The Montgomery advertiser., 1902-02-02
JOHN (. CALHOUN'S CHARACTER

hope seems revived the next summer when he writes August, lsSs) that the electl0nS in Tennessee and Kentucky prove that "Ciayism and Jackson Van burenism are worn out, and that new order of things is approaching" which perhaps was realized in the election of
 MT, Polk, who by intrigue was nomi- mated over Van Buren for President and chosen at tho polls over Clay. After the nominations in 1sA hls in- creasinc sectional attitude held Mir. Cal houn aloof from either of the great parties. and in 1sis he rather preferred the Whig Taylor to the Democrat Cass.
 But he. still cherished in some degree writes that, the Democratid prospects indicate defeat for the next Presidency, unless, as my friends think. they should rally on me-" and as late as July. lsi1. he writes. "I think with you, this son in-law, Clemson. that my position is the most eligible of all the public men of the country" While the nominating 1s4s he writes that cass and Buchanan are the leading candidates, and that he has no confidence in either" It must be said. however, that. having gradually come to find that his great aspiration was not to be realized. the foresight of Mir. Calhoun became more clear at this time; or perhaps 'the sunset of life gives gives. us mystical lore He opposed and I'd over the Oregon boundary. Warmly far voring the annexation of Texas. he yet opposed the invasion of Mexico, and the war upon that country. which was truly the crime of rufYian and a robber. for 1t was only necessary. as he pointed out, to occupy defensive line on the boundary: but he correctly says that Tn no country. not even France. is there stronger inclination for war than this. and our recent experiences have amply Justified his pregnant remark upon our people that their inclination is for con quest and empire, regardless of their in stitutions and liberty: or rather they think they hold their liberty by divine tenure which no imprudence or folly on which remark is that he should say the people think in such cases Of passion and impulse. The last letter In this vol ume is dated 10 Marc. h 1850. three weeks
 Tt is difficult to see how two people.
 SO different and hostile. can exist to- gether in one common llnion; and this was while the fierce debate was occrr. ing in Congress over the admission or California. when the two sections were contending over the Mexican spolls
 These letters disclose too few of the yste memoirs the green-room of history; yet now and then we strike upon things of this kind, and even penetrate the
 habits and reserved thoughts of MT Cal arrives at Washington, and tells his
 wife that The last fifty-three miles Is
 performed by steamboat; nothing can
 be superior to that mode of conveyance.
 whether we regard the safety. ease or
 expedition of travelling: you are moved
 on rapidly without being sensible Of II.
 Mir. Calhoun was fond of-SrlcuI-~-ee'
 and we get pretty regular reports or the
 crop conditions and the price of cotton. for he had a plantation in his later years
 in our county of Marengo; and so, as far back as 1891. when he was war min ister. he writes q consider absence from my farm among my greatest sacrifices. He encourages his brother-in-law to oHer for the Legislature. saying, Il deem lt the duty of every man Of educdtlon ana leisure to bring himself forward in puphc business; 1t is thus dignity will be given to public affairs and the State usefully served" He seems to have been an average slave-master, and his negro Washington in ISIS; but in lSA MT. Cal houn answers a letter from man who
 encloses an article from The Christian
 Citizen, written by Rev: Charles TOT.
 prison for stealing a slave (dying there
 in 1846). who states that three years
 since, MT. aClhoun sold another man
 wife for harlot." she was me wi,s
 girl; a member of the Methodist Churcn.
 the purchaser was "a planter ln Aias | bama, and the price was $l,4o0 ana
 some months after the sale the poor
 husband. having been sent into the up- per part of South Carolina for mem Der of Mir. Calhoun's white ~ tamly, to Alabama. found his injured wife and md the two fled on foot" and after weeks of hunger and toll they reached Mary land, where the wife. delicate woman,
 days the sorrowing man wept over her remains: then buried her with his hands.
 by the river side, and toiled on towarns
 Canada" and T saw him some monsns, .,
 ago. sad, gloomy. heart-broken man: which sort of lie had great enect m an ignorant country Nike the Nortn;- and to which MT. Calhoun replied Wltn
 moderation and dignity that lt Was h9. h;s character was as unmpeachanle as master as in other domestic relations anu charitablv suggesting that the Rev TOT rev had been imposed upon oy some
 Mir. Calhoun was not what is called . religious man. In none of these iet-
 tcrs of his could it be ascefaa'neI, st,d 'ha, an
 onnion on the subject The separaupn
 of the Baptists and Methodists or tne @ South and North occurred over @ une
 slavery issue in or is asoa, approTa neaS of the
 action of the Southern portion mucn commenting the pamphlet Of Bishop
 Bascom in vindication or IL; s,a put 'hae icte
 ter from Rev R. B. Rhett. then in
 Congress, closes with Let me implore
 yon' my aged friend and political 1ainer'
 seek God in Christ; nave louno Fi,Liii ,.iii and you will find Him, also, if you Will
 seek Him; excuse me if il is presump--
 tion," etc. We remember to have read in H,rpc's Magazine years rsms ago, ni6ns 5ns sriond of n story told bv Gf our memory sFiSna serTes Ui usS Mir. scoville Mr. calhoun,s Se,netarV' hat while MT. Calhoun was on his death-bed a young preacher h at Washington. possessed or more zeal than than
 nronrietv sent r~ his card. and when asked what he desired. stated that he wished to talk to MT. Calhoun about
 the state of his soul or some snch si
 tain ,i grew indign ant and refused to be
 seen, remarking A young fellow Ike
 that coming to talk to me or sun
 Al, ,,nrlnt