The Montgomery advertiser., 1903-09-06
r1NcxNEY's LIFE OF CALHOUN
"Has Caught the Spirit of the Great
 Political Philosopher"
St. Louis Republic.

St. Louis Republic.
 | In a brief and sketchlike work, The ! Life of John C. Calhoun" MT. Gustavus 1 M. Pinckney of the Charleston bar. has . presented to the public timely biography 1 -timesiy because of the application of ! Calhoun's political doctrines 10 the ques- i lions of today. The greatest statesman , and wisest prophet of his day held to an
 enduring philosophy and permanent prin- cinIes valuable for all times, but the wis., dom of this political genius seems to fall
 with peculiar beneficence and light upon problems which are confronting his coun- try today, notably those of the tariff and
 finance and spells.
 Mr. Ptnckney's work has been admir- l abIy performed. He Is evidently pre-em- inentiy fitted by ability, culture and en- yironment to have caught the spirit Of the great political philosopher, and the work has been done con amofe, by no means In a spirit of worship, but with a
 somewhat intimate communion with tra-
 ditlon. and i'll large sympathy with the
 ideals and purposes for which Calhoun
 strove. Incidentally, through the text one
 has glimpses of that most interesting fig
 ure. the Southern Jurist. Flashes of the authors spirit assist the imagination to draw him a a lawyer of the old style. a man of eloquence and power. of nobility of mind and dignity Of manner, with all the traditions of the old Colonial Bar. There are moments when one pictures him standing at the elbow of Calhoun or or Randolph seconding the wisdom of the speaker.
 MT. Pinkney's work Is not a life" in the biographical sense. being primarily sketch of the development of mind and political genius. The story Is told in some thirteen chapters, each presenting q new and distinct phase of growth. They are shown in logical order, and leave upon the reader the impression of having seen so many brilliant facts of jewel
 A few of the chapter titles will suggest the nature of the contents-foundation theory reflection, nullifcation, tarin, finance. spoils. Texas and Oregon, Mexican war, abolitionism. MT. Pim k- ney's exposition of the statesman's creed and philosophy is clear, concise and con- vincing, illuminated by frequent charac- teristic extracts from Calhoun's famous speeches. His speeches. it may be ob- served, reveal the nature and soul of the
 man perhaps as no other political utter ances reveal character. They show the
 tall. slim orator of brilliant eye and eager demeanor to possess the human warmth,
 the zeal and courage of large nuture
 with the ambitions of great soul and
 d patriotism amounting to genuine love-
 In considering Calhoun's career MT
 Pnckney does by no means confine him
 to the intellectual and political phases. hut constantly and consistently carries forward the parallel of growth on the
 human side. dwelling upon the remarka-
 bale way-almost more than coincidental- in which circumstances of life seemed to conspire to perfect the knowledge and experience of statecraft. MT. Pinckney
 shows him in childhood surroundings and as d student, traces the influence of rough interior environment tempered by the
 culture of the seacoast shows him in
 seven years of college life, and then plunging into South Carolina politics at
 period of more than common turmoil
 and contention, going thence to Congress
 at the time of the complications with
 England; after that as a sturdy patriot, busy in service of great moment to the
 struggling young Republic; as Secretary of War; as Vice-President; as Senator; exhibiting the influence of accomplishing
 years of service upon an intellect re penished as if from some fountain of perpetual youth" His mind never grew | old. To this quality may be attributed his never-failing originality. and, as commentator has observed the fact that each speech of his. as 1t came out, seemed to eclipse all former efforts in interest
 and illuminating power." In this connection 1t is interesting to note what a eulogist said of his faculties. | Although very young and fresh in the | sense of vigor, they seemed mature and | ripe at the very outset. "He had no youth to our knowledge: he sprang into the arena like Minerva from the head of love. fully grown and clothed in armor." Of his strength MT. Pinckney effectively says tha Calhoun's figure was a feature | l..z always visible and always in the same | posltion-a sort of giant Teneriffe, firm and immovable, in the midst of storm and thunder and lightning"
 While the substance of the work is | largely analytical and expository. the | tone at times verges upon eulogisttc. It | is something removed from the merely sentimental, however. and the author S | sympathy and enthusiasm are of a qual-
 ity to carry the reader irresstibly. The | style is ornate, yet not wearisomely Following Is fair sample of the au-
 thor's manner: Be it remembered that
 at this time 0he breach with Jackson | had not occurred-Jackson was not yet PresidenO MT. Calhoun stood second to none but Jackson in point of popularity
 throughout the country. in addition to | the distinction that had been earned by
 his talents and services The Presidency | was IdlTIy WdltiHB tO uTOp Into ms lap | Those who possess the master-key are
 assured without the telling what course
 he pursued He insisted on taking his l place, in the chair as usual Not only
 this; outside of Congress he took ar
 open and decided stand against that
 measure. thus mourning the full tide oi
 popular displeasure. and completely shut.
 ting out the brilliant prospects before
 him for advancement to the presidency | The next capacity in which Mir | Calhoun was to serve was that of spe'
 cially chosen senator of the sovereign State of South Carolina. We shall ther | have to search for him upon the noun.
 tain tops It requires some effort to rise | to the proper height Down in the plains
 or lost in the intervening hollows and thckly wooded ridges, it is impossible
 to see the view. He procaims In no un- | certain tone the objects that greet his vision; behind. deep-buried in the past | before. far-stretching into the future. The | prospects comprise many ages and many nations. The mountain eminence is hard
 to gain The view is well worth while" | Much has been crowded into the little | book-it contains but 243 pages-mucf
 that is entertaining and instructive. II l conveys. as no lenShty and pretentous work could. n warm, vivid impression o1
 noble being and a master mind. MT 1 Pinckncy has added an attractive vol ume to the literature of political science | Its chief value consists in that phase
 put to the student of history generally
 and to the casual reader it affords ar
 intimate view of d great and picturesque character never failing in interest and l s-l..