854-1860, 1857-09-26

Deen WuBeu upon himself. Alter giving
a narrative of the early differences, and
their adjustment, between Gen. jackson
and himself, he told Of the last fiscal dis
like which Gen. jackson had conceived
Of him, growing chiefly out of the discov-
cry that he, Mr.. Clay, could not be cajo-
led or used for General Jackson's purpo-
ses-"7hen it was," said Mr.. Clay, "that
| they let loose their D-O-G.s upon me -
But though for twenty years the wa has
been unceasing, Iyct stand here this day,
unawcd, unbent, unterrifed" As he
pronounced the last three words, it is i'm
possible to conceive nObler figure or n
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 lis
tened attentivcly, but did not interrupt
the speaker. When Mr.. Clay concluded,
the Senate adjourned.
Two weeks afterward Mr.. Calhoun re-
piled. He had studied and arranged his
argument, and his pathway was a stream
of light. He reviewed his political ca
reer; showed how the charges Of incon.
sistcncy brought against him by weak
minds grew, in fact, out Of his very con-
sistency--a consistency which would
abandon party before principle. lie said
he had always been ready to cooperate
with those who would act with him, in
achieving public good: that such an
object was the only bond of party union
which he recognized; that with this view
he had co-operated with the Wings, with
the majority Of whom he disagreed on
important political questions, for the pur-
pose of breaking down the dangerous
usurpations Of executive power. That
object was now accomplished, and the al-
lance ended with It's purpose. Further
cooperation with the Wings would, by
placing them in power, install principles
to-whieh he had ever been opposed; for
the Statcs-rghts portion of the Wing,
being the W akcr wing, could not expect
the advantages Of victory to inure to the
benefit of their principles. This was
what he meant by that remark in which
the Senator, prompted from within, sees
longing after the vile spoils Of Office, in
stead Of a laudable, patriotic sentiment.
Mr.. Calhoun next explained his con-
nectiOn with the sub.trcaSury SYSTEM
lie showed that he had always favored it
as the true, constitutional cxpcdicnt; that
when Gen. jackson had recommended
the system of deposits in the State Banks,
he, with about thirty other Congressman,
hOI tn.I nj,
cnce. The State Banks had since been
tried, and the result was such that the
very party which then advocated that
system, and denounced him for opposing
it., now renOunced it themselves and re-
commended the sub-trcasury scheme as
substitute Was he, therefore, to aban-
don measure which he had always adj
vOcatcd? MAS he to reject the aid now
prOilrred! Was he to quit his own
ground because those who had opposed
him had found out their mistake and
come to his side? Was he thus to be
made to war against correct principleY
Such course might suit the mere un-
scrupulous party man, but it did not be-
come an honest statesman. 1t might
comport with Mr. Clay's sense of public
duty, but it did not suit him.
Having concluded his defense, he pOin-
tod it thus: $50, sir, the arrow OF calum-
NY which the Senator has hurled at me
7 falls harmless at my feet, | stamp it i'll
the dust with scorn! do more. Ipick
it up. ] hurl it back! What the Scna-
tor charges me with, he himself has been
guilty Of He "went over" on memora-
ble occasion-but did not leave it to pos
terity to discover his motives"
Mr.. Calhoun, while speaking, maintain.
cd stern attitude, and stood in the aisle
by the side of his desk. Hisgesture was
short and nervous, and chiefly with the
right hand. His articulation was rapid,
but not so much so us to be at all indis
tinct, as we had been led to expect. His
pronunciation of some words was faulty
''point," for example, he pronounced
''pint." His keen eye was sunwAveringly
fastened upon Mr.. Clay, who sat upon the
opposite side of the chamber, and to him
rather than the Speaker Of the Senate, he
addressed all his remarks.
Between Mr. CalhOunS nervous, fash
ing, electric oratory, and the calm mag
niticencc of Mr.. Clay's elocution, the diff
ference was as great as that between the
flow of Niagara and that of the Amazon {;
but each had its powerful charm, and no
listener could wish that either was other
than what it was. To Mr.. Clay one lis
tened with less fatigue; he would be de-
lighted, indeed, with magnificent bursts,
and charmed with the witchery of voice
and action-but never taxed above his
strength. He was conducted by path
which led to pleasant prospects and
wound amid shades and waterfalls. Mr..
Calhoun's hearcr was compelled to sha G
his cXcitcmcnt--to get, SO to speak, into
the same electrical stat. And the path
which the orator marked out, tho bright
with singularly lucid logic, yet led SO
directly on and was so rapidly traversed
that he who would accompany him had
not the timc,7 any more than the inclina-
ton, to loitcr, and would not be conscious
until the close how his powers had been
taskcd. Listening to Mr. Clay was float
ing upon the bosom Of mountain lake.
Listening to Mr.. Calhoun was quick step
marching, to tho music Of the bugle and
the drum.
While Mr.. Calhoun was delivering his
speech, Mr.. Clay sat at his desk and wore
an easy, careless air; occasionally cOnvers-
ing with those around him, and listening
without seeming to listen. But it was
plain to careful observer that his uncon-
cern was only assumed and professional ;
for when some shaft was hurled, kecner
| than the rest of that unccasing vOlley
| SDod oOoinCt him Inv the unorrinU and