The sun., 1892-12-11

that in case OF palpable violation OF the Con-
stitution by the general Government. state
might interpose it's veto: that this interposition
was constitutional and the State was to be the
sole Judge as to when the Federal Government
transcends It's constitutional limit. Mr.. Rhodes
is undoubtedly right in saying that Hayne
speeches would never have been remembered.
had not his most labored effort given Webster
tho occa sion for one Of those rare bursts OF
eloouence that astonish and delight the world.
On the morning OF the day when this MASTER
piece OF Am ericnn oratory was delivered.
fellow Senator said to Webster: 1T Is a
critical m oment and 1t is time. 1t is high time.
that the people OF this country should know
what this Constitution is" Then" answered
Webster. by tho blessing OF God they shaii
learn this day. before the sun goes down.
what I understand 1t to bc." A large audience
heard Webster's speech. but tho interest IN
the question was so grent that tho brilliant
crowd that gathered In the Senate chamoer
was but fraction OF the people over whom
his words were to have lasting power. Ho
spoke to the whole country. and to the Amer
lean people OF future ages. Tho primer
pies which no laid down are now recog-
nized as Fundamental truths. 1t took a
long war to establish them. but now.
sealed in blood. they arc questioned
by mono except Southerners OF the past
generation. That tho argument crushed null
LITIGATION was acknowledged throughout tho
Northern and Western and even many OF the
Southern States. 1t settled tho question for
the moment and probably would have done
so for n generation had not there occurred
about this time u complete change In the po-
litical fortunes OF Calhoun Con. jackson
quarrelled with him. and this blasted MS
hopes for the Presidency Adams called him
Z l.Nrfy nd n
halt between two opinions; he could abandon
his national ideas and devote himself
to the seeming interests of his native
State. He bent oil his energies to
tho task and worked out tho nne-srun theory
OF notification. Ho elaborated 1t In subtle
language and supported 1t by ingenious meta
physical reasons. But though bravo In the
closet when developing his ideas. on the stage
Of action he shrank from putting them in prac-
tlce. He became u man OF one idea: no Iack'd
that commerce with tho world which would
have modified tho opinions no elaborated IN
tho study. calhoun is mind through anu
through" snid Leber. and Harriet Mnrtineau
was struck by his utter intellectual solitude;"
by his habit OF harranguing at the tlreside as II
he we're in the Senate.
1t Is we'll known that tho collision between
South Carolina and the Federal Government
was averted by the compromise tariff advo-
Gated by Henry Clay. In tho course OF the de-
bate upon this measure Calhoun formulated
the view of the Constitution which was nftcr-
ward accepted by Jefferson Davis and ratified
by the Conventions OF the States forming the
Southern Confcderacy. The people OF Caro-.
lina," said Calhoun. believe that tho Union
is o union Of States. and not Of individuals:
that 1t was formed by tho States. and that the
citizens OF the several States were bound to it
through tho acts OF their several States: that
each State ratified tho Constitution for Itself.
and that it was only by such ratification
OF state that any obligation was I'M
posed upon its citizens. On this prin-
ciple tho people of the State of South
Carolina have declared by their ordinance that
the acts of Congress which imposed duties
under the authority to lay imposts were acts
not for revenue. rs intended by the Constitu-
ton. but for protection. ana therefore null and
void" In the same speech Calhoun asserted
that the terms union. federal. united all I'M
ply n combination o. soverei%nties. a con-
federation Of States. The sovereignty is in
the several States. and our system is union
Of twenty-four sovereign powers under a
compact. and not OF q divided
sovereignty between tho States severalv and
the United States" This speech WAS answered
by Webster with a piece Of close and powerful
from which some quotations arc
made by the author Of this volume. The de-
tailed arguments arc no longer necessary to
carry conviction: the statements themselves
now command unIuestioncd assent. II was
not so when Webster made his speech. Then
he had the majority Of tho South against him.
and not every ono at tho North was prepared
to adopt his strong national opinions. Yot the
greatest authority then living. James Madison.
speech. agreed with the view he had tRkcn ofthe
nature OF the Government established by the
Constitution. Mr.. Rhodes does not fail in this
place to note that the justification alleged by
the South for her rebellion in 1861 was based
on tho principles enunciated by Calhoun. or
course. the real cause was slavery. Had there
been no slavery. the Calhoun II cory OF the Con-
would never have been rropounded.
or had it been it would havo been crushed
beyond any chance OF resurrection by Web
sters speeches of 1890 and 1S33 and BY the
prompt action Of Jackson. The South could
not in 1861 justify her right to revolution. for
there was no oppression. no invaidaton OF
rights. On tho other hand. she could not pro-
claim to the civilized world. what was true
that she went to war to extend slavery Her
Defence therefore. was that she made the con-
tost for hcr constitutional right OF secession.
on the Calhoun theory. Meanwhile. however.
the ideus of Webster had waXed stronger with
the years. and the Northern people, thor
oughly imbueI with these sentiments and
holding them to be sacred truths. could not do
otherwise thnn resist the dismem berment OF
.he Union.
1t Is in connection with the memorable
speech delivered on the 7th Of March. 1850.
hat u portrayal OF Daniel Webster Is under
AIKEN by the author OF this history. Through
'ut the work. whenever possible. his precise
words are used in narration and illustration.
Or the reason tnat. in the opinion OF the au-
hor. Webster in intellectual endowment sur
ms sed all Of our public mon. Mr.. Nhodes is |
me Of those who believe that no one UNDER
tood the fundamental principles OF our poity
'ettor and that no one approached his Won
lerful power of expression. II is ponted out |
hat as an orator Webster has boon compared
or simplicity to Demosthenes, and for pro- |
undty to Barke. The effect of his o.atory is |
- lUAsRI Ia.