Edgefield advertiser. [volume] (Edgefield, S.C.) 1836-current, 1859-08-24
Anecdotes of Patrick Calhoun.


We are indebted, (says the Charleston
Courier,) to recent and pleasant acquaint-
ance, formerly of Greenville District, but
now of Georgia, for the following anecdotes
of Patrick Calhoun, the father Of John 9.
Calhoun:
Patrick Calhoun was born in the North Of
Ireland He received plain Northern Pres
byterian education, but, for his opportunities,
was q remarkable man. He possessed q
strong mind and an enterprising nature and
spirit. When young, be emigrated from
Ireland to Pennsylvania, thence removed to
Virginia, and ultimately settled in South
Carolina, in portion of .Abbeville District,
embraced within what was then known as
"'96" District, between the waters Of Long
Cane and Little River, where he subsequent
ly lived and died. He was master-spirit IL
his neighborhood and leader among his
kindred, large colony of whom always &C.
companied him in his migrations. He was o
bold pioneer and gallant spirit, who did
good service to the State in the revolutionary
war, by keeping in check the Tories in his
neighborhood. All his life he was o man OF
wonderful energy, and also distinguished TOR
practical business habits. In keeping with
this latter feature of his character, he was
impatient of what he termed learned nonsense,
and also of wild speculat;ons. He was ex-
ceedingly. jealous Of his rights, and bis jeal-
ousy in that. regard was once very singuiarly
manifested.
After the revolution the old Parish organ
ization of the State was rather tardy in pro-
viding election precincts in the upper dis
tricts; and he and his colleague, with their
neighborS, the voters in their section, for
lack OF an election precinct there, it is said,
actually went down armed with their guns,
to old Dorchester, where they held their
election, had themselves returned as Repre-
sentatives, and took their seats as such IN
the Legislature.
On one occasion. when he thought the
Legislature had been long enough in session,
and he was anxious to return home, hc a'lop.
ted singular, as well as humorous mode Of
rebuklng and ridiculinga young member from
Charleston, who vexed the ear of the House
with a very long and learned speech, inter-
larded with many Latin quotations. AS soon
as the gentleman had taken his seat, Mr..
Calhoun rose, and, in his rich Irish brogue,
delivered himself thus: Mr.. SPEAKER, | Ia
ment, exceedingly, that am incapable OF
entertaining the House in the very learned
lore of the gentleman from Charleston, but |
will, nevertheless do as we'll as | can, in an
outlandish tongue"-and he actually deliver
ed the rest of his speech in Gaelic or some
Erse dialect.
At the same or some other session, his col
league, from 1896" was a very large man, by
the name of Reed, who had taken helpmeet,
in the Dutch Fork, between the Saluda and
Broad rivers. Reed introduced and supported
petition to change the name of "yG" to
that OF Cambridge" Mr.. Calhoun as well
from his conservatism and dislike Of change,
as from the historic aud revolutionary associa-
tion of "96," violently opposed the alteration
of name, and made long, earnest'and wor-
thy speech against the measure. lie first
drew, on sheet of paper, in large characters
the figures "96, ana displaying tne diagram
proceeded as follows:
"Mr. SPEAKER: I very earnestly hope tha'
the prayer of the petition will not be granted
for "96" is hallowed by its connection wit.
our early history and our revolutionary glory
Its name should be preserved unchanged, q.
alike due to historic association and tue ser
tment of patriotism. Besides, sir, it would
be bad precedent, and probably lead to
other innovations of like nature. Pass this
measure, Mr.. Speaker, and you whet the ap-
petite for change-change, change will be the
order of the day, and your desk will groan
under the weight Of similar petltions-nay
sir, our revolutionary history will be lost IN
the new nomenclature. There IS small
stream, sir, near my residence, now called
Long Cane, and it, too, has its revolutionary
legends and traditions. If successful now,
the gentleman may next move to change the
name of Long Cane TO Big Reed. Mr.. CAL
houn here, suiting the action to the word,
with infinite humor, so swelled or spread
himself out, as in both size and appearance,
to look like Reed, amid shouts Of laughter from
the amused assembly, There is another To-
cality, Mr.. Speaker, now we'll known over
our State, as the Dutch Fork; the gentleman,
for aught 1 know, may become tired also OF
the Dutch Fork, and peradycnture may wish
to change that for something else." Renewed
merriment again shook the side OF tho grave
legislators. :.
After exhausting all other arguments, Mr.
Calhoun held up his diagram and id:-Mr:
Speaker, defy your edicts-"96" is Wy
and all your laws cannot change it. Hold it
up, this way, and it is $780," turn it upside
down, and it is still "9G"-place it in what
position you may, and it continues to be
1896" and so it will remain to the end OF the
chapter, legislate as you may" The hunor.
ist, of course, had his reward in the defeat OF
the measure by an overwhelming majority.
oo,eunn nt;yp m n in Ports.