The Abbeville press and banner. [volume] (Abbeville, S.C.) 1869-1924, 1910-03-30

Xhi. OolLouA . lde oPCCSh III CS SaesS "AS"3 NoNN~NS
his custom, he reduced to writing, and which because of his en-
feebled condition, was read by a colleague, will be, in the years to
come, a beacon light calling all true Americans, without refer
ence to section or party, from their mad lust for power, to anchor
again in the Constitution.
Mr.. Calhoun loved the Union, but he loved a constitutional
Union. Ifthere was one feature more pronounced in Nullihca-
ton as a remedial measure, than another, it was that it was con-
servative of the Union. His last public utterance, looked 10 the
of the Union, by amendment to the Constitution,
and without bloodshed. ellis devotion to the South was not
sectional so much as it was the natural consequence of his views
with reference to the theories of government His champion
ship of her interests was only for a child's just share of the mater
nal inheritance, strictly in accordance with the will. Hear this
statement, the closing lines of his last speech, to which we have
previously referred. Remember that at that very moment, the
hand of death was upon him; and Invested of every earthly con-
|sideration, he spoke to his people North and South. He said:
"Having faithfully done my duty, to the best of my ability, both
to the Union and my section, throughout the whole of this agita-
ton, I shall have the consolation, let what will come, that 1 am
free from all responsibility"
1t has perhaps never occurred to the sectional partisan who
has attributed traitorous motives to this greatest of American
statesmen, that a calm, unbiased consideration of his views, and
their adoption in good faith by the nation, might have averted
that terrible struggle, involving the loss Of millions Of lives and
billions of property. The fact is overlooked that a Constitu-
tiOnal union, such as was the dream Of Mr.. Calhouns life ana
to which he looked in every measure that he proposed touch
ing this subject, is the only real union that could give each men,
Der of the family an equitable share in the common inheritance.
Union and force are not compatible words. Instead of this gov
ernment now being a union of States, with each State retaining
its proper degree Of sovereignty, we are rapidly becoming a
nation with few rights reserved to the States other than such as
the federal government does not see fit to usurp. Alta critical
tluG Ill III ulSIOIyy WIG UO cOUCl VI" WI ehS hu"NS A0 =
not yet given place to passion, there lay before US two ways of
finally adjusting our differences. One was through this body
and the courts, which would have respected and adjusted prop
erty rights, and preserved that comfy of interest due between
sovereign, though united States. The other, conceived in mutual
jealousies, famed by hate, could but leave its trail of blood and
carnage. 70 the everlasting credit of Mr.. Calhoun be it said,
that his great heart, filled with aspirations for the young republic,
and constant in devotion to the Union, sought solution IN the
way of peace. He saw the distant breakers, and had others been
as astute, the old ship might have been steered around them,
without loss of rigging or mutiny y of her crew.
Mr.. Calhoun stood for government in accordance with the
Constitution. In this, rather than ia centralized wealth or i'm
perialsm, he believed reposed our strength and continuous exis-
tence. 1t may he said, and with some color of warrant, that in the
early years of his public service, he often yielded to what seemed
to be for the public good, without strict reference to the Constitu-
ton; but for the last twenty years of his life, his eye was ever on
tile Constitution, and no scheme, however promising, however
enticing, could receive his sanction, if, viewed in the light Of that
instrument, it reflected the slightest shadow.
We may but mention the branches of public service in which
Mr.. Calhoun's talents were engaged. So prominent and so full
of events were his services, in whatever capacity, that we must
leave the recital of details largely to history. He served first in
the House for six years, then as Secretary, of War, in the Cabinet
|of Mr.. Monroe. He was elected Vice President in 1924, and re-
elected. He was chosen United States Senator, in December 1892,
and was reelected to succeed himself. Owing to the death of Mr..
Upsher, Secretary of State in President Tylers administrations
Mr.. Calhoun was called to that position, which place he filled
with eminent ability, being the leading spirit in the annexation
of Texas. Shortly after retiring from the office of Secretary OF
|State, he was again elected to the Senate, bringing his great tai
Ients into that body Just in time to avert war with England, and
10 make possible the peacable annexation of Oregon, in 1886
Here, in the arena best suited to his great talents, he died in his
SEVENTEEN year, March 81, 1850.
While MI. Calhoun, in the early part of his service belonged to
the Republican Democratic party, he would not be bound to a
party measure which his judgment could not fully accept. In
advocating the war of 1912, his course was rather against the
the policy of his party, but the soundness of his views was after
ward developed. He opposed, almost alone in his party, the
Embargo, the Non-importation and Non-intercourse Acts. Sub
seuuent events justified beyond question the logic of his position.
He opposed the banking plan of 1sl4-15, himself suggesting a
plan containing many of the features of the present National
Banking System. He pointed out so clearly the falacy Of the
system proposed, and the utter folly of the Government borrow
ing its own credit from the bank, that the measure, though a
party measure, was defeated. But he was big enough and broad
enough to divest a question of it's party origin, and without selfish
purpose either for himself or for his locality, to view it with an
eve singled to the good of the whole people. 1t is often q dan
gerous policy for men of less ability to undertake to follow his
example. If he was inconsistent in party allegiance, he was
rarely inconsistent in party principles.
In personal appearance, Mr.. Calhoun was a striking figure.
A lady travelling in this country, seeing him for the first time,
spoke of him as 'the cast iron man, who seemed never to have
been born" No one ever saw him without having the impress
sion that he was possessed OF marked ability. His features in
repose were irregular, but in debate his animation was such as to
throw a light about his countenance. His eyes, a deep blue,
large and brilliant, were most striking. In repose they glowed
with a steady light, while in action they fairly emitted flashes Of
fire. If he had been endowed with less integrity of purpose and
more policy, he could surely have been President. That great
honor, we believe he laid down, because he would be the tool
of no man and because its acceptance would have sacrificed prinf
ciples, the establishment of which had consumed the greater part
of his life. He possessed pride of character in a marked degree
and ifanything, his pride of opinion was even more marked. He
was firm and prompt, manly and independent. 1t may truly
81 IL