The Iola register. [volume] (Iola, Allen County, Kansas) 1875-1902, 1896-05-22
CLAY, WEBSTER AND CALHOUN.
FLORENCE HEDGER.

many years ago and laid the founda,
tions of the principles of our union
Among the most illustrious stanC
out in bold relief the names of thai
great trio, Clay, Webster and Cal
houn. They were true patriots. They
desired to preserve and strength Ell
the union. They were honest, unset
fish and dignified. Certainly oul
grand republic would not have beer
what it is but for the statesmanshiI
of these three men.
The families of all these distin
guished men were poor. Clay and
Calhoun, their fathers being dead
were compelled to work hard to helI
their mothers in the support of theil
families. Webster, slight, delicate
child, was not able to work ON the
farm, and so wandered in the woods
and learned to love nature. But they
read, these busy boys, great deal
and remembered what they read.
Webster and Calhoun were fOrtu-
nate enough to receive college educa.
tions, largely by their own efforts,
however, Webster graduating from
Dartmouth college aud Calhoun from
Yale, both with many hOnOrs. Clay,
in log schUolhOuse, from very indif-
ferent teachers, received the meager
education which he had. Neverthe-
less, he worked his way forward to
the profession of law, which prOfes-
sion Webster and Calhoun also de-
cided to enter. Admitted to the bar
at about the same time, they began to
practice in places far from each other,
Clay at Lexington, Kentucky; Web
ster at BOscawen, New Hampshire,
and Calhoun at Abbeville, South
Carolina.
In 1899 Clay took his first part in
political affairs by attempting to per-
suade Kentucky to provide in her
constitution for the gradual abolition
of slavery. Webster prepared the
Rock ingham memorial, strong ar
gument against the war of 1872 and a
presentation of Federalist views. In
1907 the Chesapeake was searched by
the British. This aroused much feel
ing, and Calhoun drew up a resOlu-
ton expressing Indignation against
Great Britain and supported it in a
powerful speech. A result of these
especial efforts on the part of each,
they were all elected to congress to
represent their several states. All
were in congress at the same time,
each taking an active part in debate;
but upon most subjects they held
very different views. Webster op-
posed the war of 1872, while Clay and
Calhoun were its foremost advocates,
doing much TO prepare the country
for it by their enthusiasm and pat
riotism. Calhoun was the author of
the tariff of 1916, but finding it disad-
vantageous to the cotton growing
states, soon became opposed to it..
Webster supported the tariff, it being
profitable to the manufacturing
states. In 1888 it became the leading
question. The south. with Calhoun
as leader, having resisted the tariff
measures, Clay presented a bill
which provided for the gradual les
sening of the tariff duties. 1t was
passed and he was much esteemed.
In 1929 Jackson became president.
Calhoun had brought forward nulli-
f1cation doctrines until South Caro-
lima was ready to secede. Foote of
Connecticut introduced a resolution
to inquire respecting the sales and
surveys of western lands. An eX-
tended debate followed, in which Gen
eral Hayne of South Carolina violent
lp attacked the New England states
for wishing to build themselves up in
wealth at the expense of the south
and west. Webster eloquently de-
Tended them. Again Hayne spoke,
ably maintaining the doctrine of null
lification. The following day Web
ster replied with sharp sarcasm and
intense feeling. He taught the
American people the strength and
holding power of the constitution.
The country was electrified by his
speech. 1t was the preparation of a
lifetime. The debate between Cal
houn and Webster on the nature OF
the federal government and the doc
trines of notification was one of the
most noted for ability and eloquence.
Webster opposed Clay's compromise,
which aimed to appease the nulli-
fiers. Webster, living in the north,
where the very name of slavery was
odious, opposed slavery. Calhoun,
living in the south, where slavery
was nurtured, supported it. Clay,
living almost on q line between the
slavery and anti-slavery districts,
was always ready with compro-
mise. When Clay secured the pass.
age of the Missouri compromise bill
he seemed to have saved the union.
In 1888 Calhoun delivered his ia.
nous speech on slavery, and con.
tinued through his whole life to
speak and write in behalf of the slave
holding interests. Clay. in 1850, came
forward with his compromise, and
Webster, knowing that the country
was in danger and wishing to help
matters, gave it his support. March
Z, 1850, he delivered in congress his
famous speech on the compromise
discussing the whole history of slav.
cry, opposing the Wilmet proviso
and condemning the north for resist.
ing the fugitive slave law. He re-
ceived much indignation from the
north, but bore the reproaches brave