The Abbeville press and banner. [volume] (Abbeville, S.C.) 1869-1924, 1897-10-20

Although a very humble member of the
" Senate Of the United States. have yet the
" good Of our common country at heart, ano
" although our political opinions have been
| d" antipodes. that very circumstance induces
" me 10 address you on the present occasion
The supplying of the place
&" OF Upshur was and still is matter OF eX'
" TO the office of Secretary of State, relieves
" me and many. If not all OF my polllcal
" friends, from deep anxiety.
The great Hayne. in 1Sl4 when strong man
was needed in the United STATES SENATE,
wrote Calhoun and offered TO resign his seat
II Calhoun would take 1t and turn MS atten'
tion the great questions then needlng aIten'
tion.
nificent tributes paid to his memory by Web
ster, Clay, Hayne. Lamar. and nearly every
man of any note in the United States,
These men do not say that Mr. CaIhoun
was a slave-owner who wanted to own the
poor white trash OF the South. They do not
say that his advocacy OF slavery, iree trade
and notification hurt him, or rendered him
small, or lessened his patriotism and useful
ness as q statesman. ~
Consider the compliment paid his ability
by President Tyler in appointing him Secre.
tary of State when he had OF his own accord
retired from public life, In crlsls that re-
ouired q man Of brains and a statesman.
The appointment was greeted with delight by
men Of all factions, 1t being agreed tnat ne
was the only man who could successfully
cope with the situation.
President Tyler appointed him Secretary OF
State on account Of those qualifications, and
because he was considered the only man VINO
could handle our foreign affairs and the dell
cate political situation at home successfully.
See what Mr.. Phelps, of Vermont, says
about him. Mr.. Phelps frankly admits that
he is Mr. Cahoun's enemy, but he says noth'
ing about slavery or free trade, and bravery
acknowledges Mr.. Calhoun's worth as a
statesman and a patriot.
ColhnlntG strongest D0lnt
his knowledge Of the Constitution OF the
United States, he being strict construction
ist of that now much-neglecteu coue. ne
saw into the future, and, among other things.
lis utmost limit, and that finally the sover-
eighty OF the States would be taken from
them. That Is fast being done. One by one
one speclous reason and an apparent benefit
financially, we give up right, and Congress
mplacently assumes 1t.
Calhoun had high appreciation of the du-
ties OF life, and he lived up to his conceptions.
The above ia shown in letter to his daugh.
ter. He says:
You must not suppose that in contending
" ae ainst corruption and Diisrule that am
I" impelled by the hope of success. Had that
" been the case, l would have retired long
" since from the conflict. Far higher motives
"impel me. A sense of duty to do my best
I" for our country and to leave the rest 10
I" Providence. I hold the duties OF life to be
" greater than life Itself, and that In perform
Il ing them manfully. even against hope, our
q" labor is not lost, but will be productive oi
" good In after time.
Indeed. regard this life very much as a
" struggle against evil, and that TO him who
"ac.s on proper PRINCIPLES. the reward Is In
" the struggle more than in the victory itself,
=. although that greatly enhances II. So
" strong is my faith In this belief, my dear
" daughter. that no appreciation, either
by the present or after time, Is neres
" sary to sustain me in struggling to do my
" "dnty in resisting wrong-especially where
" my country Is concerned, although put a
high value on renown.
With kind regards, am
Very truly yours,
VIM. p. Calhoun.