Richmond daily Whig. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1842-1861, 1860-04-13

hight. His, indeed, was the eloqnence OF acuon-he vi
tazed his thoughts by the intensity Of his feelings and
in the ardor of debate his frame seemed grand trans
parency of the soul that burned within. He bad
est unstudied, honest eoquence which spoke directly
to the heart of men-a sympathetic power which sway
ed the multitude the wind sways the He had
careless grace and negligent grandeur in his ordinary at
titudes-a proud or defiant port when stirred by some
master passon-and TO all these gifts were added that
wonderful voice whose slightest note thrilled you like the
touch of master musician and in its ever varying tones
OF melody and majesty gave TO his oratory the power
of the human word.
In forming our estimate of his intellect we must not
forgets versatility and promptness of action One might
surpass him in anal ytcal skill another in Mltonc power
but for the statesman he had what was worth them all
the talent of rapid combination and discrimination, the
keen vision of common sense the thorough practical bu
siness qualification, the consummate sagacity which is
equal to any and every emergencyand that elastic
age which dangers increased while those around
him sometimes covered and hid from the coming storm
The clearest proof of his commanding influence aud the
GROWING glory of his life the instructive confidence
with which his countrymen turned him in peril
the rustfu faith with which they believed that, through
his knowledge of the and of the nation
Of the temper of its peope-by the aid OF his comprehen
sive and active mind, his warm magnanmous heart be
would discover the true disease and apply the proper
edy. And they deceived. He never failed
in any trial. and when the difficulties surmounted
the dssentons healed he LETT upon you Of
ed power the belief that be equal TO still greater
igencies and capable Of nobler deeds.
We cannot deny that he was ambitiOus-but his am
bon kept touch and time with the welfare and honor
his country. His remark that he had rather be right than
President sprang from transient feeng-it the
needle TO the compass of his soul If he too mpa.
tient at times and regarded prudence midty-if he
wounded hearts less orgivng than his own-if his emf
nently practical mind too prone rdicule what he
regarded the idle if mischevous distractions of
Others-f he was too unreentng when he men sac
rificing principle to ambition must bear in mind
that these the natural almost inevitable errors of
soul so sell-complete and brave and hOnOrabe-they
were the
"Fauts which daring Genius owes
Half to the ardor which It's birth bestows."
1t is but carping spirit that would dwell on these
things, apart from his merits and when they brought
together since the faults and OF such are
either hidden in the blaze consumed in the fervor OF
his patriotism.
liz charged with being untrue to his section be.
in all things and all times he chose to regard
himself and wished to be regarded, American ct-
zen. With him originated the claim to that title which
many have asserted and few have deserved that
he knew no North no South, no East no West He al
ways took the larger aspect of things He was in truth
the great representative of his nation the mpersonaton
Of the genius of his country the exponent ofthat
ing, untrng Anglo Saxon spirit which here, and where
it has spread fulh divine purpose, converts the
wilderness into empire, and covers islands and cont
ncnts with the palaces of civilization and the temples OF
Christianity.
1t would appear that government, like the physical
world is kept in its true sphere by opposing forces In
all republics there have been Of opinions ia ac-
tive antagonsm-the looking to the isolation of the
different portions the other broad and vital unity
The Grecan republics fell according to Tacitus because
they spurned their subjects aliens. The longevity of
the Roman republic attained by the opposite polcy
its power extended from Germany to the Nile from Britain
to the Euphraes and its laws and language imposed
upon the most opposite varieties Of mankind. Modified
Il. u -efss
Characteristic introduction Of the representative prnci.
Pile the peculiar relations of State and general gov
ernments, find the same antagonsm pervading our
whole political system. Mr. Clay took his position as an
American-hs first opponent was Nirginias brilliant and
eccentric son, John Randolph of Roanoke. The con-
test between these opposing leaders Irregular aud
oitener indicated personal hostility than political differ
ence Reconciliation fortunately came at the close of
this contest when Mr. Calhoun appeared the camer and
more philosophical eXpOundeT OF the extreme doctrines
of States Rights Divesed Of its personal features the
antagousm between the Senators of South Carolina and
Kentucky marked in the other instances. The
gloed in the contemplation of the of his
countythe other thought necessary to watch with clio
scrutiny if not suspicion the delicate relations Of the
different members. Mr.. Clay, native of State and
the adopted child Of another considered the divisions
between the States lines which policy drew but which
affection should regard. Mr. Calhoun watched them
jealousy the founder Of Rome guarded his growing
walls which not a brother might leap over with
IMMUNITY. One expended his time and talents in he
rous dissection of the body polite tracing its wonder
full and him. often it. fearful anatomy; the other
sought TO endue i. with health and strength make il in
snct with the life and radiant with beauty. o. if
may add another illustration the South Caroinan in his
more hopeful moments regarded the Union Constel-
laon deriving It's ustre aud grandeur from the bright
Of each particular star; the Kentuckian found the
image of his country in grand river like our giant
Mississippi each valley sending its ril and lofty noun
tans speeding their swell its rapid tide On
is banks be fertile fields and happy homestead
the blended sounds Of manifold industry went up from
pleasant Villages aud stately citics-ou its bosom were
countless vessels laden with the products and fabrics of
land framed in the prodigalis Of natuFe--and thus
crowned with the trophies OF Agriculture and OF Art be
rushing tue sea- and delivering to white winged
Commerce the bread to feed and the rament to cothe
world.
Posterty will do justice to both of these great men
the political populations OF the one and the remarka-
bic executive ability of the oher-for therein was the
difference which made their paths aud more widely
divergent. One statesman, graspng with present
difficulties the other dreaming philosopher following
principles the Prince Of Eastern fable followed his ar
beyond the Indications man. Ond the bounds of
probability In their temperaments this antagonism
equally manifest. One the oracle Of bounding
bope-
"And his eye kindled
with he prorhecy eff glorious years